Summary
Ten years ago, Martin Scorsese’s film Silence introduced many to the brutal persecution of Christians in Japan during the 16th and 17th centuries. In 2023, Catholics celebrate the feast of Japanese martyrs—St. Paul Miki and his companions—who faced systematic attempts by the government led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to eradicate Christianity from the nation. In 1597, Hideyoshi sentenced nearly 35,000 Japanese Christians to death by crucifixion in Nagasaki. Over 26 individuals, including St. Paul Miki, were marched for 600 miles before their execution, enduring torture and humiliation en route. At the place of death, Miki declared his faith publicly, expressing hope that his blood would spread Christianity. The Japanese martyrs’ witness emphasized that Christian disciples should live their faith with missionary zeal despite persecution. This martyrdom acted as a powerful form of evangelization, leading to an increase in conversions and adherence to the faith. Pope John Paul II praised the Japanese martyrs on Martyrs’ Hill in Nagasaki in 1981, emphasizing their significant role in fostering a new generation of faithful followers.
Key Topics
Crusifixion, Japanese martyrs, Hideyoshi persecutions
