St. Paul Miki & St. Peter Baptist Feb. 6th

 

Today, the church celebrates the memorial of St. Paul Miki, Peter Baptist and Companions. In 1592, the military dictator of Japan planned to invade the Philippine Islands. To negotiate, King Philip of Spain sent Fr. Peter Baptist, as his ambassador. He succeeded in preventing the dictator from invading, and even got permission to spread Christianity in Japan. However, a group of Japanese later convinced the dictator, that Fr. Peter wanted to dethrone him, and so he ordered the Franciscans, and Jesuits to be imprisoned and put to death.

St. Peter Baptist, six Franciscan Friars, and three Japanese Jesuits, including Paul Miki were arrested. There were also twenty laymen arrested as well.

Several accounts of the martyrdom tell us what happened. The martyrdom of the Jesuits, is recorded as follows, and includes the words of Paul Miki, who boldly proclaimed: “As I come to this supreme of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves.” And all kept repeating the words, “Jesus, Mary!” while their faces looked serene. The executioners took out their spears and killed them one by one.

The Franciscan account of the martyrdom states, “On still another day they brought us to prison again, mounted us on horses, and conducted us through the streets of the city. We were also taken to Sakai, where they did the same thing. On each occasion there was a public proclamation by the town crier. We knew we had been condemned to death. From what I have heard, I think we will be crucified this coming Friday, because it was on Friday, that they cut off a part of each one’s ear at Miyako, an event we accepted as a gift from God. We all ask you then with great fervor to pray for us for the love of God.

Dearest brothers, help us with your prayers, that our death may be acceptable to the majesty of God in heaven, where God willing, we hope to go. Farwell, dearest brothers, because there is no longer any time to speak to you. Till we meet in heaven. Remember me.”

On Jan. 4^th 1597, the Franciscans were again bound, and thrown on hurdles to be taken to Nagasaki for execution. The journey lasted four weeks arriving on Feb. 5^th. They were taken to the crosses on the top of a hill. With loud voices they thanked God for the grace of being permitted to die by crucifixion like Jesus. As they hung crucified, the executioners took two spears and thrusted the spears through their bodies. The executioners were astounded upon seeing their joy at being martyred in a manner following Christ’s Passion.

In imitation of Jesus, they were crucified and pierced, because they offered their bodies as living and acceptable sacrifice to God, their spiritual worship. In a unique way, they lived out what they would do at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which they attended often.

Today, these martyrs give us great courage in facing the ordinary challenges of daily life. Let us seek their prayers, and ask them to help us to be courageous in our difficulties, and that we too may keep the sacred words, Jesus! Mary!, on our lips, and be grateful to God for our daily sufferings and to offer our future death to God the Father, that it may be a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice to Him, our spiritual worship.