Archive | February 6, 2012

St., Paul Miki & Companions (Feb 6th)

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February 6th is the Feast Day of Saint Paul Miki and Companions. They suffered Martyrdom in Japan for being Catholic. They were crucified.

Following Quotation is from: RC Calendar iPhone App

“St Paul Miki (1564/6 – 1597)

He was born in Japan between 1564 and 1566. He joined the Society of Jesus and preached the Gospel to the Japanese people with great success. When a persecution of the Catholics arose he was arrested together with twenty-five others. Mocked and tortured, they were eventually taken to Nagasaki on 5 February 1597, bound to crosses and speared.”

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Following Quotation is from: Catholic Culture
As St. Paul Miki was dying he said,

“The sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.”

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