Reflection on Today’s Feast

By Fr. George Bur, SJ

More than 92% of Filipinos are Christians, almost 30% of South Koreans share the faith and in “Communist China” it’s estimated that about 3% self-identify as Christians. In Japan, despite the best efforts of missionaries starting in the 16th Century and continuing to this very day, less than 1% of the population is Christian [with less than half of that one percent being Catholic.]

After Francis Xavier’s arrival in Yamaguchi in July 1549, Christianity spread rapidly, and it has been estimated that by the 1580s there were about 200,000 Christians in Japan. There was, nonetheless, considerable opposition to the faith by some Buddhist leaders and local rulers. In 1587, Emperor Hideyoshi ordered the expulsion of all Catholics, which forced the Jesuits to go into hiding. Out-and-out persecution didn’t start until 1596 when the seizure of a Spanish ship aroused fears of foreign intervention and the emperor had twenty-six believers rounded up. They were Franciscans, Jesuits [among them Paul Miki], and lay people, including children.

Paul, the son of a Japanese military leader, was baptized at 5 years-old along with the rest of the family. Educated by the Jesuits, he entered the Society in 1580. He wasn’t yet ordained but was known for his eloquent preaching and was responsible for many of his fellow countrymen becoming Christian.

After his arrest, with the twenty-five others, he was forced to walk the more than 600 miles from Kyoto to Nagasaki. He was crucified there on February 5th with the others. His statement to the crowds gathered for his execution remains moving today. Hanging from a cross, he declared: “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.”

I spent almost ten years in Japan during the 1980s and I have a particular devotion to Paul Miki. I regret that, as he so fervently wished, his blood doesn’t seem to have yet fallen “as a fruitful rain.” But just as Francis Xavier and Paul Miki were men of great desires, we must continue to hope that the Gospel will soon find a solid footing in the hearts of our Japanese sisters and brothers.

St. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs of Japan, pray for us!

Fr. Campbell is missioned to serve as the executive director of the Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, NJ, in the USA East Jesuit Province.