Feb 6 Martyrs of Japan 1597

Jack and Thom,
Good morning, I love you
110112, 1413


February 6
More Martyrs of Japan.


John Soan de Goto 1597

Japanese martyr of Japan. He was only nineteen at the time of his crucifixion at Nagasaki with many companions.

You are past nineteen. Are you living your faith, bringing our faith, our relationship with Jesus and Church, to the people in our community who, not so much unlike sixteenth century Japan, are anti Catholic? Well, maybe not a monarchical inspired persecution but a social and political anti-Catholicism and anti-religion.



Thomas Danki 1597


Thomas Danki is a Japanese martyr. No doubt Thomas Danki wasn’t born with the name Thomas. Like Thom (and me), he took on the name – to be known as – Thomas at baptism.

Thomas Danki was a native layman. You are native laymen. How have you decided to serve your fellow countrymen? How have you decided to serve our God? How have you responded to your vocation? With whom have you surrounded yourself?

Thomas Danki entered the Franciscans as a tertiary and served as an interpreter for the Franciscan missionaries in Japan. Thomas Danki became Catholic and to fulfill his vocation he joined the Franciscans. You should at least know Francis very well; let yourself be inspired by St Francis; let yourself be inspired by Thomas Danki.

Thomas Danki was arrested by authorities and crucified at Nagasaki with twenty-five other companions. He was canonized in 1886 and is counted as one of the companions of St. Paul Miki.


Michael Kozaki 1597

Michael Kozaki was a Martyr of Japan.

Michael Kozaki was a native Japanese catechist who served as a hospital nurse and was arrested for being a Christian. The fact that he was native Japanese is important. We are often called to catechize our confreres, our neighbors and friends who do not believe the One True Faith as we do.

Michael Kozaki not only reached out to his fellow Japanese, he brought his son with him into the fray, into the joy of giving what we believe to others. His son, in obedient response as well as his response to his own vocation which he found by not only being open to his own heart but to his father’s guidance.

Michael Kozaki was crucified at Nagasaki with his son and other companions.




Thomas Kozaki 1597

Thomas Kozaki was a Japanese martyr.

The son of St. Michael Kozaki, Thomas Kozaki was a boy of fifteen who aided the Franciscan missionaries. Along side his father, Thomas Kozaki probably went along to help his father, to be with his father, to be cool with his father in service to the Franciscans who came to them with the message of our Catholic faith.

Thomas Kozaki was crucified at Nagasaki with twenty-five other companions, including his father. Age has no meaning in the importance of our faith. If a country – or community or a school – will be anti-Catholic when faced with the Catholicism of a fifteen year old, then know that your faith not only affects you but everyone around you. Unfortunately, some will be threatened by the Truth – to the degree that they will seek to have you crucified: literally or metaphorically. How prepared is your faith for this challenge?



Matthias of Meako 1597

Matthias of Meako is a Martyr of Japan.

Matthias of Meako is a native Japanese. Matthias of Meako became a Franciscan tertiary. We have a Franciscan group here in GSO. Check them out. They may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Matthias of Meako was not listed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as one of the twenty-six Catholics to be slain as examples. However, he took the place of one of the designated martyrs and was crucified with St. Peter Baptist and companions in Nagasaki. Are you prepared to sacrifice yourself for someone else? Give of yourself for another person? Enough to give them a phone call? How much have you developed your faith, hope, and love of God and Family and Church and Community?

Matthias was canonized in 1862.



Peter Shukeshito 1597

Peter Shukeshito is a Japanese martyr.

Peter Shukeshito is a native Japanese Catholic. You are a native Nashvillian Catholic; a GSO resident Catholic. Right?

Peter Shukeshito was a devoted Catholic who remained a layman but served as a Franciscan tertiary, catechist, and an assistant to the Franciscan missionaries. How do you serve? How do you live out your live out your faith? How do you teach your faith to yourself and others.

Peter Shukeshito was arrested with the group of martyrs surrounding St. Peter Baptist, he was crucified near Nagasaki.

I love you,
Dad
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