BL. CARLO SPINOLA, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 11 SEPTEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 11th of September

WELCOME!

BLESSED CARLO SPINOLA, PRIEST AND MARTYR 

Blessed Charles (Carlo) Spinola S. J., born 1564 in Madrid, Spain, entered the novitiate in December 1584, was ordained a priest in 1594, and served parishes in Cremona until, in 1596, he was appointed to the missions in Japan. 

HE MINISTERED TO THE GROWING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN JAPAN

His journey was marked by shipwrecks and delays. He had studied Japanese before going to Kyoto where he was minister at the Jesuit College, and a teacher of mathematics and astronomy. For twelve years, he ministered to the growing Christian community in Japan. 

In 1614, all foreign missionaries were banished so Blessed Carlo went into hiding, eluding capture for four years. 

HIS MARTYRDOM

After being arrested in 1618, he, together with Brother Ambrose Fernandes and their catechist, John Chogoku, were imprisoned for four years in a birdcage-like confinement under harsh conditions.

Afterwards, he was burnt at the stake at Nagasaki on September 10, 1622. Blessed Carlo was beatified in 1867, along with 30 other Jesuits, many of whom were Japanese. 

Information from Wikipedia - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spinola

⬅️ Saint Paul Miki and Companions 

➡️ 205 Martyrs of Japan 

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Carlo confessed the faith, may experience his goodness as he intercedes for us with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.