BL. SEBASTIAN KIMURA, PRIEST AND MARTYR

BL. SEBASTIAN KIMURA, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 10 SEPTEMBER

BLESSED SEBASTIAN KIMURA, PRIEST AND MARTYR

Sebastian Kimura's martyrdom
alongside Carlo Spinola and Companions

Sebastian (Sebastianus) Kimura, of the Society of Jesus, was burned alive in a slow fire with Carolus Spinola and seven other companions on 10th September 1622 in Nagasaki. He was the first Christian priest of the Japanese nation.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882, p. 232)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

Sebastian Kimura was born into a Christian family in 1565. His grandfather was the very first Japanese convert baptised by the missionary Francis Xavier.

Drawn to a life of religious service, Sebastian Kimura entered the Society of Jesus in 1582. He undertook his studies in Japan at institutions run by the Jesuits before traveling to Macau for theological studies. In 1601, Sebastian Kimura was ordained a priest in Nagasaki as the first Japanese Catholic priest.

Father Sebastian Kimura's fluency in Japanese and cultural understanding made him adept at navigating the challenges faced by Christians during the period of persecution under Tokugawa Hidetada. He could effectively disguise himself as a soldier, merchant, laborer, or even a physician to visit Christian households and deliver the sacraments to those imprisoned for their faith. This clandestine ministry earned him the attention of the authorities, who actively sought his capture.

Eventually Father Sebastian Kimura was betrayed by a servant and apprehended in 1621 alongside his companions. Imprisoned in Suzuta Prison, he found himself reunited with fellow Christians, including Father Carlo Spinola. Ultimately, Father Kimura was sentenced to death by burning at the stake. He was executed during the Great Genna Martyrdom on September 10, 1622.

On May 7, 1867, he was beatified by Pope Pius IX as one of the 205 Martyrs of Japan.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_Kimura

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Sebastian 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.

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

FATIMA APPARITION - 13 AUGUST

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 13th of August Marian Feast Days WELCOME! FATIMA APPARITION - AUGUST 13 The Fatima Children “BUT IN THE END MY IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH.” But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me; it will be converted, and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world. THE AUGUST 13 EVENTS On August 13, the children were in jail at Ourem. The civil administrator threatened to boil them in oil if they did not tell the Lady’s secret. Though badly frightened, they could not think of disobeying our Lady. In disgust, the administrator finally freed them. A large number of people, not knowing that the children had been kidnapped, went to the Cova for the scheduled appearance of the Lady. At noon, there was a loud clap of thunder. Then, according to an eyewitness: “Right after the thunder came a flash, and immediately we all noticed a little cloud, very white, beautiful and bright,...

ST BERTHA OF AVENAY, ABBESS AND MARTYR - 1 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 1st of May WELCOME! ST BERTHA OF AVENAY, ABBESS AND MARTYR The name Bertha (Berta) is derived from the Old German bercht, brecht, bert etc., meaning shiny, splendid. Saint Bertha, a martyr and abbess of Avenay (Aveniacum) in the diocese of Rheims, was descended from a noble family. Married to St Gumbert (April 29), she obtained her husband's consent to join the monastic life. She then built the aforementioned monastery of Avenay. Following an apparition of the Blessed Virgin, she received many nuns there. Once, when Bertha was silently praying for water for her monastery, St Peter appeared to her and showed her a place where there was a spring, which then began to flow into the monastery in a running stream (ex quo fonte mox rivus egressus secutus est eam ad coenobium remeantem). Finally, towards the end of the 7th century, she was killed by her stepsons - for what reason is not specified, perhaps in ...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog