St. Paul Miki was born into a wealthy Japanese family, and was educated by the Jesuits in Azuchi and Takatsuki.  Being drawn to the religious life and having a deep love for Jesus, he joined the Society of Jesus.  He became a well-known and successful preacher.  He was responsible for gaining large numbers of converts to Catholicism. 

The Japanese leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi was fearful of the Jesuit’s influence and intentions.  He began to persecute Catholics to curb the growth and success of the Jesuit’s work.  Paul Miki was jailed along with many others.  He and his fellow Catholics were forced to march 600 miles from Kyoto to Nagasaki.   All the while marching, he and the others sang the Te Deum, “Thee, O God, We Praise”. 

On arriving in Nagasaki, the city with the largest Catholic population in Japan, Paul Miki was crucified on February 5, 1597.  He preached his last sermon from the Cross, and it is maintained that he forgave his executioners, stating that he himself was Japanese.  Crucified along with St. Paul Miki were Joan Soan de Goto’ and Santiago Kisai.  They were both from the Society of Jesus.  As well as the three mentioned, twenty-three other Clergy and laity were crucified that day.  Pope Pius IX canonized all of them as saints of the Church in 1862.  St. Paul Miki is the Patron saint of Japan and his Feast Day is celebrated on February 6^th. 

Practical Take Away

St. Paul Miki was a Japanese native, who was taught by the Jesuits.  He was drawn to the Spiritual life, and joined the Society of Jesus.  He became well known for being a great preacher, and was responsible for large numbers of conversions to Catholicism.  The political figure, being concerned at the success that the Jesuit’s were having, started persecuting Catholics.  He was forced to march 600 miles to Nagasaki along with 25 other Clergy and Laity, the city with the largest Catholic population in Japan.  On February 5, 1597, they were all crucified.  His life serves as an example of how hard our forefathers had it, in trying to keep and grow the faith for us today.  We would do well to seek St. Paul Miki’s assistance in helping us to promote the faith to those around us.