St. Paul Miki and Companions
Feb 06
Patron Saints of Japan
By 1549, St. Francis Xavier had begun the evangelization of Japan.
After he left to spread the faith elsewhere, a Catholic community flourished. The community grew, and eventually expanded to include Paul Miki, a high-born Jesuit priest who became well-known as a preacher.
Martyrdom of St. Paul Miki & Companions
Paul followed St. Francis’ footsteps and continued the spread of Christianity, along with missionaries and priests from various countries and orders.
In 1597, Hideyoshi, a powerful Japanese official, listened to the gossip and lies of a Spanish merchant. The merchant said that Paul and the missionaries were traitors of Japan, and were spies for Spain and Portugal.