Jesuits

On February 7, the Church commemorates Saint Paul Miki and his twenty-five companions, a diverse group of priests, religious, and lay faithful who were executed in Nagasaki in 1597 for their unwavering commitment to Christ. Their martyrdom marked a turning point in the history of Christianity in Japan, revealing both the rapid spread of the Gospel and the severe persecution that followed. Bound together by faith rather than status or vocation, these martyrs bore witness to Christ through suffering, forgiveness, and steadfast hope.