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Have you ever read the homily Saint Paul Miki preached from the cross as he was martyred in Japan?
Friday, February 6, is the optional memorial of Saint Paul Miki and his 25 companions. The Japanese saint, alongside three Jesuits, six Franciscans, priests, brothers, three children, and other laypeople, were martyred on February 5, 1597, on what is now considered “Holy Mountain” in Nagasaki, Japan.
EWTN described this persecution in Japan:
“In 1592 the persecution was renewed, and several Japanese converts received the crown of martyrdom. The emperor Tagcosama (Toyotomi Hideyoshi), one of the proudest and most vicious of men, was worked up into rage and jealousy by a suspicion suggested by certain European merchants desirous of the monopoly of this trade, that the view of the missionaries in preaching the Christian faith was to facilitate the conquest of their country by the Portuguese or Spaniards.”
Brother Paul Miki is the most well-known of the 26 saints. He was crucified and put to death.
As he died, Saint Paul Miki preached from the cross. Here is one of the preserved texts below.
Saint Paul Miki’s Sermon on the Cross During His Martyrdom
“The sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true Japanese.
“The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.”
Another preserved text reads slightly different. Here is the condensed version of Paul Miki's sermon below:
“As I come to this supreme moment of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves.”