Paul Miki

Who they were

Paul Miki was born in 1556 near Osaka, probably into a family converted by St Francis Xavier, was baptised at five and educated by the Jesuits, whom he never left. He was the first religious from Japan, though with no bishop in the country he could not be ordained priest. An expert in the religion of his own people, he became a fine preacher, able to debate with Buddhist authorities, and brought many to Christ.

In 1596 the regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi began a violent persecution. Paul was arrested with six Franciscans, two Jesuit novices and seventeen lay converts, two of them boys. On 5 February 1597 all twenty-six were crucified on Nishizaka hill in Nagasaki and killed with lances. From the cross Paul forgave his executioners, preached a last sermon, and like Christ commended his spirit into the Father's hands.

The miracles

As martyrs, Paul Miki and his companions did not need approved miracles. They share the memorial of 6 February.

Why that counted as sanctity

Paul Miki, the first Japanese martyr, died on a cross as his Master did, forgiving his killers and preaching Christ to the end.

Connected on this site

• Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan Saint honoured together
• Francis Xavier Saint
  “Paul Miki was born in 1556 near Osaka, probably into a family converted by St Francis Xavier, was baptised at five and educated by the Jesuits, whom he never left.” — this site's research
• James Kisai Saint
  “Out of the 26, Kisai, Paul Miki, and John Soan de Goto were the only Jesuits to be executed in Nagasaki on February 5, 1597.” — Wikipedia
• Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan Saint
  “Canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1862, Miki is recognized as one of the Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan.” — Wikipedia
• Justo Takayama Blessed
  “A Japanese layman and father of a family, he founded seminaries to form native catechists, many of whom, like St Paul Miki, became martyrs.” — this site's research