The Franciscan Martyrs of Japan

Описание: The Franciscan Martyrs of Japan refer to numerous Franciscans, both foreign missionaries and Japanese converts, who were persecuted and killed for their faith, particularly during the early 17th-century Sakoku period. They were prominent in the first group of martyrs known as the 26 Martyrs of Japan, crucified in 1597, and many other Franciscans were among the hundreds of martyrs whose sacrifices formed the foundation of Christianity in Japan.
The 26 Martyrs of Japan (1597)
A Spanish ship wrecked off the coast of Shikoku, which was perceived by Japanese authorities as a prelude to a Spanish invasion.
This led to the arrest and execution of six Spanish Franciscan friars, including Pedro Bautista, and seventeen Japanese Franciscan tertiaries, along with three Japanese Jesuits.
They were paraded through cities, had their ears cut off, marched to Nagasaki, and then crucified and impaled with lances.
The execution served as a stark warning to other Christians and led to increased persecution, with many more Christians arrested, tortured, or killed in the ensuing years.
Further Persecution and Martyrdom
After the initial execution, foreign missionaries continued to arrive and people continued to convert, despite the danger.
A significant wave of persecution occurred in the early 17th century, leading to the death of many more Christians.
In 1627, Pope beatified 205 martyrs, including 17 Friars Minor (Franciscan friars), a Third Order Regular friar, and about 40 Secular Franciscans.
Another group of 188 martyrs was declared blessed in 2007, and other Franciscan martyrs were later canonized.
The persistent hunt for Christians and the sealing off of Japan from the outside world (Sakoku) effectively wiped out Christianity from the nation for a time.
Legacy
The sacrifice of the Franciscan martyrs and other Christians remains a spiritual and cultural foundation for the Christian community in Japan.
The Franciscan Province of the Holy Martyrs of Japan was created in 1977 to honor their legacy and continue their missionary work.
The Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument in Nagasaki stands as a memorial to their suffering.