TUESDAY
February 6, 2001
volume 12, no. 37

Tuesday, February 6, 2001    Meditation

Feast of Saint Paul Miki and Companion Missionary Martyrs

Red vestments

    Like His Savior Jesus Christ, Japanese-born Saint Paul Miki, a Jesuit catechist, was crucified at the age of 33 with 25 other Catholics near Nagasaki, Japan at the hands of ruthless Samurai warriors. Along with two other catechists, six Franciscan priests from Spain, Mexico and India, and 17 lay Catholics from Japan, St. Paul Miki had sought to convert the people of Japan. Fearing the pagan influence and Samurai power would be harmed, some of the Samurai leaders riled up their fellow tribesman and captured the 26 missionaries on February 5, 1897, stringing them up on crude crosses by ropes and chains. As if this wasn't harsh enough, they were then murdered by the quick slash of the sword or the thrust of a sharp lance. Pope Pius IX canonized all 26 in 1862 and their martyrdom is commemorated on February 6th.

Weekday in Ordinary Time

Green vestments

February 6, 2001 volume 12, no. 37 DAILY LITURGY www.DailyCatholic.org