Saint Paul Miki and Companions

Monday, February 6, 2023

Brother Paul Miki openly proclaimed that he was “a true Japanese,” a member of the Society of Jesus, and that he was being put to death for having preached the Gospel. While hanging on the cross, he is known to have said: “Having arrived at this moment of my existence, I believe that no one of you thinks I want to hide the truth. That is why I declare to you that there is no other way of salvation than the one followed by Christians. Since this way teaches me to forgive my enemies and all who have offended me, I willingly forgive the king and all those who have desired my death. And I pray that they will obtain the desire of Christian baptism.”