Fr. Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata
St. Francis Xavier received permission to preach Christianity in Japan in 1549. What would become the diocese of Nagasaki, welcomed the first Christians as the original place of Catholicism in Japan. Only decades later, in 1587, Christianity was outlawed. What followed was the prompt destruction of the visible Church. All missionaries were sent away. Then, in 1617 a widespread persecution occurred. Between 1558 and 1650, 2010 people were martyred for their faith, including 106 foreigners. In 1644 the last priest, Father Konishi, was martyred. For 250 years there was a total "black out" of Catholicism. It appeared to be successfully eradicated from the area of Nagasaki and the whole of Japan.
The next seven generations of Catholics have come to be known as the "hidden Christians." They followed the liturgical calendar, practiced the Sacrament of baptism, catechesis, liturgical prayers, and devotions - of
which the veneration of the Mother of God was central. Unable to have a unique statue of the Blessed Mother in public, they prayed before statues of Kannon Bosatsu, the Goddess of Mercy.
In 1863, after a series of political negotiations, a missionary priest was allowed in Japan to minister to foreign Christians in Japan for business. He was not allowed to preach to or evangelize the people. It was still illegal for the Japanese to practice Christianity. In 1865, a Church was established for foreign inhabitants in the area of Nagasaki. The Japanese called it the "French Temple." But, word got around that the "French Temple" had a statue of Holy Mary. The hidden Christians were nearly convinced - after seven generations - there could be a "pater" in Japan! On March 17, 1865, ten "hidden Christians" entered the Church and were fully convinced. They approached the priest saying "We have the same heart as yours. Where is the statue of Holy Mary?" Astounded, the good priest brought them to a side altar where the statue had been placed.
The hidden Christians could no longer contain themselves, and burst with joy.
The persecutions continued. In 1867, 100 were imprisoned, then released after foreign pressure. In 1868, 13 were executed and signboards proclaimed Christianity to be a heathen religion. 114 Christians of Nagasaki were deported to three different locations, and in 1879, 3000 were deported to 21 different locations. After much political negotiation, in 1873 Christianity is implicitly approved. It was not until 1889 that religious freedom was proclaimed in Japan, though it was not until 1919 that Pope Benedict XV was able to establish relations with Japan. In 1927, the first Japanese was ordained Bishop: Ianuario Hayasaki. In 1928 he was installed in the diocese of Nagasaki.
On April 24, 1930, St. Maximilian Kolbe arrived in Nagasaki with Brother Zeno and Brother Hilary. They
met the new Bishop and sought permission work and print in the diocese. Bishop Hyasaki needed teachers at the seminary, St. Maximilian had two doctorates, so a deal was struck. The Franciscans could print and work, if Fr. Maximilian would teach.
Only one month later, on May 24, 1930, the first edition of Seibo no Kishi was published with a press-run of 10,000. This number is astounding, considering the number of Catholics in Nagasaki was not great, and there was already a Japanese Catholic Newspaper in circulation! Yet, Father Kolbe was ever zealous, and as he related and history demonstrates the Japanese Catholics loved the Blessed Mother and were ready to sacrifice everything for their faith.
Shortly after, Father Kolbe and the friars moved from the Oura district to Hongochi on the outskirts of the city. On the slope of Mount Hikosan they built their monastery: Mugensai no Sono. Sebi no Kishi continues to be published today, the longest running Catholic periodical in Japan - first published by poor, polish friars at the dawn of the new era of Catholicism in Japan.
References:
Diocese of Nagasaki
http://www.cbcj.catholic.jp/eng/ediocese/nagasaki.htm
The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/VirginMaryinNagasaki.htm
St. Francis Xavier received permission to preach Christianity in Japan in 1549. What would become the diocese of Nagasaki, welcomed the first Christians as the original place of Catholicism in Japan. Only decades later, in 1587, Christianity was outlawed. What followed was the prompt destruction of the visible Church. All missionaries were sent away. Then, in 1617 a widespread persecution occurred. Between 1558 and 1650, 2010 people were martyred for their faith, including 106 foreigners. In 1644 the last priest, Father Konishi, was martyred. For 250 years there was a total "black out" of Catholicism. It appeared to be successfully eradicated from the area of Nagasaki and the whole of Japan.The next seven generations of Catholics have come to be known as the "hidden Christians." They followed the liturgical calendar, practiced the Sacrament of baptism, catechesis, liturgical prayers, and devotions - of
which the veneration of the Mother of God was central. Unable to have a unique statue of the Blessed Mother in public, they prayed before statues of Kannon Bosatsu, the Goddess of Mercy.
In 1863, after a series of political negotiations, a missionary priest was allowed in Japan to minister to foreign Christians in Japan for business. He was not allowed to preach to or evangelize the people. It was still illegal for the Japanese to practice Christianity. In 1865, a Church was established for foreign inhabitants in the area of Nagasaki. The Japanese called it the "French Temple." But, word got around that the "French Temple" had a statue of Holy Mary. The hidden Christians were nearly convinced - after seven generations - there could be a "pater" in Japan! On March 17, 1865, ten "hidden Christians" entered the Church and were fully convinced. They approached the priest saying "We have the same heart as yours. Where is the statue of Holy Mary?" Astounded, the good priest brought them to a side altar where the statue had been placed.The hidden Christians could no longer contain themselves, and burst with joy.
The persecutions continued. In 1867, 100 were imprisoned, then released after foreign pressure. In 1868, 13 were executed and signboards proclaimed Christianity to be a heathen religion. 114 Christians of Nagasaki were deported to three different locations, and in 1879, 3000 were deported to 21 different locations. After much political negotiation, in 1873 Christianity is implicitly approved. It was not until 1889 that religious freedom was proclaimed in Japan, though it was not until 1919 that Pope Benedict XV was able to establish relations with Japan. In 1927, the first Japanese was ordained Bishop: Ianuario Hayasaki. In 1928 he was installed in the diocese of Nagasaki.
On April 24, 1930, St. Maximilian Kolbe arrived in Nagasaki with Brother Zeno and Brother Hilary. They
Only one month later, on May 24, 1930, the first edition of Seibo no Kishi was published with a press-run of 10,000. This number is astounding, considering the number of Catholics in Nagasaki was not great, and there was already a Japanese Catholic Newspaper in circulation! Yet, Father Kolbe was ever zealous, and as he related and history demonstrates the Japanese Catholics loved the Blessed Mother and were ready to sacrifice everything for their faith.Shortly after, Father Kolbe and the friars moved from the Oura district to Hongochi on the outskirts of the city. On the slope of Mount Hikosan they built their monastery: Mugensai no Sono. Sebi no Kishi continues to be published today, the longest running Catholic periodical in Japan - first published by poor, polish friars at the dawn of the new era of Catholicism in Japan.
References:
Diocese of Nagasaki
http://www.cbcj.catholic.jp/eng/ediocese/nagasaki.htm
The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/VirginMaryinNagasaki.htm
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