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St. Paul Miki and Companions Virtue: Encouragement In 1549, St. Francis Xavier, one of the first Jesuit priests and a good friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola, arrived in Japan. He taught people about Jesus and many were baptized and became Catholics. Within forty years, there were over 200,000 Christians in Japan! These new members of the Church prayed and worshipped together. They tried to live all that Jesus’ taught and to love each other. One of these new Christians also became a Jesuit. His name was Paul Miki. Soon he became known among the Christians for the wonderful way he preached about God. He helped many people to learn more about Jesus and Jesus’ law of love. In 1596 the Emperor started to imprison and kill anybody who followed Jesus. St. Paul Miki was arrested along with 17 other Japanese Catholics and led to execution in Nagasaki. Paul Miki was very brave and wanted to help the other people that were arrested with him. He knew that they might be afraid. Paul Miki and his friends were crucified. While he was on the cross he preached to the others about Jesus’ love for them. That day St. Paul Miki and 26 other missionaries and lay people witnessed to the Truth they believed in a very special way. Your Turn Every one of us is called to believe in Jesus so much that we would even give up what is most precious to us. For Paul Miki this meant martyrdom. For most of us this will mean that we will put God first in our lives no matter what. Pledge Card Jesus, Paul Miki taught many people about you and your great love. This month, I want to tell someone how wonderful you are. Home Copyright © 1999-2007, Daughters of St. Paul. All Rights Reserved.
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