Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Patron Saint of Japan.
Paul Miki was born to a wealthy Japanese Family residing near Osaka. He was taught by the Jesuits in Azuchi and Takatsuki. He then later joined the Society of Jesus and became a well-known preacher, converting many Japanese citizens to Catholicism.
He, along with his fellow Catholics was later arrested by the local daimyo, who began persecuting Catholics for fear of their growing influence. They were forced to march 600 miles from Kyoto to Nagasaki. Upon arrival He was then tied to a cross and then later stabbed with a lance on the 5th of February 1597
He had preached his last sermon from the cross, and it is said that he had forgiven his executioners, saying that he himself was Japanese, among those who were crucified alongside him were Gabriel, Leo kinuya, Diego kisai/Kizayemon, Joachim Sakakibara, Peter Sukejiro, Cosmas Takeya from Owari, and Ventura from Miyako.
They were all canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1862
Source: catholicreadings.org