Japan: 'Samurai of Christ' beatified

Osaka Castle

Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, celebrated Mass for the beatification of Justo Takayama Ukon at the hall of Osaka Castle on Tuesday, 7 February. The castle was once the headquarters of Ukon's persecutors.

At the beginning of the Mass, Archbishop Takeo Okada of Tokyo petitioned that the Venerable Servant of God Justo Takayama Ukon be inscribed among the blessed. Cardinal Amato read an apostolic letter from Pope Francis during the ceremony.

Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon (1552-1615) renounced all his honours and chose poverty at a time when Christianity was outlawed in Japan.

In his homily, Cardinal Amato said that the Japanese church was "blessed by the witness of uncountable martyrs."

At the end of the General Audience yesterday, Pope Francis said of Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon: "Rather than bowing to compromise, he renounced honour and wealth, and accepted humiliation and exile. He remained faithful to Christ and to the Gospel. For this reason, he represents an admirable example of strength in faith and dedication in charity."

Read more about the life of Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon here: www.cbcj.catholic.jp/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/141127rev.pdf

Source: UCAN/Japanese Bishops Conference