lundi 1 juin 2015

Bienheureux ALFONSO NAVARRETE, prêtre dominicain, FERDINANDO de AYALA, prêtre augustin, et LEO TANAKA, tertiaire jésuite, martyrs


Bienheureux Alfonso Navarrete, Ferdinando de Ayala, Leo Tanaka

Martyrs décapités au Japon ( 1617)

missionnaires espagnols martyrs au Japon béatifiés en 1867: Alfonso Navarrete, dominicain, Ferdinando de Saint-Joseph de Ayala, augustin, prêtres espagnols et Leo Tanaka, tertiaire jésuite. 

Alphonse Navarette, né à Valladolid en Espagne, prêtre dominicain, arriva à Nagasaki après avoir exercé aux Philippines. Il fonda 3 fraternités pour les soins des malades et pour sauver les enfants qui étaient abandonnés à la mort par leurs parents païens. A une occasion, il défendit courageusement des femmes catholiques japonaises qui étaient menacées par un gang dangereux. Il reçut l'inspiration de se rendre à Omura pour soutenir les catholiques qui y étaient persécutés. Ils accoururent vers lui et vers le père augustin Ferdinand Ayala, originaire de Ballesteros en Espagne qui avait auparavant exercé au Mexique. Les deux prêtres furent rapidement arrêtés par les autorités mais les laïcs continuaient à essayer de leur rendre visite ce qui pressa les autorités de les exécuter. A cette exécution, Leo Tanaca, un catéchiste laïc affilié aux jésuites fut aussi décapité pour sa foi.

"le P. Alphonse Navarret, Dominicain, et le P. Ferdinand de saint Joseph, Augustin, ne pouvant plus retenir l'ardeur qu'ils se sentaient pour le martyre, se montrèrent en public, assemblèrent à Nagasaki une assez grande multitude de Chrétiens, à qui ils inspirèrent la même ferveur, et parcoururent, en prêchant, une bonne partie du pays d'Omura. Ils firent plus, car comme on les eut avertis que le Prince avait envoyé des soldats pour les prendre, ils se séparèrent de la troupe qui les suivait, et s'allèrent présenter aux soldats: on les conduisit la nuit dans une île où ils eurent la tête coupée."

(Histoire du christianisme dans l'empire du Japon par le R.P. de Charlevoix - page 326)

À Omura au Japon, en 1617, les bienheureux martyrs Alphonse Navarrete, dominicain, Ferdinand de Saint-Joseph de Ayala, ermite de Saint-Augustin, tous deux prêtres, et Léon Tanaka, religieux jésuite, qui, en vertu d’un édit du chef suprême Tokugawa, furent décapités ensemble en haine de la foi chrétienne.

Martyrologe romain




BBx Alonso Navarrete, prêtre o.p.

Ferdinando Ayala, prêtre augustin 

Leo Tanaka, religieux jésuite

Martyrs à Omura, Japon († 1617)


Alonso Navarrete dans la Vieille Castille (Espagne) en 1571. Il entra au couvent dominicain de Valladolid.

En 1598 il partit comme missionnaire à Manille (Philippines), où il se consacra à l’apostolat avec tant d’enthousiasme et de zèle qu’il fut frappé d’épuisement et que ses supérieurs le renvoyèrent en Espagne. 

En 1611 il obtint de retourner en Orient, au Japon, où il fonda les Fraternités du Rosaire et du Saint Nom de Jésus, et diffusa le livre de frère Louis de Grenade, ‘Guide du pécheur’, en japonais.

Il fonda trois fraternités pour les soins des malades et pour sauver les enfants qui étaient abandonnés à la mort par leurs parents païens. À une occasion, il défendit courageusement des femmes catholiques japonaises menacées par un gang. 

En 1614 l'empereur du Japon commença la persécution, interdisant à ses sujets d’embrasser la foi catholique et ordonnant à tous les missionnaires de quitter le pays sous peine de mort. Le Père Alonso, infatigable, encourageait les chrétiens à persévérer dans la foi, baptisait, confessait, prêchait, célébrait la messe, réconciliait les apostats.

Il se rendit à Omura pour soutenir les catholiques qui y étaient persécutés. Ils accoururent vers lui et vers Ferdinando Ayala, augustin. Les deux prêtres furent rapidement arrêtés par les autorités mais les laïcs continuaient à essayer de leur rendre visite. Par édit du commandant suprême Hidetada, ils furent décapités, ainsi que Leo Tanaka, catéchiste laïc affilié aux jésuites, à Omura le 1er juin 1617.

Alonso Navarrete, Ferdinando Ayala, et Leo Tanaka ont été béatifiés à Rome, avec un groupe de 204 martyrs du Japon, le 07 juillet 1867 par le Bx Pie IX (Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti, 1846-1878).


Source principale : docteurangelique.forumactif.com/(« Rév. x gpm »).


©Evangelizo.org 2001-2015



Alfonso Navarrete Benito

1571-1617

Il naquit le 21 septembre 1571 à Logroño (Espagne).

Entré dans l’Ordre dominicain, il appartenait au couvent de Valladolid et fut ordonné prêtre.

En 1598, il fut envoyé à la mission de Manille (Philippines).

Entre 1602 et 1611, il sera de retour en Espagne, avant de réembarquer à la tête d’une nouvelle équipe missionnaire. Cette fois-ci, il alla au Japon, comme vicaire provincial de la mission dominicaine.

Lors de la persécution, pour éviter de compromettre les fidèles qui l’aidaient et le cachaient, il alla se présenter de lui-même comme prêtre catholique, s’exposant ainsi à de sévères tortures et au martyre.

Il fut décapité sur l’île de Tokasima, le 1er juin 1617, et fut béatifié en 1867.



Hernando Ayala Fernández

1575-1617

Hernando (ou Fernando) naquit en 1575 à Ballesteros de Calatrava (Ciudad Real, Espagne centre) de Hernando de Ayala et María Fernández, qui étaient de sang noble.

Il entra chez les Augustins de Montilla (Cordoue) en 1593 et fit la profession l’année suivante, avec le nom de Hernando de Saint-Joseph.

Doté de grandes capacités intellectuelles, il fit des études à Alcalá de Henares et même y enseigna.
Pourtant, sa soif des âmes l’appelait aux missions lointaines. Il partit pour les Philippines en 1603. Le voyage devait se faire en traversant l’Atlantique et le Pacifique. A l’escale du Mexique, il prêcha, suscitant l’admiration des auditeurs.

Il resta un an à Manille, puis pénétra au Japon en 1605.

Après avoir appris la langue en quelques mois seulement, il se mit au travail : les catéchumènes ne manquaient pas, mais les baptisés aussi avaient besoin d’un prêtre, de ses conseils, des sacrements. On a rapporté qu’en deux années, le père Hernando avait baptisé quelque trois mille enfants et adultes.

Il mit aussi à profit sa connaissance du japonais pour traduire plusieurs livres et en composer quelques-uns aussi, qui furent précieux pour la dévotion des Chrétiens nippons.

Après cette première période, en 1607 il repassa aux Philippines pour demander de l’aide. Au retour, il fut nommé Provincial de l’Ordre augustin.

En 1612, il fonda un petit couvent à Nagasaki, dont il fut le prieur. Mais c’est à partir de ce moment-là que la persécution s’accentua et il dut travailler dans la clandestinité.

En 1617, avec le père dominicain Alonso Navarrete, il se rendit à Ōmura où les Chrétiens avaient besoin de prêtres. Mais leur zèle les fit rechercher et arrêter.

Le seul fait d’être prêtres les condamnait à mort. Ils furent exécutés à Tacaxima (ou Ōmura), décapités, le 1er juin 1617.

Les restes des deux Martyrs furent enfermés dans une caisse, qu’on jeta en mer avec une grosse pierre ; mais quelques années plus tard, les cordes de la pierre s’étant détachées, la caisse remonta à la surface et des Chrétiens purent recueillir les corps.

Les pères Ayala et Navarrete furent béatifiés en 1867.


Leo Tanaka

1590-1617

Leo naquit vers 1590 à Ōmi (Japon).

Baptisé, il fut catéchiste dans le diocèse de Nagasaki.

Il subit le martyre à Ōmura, le 1er juin 1617.

Il fut béatifié dans un groupe de deux-cent cinq Martyrs du Japon, en 1867.



Blessed Alphonsus Navarrete, OP, and
Ferdinand of Saint Joseph Ayala, OSA MM (AC)

Alphonsus was born in Valladolid, Old Castile, Spain, 1571; Ferdinand was born at Ballesteros, Toledo, Spain, in 1575; both died on the Tacaxima Island in 1617; beatified in 1867.

Dominicans were, according to legend, the first missionaries to Japan, and 1530 is given as the date of their martyrdom. However, no conclusive proof exists regarding their names or number, and Saint Francis Xavier rightly holds the title of apostle to this island kingdom.

Following in Xavier's footsteps came other missionaries, and, for about 40 years, they worked with great results among the people. Then, in the closing years of the century, persecution flared, and the blood of martyrs cried out with a louder voice than that of the preachers.

Ferdinand took the Augustinian habit in Mentilla, and in 1603, was sent to Mexico, and thence to Japan in 1605 as vicar provincial. He worked at Osaka with great success until his capture and execution en route to Omura.

The first Dominican to die in the great persecution was Alphonsus Navarrete. When Alphonsus was very young, he gave up his inheritance to enter the Dominican Order in Valladolid and, after he had completed his studies, was sent to the Philippine missions. The great persecution had just begun in Japan. The year before Alphonsus left Spain, a group of 26 Christians, including many Franciscans and three Japanese Jesuits, were crucified in Nagasaki.

Despite the dangers, the Dominicans, who had been excluded from Japan for several years, yearned to go into the perilous mission field. Alphonsus in particular, after a trip to Europe to recruit missionaries in 1610, begged to be allowed to go to Japan. In the following year his offer was accepted and he was sent as superior of the missionary band. During the short interval of peace, they began their work, and, during six years of growing danger, they instructed the people and prepared them for the dreadful days to come.

The missionary career of Alphonsus was brief, and it was always overshadowed by the threat of death that beset the Christians in that unhappy country. However, in the few years of his apostolate, his accomplishment was immeasurable. Like his Divine Master, he went about teaching and baptizing the people. He is called the "Vincent de Paul of Japan," because it was he who first began the tremendous task of caring for the abandoned babies there. He anticipated the work of the Holy Childhood Society by gathering up the homeless waifs and providing for their support from money he begged of wealthy Spaniards.

The warning bell of the great persecution was sounded with the martyrdom in Omura of two priests, a Franciscan and a Jesuit. Alphonus Navarrete and his Augustinian companion Ferdinand went to Omura with the intention of rescuing the relics of the martyrs and consoling the Christians. They were captured on the way, and with a young native catechist, were beheaded. Their bodies were thrown into the sea.

Five years later, on the hill of the holy martyrs of Nagasaki, more than 50 Christians sealed their faith with their blood. Some of the martyrs were beheaded, some were burned at the stake. In the group were nine Jesuits, including the famous Father Charles Spinola, nine Franciscans, and nine Dominicans, among whom were the Blesseds Alphonsus de Mena, Angelo Orsucci, and Hyacinth Orphanel. Louis Bertrand, a nephew of the saint of that same name, perished in the same persecution.

Thousands of Japanese Christians, from tiny children to old grandparents, died amid terrible torments in the profession of their faith. The anger of the persecutors was turned against all priests, brothers, and catechists, tertiaries, and Rosarians, and they made fearful attempts to stamp out all traces of the hated religion in the country. Pope Pius IX, in 1867, solemnly beatified 205 of the martyrs, among whom were 59 Dominicans of the first and third orders and 58 members of the Rosary Confraternity. Although all did not die at the same time nor place, they are listed under the name of Alphonsus Navarrete, who was the first to die (Benedictines, Dorcy).



Blessed Alphonsus Navarette & Companions, MM.O.P.

Memorial Day: June 1st

Profile

    Dominicans were the first missionaries to Japan, and 1530 is given as the date of their martyrdom. However, no conclusive proof exists regarding their names or number, and Saint Francis Xavier rightly holds the title of apostle to this island kingdom.

    Following in Xavier's footsteps came other missionaries, and, for about 40 years, they worked with great results among the people. Then, in the closing years of the century, persecution flared, and the blood of martyrs cried out with a louder voice than that of the preachers.

    Ferdinand took the Augustinian habit in Mentilla, and in 1603, was sent to Mexico, and thence to Japan in 1605 as vicar provincial. He worked at Osaka with great success until his capture and execution en route to Omura.

    The first Dominican to die in the great persecution was Alphonsus Navarrete. When Alphonsus was very young, he gave up his inheritance to enter the Dominican Order in Valladolid and, after he had completed his studies, was sent to the Philippine missions. The great persecution had just begun in Japan. The year before Alphonsus left Spain, a group of 26 Christians, including many Franciscans and three Japanese Jesuits, were crucified in Nagasaki.

    Despite the dangers, the Dominicans, who had been excluded from Japan for several years, yearned to go into the perilous mission field. Alphonsus in particular, after a trip to Europe to recruit missionaries in 1610, begged to be allowed to go to Japan. In the following year his offer was accepted and he was sent as superior of the missionary band. During the short interval of peace, they began their work, and, during six years of growing danger, they instructed the people and prepared them for the dreadful days to come.

    The missionary career of Alphonsus was brief, and it was always overshadowed by the threat of death that beset the Christians in that unhappy country. However, in the few years of his apostolate, his accomplishment was immeasurable. Like his Divine Master, he went about teaching and baptizing the people. He is called the "Vincent de Paul of Japan," because it was he who first began the tremendous task of caring for the abandoned babies there. He anticipated the work of the Holy Childhood Society by gathering up the homeless waifs and providing for their support from money he begged of wealthy Spaniards.

    The warning bell of the great persecution was sounded with the martyrdom in Omura of two priests, a Franciscan and a Jesuit. Alphonus Navarrete and his Augustinian companion Ferdinand went to Omura with the intention of rescuing the relics of the martyrs and consoling the Christians. They were captured on the way, and with a young native catechist, were beheaded. Their bodies were thrown into the sea.

    Five years later, on the hill of the holy martyrs of Nagasaki, more than 50 Christians sealed their faith with their blood. Some of the martyrs were beheaded, some were burned at the stake. In the group were nine Jesuits, including the famous Father Charles Spinola, nine Franciscans, and nine Dominicans, among whom were the Blesseds Alphonsus de Mena, Angelo Orsucci, and Hyacinth Orphanel. Louis Bertrand, a nephew of the saint of that same name, perished in the same persecution.

    Thousands of Japanese Christians, from tiny children to old grandparents, died amid terrible torments in the profession of their faith. The anger of the persecutors was turned against all priests, brothers, and catechists, tertiaries, and Rosarians, and they made fearful attempts to stamp out all traces of the hated religion in the country. Pope Pius IX, in 1867, solemnly beatified 205 of the martyrs, among whom were 59 Dominicans of the first and third orders and 58 members of the Rosary Confraternity. Although all did not die at the same time nor place, they are listed under the name of Alphonsus Navarrete, who was the first to die (Benedictines, Dorcy).

Born: Various dates in the sixteenth century

Died: died the most terrible torments in Japan in 1617

Beatified: Pius IX beatified them in 1867


Prayers/Commemorations

First Vespers:

Ant. The souls of the Saints who followed in the footsteps of Christ rejoice in heaven: and because for love of Him they poured out their blood, therefore shall they reign forever with Christ.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Alphonsus with thy companions.

R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Lauds:

Ant. The souls of the Saints, who for love of God despised the threats of men: the holy Martyrs triumph with the angels in the kingdom of heaven. O how precious is the death of the Saints, who constantly assist before the Lord and are not separated one from another!

V. Wonderful is God

R. In His Saints

Second Vespers:

Ant. God will wipe every tear from the eyes of the Saints: and mourning there will be no more, neither weeping nor any sorrow because the former things have passed away.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Alphonsus with thy companions.

R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer

Let us Pray: O God, who dost rejoice us with the triumph of Blessed Alphonsus and his companions, grant us, we beseech Thee, by their merits and intercession, like constancy in faith and efficacy in action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Pascal Time

First Vespers:

Ant.  Come, O daughters of Jerusalem, and behold a Martyr with a crown wherewith the Lord crowned him on the day of solemnity and rejoicing, alleluia, alleluia

V. Pray for us, Blessed Alphonsus with thy companions, alleluia

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, alleluia.

Lauds:

Ant. Perpetual light will shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord, alleluia, and an eternity of ages, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

V. The just man shall blossom like the lily, alleluia.

R. And shall flourish forever before the Lord, alleluia

Second Vespers:

Ant. In the city of the Lord the music of the Saints incessantly resounds: there the angels and archangels sing a canticle before the throne of God, alleluia.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Alphonsus with thy companions, alleluia

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. alleluia

Prayer

Let us Pray: O God, who dost rejoice us with the triumph of Blessed Alphonsus and his companions, grant us, we beseech Thee, by their merits and intercession, like constancy in faith and efficacy in action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SOURCE : http://www.willingshepherds.org/Dominican%20Saints%20May.html#Alphonsus Companions

Beato Alfonso Navarrete Martire

1 giugno

>>> Visualizza la Scheda del Gruppo cui appartiene

1571 - 1617

Etimologia: Alfonso = valoroso e nobile, dal gotico

Emblema: Palma

Martirologio Romano: A Omura in Giappone, beati martiri Alfonso Navarrete, dell’Ordine dei Predicatori, Ferdinando di San Giuseppe de Ayala, dell’Ordine degli Eremiti di Sant’Agostino, sacerdoti, e Leone Tanaka, religioso della Compagnia di Gesù, che in odio alla fede cristiana, per editto del comandante supremo Hidetada, insieme furono decapitati.

Nativo della Vecchia Castiglia, entrò nel convento domenicano di Valladolid.Nel 1598 partì per le missioni nelle Filippine, dove si dedicò all'apostolato con tale entusiasmo e zelo che fu colpito da un forte esaurimento e i superiori lo fecero ritornare in Spagna. Nel 1611 ottenne di ritornare in Oriente. Fu prima a Manila e poi in Giappone, dove fondò le confraternite del Rosario e del ss.mo Nome di Gesù e diffuse il libro di fra Luigi de Granada Guida del peccatore in giapponese. Nel 1614 l'imperatore del Giappone iniziò la persecuzione vietando ai suoi sudditi di abbracciare la fede cattolica e intimando a tutti i missionari cattolici di lasciare il paese sotto pena di morte. Da questo momento fino al 1° giugno del 1617, giorno in cui fu decapitato, il b. Alfonso, instancabile come sempre, incoraggiava i cristiani a perseverare nella fede, battezzava, confessava, predicava, celebrava la s. Messa, riconciliava gli apostati.

Fonte:

Convento San Domenico, Bologna

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90865

Beato Leone Tanaka Catechista e martire

1 giugno

>>> Visualizza la Scheda del Gruppo cui appartiene

† Omura, Giappone, 1° giugno 1617

Martirologio Romano: A Omura in Giappone, beati martiri Alfonso Navarrete, dell’Ordine dei Predicatori, Ferdinando di San Giuseppe de Ayala, dell’Ordine degli Eremiti di Sant’Agostino, sacerdoti, e Leone Tanaka, religioso della Compagnia di Gesù, che in odio alla fede cristiana, per editto del comandante supremo Hidetada, insieme furono decapitati.

Nacque da una famiglia cattolica giapponese e fin da giovane visse nell'ambito della Compagnia di Gesù. Divenuto catechista cooperò nell'apostolato con Giambattista Machado. Con questi infatti venne catturato nelle isole di Gotò e successivamente trasferito nelle carceri di Omura e di Cori.


Era talmente affezionato al Machado che ottenne di accompagnarlo fino al luogo del martirio; dopo la decapitazione raccolse con pannolini il sangue del martire. Qualche giorno dopo l'uccisione del suo maestro poté seguirlo, come desiderava, nella gloria. Infatti il 1° giugno 1617 fu egli pure decapitato assieme al p. Navarrete e a Fernando di S. Giuseppe. Il corpo fu gettato in mare entro una stuoia legata a sassi, per impedirne ai cristiani il recupero e la venerazione. Mentre le salme dei suoi due compagni di martirio vennero ripescate, il suo corpo invece non venne mai ritrovato. Pio IX il 6 luglio 1867 lo proclamò beato.

Autore: Gian Domenico Gordini

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/Detailed/94349.html