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).
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
>>>
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
>>>
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
