Sainte Madeleine de Nagasaki
Tertiaire Dominicaine (✝ 1634)
Martyre du Groupe des 16 martyrs (1633-37) de Nagasaki,
Madeleine de Nagasaki est née au Japon, fille d'un couple de chrétiens
martyrisés, elle se consacra à Dieu. Collaboratrice courageuse des Pères
Augustins et Dominicains, son conseiller spirituel était le Père Jourdain
(Hyacinthe Ansalone). Quand celui-ci fut arrêté, elle se présenta aux gardes,
se déclarant chrétienne. Elle fut cruellement martyrisée, resta inébranlable
dans sa foi, pendue au gibet elle mourut au bout de 13 jours le 15 octobre 1634
à Nagasaki.
Béatifiée le 18 février 1981 à Manille (Philippines), canonisée le 18 octobre 1987 à Rome par Jean Paul II.
"Quand Madeleine de Nagasaki vit que Jordan Esteban avait été emprisonné, immédiatement elle se présenta aux autorités pour partager son martyre. Son unique crime était d'avoir donné l'hospitalité aux chrétiens. Nous honorons ces hommes et ces femmes et nous reconnaissons dans leur canonisation un message pour les hommes d'aujourd'hui."
(source: Dominicains du Canada)
À Nagasaki au Japon, en 1634, sainte Madeleine, vierge et martyre, d'une grande force d'âme aussi bien pour encourager la foi que pour subir, pendant treize jours, le supplice du gibet, sous le chef suprême Tokugawa Yemitsu.
Béatifiée le 18 février 1981 à Manille (Philippines), canonisée le 18 octobre 1987 à Rome par Jean Paul II.
"Quand Madeleine de Nagasaki vit que Jordan Esteban avait été emprisonné, immédiatement elle se présenta aux autorités pour partager son martyre. Son unique crime était d'avoir donné l'hospitalité aux chrétiens. Nous honorons ces hommes et ces femmes et nous reconnaissons dans leur canonisation un message pour les hommes d'aujourd'hui."
(source: Dominicains du Canada)
À Nagasaki au Japon, en 1634, sainte Madeleine, vierge et martyre, d'une grande force d'âme aussi bien pour encourager la foi que pour subir, pendant treize jours, le supplice du gibet, sous le chef suprême Tokugawa Yemitsu.
Martyrologe
romain
Sainte
Madeleine de Nagasaki, martyre
Madeleine est née à Nagasaki (Japon) d’un couple de chrétiens
martyrisés ; elle se consacra à Dieu comme tertiaire dominicaine.
Collaboratrice courageuse des Pères Augustins et Dominicains, son conseiller
spirituel était le Père Jourdain (Hyacinthe Ansalone). Quand celui-ci fut
arrêté, elle se présenta aux gardes, se déclarant chrétienne. Elle fut
cruellement martyrisée, resta inébranlable dans sa foi, pendue au gibet par
ordre du chef suprême Tokugawa Yemitsu, elle mourut au bout de 13 jours le 15
octobre 1634 à Nagasaki.
MADELEINE DE NAGASAKI
Vierge, Martyre, Sainte
1610-1634
Madeleine, fille de notables et ferventes chrétiens,
naquit en 1610 dans un village très proche de la ville de Nagasaki,
au Japon. Les anciens manuscrits disent, qu’elle était une belle
jeune femme, gracieuse etdélicate. Ses parents qui appartenaient à la
noblesse étaient de fervents chrétiens, ainsi que le reste de la famille. Elle
était encore très jeune quand ses parents et ses frères furent condamnés à mort
à cause de leur foi en Jésus-Christ. Ils subirent les tortures les plus
horribles, car les persécuteurs d’alors étaient d’une cruauté inouïe.
Malgré la disparition de sa famille, elle continua
d’être éduquée dans la voie chrétienne. En 1624 elle connut deux augustiniens
récollets, Francisco de Jésus et Vicente de Santo Antonio. Attirée par la
profonde spiritualité des deux missionnaires, qui devint ses accompagnateurs
spirituels, Madeleine finit par se consacrer à Dieu et devint tertiaire
augustinienne récollette. Dès lors, ses habits de noblesse furent remplacés par
l’habit religieux et ses seules occupations devinrent la prière, la lecture de
la Bible et l’apostolat.
C’étaient des temps très difficiles. La persécution
haineuse contre les chrétiens grandissait de jour en jour en fureur et en
cruauté. Les Pères Francisco et Vicente furent aussi martyrisés. Madeleine,
toutefois, ne fut point intimidée. Elle continua ferme, inspirant courage aux
chrétiens, enseignant le catéchisme aux enfants et faisant l’aumône auprès des
commerçants portugais, pour venir en aide aux malades et aux pauvres.
En 1629, elle chercha refuge dans les montagnes de
Nagasaki, partageant les souffrances et les angoisses de cette communauté
naissante. Elle les encourageait pour qu’ils restent fermes dans leur foi, et
remettait dans chemin de l’Évangile ceux qui avaient renié Jésus-Christ sous la
torture. Elle apportait réconfort aux malades et baptisait les enfants.
Devant le grand abandon de la foi par les
chrétiens, terrorisés par les tortures auxquelles ils étaient soumis, s’ils ne
faisaient n’abjuraient pas, et désirant s’unir à Jésus à jamais, Madeleine
décida d’affronter les persécuteurs. Vêtue de son habit, au mois de septembre
1634, elle se présenta devant les juges. Elle n’avait en sa possession que la
Bible, afin de prêcher la parole de Jésus et méditer dans la prison. Les
magistrats, étonnés par sa beauté et sa jeunesse et renseignés sur son rang
familial, lui firent des promesses d’une vie confortable, allant même jusqu’à
lui proposer un mariage avantageux. Madeleine ne céda pas, même sachant les
tortures auxquelles elle s’exposait par son refus.
Dans les premiers jours d’octobre 1634, elle fut
torturée. On la suspendit par les pieds, la tête plongée dans une fosse. Chaque
fois qu’elle sortait de ce supplice pour entendre une nouvelle fois la demande
d’abjuration, elle restait toujours ferme dans sa réponse négative et, avec
audace, prononçait les noms de Jésus et Marie ou chantait des cantiques ou des
psaumes. Une fois encore elle était plongée dans les mêmes immondices.
Cela dura treize jours et demi ! Quand les
eaux inondèrent complètement la fosse, Madeleine périt noyée. Son corps fut
brûlé et les cendres jetées à la mer, pour éviter que les chrétiens puissent
les garder comme des reliques.
Madeleine, “l’étoile de Nagasaki” fut canonisée par
le Pape Jean-Paul II en 1987.
En 1989 elle fut proclamée patronne de la
Fraternité Séculière des Augustiniennes Récollettes.
Alphonse Rocha
d’après plusieurs sources.
Saint Magdalena of Nagasaki
Also
known as
- Maddalena
- 15 October
- 28 September as one of the Augustinian Martyrs of Japan
- 20 October (Augustinians)
Profile
Her parents were martyred when Magdalena was about nine years old. She became an Augustianian tertiary, and worked as an interpreter and catechist forAugustinian missionaries Father Francis of Jesus Terrero
and Father Vincent of Saint Anthony Simoens. Martyr.
Born
- 11 October 1980 by Pope John Paul II (decree of martyrdom)
- 18 February 1981 by Pope John Paul II
- beatification recognition celebrated in Manila, Philippines
- Secular
Augustinian Recollects
LAWRENCE RUIZ, LAYMAN
DOMINIC IBÁÑEZ DE ERQUICIA, O.P.
JAMES KYUSHEI TOMONAGA, O.P.
AND 13 COMPANIONS, PHILIPPINES, MARTYRS IN JAPAN
DOMINIC IBÁÑEZ DE ERQUICIA, O.P.
JAMES KYUSHEI TOMONAGA, O.P.
AND 13 COMPANIONS, PHILIPPINES, MARTYRS IN JAPAN
1633, (August and October)
DOMINIC IBANEZ DE ERQUICIA: Spanish
Dominican priest, born in Regil (San Sebastian) member of the Province of Spain
at first, and afterwards of the Holy Rosary Province. Taught at St. Tomas
College (Manila) and preached in various parts of the Philippines. In 1623 he
went to Japan where he worked incognito. Denounced to the authorities by a
Christian apostate, he was subsequently imprisoned and put to death. He played
a very important role as Vicar Provincial to the missions. Part of his letters
have been conserved. Age 44.
FRANCIS SHOYEMON: Japanese,
Dominican Cooperator Brother. He was a companion of Domingo Ibanez in his
apostolate. Arrested in 1633, he received the Dominican habit while in prison.
He was killed together with this spiritual father.
JAMES KYUSHEI TOMONAGA OF ST. MARY:
Japanese, Dominican priest. Born of a noble Christian family of Kyudetsu, he
studied at the Jesuits' College at Nagasaki. He was expelled from Japan in
1614, because he was working as a catechist. He preached in Manila and Taiwan,
but in 1632 he returned to his native land to help his fellow Christians. He
was arrested, tortured and later killed, "because he was a religious and
propagated the faith". He was 51 years, the oldest of the group.
MICHAEL KUROBIOYE: Japanese, lay
catechist. He was a companion of Fr. James of St. Mary. When he was imprisoned
and tortured, he revealed the hiding place of Fr. James. Soon repenting of what
he had done, he joined his companion in his martyrdom, confessing his faith.
LUCAS ALONSO OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Spanish, Dominican priest, born in Carracedo (Astorga) a son of the Spanish
Dominican Province, he joined the Holy Rosary Province in 1617, thus becoming a
missionary. After teaching at St. Tomas in Manila and preaching in Cagayan,
he went to Japan in 1623 and worked there, encountering great risks and
hardships for ten years. He was arrested while in Osaka (1633) and killed in
Nagasaki after being tortured. Age 39.
MATTHEW KOHIOYE OF THE ROSARY:
Japanese of Arima, Brother of the Dominican Order. Catechist and helper of
Blessed Lucas Alonso, he became a Dominican novice. He was arrested at Osaka in
1633, endured horrible torture but remained faithful to Christ until his death.
Age 18.
1634, (October-November)
MAGDALENE
OF NAGASAKI: Japanese, Augustinian and Dominican tertiary. Daughter of a martyred
Christian couple, she consecrated herself to God. Her spiritual director was
Fr. Ansalone. When the latter was arrested, she presented herself to the
guards, declaring that she was a Christian. She was tortured in a cruel manner,
but remained firm in her faith until she was hung on the gibbet where she died
after thirteen days.
MARINA OF OMURA: Japanese, Dominican tertiary. Entered the Third Order in 1626
and was very helpful to the missionaries. She was arrested in 1634 and
submitted to shameful humiliations, after which she was burned alive.
HYACINTH JORDAN ANSALONE: Italian,
Dominican priest. Born at S. Stefano Quisquina (Agrigento), son of the
Dominican Province of Sicily, afterwards joining the Holy Rosary Province. In
the Philippines, he worked among the poor and the sick. He went to Japan in
1632 and worked there for two years. He was arrested in 1634 and had to undergo
various tortures before dying on the gibbet. Age 36.
THOMAS HIOLI NISM OF ST. HYACINTH:
Japanese, Dominican priest. Son of martyred Christians of Hirado, student at
the Jesuits' college at Nagasaki. He emigrated to Manila in 1614 after being
expelled on account of the persecution. Studied at St. Tomas College, then
became a Dominican missionary in Taiwan. He returned later to Japan, where he
preached for 5 years among great perils. He was then arrested, tortured and put
to death. Age 44.
1637,
September
In 1636, the Dominicans of Manila
organized a missionary expedition with the intention of helping the Christians
in Japan. As soon as they arrived in the island of Okinawa they were arrested
and kept in prison for a year, after which they were transferred and condemned
to death by the tribunal of Nagasaki.
ANTHONY GONZALEZ: Spanish,
Dominican priest. Born in Leon (Spain), he became a Dominican in his native
country, but, moving to Manila (1631) he joined the Holy Rosary Province. He
taught at St. Tomas and later became its rector. In 1636 he led the group of
missionaries going to Japan, but was soon arrested with the rest. He was a man
of much prayer and penance. After a year he died in prison having endured the
tortures inflicted upon him by the persecutors. Age 45.
WILLIAM COURTET OR THOMAS OF ST.
DOMINIC: Born of noble parents in Serignan (France). He was a member of the
Dominican Reformed Congregation of St. Louis but then joined the Holy Rosary
Province and went to the Philippines where he taught at St. Tomas and later
went to Japan. He also ended up on the gibbet, after a year of imprisonment,
during which he endured horrible tortures. He died singing praise to the Blessed
Virgin of the Rosary and psalms in the midst of torture. Age 47.
MICHAEL DE AOZARAZA: Spanish,
Dominican priest. He was born in Onate (Spain) and became a member of the
Province of Spain, but later joined the Holy Rosary Province. He worked in the
mission of Bataan (Luzon - Philippines). He refused to give up his faith and
accepted with joy tremendous suffering. Age 39.
VINCENT SCHIWOZUKA OF THE CROSS:
Japanese, Dominican priest. Son of a Christian family, he was a student at the
Jesuits' College and a catechist. He was expelled from Japan in 1614. He later
became a priest in Manila and worked among the Japanese exiles. Before
returning to his native land (1636) he received the Dominican habit. After a
year of imprisonment the tortures induced him to apostatize, but he soon
returned to the faith and died as a martyr on the gibbet.
LAZARO OF KYOTO: Japanese, layman.
He contracted leprosy and was deported to the Philippines with other lepers. In
1636 he joined Gonzalez as his guide and interpreter. Not resisting to the
tortures Lazaro apostatized for a few hours but then repented and died for
Christ together with the others.
LAWRENCE Ruiz: Filipino, layman.
Born in Binondo (Manila) of a Chinese Father and a Filipino mother, he received
his education from the Dominicans, becoming a member of the Rosary
Confraternity. He married and fathered three children. Becoming involved in
some obscure incident with bloodshed, he joined the missionary expedition in
order to escape. He was arrested and endured all kinds of tortures until his
death. He thus becomes the Protomartyr of the Philippines.
Miracle
proposed for the Canonization
Occurred in Manila in the year 1983
through the intercession of the group in favour of Cecilia Alegria Policarpio,
child - 2 years old, cured completely of brain's paralysis without any
effective therapy. The miracle was recognized by John Paul II on 1st June,
1987.
The reason why
Christians were persecuted
"The followers of Christ,
arriving unexpectedly in Japan, not only came here carrying their goods, but
also, without any permission, have spread and propagated their wicked law,
destroying the good and legitimate one and plotting to overthrow authority in
the country. This is the beginning of great calamity, which we should avoid by
all means. Japan is a Shintoist and Buddhist country, which venerates the gods,
honours Buddha, and respects the 'way of benevolence' (Confucius).
The followers of the Fathers (the
Christians) have all disobeyed the orders already given by the government
despising religion ... and destroying the good. They are overjoyed when they
see those about to be executed; they run after them wherever they go and adore
them ... Such is the supreme ideal of this religion. Unless it is suppressed
immediately, endless misfortunes will fall on the State. In all the regions of
Japan, all these Christians should be eliminated without any delay ... If
anyone dares contravene this order, he will be put to death ......
(Extracts of the 1614 Edict,
substantially alike those of 1633, 1636).
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19871018_ruiz-compagni_en.html
St. Magdalene of Nagasaki, O.S.A.
Magdalene
was born and grew up during a period of open and undisguised hostility toward
religion. Persecution was manifest to all. The types of "imaginative and
original" torture used by the opponents of the faith show very clearly the
hatred in the hearts of those who ruled.
Her parents, who are described by historians as "most virtuous and noble
Christians," were martyred about the year 1620, when their daughter was in
her early adolescence. The first Augustinians who arrived in Japan in 1623 were
members of the Augustinian Order's observant movement: Fathers Francis of Jesus
and Vincent of Saint Anthony. As an active and enthusiastic Christian,
Magdalene made contact with them and though communication was difficult, she
worked with them as an interpreter and later as a catechist. From the start she
found herself well disposed to Augustinian spirituality, characterized as it is
by the search for God, interiority, and the living of faith in communion with
others.
In their work of evangelization the missionaries emphasized the promotion of
religious associations and gave special attention to the Augustinian Third Order.
However, it was quite difficult for Christians to live their faith publicly. To
approach the missionaries for doctrinal and religious nourishment was risky for
themselves as well as the friars. Following the example of many other
Christians in similar difficulties, Magdalene took refuge in the hills and
dedicated herself to baptizing converts and sustaining those who has grown weak
in their faith.
The persecution made necessary all sorts of subterfuge, but Magdalene did not
lose heart. She knew what she wanted and did not hold back in spite of the
dangers: she asked to be accepted formally into the Augustinian Order. Her mind
and heart were already Augustinian; in 1625, Father Francis admitted her into
the Third Order of Saint Augustine.
In 1632 the Augustinian friars, who had been her spiritual counselors, were
burned alive. This holocaust was recognized and solemnly proclaimed by Pope
Pius IX in 1876. Magdalene kept alive the memory of these friars, and with it
grew her own desire for martyrdom. Now her counselors in the struggle were two
other Augustinians, Fathers Melchior of Saint Augustine and Martin of Saint
Nicholas, who continued to nourish her spirit on the ideals and practices of
Augustinian spirituality. When these two friars were also put to death, she
turned to Father Jordan of Saint Stephen, a Dominican who own profession was
based on the Rule of St. Augustine.
Magdalene's concern for her vocation and her wish to love completely the life
of the evangelical counsels led to her decision to enter a novitiate with a
community of Dominican sisters. But before she could make her profession,
religious persecution broke out once again. It was no time for the
fainthearted. A strong faith burned in her soul and the gospel allowed for no
half measures.
The brave spirit and conviction of this Augustinian tertiary moved her to go
voluntarily to the jailers and declare herself a follower of Jesus Christ.
There were threats, tortures, promises of exposure to public scorn, taunts,
ridicule all the usual procedures in such cases. But Magdalene had a clear
knowledge of her faith and of the obligation which she had freely taken on.
Attired in her Augustinian habit, she reached the end of her martyrdom on 16
October 1634, after thirteen days of torture, suspended upside down in a pit of
offal. After death her body was burned and her ashes scattered in the bay of
Nagasaki.
Three hundred and forty-seven years later, on 18 February 1981, in the city of
Manila, Pope John Paul II honored Magdalene with the title of Blessed. Then on
18 October 1987, World Mission Day, she was solemnly canonized in Rome by the
same Holy Father. Proclaimed with Saint Magdalene was a large number of martyrs
from the Land of the Rising Sun, of various nationalities and states of life and
of different religious orders. The life of Magdalene, martyr of Japan, honored
for the firmness and courage of her faith, is a song in praise of heroism. To
live the gospel as she did with fervent resolve, in a clear, complete, and
radical way, without failing or yielding is the heritage of great souls.
The memory of Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki is celebrated by the Augustinian
family on 20 October.
Rotelle, John, Book of
Augustinian Saints, Augustinian Press 2000
Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki by Adriano Ambrosioni
Santa Maddalena da Nagasaki Martire
Nishizaka, Giappone, 1611 – Nagasaki, Giappone, 15 ottobre
1634
Nacque
nel 1611 nei pressi di Nagasaki. Figlia di nobili cristiani martirizzati per la
fede, descritta come gracile, delicata e bella si consacrò a Dio, guidata
spiritualmente dai beati Francesco di Gesù e Vincenzo di sant'Antonio
agostiniani recolletti, che l'ammisero come terziaria. Nel frattempo la
persecuzione contro i cristiani si faceva sempre più pressante a tal punto che
nel 1629 fu costretta a nasconderti sulle montagne, aiutando i cristiani
perseguitati dove visitava i malati, battezzava i bambini, confortava le
persone maltrattate. Nel settembre del 1634 si presentò ai giudici
proclamandosi cristiana. Neppure le promesse di un vantaggioso matrimonio e le
torture piegarono la sua fede. Venne così condannata al tormento della fossa
dove sopravvisse per 13 giorni. Il suo martirio destò molta impressione.
Beatificata nel 1981 a Manila, fu canonizzata da Giovanni Paolo II il 18
ottobre 1987 a Roma. (Avvenire)
Emblema: Palma
Martirologio
Romano: A Nagasaki in Giappone,
santa Maddalena, vergine e martire, forte d’animo tanto nel promuovere la fede
quanto nel sopportare per tredici giorni il supplizio della forca sotto
l’imperatore Yemitsu.
Maddalena nacque nel 1611
a Nishizaka, nei pressi di Nagasaki in Giappone, figlia di nobili e ferventi
cristiani. Narrano gli antichi manoscritti che fosse una giovane gracile,
delicata e bella. I suoi genitori e fratelli furono condannati a morte per la loro
fede cattolica e martirizzati quando essa era ancora giovanissima.
Nel 1624 conobbe due agostiniani recolletti, Francesco di Gesù e Vincenzo di
Sant’Antonio, poi anch’essi martiri e beati. Attratta dalla profonda
spiritualità dei due missionari, Maddalena si consacrò a Dio come terziaria
agostiniana recolletta. Da allora il suo abito fu quello religioso, le sue
uniche occupazioni la preghiera, la lettura di libri santi e l’apostolato.
Divenne in seguito terziaria domenicana. I tempi erano assai difficili e la
persecuzione che infuriava contro i cristiani era divenuta sempre più
sistematica e crudele. Maddalena infondeva coraggio ai cristiani, insegnava il
catechismo ai fanciulli, domandava l’elemosina ai commercianti portoghesi per i
poveri.
Nel 1629 cercò rifugio tra le montagne di Nagasaki, condividendo le sofferenze
e le angosce dei suoi concittadini perseguitati, incoraggiandoli a mantenersi
forti nella fede, riportando sulla retta via quanti, vinti dalle torture,
avevano rinnegato Cristo, visitando i malati, battezzando i bambini, portando a
tutti parole e gesti di conforto.
Di fronte alle apostasie di parecchi cristiani terrorizzati dalle torture alle
quali erano sottoposti e desiderosa di unirsi eternamente a Cristo, Maddalena
pensò di sfidare i tiranni. Vestita con l’abito di terziaria, nel settembre
1634 si presentò ai giudici, portando con se solamente un piccolo fagotto pieno
di libri santi per poter pregare e meditare in carcere. Neppure le promesse di
un vantaggioso matrimonio e le torture subite riuscirono a piegare la sua ferma
volontà.
Ai primi di ottobre fu allora sottoposta al tormento della forca e della fossa:
sospesa per i piedi, con la testa ed il petto sommersi in una fossa
sottostante, coperta con tavole per renderle più difficile la respirazione. La
coraggiosa giovane resistette al tormento per tredici giorni, invocando durante
il supplizio i nomi di Gesù e Maria e cantando inni al Signore. L’ultima notte
un acquazzone inondò la fossa e Maddalena morì affogata. Era il 15 ottobre 1634.
I tiranni bruciarono il suo corpo e sparsero le ceneri nel mare, onde evitare
una venerazione delle sue reliquie da parte dei cristiani.
Per procedere alla sua elevazione agli onori degli altari Maddalena fu
aggregata ad un gruppo complessivo di sedici martiri domenicani di varie
nazionalità, tutti uccisi in terra giapponese, capeggiati da Lorenzo Ruiz,
primo santo di origini filippine. Il gruppo fu beatificato da papa Giovanni
Paolo II il 18 febbraio 1981 a Manila nelle Filippine e canonizzato a Roma dal medesimo
pontefice il 18 ottobre 1987.
Mentre la commemorazione della singola Santa Maddalena da Nagasaki ricorre nel
Martyrologium Romanum in data odierna nell’anniversario del suo martirio, la
festa collettiva di questo gruppo di martiri è fissata dal calendario liturgico
al 28 settembre.
Autore: Fabio Arduino
Magdalena de Nagasaki, Santa
Mártir, Octubre 15
Fuente:
Agustinos-es.org
Virgen
y Mártir
Martirologio Romano: En Nagasaki, de Japón, santa Magdalena, virgen y mártir,
que, en tiempo del emperador Yemitsu, fue fuerte de ánimo tanto en mantener la
fe como en soportar el suplicio de la horca durante trece días (1634).
Hija de nobles y fervientes cristianos, nació en 1611 en las proximidades de la
ciudad japonesa de Nagasaki. Refieren fuentes antiguas que era una mujer
hermosa y de delicada constitución. Por su fe católica, sus padres y hermanos
habían sido condenados a muerte y martirizados cuando ella todavía era muy
joven.
En 1624, conoció a dos agustinos recoletos, los padres Francisco de Jesús y
Vicente de san Antonio, llegados al Japón unos meses antes. Atraída por la
profunda espiritualidad de ambos misioneros, se consagró a Dios como
“terciaria” agustina recoleta. Desde aquel momento, su vestido de gala fue el
hábito de terciaria, y su mayor solicitud la oración, la lectura de libros
religiosos y el apostolado.
Los tiempos eran difíciles. La persecución que arreciaba contra los cristianos
era cada día más sistemática y cruel. Magdalena enseñaba el catecismo a los
niños y pedía limosna a los comerciantes portugueses a favor de los pobres. En
1629, se refugió con los padres Franciso y Vicente y varios centenares de
cristianos en las montañas de Nagasaki. En noviembre de aquel mismo año, fueron
capturados los dos misioneros, y ella permaneció escondida, soportando con
serena alegría sufrimientos y estrecheces. Infundía valor para mantenerse
firmes en la fe, animaba a cuantos por temor o debilidad habían renegado de
Cristo, visitaba a los enfermos, bautizaba a los recién nacidos y para todos
tenía una palabra de aliento.
En vista de los frecuentes apostasías de cristianos aterrorizados por las
torturas a que eran sometidos y deseosa de unirse para siempre a Cristo,
Magdalena decidió desafiar a los tiranos. Vestida con su hábito de terciaria,
en septiembre de 1634, se presentó ante los jueces. Llevaba consigo un pequeño
fardo llenos de libros religiosos para rezar y leer en la cárcel. Ni las
promesas de un matrimonio ventajoso ni las torturas consiguieron doblegar su
voluntad. A primeros de octubre, fue sometida al tormento de la “forca” o
“fossa”. Suspendida por los pies, con la cabeza y el pecho introducidos en una
cavidad cubierta con tablas para hacer aún más difícil la respiración, la
valiente joven invocaba durante el martirio los nombres de Jesús y de María, y
cantaba himnos al Señor. Resistió trece días en este tormento, hasta que una
noche una fuerte lluvia inundó la fosa y la mártir se ahogó. Los verdugos
quemaron su cuerpo y esparcieron las cenizas en el mar para que los cristianos
no conservaran reliquias suyas.
Beatificada en 1981, fue canonizada por Juan Pablo II el 18 de octubre de 1987
junto a otros 15 mártires en Japón.
Voir aussi : http://augustinians.net/index.php?page=mnagasaki_es
