Japanese samurai Takayama Ukon declared ‘blessed’ on Tuesday
A Japanese Christian samurai, who died in exile whilst in the Philippines about 400 years ago, was beatified in Osaka by the Japanese cardinal on Tuesday.
Blessed Takayama Ukon is now a step closer to possible sainthood, but before he was the martyr people now know him for, he was a feudal lord who “used his power to support and protect the short-lived missionary expansion within Japan, influencing the conversion of thousands of Japanese.” In a time when people were forced to flee their country or practice their faith in hiding, Ukon chose to live a life of poverty instead of renouncing his faith in God. He fled to the Philippines where he died in 1615.
According to an article in Japan Times, Pope Francis approved Ukon’s recognition to sainthood by January of last year. This was after they received the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan’ application, saying how Ukon left all his riches, and even sacrificed his life, for his belief in God.
About 12,000 people attended Takayama Ukon’s beatification ceremony led by Cardinal Angelo Amato, who was representing the Pope. He read out a letter that declared Ukon as a “beatus” (blessed), and Ukon’s portrait was shown to the people who were present in the event.
Takayama Ukon is the 394th Japanese to be beatified, while 42 are already proclaimed as saints.
Sources: Inquirer.Net, Japan Times, NC Register
