Saint Bonaventure of Miyako
Saint Bonaventure of Miyako (born c. 1572 AD in Dueñas, Spain; died February 5, 1597 AD in Nagasaki, Japan) was a Spanish Franciscan lay brother and one of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan, crucified at Nagasaki on February 5, 1597, by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He was one of the Franciscan missionaries sent to Japan and served in Miyako (Kyoto). He was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1862. His feast day is February 6.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Bonaventure of Miyako
| Saint Bonaventure of Miyako | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 6 (feast of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan) |
| Profession | Franciscan lay brother; mission worker in Miyako (Kyoto); Spanish member of the 26 Martyrs of Japan |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Franciscan Order; 16th-century Japanese Christianity; 26 Martyrs of Japan; Spanish missionaries to Japan |
| Patronage | Japan; Japanese Christians; Nagasaki; Franciscan lay brothers; missionaries; those who travel great distances for the Gospel |
| Attributes | Franciscan brown habit; cross (crucifixion); palm frond of martyrdom; Nishizaka Hill in background; Japanese setting; lance wound; the group of 26 |
| Birthplace | Dueñas, Palencia, Spain |
| Death Place | Nagasaki, Japan |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; crucified on February 5, 1597, at Nishizaka Hill, Nagasaki; he was one of the 26 Catholics arrested in December 1596 on the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and marched approximately 600 miles across Japan to Nagasaki in winter; he was lanced on the cross, dying on the cross for his faith; he was a Franciscan lay brother serving in Miyako (Kyoto); he took his name from his place of ministry (Miyako = the ancient name for Kyoto) |
| Primary Shrine | Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument, Nishizaka, Nagasaki — site of martyrdom; relics of all 26; February 5/6 feast; major Japanese Catholic pilgrimage |
| Liturgical Class | Memorial (Roman Rite); February 6; feast of the 26 Martyrs of Japan |
| Historic Class | Double (February 6) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Bonaventure of Miyako was born c. 1572 in Dueñas, Palencia, Spain. He became a Franciscan lay brother and was sent to Japan as part of the Franciscan mission that arrived in 1593. He served in Miyako (Kyoto) — the ancient imperial capital — and took his name from his place of ministry.
In December 1596, following the Japanese seizure of the Spanish ship San Felipe, Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered the arrest of the Franciscan missionaries and their Japanese companions in Miyako and Osaka. Their left ears were partially cut off as a public humiliation, and they were marched approximately 600 miles across Japan to Nagasaki.
On February 5, 1597, all 26 were crucified on Nishizaka Hill above Nagasaki harbor and lanced on the cross. Bonaventure was one of four Spanish Franciscan lay brothers among the martyrs.
He was beatified in 1627 and canonized on June 8, 1862, by Pope Pius IX as one of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan. His feast is February 6.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Dueñas, Palencia, Spain
Death location: Nagasaki, Japan
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Known shrines
- Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument, Nishizaka, Nagasaki — site of martyrdom; February 5/6 feast.
Feast day
February 6 (feast of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan)
Veneration
Saint Bonaventure of Miyako was a Spanish Franciscan lay brother who served in Kyoto and was crucified at Nagasaki on February 5, 1597, as one of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan. Canonized 1862. Feast February 6.
Prayers
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