杏MAP导航 in Japan: Witness of Catholic martyrs confirms us in faith
By Lydia O鈥橩ane
In his words at the Martyrs Monument in Nagasaki, 杏MAP导航 Francis told those gathered that he had come as a pilgrim to pray, and to confirm Catholics in Japan in the faith.
Reflecting on the images and names of those inscribed on this monument, including Saint Paulo Miki, the 杏MAP导航 noted that this shrine does more than speak of death.
"It also speaks of the triumph of life over death," he said.
Recalling his predecessor Saint John Paul II, the 杏MAP导航 said that he saw this place 鈥渘ot simply as the mount of the martyrs, but a true Mount of the Beatitudes."
Light of Gospel triumphs over persecution
It is here, 杏MAP导航 Francis underlined, that 鈥渢he light of the Gospel shone forth in the love that triumphed over persecution and the sword.鈥�
鈥淭his shrine鈥�, he continued, 鈥渋s above all a monument to Easter, for it proclaims that the last word 鈥� despite all evidence to the contrary 鈥� belongs not to death but to life.鈥�
Witness of the martyrs
The witness of the martyrs, emphasized the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渃onfirms us in faith and helps us to renew our dedication and commitment to missionary discipleship which strives to create a culture capable of protecting and defending all life through the daily 'martyrdom' of silent service towards all, especially those in greatest need.鈥�
Humble visit
杏MAP导航 Francis said he had come to the monument of the martyrs to pay homage to these holy men and women.
But, he added, 鈥淚 also come in humility, as one who himself, as a young Jesuit from 'the ends of the earth', found powerful inspiration in the story of the early missionaries and the Japanese martyrs.鈥�
Martyrs: not a glorious relic but a living memory
The 杏MAP导航 expressed the hope that the sacrifice of these martyrs would not remain as a 鈥済lorious relic of the past鈥� but rather as a living memory, an inspiration for the works of the apostolate and a spur to renewed evangelization in this land.鈥�
Concluding his greeting, the 杏MAP导航 said that 鈥渋n this place we are united with those Christians throughout the world who, in our own day, suffer martyrdom for the faith."
The witness of these modern martyrs of the 21st century "summons us to set out with courage on the path of the Beatitudes," he said.
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