Monday, February 6, 2012

The Martyrs of Japan

Today the Church remembers those on Japan who gave up their lives for the Christian faith which was introduced to that country in the 16th century by the Jesuits and the Franciscan orders. By the end of the 16th century, there were some 300,000 Christians in Japan.

The Japanese were not found of outside influences, so the persecution of the Christian converts began. James Kiefer writes: “The first victims were six Franciscan friars and twenty of their converts, who were executed at Nagasaki on 5 February 1597. (They were tied to crosses, the crosses were raised to an upright position, and they were then quickly stabbed to death by a soldier with a javelin.) After a short interval of relative tolerance, many other Christians were arrested, imprisoned for life, or tortured and killed; and the Church was totally driven underground by 1630. However, when Japan was re-opened to Western contacts 250 years later, it was found that a community of Japanese Christians had survived underground, without clergy, without Scriptures, with only very sketchy instructions in the doctrines of the faith, but with a firm commitment to Jesus as Lord.”

Let us pray: O God our Father, source of strength to all your saints, who brought the holy martyrs of Japan through the suffering of the cross to the joys of life eternal: Grant that we, being encouraged by their example, may hold fast the faith we profess, even to death itself; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

We pay in thanksgiving for Jillian Bain who was confirmed yesteray and Raul Sanchez who was received into the Episcopal Church by Bishop Harrison. Thank you to everyone who made the day special!


CALENDAR REMINDERS

Mardi Gras on Tuesday, 21 February in Sutton Hall hosted by the Taylors. Please bring soft drinks and wine.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on 22 February. We will have the Ash Wednesday liturgy with the Imposition of Ashes at 6:00 p.m.

The Joint Lenten Series with Grace begins on Wednesday, 29 February with Stations of the Cross and Eucharist at 6:00 p.m. followed by a light meal and a program by Tony Campolo:


Week I: Abundant Life, What Is It?
Week II: Money: How Poor Does Jesus Want Us To Be?
Week III: Time: How Much Do I Have to Give Away?
Week IV: Stuff: How Much Can I Have?
Week V: Support: What Will Help?
Week VI: Next: What I I Do Come Monday Morning?


Please join us.

YOUR ST. AUGUSTINE IN THE NEWS:

Sacred Places tour:



Lee Runion & Mardi Gras masks:



Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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