The development of Christianity in Japan started in 1549 thanks to St.Francis Xavier. Years later, he encountered a number of problems.[6] The growing number of followers changed the attitude of the authorities, who were afraid that their position would become weakened.[6] Other reasons for the shoguns and daimyos to withdraw their support for the mission included the conflicts between Spanish and Portuguese merchants, as well as disputes between the missionaries themselves about methods of evangelization.[6] All these factors led to further waves of persecution.[6] After a period of increased missionary activity by the Catholic Church, it is estimated that 400,000 people professed this religion in Japan in 1613.[3] That year, the Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada issued a decree under which, under the threat of losing their lives, all missionaries were to leave the country, and the practice and teaching of the religion were forbidden.[3][7]
Biography
Leonardo Kimura came from a noble Christian family.[7][4] His grandfather was baptized by St. Francis Xavier.[7][8] He was educated at the local Jesuit school, and from 1588 he worked as a catechist.[8][4] He joined the Society of Jesus in November 1602.[7] By his own choice, he remained a religious brother, initially as a cook and tailor, and later as a catechist.[4][8][7] In December 1616, he was arrested on false allegations of murder.[4] During the trial, he revealed his religious affiliation, for which he was sent to prison, where he undertook his apostolate and converted 96 people.[8][4][7] His attitude contributed to recognition by his fellow prisoners as a spiritual leader.[4] On November 18, 1619, he was asked by a governor called Gonroku[5] if he belonged to the Society of Jesus and if so, why did he not comply with the binding order to leave Japan, and he replied:
I have remained to preach faith in Jesus Christ and I want to preach it to my last breath.[4]
^His given name is written as 'Leonarudo' in Japanese and 'Leonardo' in Italian. In English it is also written as 'Leonard', but 'Leonardo' is more accurate. In Latin it is 'Leonardus'
Sources
^ abcdef. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
^. Jesuits. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
^ abcHenryk Fros; Franciszek Sowa (2007). Księga imion i świętych. Vol. 6. Kraków: WAM, Księża Jezuici. p. 427. ISBN978-83-7318-736-8.
^ abcdefghiHenryk Fros; Franciszek Sowa (2007). Księga imion i świętych. Vol. 6. Kraków: WAM, Księża Jezuici. p. 428. ISBN978-83-7318-736-8.
^ abcCelestino Testore. (in Italian). Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
^ abcdHenryk Fros; Franciszek Sowa (2007). Księga imion i świętych. Vol. 6. Kraków: WAM, Księża Jezuici. p. 423. ISBN978-83-7318-736-8.
^ abcdefDen salige Leonard Kimura (1575-1619) (in Norwegian). Retrieved March 22, 2011.
^ abcd. CatholicSaints.Info. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
January 29, 2023
leonardo, kimura, レオナルド, 木村, オナルド, 1575, november, 1619, blessed, catholic, church, martyr, victim, anti, catholic, persecution, japan, blessed, martyrdom, 1619jesuit, priestborn1575nagasaki, japandied18, november, 1619, 1619, aged, nishizaka, hill, nagasaki, . Leonardo Kimura レオナルド 木村 レ オナルド 1575 18 November 1619 SJ blessed by the Catholic Church martyr victim of anti Catholic persecution in Japan 3 4 5 BlessedLeonardo Kimura a S J The martyrdom of Leonardo Kimura 1619Jesuit priestBorn1575Nagasaki JapanDied18 November 1619 1619 11 18 aged 44 Nishizaka hill Nagasaki 1 Venerated inCatholic ChurchSociety of Jesus 2 Beatified7 May 1867 1 Rome Papal States by Pope Pius IX Catholic Church Contents 1 Background 2 Biography 3 Martyrs 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 SourcesBackground EditThe development of Christianity in Japan started in 1549 thanks to St Francis Xavier Years later he encountered a number of problems 6 The growing number of followers changed the attitude of the authorities who were afraid that their position would become weakened 6 Other reasons for the shoguns and daimyos to withdraw their support for the mission included the conflicts between Spanish and Portuguese merchants as well as disputes between the missionaries themselves about methods of evangelization 6 All these factors led to further waves of persecution 6 After a period of increased missionary activity by the Catholic Church it is estimated that 400 000 people professed this religion in Japan in 1613 3 That year the Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada issued a decree under which under the threat of losing their lives all missionaries were to leave the country and the practice and teaching of the religion were forbidden 3 7 Biography EditLeonardo Kimura came from a noble Christian family 7 4 His grandfather was baptized by St Francis Xavier 7 8 He was educated at the local Jesuit school and from 1588 he worked as a catechist 8 4 He joined the Society of Jesus in November 1602 7 By his own choice he remained a religious brother initially as a cook and tailor and later as a catechist 4 8 7 In December 1616 he was arrested on false allegations of murder 4 During the trial he revealed his religious affiliation for which he was sent to prison where he undertook his apostolate and converted 96 people 8 4 7 His attitude contributed to recognition by his fellow prisoners as a spiritual leader 4 On November 18 1619 he was asked by a governor called Gonroku 5 if he belonged to the Society of Jesus and if so why did he not comply with the binding order to leave Japan and he replied I have remained to preach faith in Jesus Christ and I want to preach it to my last breath 4 Later that same day he was burned at the stake along with four other Christians in Nishizaka hill Nagasaki 4 1 The anniversary of his death dies natalis is the day he is remembered in the Catholic Church 5 Leonardo Kimura was among the 205 Martyrs of Japan beatified on May 7 1867 by Pope Pius IX 1 Martyrs EditThese are the 5 Christians who were executed by burning at the stake at Nishizaka hill Nagasaki on 18 November 1619 1 Martyrs 1 Name Role Affiliation BirthplaceLeonardo Kimura レオナルド 木村 1575 18 November 1619 Professed religious Jesuit Society of Jesus Born in Nagasaki JapanAndreas Murayama Tokuan アンドレス村山徳安 18 November 1619 Layperson of the archdiocese of Nagasaki Member Confraternity of the Rosary Born in Nagasaki JapanCosmas Takeya Sozaburo コメス竹屋長兵衛 18 November 1619 Layperson of the archdiocese of Nagasaki Member Confraternity of the Rosary Born in KoreaIoannes Yoshida Shoun フアン吉田正左衛門素雲 18 November 1619 Layperson of the archdiocese of Nagasaki Member Confraternity of the Rosary born in Miyako JapanDomingos Jorge ドミンゴス ジョrゲ 18 November 1619 Layperson of the archdiocese of Nagasaki member Confraternity of the Rosary born in San Roman Aguiar de Sousa Porto PortugalSee also EditMartyrs of Japan List of Catholic saints Freedom of religionReferences EditNotes Edit His given name is written as Leonarudo in Japanese and Leonardo in Italian In English it is also written as Leonard but Leonardo is more accurate In Latin it is Leonardus Sources Edit a b c d e f MARTYRS OF JAPAN 1597 1637 poz 10 Archived from the original on November 23 2021 Retrieved March 22 2011 The Complete List of Jesuit Saints and Blessed Jesuits Archived from the original on August 5 2020 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c Henryk Fros Franciszek Sowa 2007 Ksiega imion i swietych Vol 6 Krakow WAM Ksieza Jezuici p 427 ISBN 978 83 7318 736 8 a b c d e f g h i Henryk Fros Franciszek Sowa 2007 Ksiega imion i swietych Vol 6 Krakow WAM Ksieza Jezuici p 428 ISBN 978 83 7318 736 8 a b c Celestino Testore Beati Leonardo Chimura e 4 compagni in Italian Archived from the original on January 25 2021 Retrieved March 22 2011 a b c d Henryk Fros Franciszek Sowa 2007 Ksiega imion i swietych Vol 6 Krakow WAM Ksieza Jezuici p 423 ISBN 978 83 7318 736 8 a b c d e f Den salige Leonard Kimura 1575 1619 in Norwegian Retrieved March 22 2011 a b c d Blessed Leonardus Kimura CatholicSaints Info Archived from the original on July 11 2021 Retrieved December 20 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Leonardo Kimura amp oldid 1111081224, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
