A Samurai for Christ

In addition to being the feast of Saint Blaise, today is the memorial of Blessed Iusto Takayama Ukon. He was a Catholic samurai, pledged to Clan Toyotomi, as well as Daimyō of Takatsuki and Akashi.

In 1587 his daimyō, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, banished Christian missionaries from his lands and ordered all his Christian daimyōs to renounce their faith. Although many nobles gave up their faith, Iusto refused, saying he would rather die. His lord did not pursue the matter.

But then, in 1614, Shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu made Christianity illegal throughout Japan. Once again, Iusto refused to give up his faith. He was stripped of his lands and titles and banished from Japan.

Now a rōnin and exile, Iusto went to Spanish Manila and died just 40 days after his arrival. The Spanish government gave him a Christian burial with full military honors appropriate to a daimyō.

He is considered a martyr for the faith and is the patron saint of persecuted Christians.