The crosses were set in place. Father Pasio and Father
Rodriguez took turns encouraging the victims. Their steadfast behavior was
wonderful to see. The Father Bursar stood motionless, his eyes turned
heavenward. Brother Martin gave thanks to God’s goodness by singing psalms.
Again and again he repeated: “Into your hands, Lord, I entrust my life.”
Brother Francis Branco also thanked God in a loud voice. Brother Gonsalvo in a
very loud voice kept saying the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Our brother, Paul Miki, saw himself standing now in the
noblest pulpit he had ever filled. To his “congregation” he began my
proclaiming himself a Japanese and a Jesuit. He was dying for the Gospel he
preached. He gave thanks to God for this wonderful blessing and he ended his
“sermon” with these words: “As I come to this supreme moment of my life, I am
sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you
plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion
teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly
pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism
and be Christians themselves.”
Then he looked at his comrades and began to encourage
them in their final struggle. Joy glowed in all their faces, and in Louis’ most
of all. When a Christian in the crowd cried out to him that he would soon be in
heaven, his hands, his whole body strained upward with such joy that every eye
was fixed on him.
Then, according to Japanese custom, the four executioners
began to unsheathe their spears. At this dreadful sight, all the Christians
cried out, “Jesus, Mary!” And the storm of anguished weeping then rose to
batter the very skies. The executioners killed them one by one. One thrust of the
spear, then a second blow. It was over in a very short time.
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