BLESSED
FRANCIS DE CAPILLAS AND ALFONSUS NAVARRETE
Friars and Priests and Companions
Martyrs of the Far East
November
6
Today in one celebration the Order commemorates several of its martyrs of the Far East. They shed their blood for the sake of the gospel in Japan and China at various times during the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Japan: Alfonsus Navarrete,
a Spanish Dominican, was beheaded in 1617. In 1622 nine Spanish Dominicans
were burned to death at Nagasaki. During
the years 1614-1632 more than a hundred Spanish and native Japanese Dominicans-novices,
cooperator brothers and tertiaries and confraternity members-were martyred.
- China: Francis de Capillas, a Spanish Dominican, labored for a number of years in the Philippines before going to China in 1642. During a persecution he was beheaded in 1648. In the following century several Spanish Dominicans were martyred: Bishop Peter Sanz in 1747and in 1748, Bishop Francis Serrano along with the priests Joachim Royo, John Alcober and Francisco Diaz.
Presently in the 21st century, Dominicans are still witnessing to gospel values in these countries and in other parts of the world. Martyrdom unfortunately is still part of our history. Let us pray in gratitude for the example of these generous saints and strive to proclaim the gospel in ordinary ways in our daily lives.
