Sts. Dominic Ibáñez de Erquicia and James Kyushei Tomonaga, Priests; Lawrence Ruiz of Manila, Layman; and Companions, Martyrs in Japan
Memorial
In the years 1633, 1634 and 1637, this new company of 16 martyrs is recorded. All of them labored at Nagasaki in Japan, through various ministries, ordained and non-ordained, for the building up of the Church. There they died under the most severe torture, by the punishment of the gallows and the pit. Their bodies were burned, and their ashes were scattered.
Nine of them were from Japan, four from Spain, one from France, one from Italy and, finally, one from Manila.
All of them were members of the Dominican Family, men and women, or were associated with it. Nine were priests: Dominic Ibáñez de Erquicia, James Kyushei Gorobioye Tomonaga, Lucas Alonso of the Holy Spirit, Jordan Ansalone of St. Stephen, Thomas Hioji Rokuzayemon Nishi, Anthony González, William Courtet, Michael de Aozaraza and Vincent Shiwozuka.
Two were cooperator brothers: Francis Shoyemon and Matthew Kohioye of the Rosary.
Three were lay collaborators and catechists: Michael Kurobioye, Lazarus of Kyoto and Lawrence Ruiz of Manila, a family man and the protomartyr of the Church in the Philippines.
John Paul II solemnly declared them saints on Oct. 18, 1987. They offer a beautiful example of the unity of the Christian community and of the Dominican Family itself.
Additamenta ad Proprium Missalis et Liturgiæ Horarum post Editiones Typicas 1982-1985, Carli Alponsi Azpiroz Costa iussu edita, Sanctæ Sabinæ, Romæ 2006.
