(c.1602-1637) Thomas was born in Nagasaki, Japan, and his parents were both Christian catechists and martyrs. He studied with the Jesuits in Japan, and after they were expelled, he ended up in Manila, Philippines. He joined the Augustinians and became the first Japanese Augustinian priest. Father Thomas returned to Japan to minister to persecuted Christians. He was able to get a position with the governor that gave him access to missionary prisoners under the alias of Kintsuba (meaning, “Garnished with Gold”). He was discovered and forced to live in hiding in a cave while continuing his ministry, using disguises to sneak around. He was captured, tortured, continually challenged to deny his faith, and finally martyred by being hanged upside down with his head in a pit of rotting garbage.
Blessed Thomas, “Kintsuba,” never gave up on sharing the truth. Steps 4-6 can bring up very uncomfortable truths for us, but this is often where great healing occurs. Follow Truth wherever He leads you.
“The strength and courage of Blessed Thomas of Saint Augustine can encourage each of us to renew our own commitment in giving our lives in service to the Gospel” (Pope Leo XVI, back when he was Augustinian Prior General Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.).
Reflection by Brad Farmer