Saint Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia

Life story

He was born around 1589 in Régil, Guipúzcoa, Spain. He joined the Dominicans at the convent of San Telmo in San Sebastián and professed vows in 1605. In 1610 he left Spain for the Philippine mission via Mexico, reached Manila in 1611 and was ordained in 1612.

In 1623 he sailed for Japan, disguised as a merchant, to help the depleted Dominican mission there. Soon afterwards a decree banned Spaniards from residing in the country. He worked in secret for about ten years, mostly at night, and was named provincial vicar in 1625.

In July 1633 he was denounced by a Christian apostate and imprisoned in Nagoya before being moved to Nagasaki. He refused to renounce his faith and was subjected to the tsurushi, hanging in a pit. Torture began on 13 August 1633 and he died on 14 August; his body was burned and the ashes scattered. While in prison he received Francis Shoyemon, a Japanese lay catechist, into the Order as a cooperator brother; Shoyemon also died a martyr. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 18 February 1981 in Manila and canonised him on 18 October 1987.

Works and witness

• Professed as a Dominican in 1605 at San Sebastián
• Reached Manila in 1611 and was ordained in 1612
• Went to Japan in 1623 disguised as a merchant and worked secretly for about ten years
• Received Francis Shoyemon into the Order while both were imprisoned
• Executed in Nagasaki in August 1633; canonised in 1987

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

• Catholic Online, "St. Domingo Ibanez de Erquicia"
• Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph, "Dominican Saints 101: St. Dominic Ibanez and Companions" (opeast.org)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.