Saint Gonsalo Garcia
A Franciscan lay brother from Bassein, India's first saint, martyred at Nagasaki
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Martyr, Religious, Missionary
- Life
- 1557 – 1597
- Era
- 16th century
- Feast
- 6 February
- Countries
- India, Japan, Philippines
Life story
Gonsalo Garcia was born around 1556 or 1557 at Bassein (now Vasai), in Portuguese-ruled India, to a Portuguese soldier and an Indian mother. He studied at the Jesuit school in Bassein's fort. In 1580 he went to Japan with Jesuit missionaries and worked as a catechist for about eight years.
He later became a merchant travelling between Asian ports. After a visit to Manila he joined the Franciscans as a lay brother. On 26 May 1592 he left Manila as interpreter for Father Pedro Bautista in a Spanish delegation to Japan.
After the San Felipe incident of 1596, Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered missionaries arrested. Gonsalo was placed under house arrest at Miyako (Kyoto) on 8 December 1596, arrested a few days later and crucified at Nagasaki on 5 February 1597, together with Bautista, other Franciscans, boys of the Third Order and three Jesuits.
He was beatified in 1627 and canonised by Pope Pius IX on 8 June 1862 with his companions. He is often called the first saint of India and of the Indian subcontinent.
Works and witness
- Studied at the Jesuit school in Bassein
- Catechist in Japan from 1580
- Joined the Franciscans in Manila and interpreted for Pedro Bautista
- Placed under house arrest on 8 December 1596
- Crucified at Nagasaki on 5 February 1597
Patron of
Diocese of Vasai (India)
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum (6 February)
- Decree of canonisation of the 26 Martyrs of Japan, Pius IX, 1862
- Butler's Lives of the Saints, entry for 6 February
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.