Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki
Japanese young woman who served missionaries and died in 1634 after thirteen days of torture
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Martyr, Virgin
- Life
- 1611 – 1634
- Era
- 17th century
- Feast
- 28 September
- Countries
- Japan
Life story
Magdalene was born around 1611 near Nagasaki in Tokugawa Japan. Her parents were Christians and were martyred around 1620. When the Augustinians arrived in Japan in 1623, she served as interpreter for the friars Francis of Jesus Terrero and Vincent of Saint Anthony Simoens.
In 1625 she became a tertiary of the Augustinian Recollects. In 1629 she took refuge with other Christians in the hills around Nagasaki. Her Augustinian counsellors were executed in 1632, and she then turned to the Dominican Giordano Ansaloni.
According to Augustinian sources, in September 1634 she presented herself to the authorities, wearing the Augustinian habit, and declared herself a follower of Jesus. She died on 15 October 1634 (some sources say 16 October), aged about 22 or 23, after thirteen days of torture that included being hung upside down over a pit of filth; the pit was then filled with water and she drowned. Her body was cremated and the ashes were scattered in Nagasaki Bay.
Pope John Paul II beatified her on 18 February 1981 in Manila and canonized her on 18 October 1987 together with the other Martyrs of Japan. The general calendar lists her feast on 28 September, the Augustinian calendar on 20 October.
Works and witness
- Interpreter for the Augustinian friars from 1623
- Became a tertiary of the Augustinian Recollects in 1625
- Presented herself to the authorities and professed her faith
- Died on 15 October 1634 after thirteen days of torture
Saints from the same country
References
- Order of Saint Augustine, "Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, Virgin & Martyr" (augustinianorder.org)
- Augustinian.org, "October 20 - Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki"
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.