Blessed Sebastian Kimura

Life story

Sebastian Kimura was born in 1565 into a Christian family in Japan; the sources give no birthplace. His grandfather was the first Japanese convert baptised by St. Francis Xavier, and he was a cousin of Brother Leonard Kimura. He studied with the Jesuits at Hirado and at their seminary in Arima, entered the Society in 1582 and studied theology in Macao.

He was ordained a priest in Nagasaki in September 1601; the Jesuits describe him as the first Japanese man ordained a priest. During the persecution he disguised himself so that he could visit Christian homes and bring the sacraments to the faithful and to prisoners.

A servant betrayed him, and he was arrested on 30 June 1621 (another source says 29 June) with his catechist Thomas Akaboshi and Louis Kawara, an assistant at the Jesuit residence. He was held at Suzuta, where he met Fr. Carlo Spinola and other Christians. On 10 September 1622 he was burned alive at Nagasaki in the Great Genna Martyrdom, in which more than fifty Christians were put to death. Pope Pius IX beatified him in 1867 with 205 other martyrs of Japan.

Works and witness

• Entered the Society of Jesus in 1582 and studied theology in Macao
• Ordained a priest at Nagasaki in September 1601
• Disguised himself to bring the sacraments to believers and prisoners
• Betrayed and arrested on 30 June 1621; held at Suzuta
• Burned alive at Nagasaki on 10 September 1622

Saints from the same country

The 26 Martyrs of Japan, Blessed Justo Takayama, Blessed 205 Martyrs of Japan, Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki

References

• Jesuits Global, 'Blessed Sebastian Kimura' (jesuits.global/saint-blessed/blessed-sebastian-kimura/)
• Wikipedia, 'Great Genna Martyrdom' (place and scale of the 1622 executions: cross-check)

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