put out into the deep

Easter Greetings 2026

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:20:00 +0000

Oh what a day is today! When all of heaven rejoices in the triumph of Jesus our King!

It is the FEAST OF ALL FEASTS! There is no day like today in all of history!

"Earth her joy confesses, clothing her for spring; All fresh gifts returned with her returning King. Blooms in every meadow, leaves on every bow, Speak His sorrow ended, hail His triumph now: ‘Welcome, happy morning!’ age to age shall say."

– St. Venantius Fortunatus

Jesus, our Lord and Saviour has triumphed over death and sin and opened the gates of Paradise for every human soul! Let us rejoice!

"Easter is not just a day to celebrate; it is a season to live with renewed faith and hope."

- Saint John Chrysostom

Let us celebrate our faith and our hope this day! We have much to be glad in! We know that our souls, in its immortality have a "future full of hope" in Christ the King's kingdom.

If we build His Kingdom on earth, we will be by His side in the Eternal City in the skies!

Happy Easter! Alleluia!

P.S. Please feel free to use these graphics for personal greetings!

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Following the Footsteps of the Hidden Christians of Japan 隠れキリシタン

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:42:46 +0000

While traveling in Japan, you will inadvertently notice many statues. Some are along the road, and on hills. Many are shaped in the form of gods and goddesses. Some look like ogres.

But there are several places all over the country where you will find Christian statues and graves, and each tells a story. It is the story of the hidden Christians during the Edo period in the 17th century. Maybe you’ve seen one of these statues while you’re here.

During a trip to Shikoku Island, we found many hidden Christian sites. Some do not have any signs or markers, and some have been ravaged by time.

Such is the case of Blessed Yuki Ryusetsu, whose grave is in the mountains. We searched for it, but it is in a landslide-prone area, so sadly, we weren't able to find it. He was the last remaining Catholic priest in Japan during the time of oppression. He was a Christian martyr and a saint.

BLESSED YUKI RYUSETSU

Some sites are clearly marked and well-cared for and are even found in Buddhist temples like this one at Emmyougi temple.

Some are found in cemeteries, like these statues honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. Usually, they are turned in a different direction, and it takes some effort to discover them.

There was a story that we found only on a Shinto blog. It tells the story of 48 Christians, who were found out by authorities. They were beheaded as their punishment for being Christians. Their torsos were all buried in one grave, (as one final act of mercy by their executioner). The grave has no names listed there. The headstone is turned backwards, so you won’t easily notice it.

I’ve made a map so you can also honor their memory. See the Japan Hidden Christians map.

No one likes to think of suffering and hardship, but if you want to follow Christ, He said we must always carry our crosses. This world is not our home, so we press on towards heaven.

As my mother always used to say, "This life is only a blink of an eye compared to eternity".

If we live each day with a sacrificial spirit of charity, we may be able to live heaven on earth, just as the Holy Family did. Life is indeed beautiful.

Martyrdom of Saint Paul Miki and Companions in Nagasaki (made-c1635) by anonymous Japanese painter

August 13 Feast Day - Blessed Mark of Aviano's Story

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 22:30:00 +0000

One day, a young man of 16 only years decided to walk on a 16-day journey from Italy to Greece. He wanted to make a difference in the war there.

Unperturbed that he may be killed, he was determined to preach the Gospel to the Ottoman Turks to save their souls. This would have most certainly ended up in martyrdom.

By the time he reached Slovenia, he was tired and hungry, so he stopped by a Capuchin monastery. There, he was fed and was able to rest with the brothers. They prayed with him and discerned that he should go back home. In obedience, he did.

Because of the inspiring witness of the brothers, he decided to become a Capuchin monk and took on the name of Mark.

For many years, he was in a cloister, and then was assigned to preach throughout Italy. He grew so close to God that when he was asked to pray for a nun, who was bedridden for 13 years, she was miraculously healed. After that, he was sought out for his holy wisdom and healing prayers.

Even the emperor called upon him for advice and through his counsel was able to end the reign of the Ottomans in Vienna.

When the Turks released the city, they left behind some strong, bitter coffee. So as not to waste it, the Christian soldiers mixed in some honey and milk. They named it after Blessed Mark’s order and this is how cappuccino came to be! Thank you Blessed Mark of Aviano!

On your feast day today, pray for us!

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A Miracle in China

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:58:00 +0000

The time of the Boxer Rebellion in China was very dangerous for Christians. In 1900, Christians were barricaded in a village for 2 months while fighting for their lives.

They were sorely outnumbered and at breaking point when they noticed that the bullets were being aimed at the air above them.

Later, the rebels said that they were driven off by a lady in white, accompanied by a soldier on a horse!

Hundreds of Christians and non-believers saw the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Michael the Archangel!

This happened in Donglü, which became a place of pilgrimage.

A mother always comes to the aid of her children! Mother Mary, pray for us!

#ourladyofchina #中華大聖母 #東閭聖母

The Hidden Christians of Tokyo, Japan

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:24:00 +0000

I'm excited to share this video I made about the early 17th-century Japanese Christian sites found in Tokyo. The stories about these are quite fascinating and inspiring! I visited only some of the places listed, but I would like to go to more!

Feel free to check out the sites on the public Google Map I made. I put snippets of information and their sources in the notes of each site.

Hidden Christians Map of Japan https://www.tinyurl.com/hiddenchristians

Tokyo is not typically known for its Christian heritage, but it does have a few fascinating "Kakure Kirishitan" (Hidden Christian) sites that hold a rich connection to Japan’s Christian history. These sites reflect the history of Christian persecution during the 16th to 19th centuries.

In 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan, issued edicts to expel the Christian missionaries and priests and stop the propagation of Christianity. It was only in 1638 that the full effect of his laws were carried out.

Hibiya exhibit

http://jmapps.ne.jp/chiyoda/list.html?keywords=%E3%82%AD%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B7%E3%82%BF%E3%83%B3&kwd_and_or=and&bunrui=&list_type=LLA001&list_count=10&title_query=yes

Great Martyrdom of Edo

https://dept.sophia.ac.jp/monumenta/article/the-great-martyrdom-in-edo-1623-its-causes-course-consequences/

Fr. Diego Yuki Ryosetsu

Prayer for the Hidden Christians

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Lord,

You granted grace to these holy witnesses of the faith to hold on despite tremendous persecution. Please strengthen my faith so that on Judgement Day, I can enter into heaven with all the saints and angels to praise You forever. Amen.

Music

Bryan Teoh

Kevin McLeod

Rafael Krux

This next video is related to the one above. It is the story of the life of another hidden Christian in Japan, Blessed Diego Yuki Ryusetsu. His courage and tenacity in the face of evil is totally astounding!

Would you like to visit the places where the hidden Christians were?

Open Marriages and Tiresome Dating

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Thu, 01 May 2025 23:40:00 +0000

"Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." - Jesus Christ, quoted by John 6:35

Recently, "Open Marriages" has been a trending topic in Japan. Civil marriages in the Philippines are on the rise as well. Many older single people have not found the "One" and many have grown tired of dating and have stopped trying altogether.

In the past, I remember my fickle heart and how easily I got tired of things. I would have crushes left and right. Once they paid attention to me, I would get tired of them. Then I would see someone more handsome, more intelligent, more charismatic to "crush" on.

Sometimes I would be so enamored by a man one day and then he would wear something I didn't like the next day, and I would feel totally grossed out at the right of him!

I was never satisfied! This went on for most of my single life.

Today, I am truly amazed. I look at the face of my husband and my heart is just overwhelmed with joy and awe. Despite many years together, he is still the most handsome man in my eyes whose looks far surpass Brad Pitt's by a quadrillion times.

Before, I would always run away from the affections of suitors. Now, I can never get enough of my loving husband. I am always at his side.

Before, I was never satisfied. Now, I am not only satisfied ~ the well of tender emotions and affection for him is constantly flowing like a mighty river. Year after year, I grow fonder of him. I never thought that married life could be so wonderful.

What changed?

I believe that on a natural level, we humans are not capable of being satisfied - whether it is our daily routine or relationships, we will always get tired and dissatisfied. Therefore, I can only conclude that this is SUPERNATURAL.

When my husband and I had a sacramental marriage, we received not just prayers but blessings, not just pronouncements from anyone but from a Catholic priest whose vocation was handed down by Christ himself who established the Church (for it is only the Catholic Church who was established by Jesus Christ Himself.)

There is a superabundance of grace present in sacramental marriages that I can see not only from my own but also from those I know personally.

Those who have come to Jesus - their thirst has been, thankfully, quenched.

Today's Gospel reading at mass talks about how people wanted to make Jesus into a king because just like the universe was created out of nothing, two fish and five barley loaves fed thousands. Only God can do that. It was not the miracle of sharing ~ no one would crown you king for that. Miracles surrounded Jesus everywhere He went.

But I know the miracle He has done in me. He has changed me. I know it to be true.

Our marriage is a sign of Christ's love for his bride, the Church. He shows us what love truly is. Not the kind that the world talks about. His love was red, not with the colors of a Valentine's Day card but with His blood shed on the cross for us.

What a beautiful gift of love God gave each one of us!

With Christ, there is no more hunger, no more thirst. We are filled to the brim and overflowing!

"Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!

Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!"

- Easter Proclamation (Exsultet)

It's still the Easter season so HAPPY EASTER!

I bring you greetings of great JOY! I said a prayer for each of you today.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 04:54:00 +0000

The pilgrimage season has begun in the Philippines with countless people beginning to walk toward the Antipolo Cathedral. Every year on Maundy Thursday, you would see them in the middle of the night heading towards the shrine. This walk culminates with everyone reaching the church by dawn on Good Friday. This has been going on in the country since the 19th century.

This year, there were reportedly 5.1 million devotees who participated.

Since long ago, the story of the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage has amazed many. The statue came from Mexico aboard a galleon ship on March 25, 1626.

Around the year 1630, the people wished to honor the Blessed Mother Mary and have a place to keep the statue so they began to build a church. During construction, something strange happened. The statue would disappear from where they placed it and reappear on top of a Tipolo tree. This happened several times. They took this as a sign from God that the church should be at the site of the tree and proceeded to build in that area instead.

Incidentally, the Tipolo tree is where the name of the city came from "An-Tipolo".

The image was able to survive 6 perilous sea voyages, as well as foreign invasions, wars, and fires.

National hero Jose Rizal was a devotee to Our Lady of Antipolo from his infancy through his mother's instruction. They often made a pilgrimage to the church. Rizal also kept an image of the statue along with him on his travels.

Today, thousands continue to participate in this long-standing tradition. Many do this as a thanksgiving for answered prayers or to ask for Our Lady's intercession for special intentions. Many go to pray there before they travel.

Pilgrimages reach their height during May which is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The practice of asking prayers from Jesus' mother stems from a humble heart, knowing that she was closest to Him and that her requests never go unanswered. Papyrus dating back to the 3rd century recorded the earliest Christian prayer - the Sub Tuum Praesidium.

Miracles abound when we put our trust in God and ask for the help of His saints to pray with us. He hears the prayers of the just. He is truly merciful.

A severe epidemic of cholera hit the whole country and all the people were alarmed. The townspeople decided to ask the Queen of Heaven to pray for them. They organized a procession and Holy Mass and soon after that, the city was spared! The place where they held this event is now called "Pinagmisahan Hill" (hill where Mass was held).

Let us ask Our Lady to pray for the Philippines - for peace with our neighbors and for good voyages whether near or far.

Blessed Holy Week to all!

Dealing with Disappointment

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 21:44:00 +0000

Just recently I experienced a great disappointment. I thought that instead of sulking about it, I would try to see a brighter way out of it.

I realized that I had gotten used to getting my own way and I need to adjust my expectations of others.

Saint Ignatius has something quite constructive about disappointments in life that is edifying.

How do you deal with disappointments?

They could not break her - the story of Tsuru and the torture stone

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:29:00 +0000

On a recent trip to Nagasaki, I came across an interesting true story of a 19th-century Japanese lady. She was so brave and faithful so I decided to draw it into an animated video.

Traces of her are found at the Urakami Cathedral where many other stories are yet to be unearthed.

Here is the actual stone that Tsuru had to kneel on. Who knows how she was able to endure for so long on that stone? One can easily miss it and think that it was just some ornamental piece of the garden.

The hidden Christians of Japan taught the tenets of Catholicism to their children and this was passed down from generation to generation.

Many of the shrines and local temples with Shinto and Buddhist gods are the same ones that hidden Christians used to worship Jesus. It is interesting how they were able to persevere despite the persecution.

It is my hope that others too would be just as inspired as I have from the lives of these devout Catholics.

If you enjoyed the video, please like it! It will greatly encourage me to make more little-known stories about courageous men and women of faith!

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2025 Lenten Resources and Links

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:51:00 +0000

Blessed Ash Wednesday and Lenten season!

Here is a compilation I made of reading material, films, retreats, printable and mostly free resources for this grace-filled time.

See link

Psalm 1

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 22:58:00 +0000

Whenever Blessed Bernard Scammacca was outdoors, the birds sang sweet songs for him but when he turned to prayer, they would give him silence.

Today, February 16th is his feast day.

//Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, 

whose hope is the LORD. 

He is like a tree planted beside the waters 

that stretches out its roots to the stream: 

it fears not the heat when it comes; 

its leaves stay green; 

in the year of drought it shows no distress, 

but still bears fruit. //

- Jeremiah 17

Trust in God’s Mercy - Blessed Michal Sopocko

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 22:22:00 +0000

If you have read the Divine Mercy story, you will be familiar with this holy priest. His feast day is today, February 15th. I pray we have many more priests like him.

//This priest is a great soul who is completely filled with God.//– Saint Faustina Kowalska

//The decisive factor in obtaining God's Mercy is trust. Trust is the expectation of someone's help. It does not constitute a separate virtue, but is an essential condition of the virtue of hope, and an integral part of the virtues of fortitude and generosity.

Because trust springs from faith, it strengthens hope and love, and is, moreover, linked up, in one way or another, with the moral virtues. It may, therefore, be called the basis on which the theological virtues unite with the moral. The moral virtues, originally natural, become supernatural if we practice them with trust in God's help.// - Blessed Michal Sopocko

Omotenashi or Japanese Hospitality

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 22:45:00 +0000

Filipinos love Japan sooooo very much. I don’t really know why but some have said it is because of their hospitality.

There was a time when my husband and I were wandering along a countryside street when a young man came up to us and asked in perfect English if we needed any help. That was such a pleasant surprise!

Another time when we were lost, a lady accompanied us until we knew how to get where we were going.

In today's busy world, it is really wonderful to experience this.

In the Philippines, there is no better place to experience hospitality than Batanes. I believe that the true Filipino lives there - the true Filipino who is uncorrupted by the modern secular world.

When I visited there many years ago, I recall people who, when we asked for directions, opted to be our tour guide for the day!

Wherever we are, wherever you are, I hope you encounter angels!

God has Made me for a Special Mission

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:46:00 +0000

//God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons…//

- Saint John Henry Newman

Love and sacrifice

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:42:00 +0000

The family is surely one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. And yet, a lot of heartbreak sometimes comes out from our family relationships. This can only mean that we love much because we would not be so affected if we didn’t care for the others so.

Happy Feast of the Holy Family!

Fear Destroys Our Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:02:00 +0000

Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. A long long time ago, a wicked king wished to hold on to his power and felt threatened by the story of a tiny baby destined to rule the world.

And so he ordered all the baby boys 2 years and younger to be killed. His fear destroyed his heart.

Today the fear of many things still destroys our hearts - making us only think of self preservation instead of nurturing and caring for others (specially) the most vulnerable).

May we choose to love and trust instead of succumbing to fear.

//You are not restrained by the love of weeping mothers and fathers mourning the deaths of their sons, nor by the cries and sobs of the children. You destroy those who are tiny in body because fear is destroying your heart. You imagine that if you accomplish your desire you can prolong you own life, though you are seeking to kill Life himself.//

- from a sermon by bishop Saint Quodvultdeus about the Holy Innocents

Why pray the Rosary？

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 20:59:00 +0000

"Do whatever He tells you" - blessed Virgin Mary

Many Christians with hearts that love God with all their heart do not understand why Catholics pray the Holy Rosary. They say it is idolatry, not found in the Bible, and repetitive prayer.

If you dug deeper and wished to really know the truth, you will discover how the Rosary enriches one's prayer life centered on Jesus Christ like no other form of meditation. Praying it well transports you to the foot of the Cross and allows you to focus on our Lord rather than on our needs, and petitions. It is a deep and beautiful way of adoration and worship all at once.

The words of the Holy Rosary are all taken from the Bible and the words are repeated so as to enter more fully and draw the mind to the moments in Jesus life guided by the one who loved Him the most - the Theotokos or Christ-bearer.

This month of October is the month of the Rosary.

If we wish to grow closer to the heart of God, let us pray the Rosary well - it is the prayer that sanctified many of the saints. It has helped to free many from addictions and habitual sins that offend our Lord.

If we want to please God, our Mother Mary, the first Christian, the first missionary who shared Christ in her womb, and whose whole life pointed the world to Christ, can lead us there.

Every Sunday we pray the Rosary and other prayers. Our world today needs many prayers please feel free to join our international group every week. If you wish to be informed or reminded, just send me a message.

Every Sunday

7pm Japan /6pm Manila

Online via Zoom

All are welcome!

Prayer for Peace by Saint Francis

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 22:42:00 +0000

My Japanese friend told me that she became Catholic because of this prayer. Thank you Saint Francis for your example of how it is to be a peacemaker. Please pray for the world today. Happy feast day!

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Feast day - October 4

Kind Words to Make your Day Better

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 22:16:00 +0000

Every day, when we wake up, instantly, we are faced with a choice. It is a very important choice. It is the choice of what to think.

I once watched a video about a researcher who studied the human brain for many years. She said that how we think determines the health of our brain. She observed how the brain functioned depending on whether we thought good or bad thoughts.

She discovered that when someone thought bad thoughts, the shapes and patterns that were emitted appeared much like dark, leafless trees but when good thoughts were in the brain, much light, growth, and expansion of the brain's capabilities were significant.

She said that if we continually thought good thoughts, our brain, over time, functioned much better. I wish I could remember that scientist's name!

If every day, we chose to think good thoughts, this would greatly impact our health, our life, and our future.

I try to fill my mind with gratitude. It's not an easy habit to have but grace from above makes all things possible. It is extremely rewarding to be able to see the silver lining in every cloud!

It is even more challenging in today's desperately troubled and broken world. It is even more necessary to learn this "skill" of being grateful and choosing joy.

The saints knew how to live life in constant gratitude and I hope that more and more of us will learn from the richness of their thought life.

Have a great day today friends!

A Story of Great Courage Against All Odds

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 07:53:00 +0000

On an island off the southern part of Japan lies a forgotten grave completely overgrown by tall grass.

It belongs to a brave man whose story is one of profound faith and tenacity amid a brutal reign of terror.

17th Century Japan

In 17th-century Edo Period, shoguns and feudal lords called "daimyos" ruled the people.

Diego Yuki Ryosetsu was born in 1574 in Awa Province in modern-day Tokushima Prefecture. His father was a samurai who was the younger brother of the shogun.

He was schooled with the Jesuits and soon wanted to join the priesthood.

Even before he was a priest, he was able to evangelize his relatives and baptized several of them.

In 1587, an edict was issued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi prohibiting the practice of Christianity.

He was arrested and imprisoned at Nagasaki at the age of 13. Somehow, he was able to escape and continue his studies to become a priest.

At the age of 40, he was exiled to Manila alongside the saintly samurai Takayama Ukon. In Manila, he was finally ordained.

While in Manila, the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in the Philippines, Valerio de Ledesma, wrote a beautiful profile of him:

　 "Father Diogo Yuki, Japanese, honest, hardworking, effective, and inspiring among the Japanese returned to Japan a few days ago."

After 2 years, he could not bear the thought of not ministering to his fellow believers whose lives were in danger on a daily basis.

Knowing the great peril that awaited him, he returned to Japan in secret, and traveled to Nagasaki, Kyoto, Nagano, and all around the country administering the sacraments, teaching, and serving the oppressed Christians.

In 1619, during the Great Martyrdom in Kyoto when the 52 martyrs, including children, were executed by fire, Fr. Diego together with Father Bento Fernandez and Michael Soan encouraged the remaining believers.

As the years passed, all the other priests were caught and he became the last priest serving in Central Japan.

PICTURE CREDIT: SAKU HOTEL, SAKU CITY, NAGANO

This 600-year-old hotel is one of the places where he stayed at. His name was recorded by the proprietor's ancestors alongside Fr. Menprila, Fr. Angeles, Fr. Elquia, Fr. Casuio, Fr. Jihiyoeo Palomares, and his sacristan Michael Soan.

For many years, he lived a rough life hiding in the mountains but in 1635, the authorities closed in on him, and Fr. Diego was captured at Osaka Pass.

To extract information from him about the names of other believers, they tortured him in the most inhumane method they could think of.

They subjected him to the pit. They bound him tightly and hung him by his feet. They left one arm free so he could renounce his faith any time by raising his hand.

Wooden boards were put at the opening to encase him in darkness and the bottom was filled with excrement.

To prolong the agony, they cut his forehead so it would not swell and let him die swiftly.

Despite all this hardship, Fr. Diego never recanted his faith. He died without revealing the names of the other Christians nor of those who gave him safe harbor.

Fr. Diego received his heavenly reward 3 days later when his soul left for heaven on February 25, 1636. He was 62 years old.

We have not forgotten this faithful Christian martyr. May his great bravery borne out of his love for his fellow man be a testament to us all.

Fr. Diego Yuki Ryosetsu, pray for us!

There are many stories of Japanese Christian martyrs that may be found all over the country.

It is my hope that all these stories be told for all the world to know.

You may wish to follow in their footsteps with the Google map I am compiling. It is by no means complete and it doesn't have all the sites in Nagasaki because I am trying to discover lesser-known places.

Hidden Christians of Japan Map

If you were interested in this story, you may wish to view my video on the Kyoto Christian martyrs.

Please let me know if you have visited any of these places and any impressions you may have of them.

Sources:

Life of Fr. Diego and Childhood Story, Jesuit Global, Wikipedia and Laudate

Timeline of Christianity in Japan, Nippon

Saku Hotel blog

Fr. Diego in Manila, Takayama Ukon

Our True Calling

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:25:00 +0000

Oftentimes in the pursuit of truth or excellence , I forget the true essence of life. May I never forget that my purpose is to love.

//If I speak in human and angelic tongues

but do not have love,

I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy

and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;

if I have all faith so as to move mountains,

but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything I own,

and if I hand my body over so that I may boast

but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It is not jealous, love is not pompous,

it is not inflated, it is not rude,

it does not seek its own interests,

it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing

but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.//

1 Corinthians 12

12th Century Patron of Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 20:44:00 +0000

Writer, composer, naturopath, artist, sage, and saint.

Saint Hildegard of Bingen lived in 12th century Germany but her book Physica survives to this day.

Due to her otherworldly knowledge and wisdom, she was often called upon to speak in the public square. This was rare for a woman in her day. Her life was exemplary in so many ways. Some call her the patron of creativity.

Her feast day is on September 17th.

Hildegard von Bingen’s Physica: The Complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing

You can go on a pilgrimage trip and learn from this extraordinary woman at the Hildegard Way.

The Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, September 14th

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 20:48:00 +0000

In the year 313, freedom of religion was finally passed in the Roman Empire and Christians could freely worship Jesus Christ.

The mother of emperor Constantine was a Christian and wished to venerate and preserve the Christian relics for generations to come so she set out on an arduous journey to Jerusalem in search of the most precious artifact in the world - the Holy Cross where Jesus hung.

They unearthed 3 crosses but didn’t know which one was Our Lord’s. So they placed a sick woman on each cross. When she was placed on the last one, she was instantly cured! It was the power of the Cross of Christ!

When I visited Rome, I distinctly remember that the story told to me was that a corpse was placed on the crosses and the True Cross brought that person back to life!

This event is now commemorated on the 14th of September. In ages past, monks from all over traveled to Jerusalem and the feast lasted for 8 days.

The size of the cross is “ three or four metres in height, with transverse branch of two metres (see above; under I), proportions not at all abnormal (op. cit., 97-179). Here is the calculation of this savant: Supposing the Cross to have been of pine-wood, as is believed by the savants who have made a special study of the subject, and giving it a weight of about seventy-five kilograms,”

https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04529a.htm

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem said, "the whole inhabited earth is full of relics of the wood of the Cross".

My most favorite church in all of Rome is a little known one that houses a relic of the True Cross. We did not plan to go there but only heard about it through a good friend. If you find yourself in Rome, try to visit the Church of Sta. Croce.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Croce_in_Gerusalemme

Since then we commemorate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Happy feast!

A Year with the Saints Book by Calej

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:29:00 +0000

"A Year with the Saints" was born out of a year spent studying the lives of the saints on their feast day.

Getting to know the saints is like learning about the family of your beloved and adopting them as your family. Imagine getting to heaven and knowing many people there!

A saint is someone who gets to go to heaven so let's study how to become one too!

Every day is a feast day for different saints as commemorated by the Catholic Church. I drew a saint for each day and shared a short summary of their life along with it. Their lives changed the world for the better - forever! Many of them have been forgotten but without their lives of virtue, we would not be able to have many of the institutions, education, and learnings that we have today - built upon what they have begun!

The book is now available on Amazon! I received my first copy on the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8th. I hope the Holy Family will like it! My prayer is that the Lord bless all who read it.

By the way, it is on sale today!

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/calejbook

Sub Tuum Praesidium, the Church's earliest prayer

noreply@blogger.com (calej) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 21:29:00 +0000

The month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Asking for her prayers has been part of the early Christian Church since the beginning of its inception. It is the goal of every believer to become as close to the heart of God as she is.

The Sub Tuum Praesidium is the earliest known prayer of the early Christians as it was found written in a fragmented piece of papyrus dating back as early as the 3rd century.

This August 15th is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Let us join the whole Church as she celebrates this great victory of the first faithful and true Christian - the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us seek to live like her who gave her all to our Lord Jesus Christ, the King!

Mama Mary, you are the greatest saint in all of history. You were chosen by God in your simplicity and humility to bring hope to the world by being the Theotokos or "Mother of God". May we imitate you in your submission to God's perfect and holy will.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, please pray for us!

8 月は聖母マリアの汚れなき御心に捧げられた月です。

聖母マリアへの祈りは、初期キリスト教会が発足した当初から行われてきました。すべての信者の目標は、聖母マリアのように神の御心に近づくことです。

Sub Tuum Praesidium は、初期キリスト教徒の最も古い祈りとして知られており、3 世紀に遡るパピルスの断片に書かれていたことが発見されています。

今年の 8 月 15 日は聖母マリアの被昇天の祝日です。最初の忠実で真のキリスト教徒である聖母マリアのこの偉大な勝利を祝う教会全体に加わりましょう。王である私たちの主、イエスキリストにすべてを捧げた聖母マリアのように生きましょう。

マママリア、あなたは歴史上最も偉大な聖人です。あなたは、その素朴さと謙虚さから、神の母、つまり「神の母」として世界に希望をもたらすために神に選ばれました。神の完全で神聖な意志に従うあなたの姿に私たちも倣えますように。

天の女王、聖母マリアよ、どうか私たちのためにお祈りください。