The cross becomes a pulpit

All of a sudden, Nishizaka had grown a new forest, a long row of 26 trees spanning the length from the highway to the sea, at intervals of two or three yards. The crosses were facing Nagasaki, the nearer houses being within a stone's throw.

Far away one could see the Jesuit college, where Bishop Martins was staying at the time with most of the Jesuit missionaries. Nagasaki Bay lay to the right, with the San Antonio -- ensign ship of captain Rui Mendes de Figueiredo, first commander of Macao --anchored there. To the left, St.Lazarus' Hospital-- today the Buddhist temple Honrenji, and filling the hill to capacity, like the crowds in a Roman theater, more than four thousand Christians crying and praying, mesmerized by the crosses, their eyes tense with anxiety.

Anthony of Nagasaki could see his parents in the front row. They could not control their tears, and the boy told them a few words of encouragement. He then joined his fellow martyrs in a chorus of orchestrated prayer, where each had his part to play. Br. Gonzalo had started to say the Miserere. Fr. Martin of the Ascension broke into thanksgiving with a vigorous Benedictus: " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he has visited and redeemed his people. ." Others sang the Te Deum and the " Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus " echoed across the hill. The children contributed their own refrain with the psalms learned at catechism: " Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. . . From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised." Fr Francis Blanco was leading the singing, the rest were singing too, an orchestrated oratorio in which prayer, hope, faith and anticipated triumph had been blended together. Time was running short for words, the heart had to take over.

Frs. Pasio and Rodriguez go round the crosses comforting the martyrs. By accident they get some of the blows intended for the pressing crowds.

John of Goto had taken his first vows as a .jesuit that very morning, at the lepers' hospital of Urakami. He still reflects in his eyes the glittering sea of his native Goto Islands. Back again in Nagasaki, where he first heard the calling of Christ, he is ready to offer up to God a life without blame, a heart which is young, full of promise and bursting with joy. A short time ago he said good-bye to his old father, eager himself to give his son to the Lord. Now it is time to turn to his fellow martyrs and comfort them. Not that they need it, it is John that cannot control his heart. Approaching his cross, one of the missionaries exhorts him to keep firm. Heaven is just close at hand. "Do not worry, Father -- answers John with an engaging smile , I'm quite aware of that."

Next to John is Louis Ibaraki, only twelve years old. When somebody mentions heaven to him, the child strives to get loose from the ropes, eager to fly into the open, a captive bird longing for freedom. His high-pitched soprano rising above the humming clamour of the crowd: " Paradise, paradise . . .Jesus, Mary ! "

The sentence of death has been attached to the shaft of a lance. Paul Miki can see it from his cross:

" As these men came from the Philippines under the guise of ambassadors, and chose to stay in Miyako preaching the Christian law, which I have severely forbidden all these years, I come to decree that they be put to death, together with the Japanese that have accepted that law."

Paul was still the same composed man he always was, in full control of himself, always alert to the smallest details. His instincts as a preacher made him take a cue from the last sentence for a final profession of faith. He straightened himself on the cross, looked at the crowds and said in a loud voice: " All of you who are here, please, listen to me. "

One could feel the weight of silence on the hill. The same manly, vigorous voice thundered again:" I did not come from the Philippines, I am a Japanese by birth, and a brother of the Society of Jesus. I have committed no crime, and the only reason why I am put to death is that I have been teaching the doctrine of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I am very happy to die for such a cause, and see my death as a great blessing from the Lord. At this critical time, when, you can rest assured that I will not try to deceive you, I want to stress and make it unmistakably clear that man can find no way to salvation other than the Christian way."

Witnesses tell us that some of the guards kept edging nearer to Paul's cross, spellbound by his words. A really inspiring motif, this picture of the soldiers tensely- clutching their lances, edging nearer to the cross, as if bewitched by their victim.

Paul saw them. He also saw Terazawa and the executioners. For all of them he had a final message:

" The Christian law commands that we forgive our enemies and those who have wronged us. I must therefore say here that I forgive Taikosama. I would rather have all the Japanese become Christians."

Paul fell silent. His task as a preacher had been completed. His martyrdom gave the lie to those bent on tarnishing his reputation. He died a Christian, a Jesuit, a Japanese. A proof that one could adhere to the samurai's code of honour even though faithful to Christ to the extreme of death itself. He then turned to, his companions, the ones nearer to him exchanged a few words with them and greeted a friend he could identify among the crowd. And then lifting up his heart to heaven: Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit. Come to meet me ye Saints of God. . ."

St. Martin was singing the "Glory be to the Father" nf his second psalm: O praise the Lord. all ye nations.... " a truly missionary psalm. Br.Gonnzalo was saying the Our Father. The rest alternated between songs and prayers. words of encouragement and supplication. Soon the whole hill -- bystanders included was ablaze with acclamations: Jesus, Mary. . . Jesus Mary" -chanted aIl in unison.

But not all. One of the martyrs Br. Philip of Jesus, could not sing. The sitting prop in his cross was too low, and the whole weight of his body hung from the ring around his neck, choking him to death. With the little strength he had left, Philip invoked three times the name of Jesus. Terazawa saw him dying. It was too late to fix the cross now, but he did not want to prolong the martyr's agony. He gave an order and the two executioners put an end to the sufferings of the Mexican martyr. A final spasm on the cross, and twin jets of blood gushed out of the martyrs chest. Far away in his native Mexico his mother was preparing a set of vestments for his first Mass. The fig-tree in the garden of his parents' home had suddenly grown new leaves.

The death of Philip signals the start for the executions There are four men to carry them out, two for each end of the rows. Their lances have long, sword-like blades protected with sheaths. After taking positions, they remove the scabbards and stand at attention. A guttural yell, a sudden thrust, and the two spears cross each other in the chest of the martyr. Sometimes the blades come through the body at the shoulders. The death is almost immediate. If the victim does not die, another thrust to the neck will give the coup de gras.

As the executioners gradually approach the center, the voices of the martyrs are silenced, but the clamour of the crowds grow in a frenzy. " I heard a uproar from the crowds when the martyrs were being executed" says Bishop Martins.

When Fr. Blanco`s turn came, a spasm made him contract one of his arms and his hand broke loose from the ring. With a supreme effort he pushed it back into position. Now he could die a crucified martyr like Jesus Christ. When Fr. Martin was lanced, the shaft broke loose from the spear, stuck in the martyrs chest. The executioner climbed up on the cross, trust his hands into the wound and unstuck the spear. Without the slightest movement, Fr Martin kept waiting for the final blow.

The last to die was Fr Bautista. All through the executions he has been motionless, ecstatic and absorbed in prayer. One of the boys Anthony kept asking what hymn he should sing next, but Fr. Bautista was not listening anymore. Now, seeing the lances dripping blood and the executioners in front of him, Fr. Bautista opened his lips for a final prayer: "Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit." and became motionless again. Not even a quiver when the spears broke his chest. Blood gushed profusely, but he gave the impression of being still alive, and the rumour spread that he had not died on the cross. Some people watched him move a few days after martyrdom others even saw him say Mass at St. Lazarus.

Fr. Martin of Leon, O.P, a passenger- of the illfated San Felipe arrived in Nagasaki a few weeks after the event and went to see the martyrs still hanging from their crosses. There he was, that holy prelate, a major captain on the battlefield. To see him that way filled you with awe.

The Portuguese and the Japanese Christians attending the executions could not be kept in check any longer. Breaking through the guard, they pressed forward to the crosses and started soaking pieces of cloth in the martyrs blood gathering lumps of the earth sanctified by them, tearing up their habits and kimonos for holy relics. The guards kept on beating them. pulling them away. The blood of the wounded mixed with that of the martyrs. Order was finally established, and Terazawa positioned guards all around the hill, with strict orders not to allow anybody near the crosses. After completing his task Terazawa withdrew from the hill. Many could notice that even the tough soldier was crying.

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