Pope recalls Japan’s hidden Christians

March 09, 2015

In a letter dated February 25 and released March 7, Pope Francis recalled the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Catholics in Japan who passed on the faith from generation to generation between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries without the assistance of a priest.

The Pope recalled that despite the danger of persecution, the laity administered the Sacrament of Baptism and nourished their spiritual life through prayer and meditation on Sacred Scripture.

Pope Francis also expressed hope that all who take part in the commemoration of the anniversary, which will take place in Nagasaki from March 14 to 17, might “show special love toward the Church of Christ and the Gospel, with new strength and new eagerness.”

 

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Further information:

• Lettera del Santo Padre all’Inviato Speciale alla celebrazione del 150° anniversario della scoperta dei "cristiani nascosti del Giappone" (Holy See Press Office)