Comments:
Part 1
Russ,
Thank you so much for your comprehensive and well written description of the history of Japanese Kirishitans. I also recently watched the movie "Silence" and was deeply intrigued to learn more about the fascinating history of the martyrs and * * * in Japan. As a Catholic, the movie challenged me in several ways and your article provided new insight and information that gave me better context to better understand that incredible part of history. I especially appreciated the time you took to show the various historical sites as they stand today and your personal journey of discovery to uncover parts of this almost lost history.
I am humbled by the thought of the many unnamed masses of people whose names we may never know but who died as Martyrs. These normal every day people who did extraordinary things and took immense risk to do something that I take for granted; the practice of my faith in public.
...continued in Part 2
Admin reply: Thank you Rudy for your comments. I look forward to reading "part 2" !
Part 1
Russ,
Thank you so much for your comprehensive and well written description of the history of Japanese Kirishitans. I also recently watched the movie "Silence" and was deeply intrigued to learn more about the fascinating history of the martyrs and * * * in Japan. As a Catholic, the movie challenged me in several ways and your article provided new insight and information that gave me better context to better understand that incredible part of history. I especially appreciated the time you took to show the various historical sites as they stand today and your personal journey of discovery to uncover parts of this almost lost history.
I am humbled by the thought of the many unnamed masses of people whose names we may never know but who died as Martyrs. These normal every day people who did extraordinary things and took immense risk to do something that I take for granted; the practice of my faith in public.
...continued in Part 2
Admin reply: Thank you Rudy for your comments. I look forward to reading "part 2" !
Added: January 23, 2017
Name: Rudy
From: Los Angeles, CA
E-mail: Contact
Part 2
I am also challenged by the question that many undoubtedly ask when they watch the film: "What would I have done in that same situation? Would I have died for my faith or would I have denied it? Would I have publicly denied it and tried to practice my faith in secret? Or, would I have converted all together as some of the apostate priest did?" I would like to believe the former but it's hard to judge someone unless you are in their shoes. I also appreciated the closing of your article when you raise the important question of why the church has failed to flourish in Japan in a time of free religious expression. That same question can be asked of many places around the world and even here in the U.S.
Thank you again and may God bless you and the many ways in which you share the love of Christ with others. - Rudy
Admin reply: I have often thought about what I would have done, and can only thank God that I have never had to face such a decision. I read that the author of Silence, Shusaku Endo said that he himself would not have had the courage to be a martyr. Of course, if all Kirishitans chose martyrdom, then the Church would have completely vanished, and there would not have been an underground remnant to welcome the missionaries when Japan re-opened two centuries later. Very difficult issue!