“Christ’s Samurai” is Beatified

Japan’s Justo Takayama Ukon (1552-1615), better known as the ” Christ’s Samurai,” has been beatified in Osaka. The celebration was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who said on Vatican Radio: “He received the central message of Jesus, which is the law of charity. He was, consequently, merciful toward his subjects, he helped the poor and gave support to needy samurai. He founded the brotherhood of mercy. All this caused admiration and the desire to imitate him.” Msgr. Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, Nagasaki’s 71st Archbishop and President of the Japanese Bishops’ Conference, said: “Takayama’s human personality and Christian life make him a model for today’s Japanese Catholics, an encouragement to live the faith by accomplishing works of mercy that are pleasing to God.”

Last year, the world premiere of the documentary film “Ukon the Samurai: The Way of the Sword, the Way of the Cross”—produced by “Aurora Vision” with the patronage of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and the collaboration of the Embassy of Japan to the Holy See, the Episcopal Conference of Japan, and the Jesuits of Italy—took place at the Institute Maria Bambina in Rome. Takayama Ukon is a great 16th-century samurai who, hearing St. Francis Xavier preach, converted to Christianity. In January 2016, Pope Francis signed the decree recognizing his martyrdom. His spiritual path between the sword and the cross is recounted in the film in simple language addressed to the young audience.