About sixty years after Saint Francis Xavier had spread the good news to much of Japan, Saint Paul Miki was born at Tounucumada, Japan. He was the son of a respected military leader, and was educated at a Jesuit college at Anziquiama. Paul joined the Jesuits in 1580, and became known for his glib evangelizing. He and many other pious Catholics fervently circulated the good news throughout Japan during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s persecution by his group, the Taiko.
Saint Paul Miki and twenty-five others were captured and spurred on through a spectacular trek—meant to impress the population—to the place of execution near Nagasaki, where they were crucified. Despite being prodded on for a month, Saint Paul joined a Franciscan monk in preaching the Word to the people who came to see the march. Among the other religious martyrs that day were a carpenter, a cook, a reformedbonze(Buddhist monk), and lay people including a soldier, physician, and altar boys.