Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tokyo (Agenzia Fides) – The mission of the Augustinians in Japan is alive and blossoming. 371 years have passed since the martyrdom of two Blessed Augustinians: Thomas Jihyoe of Saint Augustine and Michael of Saint Joseph. Since them, the Order – which arrived in Japan in the 17th century – was absent from the country for 315 years, to later return in the middle of the last century, thanks to three American missionaries. 56 years later, the community has 13 brothers, a pre-novice, and an oblate. Three are from the United States, one from the Philippines, and the rest are Japanese, which is a sign of hope for the Augustinian Order in the country: the primary objective of the new mission is to give birth to a Christian community founded on the spirituality and charism of Saint Augustine, in Japan.
Their main field of apostolate is the parish. There are four Augustinian parishes in Nagasaki, Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. The pastoral service reaches many areas: “One of the main challenges of recent years,” one member of the community mentioned, “is the growing number of non-Japanese Catholics: the immigrants are the ones that present specific pastoral needs that we try to meet.”
In addition to the parishes in Nagasaki and Fukuoka, the religious also work in the schools: “Our apostolate in the school is not only a means for reaching a larger part of society, but it is also an efficient means for communicating Gospel values to the students – Catholics and non alike,” the Augustinians said.
The recent beatification of 188 Japanese martyrs, including Thomas Jihyoe of Saint Augustine, “gives us a sense of the history in which we – in spite of our lowliness – are called to be architects with Christ's help. This inspires in us a greater sense of responsibility for the task entrusted to us in this part of the world. We will continue our task, trying to be living witnesses of Christ's love.”
The first Augustinian missionaries reached Japan in 1602. The Augustinian lifestyle was so attractive to the natives that there were soon conversions and a community of religious and third order members were begun. A sudden persecution took its toll on the community, among whom were many martyrs, all of whom were beatified together in 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Fr. Thomas Jihioye, Japanese Augustinian, fled the Emperor's soldiers for five years, carrying out door-to-door evangelization and changing communities. He was captured, however, in 1636 and was cruelly tortured, dying at the age of 35. That same year, 637 Third Order Augustinians in Japan followed him in martyrdom.
The Augustinians have several communities of men and women who follow the Rule of Saint Augustine, a code of monastic life originally composed by Saint Augustine (354-430 AD). (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2009)
