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Feast Day: October 14
Death: October 14, 1619
Blessed Didacus Kagayama Haito was a married layman in the diocese of Fukuoka, Japan. He was born around 1565 in Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan, and dedicated his life to serving God and the Catholic Church.
Didacus Kagayama Haito was a devoted member of the Confraternity of the Rosary, a religious association dedicated to the devotion and spreading of the Rosary. He actively participated in the activities and works of the confraternity, promoting the practice of the Rosary among the faithful.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Christianity in Japan faced intense persecution due to the government's policies enforcing isolation and the eradication of the Catholic faith from the country. Despite the risks involved, Didacus remained steadfast in his faith and continued to practice and promote Catholicism.
On October 14, 1619, in Kokura, Fukuoka, Japan, Blessed Didacus Kagayama Haito was martyred for his unwavering loyalty to the Catholic Church. The details of his martyrdom are not explicitly mentioned in the available information.
The sanctity and martyrdom of Didacus Kagayama Haito were formally recognized by the Catholic Church on June 1, 2007, when Pope Benedict XVI decreed his veneration as a martyr. Subsequently, on November 24, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI beatified him in a ceremony held at the Nagasaki Prefectural Baseball Park, also known as the Big N Stadium, in Nagasaki, Japan. The beatification ceremony was presided over by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins.
As a blessed and martyr, Didacus Kagayama Haito's feast days are celebrated on October 14 and July 1 in the Diocese of Fukuoka, Japan, in honor of his life, witness, and sacrifice for the Catholic faith.
Although the specific representation associated with Blessed Didacus Kagayama Haito is not mentioned in the provided details, it is common for representations of martyrs to include symbols of their suffering, such as a palm branch signifying victory in martyrdom or a crown representing their reward in heaven.
Blessed Didacus Kagayama Haito serves as a shining example of fortitude and dedication to the Catholic faith in the face of persecution. His life and martyrdom continue to inspire believers today, particularly those facing challenges to their faith in various parts of the world.