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Feast Day: January 11
Death: January 11, 1609
Blessed Michaôl Mitsuishi Hikoemon, also known as Thomas Mitsuishi, was a devoted Catholic layman who lived in the diocese of Fukuoka, Japan during the 16th and 17th centuries. Born in approximately 1559 in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan, little is known about his early life. However, it is believed that he was a married man and the father of Blessed Thomas Mitsuishi, who would also go on to become a martyr.
During this period, Japan was under the rule of the shogunate, which had adopted a strict policy of persecuting Christians. Despite the wavering tolerance towards the Catholic faith, Michaôl Mitsuishi remained steadfast in his beliefs and continued to practice his faith in secret, contributing to the underground Catholic community.
In the late 16th century, efforts to suppress Christianity intensified in Japan, and the authorities sought to eradicate the Church and its teachings. Catholicism was seen as a threat to the social and political order, leading to the persecution and execution of numerous Christians.
On January 11, 1609, Blessed Michaôl Mitsuishi Hikoemon was martyred for his unwavering dedication to the Catholic faith in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. He was among the countless individuals who sacrificed their lives for their beliefs during a time of immense hardship for Japanese Catholics.
The Catholic Church has recognized Blessed Michaôl Mitsuishi Hikoemon as a martyr for his courageous witness and refusal to renounce his faith. On June 1, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a decree on martyrdom, officially recognizing his martyrdom.
Following the papal decree, Blessed Michaôl Mitsuishi Hikoemon was beatified on November 24, 2008, during a ceremony held at the Nagasaki Prefectural Baseball Park, also known as Big N Stadium, in Nagasaki, Japan. The beatification ceremony was presided over by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins.
Today, Blessed Michaôl Mitsuishi Hikoemon is honored and venerated as a saintly figure within the Catholic Church, particularly in the Diocese of Fukuoka, Japan. His feast days are celebrated on January 11 and July 1 in the Diocese of Fukuoka.
Although limited historical information is available regarding the life of Blessed Michaôl Mitsuishi Hikoemon, his unwavering faith and ultimate sacrifice stand as a testament to the enduring devotion of Japanese Catholics during a tumultuous period in their nation's history.