Excerpt for the Night: Walk Merrily

'On October 7, 1613, the moment of departure having arrived, they embraced one another, and after having fallen on their knees to thank God for having made them worthy of dying for the love of him, they set out for the place of execution. The Christians having reassembled for the purpose of accompanying them, were ranged by the officials of the Confraternity, one half of them before, the other half behind the martyrs. They walked six abreast, singing the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Those of the city of Arima held each a lighted candle, and wore upon the head a garland, as a sign of triumph; the rest carried each a rosary.

During the procession little James, hearing some one calling him martyr, answered with great modesty: "Wait a little; you are too fast; I indeed see the crown, but I am not yet in possession of it." As the distance to be traversed was great, several Christians offered to carry him on their shoulders; but he refused, saying: "We are imitating our Captain who ascended Calvary on foot carrying a heavy cross, which I have not to carry. Now we must labor; eternity will give us a long rest." When he perceived the place where all were to be burnt, he said to those present who were shedding tears: "Why do you weep? Do you not envy my happiness? Walk merrily, as you see me doing."

Having at last arrived at the place where they were to finish their sacrifice, our courageous martyrs hastened to kiss the stakes to which they were about to be tied. One of them, Leo Caniemon, having been put in a more elevated position, cried out with a loud voice : "We see the fire that is to consume us; but we see it without fear, well knowing that our souls will thence pass to eternal happiness. My brethren, the Christian religion is the only one in which we can be saved. Persevere in the faith ; let not our torments frighten you; the sufferings are light and short; but the reward is great and is eternal. Be you the witnesses that we die for the faith in Jesus Christ."

As soon as they had been bound to the stakes, the head of the Confraternities displayed a banner on which was represented our Lord bound to the pillar, and said : "My brethren, see your Saviour, for the love of whom you are going to die. From the heights of the heavens he holds your crowns ready; courageously die for him who died for you." The funeral pile was then set on fire, and all the Christians fell at once upon their knees, praying to the Lord and the Blessed Virgin to assist the sufferers. The whole plain resounded with their lamentations; one cried out: "Jesus, Mary!" another: "My God, mercy!" The martyrs did not cease silently to recommend themselves to God. The fire having consumed the cords that tied little James, he suddenly rushed through the flames and cinders into the arms of his mother, who said to him : "My son, look up to heaven and invoke Jesus and Mary." The innocent boy after having three times repeated the names of Jesus and Mary, fell dead at the feet of his mother, and she in her turn fell dead over him. Young Magdalen, the sister of James, still remained. Already burnt in every part of her body, she bent over, and seizing some burning cinders she placed them upon her head as if she wished to make of them a crown for herself. A little while after she gently sank down and gave up her soul to God. Oh, what a beautiful triumph of the faith did the Church see on that day!

When all the martyrs had breathed their last, the Christians passed over the palisade, gathered up the relics, and buried them in the church at Nangasaki.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori