Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon, the Samurai of Christ
Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon was a Japanese Catholic nobleman and samurai who was regarded as one of the pillars of the early Catholic Church in Japan. He was baptized in Catholic faith in 1564 when he was twelve years old. Over a period of time, he was not able to enrich his faith because of his duties as a samurai. But later on life at the age of around 20, he was able to rekindle his faith and decided to abandon his nobleman and samurai status. He devoted himself to his faith and was exiled to Manila in 1615 for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith. He lived a holy life up to his very last days. He died on February 3, 1615; exactly 44 days after he arrived in Manila.
He was the Patron Saint of Japanese Immigrants, persecuted Christians and the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School.
