Story: How Japanese Catholics Survived Hundreds of Years of Horrific Persecution, in Hiding, Underground

[mdgspencer]

How generations of Japanese Catholics have kept the faith alive - Catholic Herald

The most infamous method for weeding out believers of the Western God was the use of fumi-e, images of Christ or the Virgin Mary meant to be trampled upon to demonstrate unbelief. If villagers showed distress in stepping on the religious images, they would be arrested and banished, tortured, or executed.

 

[runningdude]

I learned of this story a few years ago, and the image of generations of Japanese Catholics baptizing their children and making acts of perfect contrition really moved me.

 

[Limoncello4021]

If you are interested in the topic, read Silence by Catholic writer Shusaku Endo–it is based on historical research and very graphic about what the poor missionaries endured.

 

[KyPerson]

When Japan was opened by Commodore Perry, subsequent visitors discovered many Kakure Kirishitan (secret Christians) who had passed down the faith from generation to generation.