By Hong Kong Tang King Po College (Aidan)

Hong Kong Tang King Po College, 07 November 2023 -- On September 28^th, a group of students, teachers and principal from Hong Kong Tang King Po College embarked on a six-day pilgrimage to Fukuoka and Nagasaki in Kyushu, Japan. We visited ten churches, the Unzen Jigoku (Unzen Hell), and Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument, as well as the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, etc. We got to know more about Japanese history and culture while we had our pilgrimage.

A priest once said, "Being a Catholic does not guarantee a smooth journey." This statement deeply resonated with me. In the mid-16th century, Saint Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary, traveled to Japan to spread Christianity. While Christianity initially flourished in Japan, it was perceived as a threat by the ruling military power at the time, leading to its temporary prohibition. During the Toyotomi and Edo periods, Christians faced persecution and even martyrdom.

The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan were a group of Catholics who were executed in Nagasaki in the late 16th century due to the prohibition of Christianity by the Japanese government. This group consisted of priests, monks, and local believers including three young kids. On the day of their execution, the twenty-six individuals were brought to a hill in Nishizaka, Nagasaki, crucified and lanced to death. On October 1st, we visited the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum, which featured a large monument with statues of the twenty-six saints, arranged in a solemn and dignified manner.

Upon entering the museum, we encountered various exhibits depicting the era of Christian suppression in Japan. One of the exhibits featured a statue, which initially puzzled me. I wondered why a Catholic museum would display a statue of Guanyin (Avalokitesvara). Upon closer inspection, however, I realized that it was a statue of Mary, adorned with rosary beads instead of Buddhist prayer beads. During the period of religious persecution, Japanese believers pretended to abandon their faith while secretly continuing their religious practices. Another striking exhibit was a painting portraying the execution of the Twenty-Six Martyrs, showing believers being hanged, tortured, crucified, or burned, illustrating the difficult circumstances faced by the missionaries and believers, and the fear of the ruling powers at that time. Although the Catholics could have trampled on the image of the Virgin Mary to save themselves, they chose not to.

We also visited the Unzen Jigoku (Unzen Hell). Along the way, we tried foot baths, tasted hot spring eggs, observed the steam and smelled the sulfur emissions from the hot springs, with the sound like "helicopter engine." However, our tour guide explained that behind the enjoyment of the volcanic phenomena and the pulse of the earth, this place had a cruel history. During the period of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's prohibition of Christianity, Catholics were brought here for torture and execution. Just by looking at the spring water spouting out, one could imagine the cruelty imposed on Catholics during that time.

In addition to enduring religious persecution, Nagasaki also suffered significant damage from the dropping of the "Fat Man" atomic bomb by the United States during World War II, resulting in the destruction of numerous churches. One such church we visited was the Urakami Cathedral, where we previously attended Mass. When the atomic bomb fell on Nagasaki, the Urakami Cathedral was immediately reduced to rubble. We also visited the "Surviving Maria Chapel," which preserved miraculous relics that survived the atomic bombing, such as a headless statue of a saint and a melted wooden statue of the Virgin Mary.

I firmly believe that this pilgrimage to Japan was a call from God. Through getting to know more about the development of the Japanese Church, listening to the priests' sermons, and sharing with my fellow classmates, I deeply experienced the power of faith and its challenging process of evangelization. I also understood that nothing is guaranteed. On this land, Catholics have endured long-term persecution and martyrdom, yet their faith remains steadfast and unyielding. This journey has helped me understand that faith is a choice of persistence and dedication. No matter what difficulties we face, as long as we hold onto our faith and bravely confront challenges, we can find strength and hope from God. While God does not promise a smooth life on earth, He is always with us, guiding and supporting us.

The pilgrimage to Kyushu, Japan, helped us to reflect on the sacrifices made by the early Christian missionaries and the resilience of the Japanese believers. It reminded us of the importance of cherishing our faith and standing firm in the face of adversity. The pilgrimage also provided an opportunity to connect with the local culture and history, further enriching our understanding of the Christian faith in a different cultural context.

Overall, the pilgrimage was a transformative experience that deepened our spirituality and broadened our perspective. It served as a reminder of the universal nature of faith and the enduring power of God's love.

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