Marina of Omura
Marina of Omura was a Japanese Dominican tertiary who provided shelter to Roman Catholic missionaries during a period of banishment. She is recognized as one of the 16 Martyrs of Japan for her faith and actions, ultimately being burned at the stake in Nagasaki in 1634. Canonized in 1987, she is venerated as the advocate of fortitude.
- Feast Day
- September 28
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- Japan
Key Facts
- ›Marina of Omura was a Japanese woman who joined the Dominican Third Order in 1626.
- ›She took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
- ›She sheltered Catholic missionaries who were hiding due to an order banishing them from Japan.
- ›In 1634, she was arrested for being a Christian who assisted missionaries.
- ›She was executed by being burned at the stake in Nagasaki, Kyushu, Japan.
- ›She was canonized as one of the 16 Martyrs of Japan on October 18, 1987.
Ōmura no Marina
Fortitude
About Marina of Omura
Marina of Omura, known in Japanese as Ōmura no Marina, was a Japanese woman who lived during a period of religious persecution. She is recognized as one of the 16 Martyrs of Japan and is venerated for her courage and faith.
Life and Martyrdom
Marina of Omura entered the Dominican Third Order in 1626, taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. During this time, Roman Catholic missionaries were banned from Japan, and she provided shelter to those in hiding. In 1634, her activities were discovered, and she was arrested for being a Christian who had assisted missionaries. She was subjected to chains, humiliation, and ultimately executed by being burned at the stake in Nagasaki, Kyushu, Japan.
Veneration and Legacy
Marina of Omura was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 18, 1987, as part of the group known as the 16 Martyrs of Japan. This canonization marked her as one of the first Japanese female saints. She is invoked as the advocate of fortitude. Her feast day is celebrated on September 28. In recognition of her martyrdom and that of the other 16 martyrs, statues were erected in their honor in the Japanese garden of Nakamachi Church in 2015.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Marina of Omura?
Marina of Omura was a Japanese Dominican tertiary who lived in the early 17th century. She is known for sheltering Catholic missionaries who were being persecuted in Japan.
Why is Marina of Omura considered a martyr?
She is recognized as a martyr because she was arrested, tortured, and executed by burning at the stake in 1634 for her Christian faith and for assisting Catholic missionaries.
When was Marina of Omura canonized?
Marina of Omura was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 18, 1987, as one of the 16 Martyrs of Japan.
What is Marina of Omura venerated as?
She is venerated as the advocate of fortitude, symbolizing strength and resilience in faith.
When is Marina of Omura's feast day?
Her feast day is celebrated on September 28.
Related Saints
Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia
Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia was a Spanish Dominican priest and missionary who served the Catholic community in Japan for ten years under persecution. Betrayed by an apostate, he was captured and executed in Nagasaki, becoming a martyr for his faith. He is remembered for his courageous ministry in difficult circumstances and his eventual beatification.
Guillaume Courtet
Guillaume Courtet was a French Dominican friar and missionary who became one of the first Frenchmen to visit Japan. He is remembered as a martyr for his beheading in Nagasaki in 1637 after enduring torture by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Canonized in 1987, he is venerated as one of the 16 Martyrs of Japan.
Vincent Shiwozuka
Saint Vincent Shiwozuka of the Cross was a Japanese Dominican martyr and one of the 16 Martyrs of Japan. He was born in Nagasaki around 1576 and began his religious studies with Jesuit missionaries. After being expelled from Japan, he continued his studies in Manila, was ordained a priest, and later joined the Dominican Order before returning to Japan where he was martyred.
