Saint Philip of Jesus
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ScribdTranslationsSaint Philip of Jesus
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ScribdTranslationsSaint Philip of Jesus, first
Mexican martyr
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," shouted Saint Philip of Jesus before dying in
a cross and pierced by two spears during the persecutions
against the Christians in Japan. Their festival is celebrated every 5th of
February and he is the first Mexican martyr, as well as the patron of the
Mexico City.
San Felipe was born in Mexico City in the year 1572 and was the son of
Spanish immigrants.
The teenager decided to enter the novitiate of the Franciscans,
but could not withstand the austerity and severity of the rules of
convent, escaping from it and returning to the family home. Exercised
one year in the silversmith trade, but since the profits were very
little, his father decided to send him to the Philippines to try
fortune.
Felipe gave a generous yes to the call of Christ, entered the Order of
the Franciscans in Manila, and began their process of conversion. They
he devoted himself to prayer, studies, and charitable and service help
with the most needy and sick brothers.
One fine day, he was informed that he could now be ordained a priest, and
that, by special grace, that ordination would take place precisely
in his hometown, in Mexico.
The saint felt very happy about this change of destiny, as it was
aware that it was a powerful instance to reinforce his "Yes"
to the Lord in his commitment to the conversion of the Japanese of that
place.
The efforts of the saint and his brothers yielded abundant
fruits; however, the persecution of Taicosama against the
Franciscans and catechists. The saint due to his status as a castaway,
I could have honorably avoided prison and torment.
as Fray Juan Pobre and his companions had done
shipwreck.
San Felipe rejected that opportunity and decided to fully embrace the
cross of Christ, remaining until the last agony beside Saint
Pedro Bautista and other Franciscan missionaries who had been
years evangelizing Japan.
The saint was taken through some of the main cities to
that they would mock him. He patiently endured having it cut off, like
to everyone else, an ear.
Finally in Nagasaki (Japan), in the company of others
Franciscans, along with laypeople and Jesuits, embraced the Cross from which
he was hung, suspended by a ring and pierced by two
spears.
The saint was the first to die on February 5, 1597, in the midst of
of all those glorious martyrs. When the news was known in
Mexico of the martyrdom of Saint Philip of Jesus, the authorities
they decreed that his testimony of faith would be celebrated.
A few years later it became a national holiday and the name of
saint was adopted by neighborhoods and towns that chose him as
patron. He was beatified with his companions in martyrdom on the 14th of
September 1627, and canonized on June 8, 1862.