Fr. Momoy Borromeo
June 4, 2023
Japan
Takayama Ukon was a martyr of Christ who died on Philippine soil. He was one of the greatest men of his era. He was an able ruler (as Daimyo, or governor of Takatsuki and later of Akashi), a great general, an ingenious strategist, a master of the tea ceremony, a harmonious personality, and above all, an exemplary and saintly Christian. He was one of 300 Japanese who were banished from Nagasaki after refusing to renounce their faith as demanded by the shogun. He arrived in Manila in December 1614 and stayed in the Philippines for 44 days, cared for by Jesuits in Intramuros, before his death in 1615. His remains were buried at the San Ignacio Church in Intramuros, and this made him the only daimyō (great feudal lord) to be buried on Philippine soil.
Takayama’s cause for canonization was first submitted to the Vatican by the Manila Archdiocese in 1630, the first Catholic of heroic virtue to be proposed as a saint by Manila. Bypassing the prescribed second step – Venerable — Takayama was beatified on Feb. 7, 2017 in Osaka (the prefecture where Takayama was baptized) – as the 426th Japanese Martyr venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and the third Blessed of the Philippine Church. Then Archbishop Tagle, was invited to concelebrate Takayama’s beatification rites.
Cardinal Tagle delivered a homily in 2015, two years before Takayama was beatified, at the 400th Takayama Anniversary Mass in Kobe, Japan. He said that a “bridge of faith and martyrdom” inextricably links Ukon Takayama with San Lorenzo Ruiz (1600-1637), a Filipino protomartyr who was martyred in Nagasaki in 1637. “Martyrdom is the deepest link between our two churches,” said Cardinal Tagle.
Join a Japan pilgrimage “In the footsteps of Blessed Takayama Ukon” with Fr. Momoy Borromeo on June 4-9, 2023.
Your pilgrimage begins in Takatsuki, where Ukon became the lord of Takatsuki Castle at the age of 21. As a feudal lord, he ruled his land successfully. The population of the town then was about 25,000, and it is said that more than 70% were Christians. However, later on, Ukon renounced his status as daimyo, or governor of Takatsuki, for his faith. See the Higashi Otemon Gate, the most important outermost main entrance to Takatsuki Castle as it was in the Edo era. Visit the Takayama Ukon Takatsuki Tenshu Church, site of the theological school Ukon and his father, Tomoteru Takayama, built in 1574. It was the first center of Christian evangelism. A Christian cemetery has also been found here. Head for the Shiroato Park, built on the ruins of the castle, where Ukon’s bronze statue stands. Proceed to the nearby Shiroato History Museum where you will also find a rosary of Ukon and some reference materials about him. See Takatsuki Catholic Church, built in 1962, where stands a statue of Ukon made of Italian marble, presented to the church by the Claretians.
Depart for Kyoto for lunch. En route, pass by Takayama Village located in Toyono-cho Osaka Perfecture, birthplace of Blessed Justo Ukon Takayama (1552-1615). After lunch, transfer to the Kyoto Train Station for your Thunderbird Express train ride to Kanazawa where Takayama lived for three decades. Begin the day with a visit to the Kanazawa Catholic Church, which enshrines a relic of Blessed Takayama. Explore the Kanazawa Castle, built with the assistance of Takayama Ukon, a master castle builder during his time. Enjoy the city’s other famous sights such as the grand Kenrokuen Gardens (one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens) and Gallery Justo, a museum dedicated to Takayama Ukon tracing his fascinating life story. Walk through the ancient Samurai District, where visitors can imagine the days of Takayama strolling through quiet paved streets and admiring ancient homes.
Make a day trip to Toyoma to visit the Takaoka Castle ruins and the Takaoka Castle Park. The former castle stood for a few years during the Edo Period. The design of the castle was done by Takayama Ukon. Nowadays, the castle park boasts wide lawns, lush wooded areas with walking trails, and over a thousand cherry trees, which make the park a popular hanami spot.
Head further north to Wakura Onsen, a perfect off-the-beaten-path experience, and get to know the quiet streets of Wakura and the communities that surround it. While visiting the Takaoka region, guests can learn about the Kakure Kirishitan—Japan’s hidden Christians who were forced to flee when the religion was banned in the late 16th century. Strict persecution and frequent executions forced them into extreme hiding, similar to that of the islands of Nagasaki, until freedom of religion was restored following the Meiji Restoration.
Cap off your pilgrimage in the beautiful city of Osaka. Visit the Umeda Sky Building; drive through Shinsekai and Minami districts; visit the Osaka Castle; St. Mary’s Cathedral; and Shinsaibashi-Suji.
Join a Japan pilgrimage “In the footsteps of Blessed Takayama Ukon” (a martyr of Christ who died on Philippine soil) with Fr. Momoy Borromeo on June 4-9, 2023. Be inspired by the life of Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon, a man who chose to live and die for Christ.
with Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB
READ MORE +1) A non-refundable US$ 300.00 deposit is required upon reservations together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure) and Pilgrim’s Profile plus the visa fee.
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> Admin fee US$200.00 for any visa denial.
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