St. Paulo Miki, priest, and companions, Japanese martyrs

St. Paulo Miki was a Japanese Jesuit priest who was martyred in 1597 along with 25 other Catholics, including three Jesuit brothers and several lay people. Born in 1562, he joined the Jesuits in 1580 and became known for his preaching and evangelization. During a persecution of Christians in Japan, Miki and his companions were crucified in Nagasaki. They are venerated as the "Martyrs of Nagasaki" and are the patron saints of Japan.