The giving of the habit to three Japanese by the holy captives; and
the martyrdom of the fathers Fray Francisco de Morales, Fray Alonso
de Mena, Fray Angel Ferrer (or Orsuchi), Fray Jacintho Orfanel, Fray
Joseph de San Jacintho, and two of those who had professed in prison
(all members of the order), besides many others.
[The fathers, desiring those to be their equals in condition who
were so in virtue, determined to give the habit to some of the holy
Japanese, their companions. Three therefore, among those of the best
capacity and the highest virtue, passed their novitiate in the prison,
and at the end of their year professed. These saintly men feared
that their penalty would be banishment, not death. On the ninth of
September, 1622, the judges called before them many of the prisoners,
offering them life and liberty if they would renounce Christianity,
and at this time they brought before them some of the prisoners from
Omura. As they came to Nangasaqui a great crowd of Christians came
to welcome and escort them. On the following day, the martyrs were
brought out to be slain; there were, in all, thirty-three. Before
those who were condemned to the stake were burned, the others were
decapitated in their sight. There were seven of our order in this
company: fathers Fray Francisco de Morales, Fray Alonso de Mena, Fray
Angel Orsuchi, Fray Jacintho Orfanel, Fray Joseph de San Jacintho, and
the lay brothers Fray Thomas del Rosario and Domingo (a donado), [31]
both Japanese. The two lay brothers were decapitated, and the fathers
were burned at the stake, twenty-five men in all being burned. All the
sufferers died with the most cheerful courage. The judges did all they
could to keep the holy relics from being venerated by the Christians,
some of whom lost their lives in the effort to obtain these.]