The beginning of the account of the glorious martyrdom of four
illustrious martyrs--fathers Fray Jordan de Sant Estevan, Fray Thomas
de San Jacintho, and two religious of our tertiary order in Japon.
[Father Fray Thomas de Sant Jacintho was a native of Firando in
Japon, and was the son of Christian parents. He learned Latin and
began ecclesiastical studies, and even commenced to preach, under
the direction of the fathers of the Society. The breaking-out of the
persecution obliged him to go to Manila to carry out his studies;
so that he pursued the study of theology under the religious of
St. Dominic in that city, where he assumed the habit. He showed great
keenness of mind, and advanced far in learning. He was a companion of
father Fray Jacobo de Sancta Maria, whose glorious martyrdom has been
described. The native pride and hauntiness of the Japanese are very
much opposed to the religious state, but father Fray Thomas in his
novitiate and throughout his life exhibited the greatest humility. He
spoke Spanish like a native, and took delight in fulfilling the duties
and performing the offices of a friar. He made his profession August
16, 1635, being thirty-five years of age, and continued to carry on
the study of theology afterward. Under these circumstances he was
selected by the father provincial, Fray Bartholome Martinez, as one
of those to go to the island of Hermosa. On the way, the expedition
was detained for some months in the province of Nueva Segovia, the
climate of which is well known to be most adverse for the Japanese,
who generally fall sick and die there. This had happened only a
short time before to two priests, companions of his and devout
religious. Father Fray Thomas, however, said nothing of his fears,
and the Lord preserved him for the acceptable sacrifice which he was
to make in Japon. There was great difficulty in sending religious
to Japon; out father Fray Thomas went, disguised in Japanese dress,
to the island of the Lequios, which is subject to the Japanese. Here
by the death of his companion he was left alone, with ornaments and
money, and with the direction to go to Japon at the first opportunity
and to present himself to his superior, at that time the holy martyr
Fray Domingo de Erquicia. In the letter which father Fray Thomas
wrote back, he briefly mentions being in the island of the Lequios,
making no allusion to the great sufferings which he must have passed
through on this journey. He reached Japon in the year 1630, remaining
there to the end of the year 1634, four years in all. He was a great
help and comfort to the afflicted Christians. The authorities sought
after him with great diligence, offering large rewards for his capture,
and displaying the greatest severity against those who harbored the
ministers of the faith.]