Jacobo Kyushei Tomonaga

Who was Jacobo Kyushei Tomonaga?

Saint Fr. Jacobo Kyushei Gorobioye Tomonaga de Santa María was born in Kyudetsu, Japan. In his youth, he dedicated himself to the catechism apostolate. After 1614, he came to Manila and sought reception into the Dominican Order. His request was granted. He was ordained a priest in 1626 and returned to Japan in 1632. After one year of difficult apostolate in the midst of dangers, privations and sufferings, his hiding place was discovered by the authorities through the revelations of his own catechist, Miguel Kurobioye. Arrested in July 1633, he was tortured by the gallows and the pit on August 15, 1633, and died two days later. His body was cremated and the ashes thrown into the sea.