The Catholics of Japan are gathering information to support a request to the Holy See for the beatification of Takayama Ukon, a nobleman who died in Manila in 1615.
Takayama Ukon was a statesman and soldier, a builder of fortresses, but he was also an ascetic and an apostle. He was forced into exile.
On his death bed he said to his confessor: "I am happy to die in exile for Christ."
