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Italian soldier, Jesuit missionary, and martyr From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Camillus Costanzo SJ (Bovalino Superiore, 1571 – Hirado, Japan 15 September 1622) was an Italian soldier, law student and Jesuit missionary in Japan. When he was burned alive in 1622, he became a Roman Catholic martyr.[1]
The Jesuit Order sent Father Costanzo to China; but the Portuguese prevented his entrance into that country.[1]
Instead, he went to Japan. He learned the Japanese language quickly; and he successfully encouraged converts in the region near the city of Sakai.[1]
When all missionaries were banished from Japan, he went to Macau.[1]
Despite the dangers involved in ignoring the Tokugawa shogunate's exclusionary laws (sakoku), he returned in 1621. Disguised as a soldier, he managed to elude capture until April 24, 1622 when he was arrested on the island of Hirado off the western coast of Kyushu.[1]
He was condemned to death and was burned alive on September 15, 1622.[2]
Father Costanzo was beatified by Pope Pius IX on May 7, 1867.[3]
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