Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Paul Miki & Companions, Martyrs (died 1597, A.K.A. the Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan), martyred under the daimyō Toyotomi Hideyoshi : Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link Papa Mike; Martyrs-link XXVI & Wikipedia-link XXVI.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Paul joined the Jesuits in 1580, & became known for his eloquent preaching. He was crucified with twenty-four other Catholics during the persecution of Christians under the Taikō, Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

This group of twenty-six Christians suffered martyrdom on 5 February 1597 near Nagasaki, Japan. St. Paul MIki was born in Japan between 1564-1566. He entered the Society of Jesus & preached the Gospel to the people with great success. But during the oppressive persecution of Catholics, he & his companions were all crucified by being attached the crosses with ropes & chains & then put to death by the thrust of a lance. As St. Paul Miki was being crucified, he continued to preach to the crowd.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel, Religious (1830-1905), foundress of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Order.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The First Book of Kings, chapter three, verses four thru thirteen;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verses nine thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses thirty thru thirty-four;

or, for the Memorial,
The Letter to the Galatians, chapter two, verses nineteen & twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses sixteen thru twenty.