SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Peter Baptist a Franciscan was born near Avila, Spain, he became a Franciscan in 1567 and was sent first to Mexico and then to the Philippines in 1583. Ten years later he was ordered to Japan where he worked as commissary for the order in the islands. Arrested by officials, he and twenty six others were all crucified near Nagasaki at the order of the Taiko Toyotomi Hideyoshi who had launched the persecution of the Christians in Japan. St. Paul Miki the other martyr that is recognized today was the son of a Japanese military leader. He was educated at the Jesuit college of Anziquiama, joined the Jesuits in 1580, and became known for his eloquent preaching and was crucified on February 5th with Peter Baptist and the other martyrs.

text from www.catholic.org