St. Tomás Hioji Nishi de San Jacinto, OP
St. Tomás Hioji Nishi de San Jacinto, OP
St. Tomás Hioji Nishi de San Jacinto was a pioneering Japanese student at the Colegio de Santo Tomás (Now, University of Santo Tomas), in Manila. Born in Hirado, Kyushu, in southern Japan, he first received his education at a Jesuit college in Nagasaki. As a young catechist, he was deeply committed to supporting the Christian mission in Japan. However, his work was cut short in 1614, when a national edict led to the widespread persecution of Christians. The exact timeline of his arrival in Manila remains uncertain, but he had long aspired to join the Dominican Order, and his dedication was rewarded when the Dominican superiors offered him a scholarship to pursue his studies.
Accepted into the Colegio, Tomás undertook a rigorous program of study in philosophy and theology, focusing on preparation for the priesthood. His academic journey began in 1621, and his professors quickly recognized his exceptional aptitude. Fr. Francisco de Paula, his philosophy teacher, would later write, in 1636, of Tomás' remarkable intellect, elegance in Latin, and his extensive knowledge of philosophy. His performance in the Acto General de Filosofía (Public Philosophical Disputation) demonstrated his mastery and confidence, setting him apart from his peers and even qualifying him to assist his professors in teaching.
In 1623, after two years of intensive study, Tomás entered the novitiate at the Santo Domingo Convent in Intramuros, where he gained admiration and respect from the Dominican community. Fr. Francisco noted that, unlike the perceived "toughness" often associated with the Japanese, Tomás displayed gentleness, humility, and dedication. He quickly became proficient in Spanish, contributed diligently to community life, and was known for his devotion to prayer and his recitation of the Rosary.
After a year of novitiate training, Tomás professed his vows, adopting the religious name "Tomás de San Jacinto" in honor of St. Hyacinth of Poland, a renowned Dominican missionary. Resuming his theological studies, he progressed rapidly due to his intellectual gifts and relentless commitment. Despite his academic workload, he never wavered in his spiritual practices, maintaining a life of prayer and contemplation.
Ordained as a priest in early 1626, Fr. Tomás was trained to hear confessions and preach, and in 1629, he returned to Japan, prepared to serve the persecuted Catholic community there. His full name, Tomás Hioji Rokuzayemon Nishi de San Jacinto, reflects both his heritage and his dedication to his faith. "Tomás" was his baptismal name; "Hioji," his Japanese given name; "Rokuzayemon," an adult name; "Nishi," his family name; and "de San Jacinto," his religious name within the Dominican Order.
The period between 1624 and 1630 saw several Japanese candidates accepted into the Philippine Dominican novitiate, part of a broader vision to train Japanese missionaries for eventual service in Japan. Five of these candidates were ordained priests: Jacobo Tomonaga de Santa Maria and Tomás Hioji de San Jacinto in 1624; Diego de Santa Catalina and Lucas de Santo Tomás in 1626; and Felipe del Espíritu Santo in 1629. Though we lack detailed records of their training, it is assumed they followed the standard priestly formation at the Colegio de Santo Tomás, preparing them for the challenges awaiting them in their homeland (cf. Ocio-Neira, Misioneros Dominicos, pp. 532-540).
Upon returning to Japan in 1629, Fr. Tomás Hioji Nishi de San Jacinto rejoined the Christian community amidst intense persecution. The Japanese government at that time had enacted harsh measures to suppress Christianity, which was seen as a threat to national unity and order. Foreign missionaries and local Christians alike faced dire consequences if they continued practicing or spreading the faith. Despite these dangers, Fr. Tomás remained committed to his mission of supporting his fellow Japanese Catholics and spreading the Gospel.
In 1634, Fr. Tomás was arrested, becoming one of many Christian captives targeted by the authorities. His captors subjected him to a particularly brutal form of execution known as the gallows and hole (also called tsurushi or ana-tsurushi in Japanese). This torturous method involved suspending the victim upside down over a pit with a slit cut into the forehead to control the flow of blood and extend the suffering. With only one arm often free to symbolically allow a final chance to recant, the victim was lowered slowly into the pit. This excruciating form of martyrdom could last for hours or even days, emphasizing both the cruelty of the punishment and the unwavering faith of those who endured it.
Fr. Tomás’s steadfastness in the face of such suffering became a profound testament to his faith. He refused to renounce his beliefs or abandon his mission, choosing instead to face death with courage and devotion. His martyrdom left an enduring legacy among Japanese Christians, serving as a symbol of resilience and hope for a faith community forced into hiding and secrecy.
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