[sfousa]

Re #48

The first victims were six Franciscan friars and twenty of their converts, who were executed at Nagasaki on 5 February 1597.

Correction: Thanks, NYer, for this post...

Sorry.:)

[NYer]

(See my personal page)

However, when Japan was re-opened to Western contacts 250 years later, it was found that a community of Japanese Christians had survived underground, without clergy, without Scriptures, with only very sketchy instructions in the doctrines of the faith, but with a firm commitment to Jesus as Lord.

This is a powerful witness to the depth and strength of faith implanted by the Franciscans in that community. Imagine ... 250 years WITHOUT clergy or communion.