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.Society of Jesus web site: Blessed Camillus Costanzo, Martyr of Japan.
Missionary
The Jesuit Order sent Father Costanzo to China; but the Portuguese prevented his entrance into that country.
Instead, he went to Japan. He learned the Japanese language quickly; and he successfully encouraged converts in the region near the city of Sakai.
When all missionaries were banished from Japan, he went to Macau.
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.
He was condemned to death and was burned alive on September 15, 1622.Merrick, D. A. (1891). Saints of the Society of Jesus, pp. 56-57.
Beatification Father Costanzo was beatified by Pope Pius IX on May 7, 1867.Tylenda, Joseph N. (1998). Jesuit Saints & Martyrs: Short Biographies of the Saints, Blessed, Venerables, and Servants of God of the Society of Jesus, p. 313.
Notes
References Merrick, D. A. (1891). Saints of the Society of Jesus. New York: Benziger. Tylenda, Joseph N. (1998). Jesuit Saints & Martyrs: Short Biographies of the Saints, Blessed, Venerables, and Servants of God of the Society of Jesus. Chicago: Jesuit Way. ;
External links Society of Jesus web site: Blessed Camillus Costanzo, Martyr of Japan