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In the more than 50 years he had been here, had he seen Catholicism grow in Japan? I was talking with Jesuit Father Jose Aguilar, who lived at the Jesuit Residence by the 26 Martyrs Museum in Nagasaki. He was from Guadalajara.

Martyrdom so steadfastly accepted by such youths is especially awesome. And who would have blamed them for surrendering? Yet these boys seem to have all been very devoted to the faith, and their intrepidity demonstrates a Holy Spirit not about to abandon them in their hour of need.

In his weekly bulletin letter, Fr. Charlie Goraieb, pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Mesa, addressed the ongoing criminal trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, who is on charged with murdering seven babies and one mother.

Filed your taxes already? Finally? Here are some ways to celebrate, largely through music, tonight and in the coming days. One will re-affirm your choice to re-direct your tax dollars toward Catholic education. The other two celebrate Catholic life through a CD release concert and prayer. I also included a reminder about Theology on Tap.

The reasons for failure of the faith to grow in Japan is actually more complex than mere secularism. The Japanese government lifted persecution in 1873, but mostly because of pressure from the west, particularly the U.S. government, who bluntly told Japan that enlightened nations did not persecute people for religious beliefs.

For some reason, history was my least favorite subject in school, but at the same time, I have long appreciated local history whether it be within a family or community. U.S. history class my junior year finally made me appreciate the subject on a broader scale. So when I saw a photo of a re-enactment on the beach marking the 500th anniversary of an explorer's arrival in Florida, I was intrigued.

The second century Father Tertullian wrote, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.” The rulers of Japan didn’t know this when they sought to create a fearsome spectacle of martyrdom in Nagasaki on Feb. 5, 1597.

This is the final weekend for the sacred relics exhibit. A historic documentary is still showing in Scottsdale. There's also a chance to let parish youth wash your car if it's still outfitted with evidence of Monday's dust storm. And Catholic school students are putting on one-acts and carnivals.

Christianity in Asia has been a long and bitter struggle. One thinks of St. Francis Xavier, S.J., and many more who will likely never see canonization but are still great heroes of the faith, such as Fr. Robert di Nobili, S.J. in India, Fr. Matteo Ricci, S.J. in China, and Bro. Bento de Goes, S.J., who discovered Cathay and China were the same after an epic journey over the Silk Road.

Ten local parishes are taking turns hosting an exposition of sacred relics starting April 7. Catholics will find more than 150 relics on display, some believed to be as old as 2,000 years.