Blessed Ioannes Minami Gorozaemon

Blessed

Post-Congregation

Feast Day

8 December; 1 July (Diocese of Fukuoka, Japan)

Born

C.1568 in Yamato, Kagoshima, Japan

Died

8 December 1603 in Kumamoto, Japan

Beatified

24 November 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI; beatification celebrated at the Nagasaki Prefectural Baseball Park (Big N Stadium), Nagasaki, Japan, presided by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins

Venerated

1 June 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI (decree on martyrdom)

Biography

Blessed Ioannes Minami Gorozaemon, also known as Blessed Ioannes Minami, was a layman in the diocese of Fukuoka, Japan during the late 16th century. He was born around the year 1568 in Yamato, Kagoshima, Japan. Not much is known about his early life, but he is mentioned as being a married man to Blessed Magdalena Minami, and they were blessed with a son whom they named Blessed Ludovicus Minami.

Cause for Canonization

Beatified

Beatified2008-11-24 by 24 November 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI; beatification celebrated at the Nagasaki Prefectural Baseball Park (Big N Stadium), Nagasaki, Japan, presided by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins