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Thomas of St. Augustine beatified

We are happy to announce that on 24th November 2008, the Church beatified 188 martyrs who suffered persecution in the city of Nagasaki, Japan. These martyrs were all lay people, except for four of them, amongst whom, we find the first Japanese Augustinian to be ordained priest, Thomas Jihyoe, known as Thomas of Saint Augustine or Kintsuba. More than 30,000 people filled Nagasaki's stadium to celebrate this event. Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints presided over the event which was celebrated by the retired Cardinal of Tokyo. Present for the beatification of this Japanese priest, who gave his life for his faith after great persecution and severe torture, were the Prior General, all the members of the Vicariate of Japan, the provincials of Villanova, Cebu, Australia and the Philippines, the Superior of the Vicariate of the Orient, the Assistant General for North America and visiting friars from Korea.