Jun 2, 2019

β›ͺ Blessed Sadoc and Companions - Martyrs

Blessed Sadoc,
Pray for us!
β›ͺ Saint of the Day: June 2

β›ͺ Other Names: β€’ Sadoch, Zadoc, Zadok

β›ͺ Died: β€’ 1260 at Sandomierz, Poland

Blessed Sadoc and Companions were a group of Christian martyrs who lived during the persecution of Christians in Japan in the 17th century. Here's an overview of their lives and martyrdom:

  1. Background: Blessed Sadoc (also known as Sadoach or Sadoc Kizaiemon) was a Japanese layman and a fervent Christian who lived during the Tokugawa shogunate's rule in Japan. He was a member of the Franciscan Third Order.

  2. Christian Persecution in Japan: During the Edo period in Japan, Christianity was outlawed, and Christians faced severe persecution. The Tokugawa shogunate enforced strict laws against the practice of Christianity, and Christians were forced to renounce their faith or face imprisonment, torture, and death.

  3. Conversion to Christianity: Despite the risks, Sadoc and his companions embraced the Christian faith and remained steadfast in their beliefs, even in the face of persecution.

  4. Arrest and Martyrdom: Sadoc and his companions were arrested for their refusal to renounce Christianity and were subjected to interrogation and torture by Japanese authorities. Despite the hardships they endured, they remained faithful to their Christian beliefs and refused to apostatize.

  5. Execution: After enduring prolonged torture, Sadoc and his companions were sentenced to death for their refusal to renounce Christianity. They were executed by crucifixion, a common method of execution used against Christians during this period in Japan.

  6. Veneration: Sadoc and his companions were beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1867. They are venerated as martyrs for the Catholic faith and are honored for their courage, steadfastness, and fidelity to Christ, even unto death.

Blessed Sadoc and Companions are remembered as shining examples of Christian fortitude and perseverance in the face of persecution. Their sacrifice serves as a testament to the enduring strength of the Christian faith and the power of martyrdom to inspire and edify believers throughout the ages.

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Died 1260; second feast day on May 5. Saint Dominic's dreams of converting the Tartars found realization in his sons. Missionaries did, in fact, go to the North during his lifetime, and many more were sent out by Blessed Jordan of Saxony. The more settled tribes of Poland and Hungary readily accepted the Gospel, and the North was not long in blooming with Dominican convents. But, in the 13th century, the restless millions of the East were riding down upon the fertile plains of Central Europe. Wild Tartar tribes soon destroyed what had been done for their more peaceful relatives, and scarcely a missionary survived to preach his message of peace to them.

Paul of Hungary and his band of 90 died as martyrs, probably in 1241. They were popularly honored as saints early. Soon to follow was the group headed by Blessed Sadoc, which had its headquarters at Sandomir, Poland. So tragic was the early history of the Dominicans in Poland that, even in that martyred country, it is remembered: Polish Dominicans today wear a red cincture to recall the martyred hundreds who shed their blood that Poland might receive the light of faith.

Blessed Sadoc was a student at the University of Bologna when he met Saint Dominic and was received into the order. Being a Slav himself, he was eager to go to the North to preach the word of God. This he was given a chance to do when he and Paul of Hungary were placed in charge of the northern mission band.

Sadoc soon accumulated a number of eager young students and novices, and proceeded to Poland with them. On his first night in the mission field, the devil appeared to Sadoc and reproached him for disturbing his work: "And with such children as these," he said bitterly, pointing to the young novices. With such as these, Sadoc did make havoc with the kingdom of evil: He won many souls to God, and, in the monastery of Sandomir which he founded, Sadoc soon had the satisfaction of seeing a large community working for the glory of God.

In 1260, the Tartars made a fresh invasion into Poland and attacked Sandomir. Blessed Sadoc and his community had assembled for midnight Matins when they received warning of their approaching death. A novice reading the martyrology for the following day, was amazed to see, lettered in gold across the pages of the martyrology, the words: "At Sandomir, the passion of 49 martyrs." On investigation, it was discovered that it was not merely a novice's mistake, but an actual warning that they understood came from heaven.

They spent the day in preparation for death. During the singing of the "Salve Regina," after Compline, the Tartars broke into the church and the slaughter began. One novice, terrified at the thought of death, fled to the choir loft to hide, but, hearing his brothers singing, he realized that they were going off to heaven without him, and he returned to the choir to die with the others.

From this martyrdom came the custom of singing the "Salve Regina" at the deathbed of a Dominican--priest, sister, or brother. It is fitting that a life dedicated to God and Our Lady should end thus, with the battle-cry "Hail, Holy Queen!" echoing up from this valley of tears to be joined by the voices of Dominicans in heaven, who can now see forever the clement, loving, and sweet Virgin Mary (Benedictines, Dorcy). 


β›ͺ Prayers :
Lord Jesus, in the midst of fierce attacks of the foe Blessed Sadoc and his companions greeted the Virgin Mary in song and received the longed-for palm of martyrdom. After this exile may your merciful and loving Mother show us to you, who live and reign in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. – Dominicans

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