05/24/2026
In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are celebrating saints like Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki. Born near Nagasaki, Japan, Magdalene endured the loss of her family to martyrdom, yet her faith only deepened. Magdalene taught catechism, sought alms for the poor, visited the sick and encouraged fellow Christians during intense persecution. After several spiritual leaders were martyred, she continued their mission and eventually surrendered herself to authorities in 1634 to strengthen the courage of others. She endured torture for 13 days before her martyrdom. Canonized in 1987, Saint Magdalene remains a powerful witness of courage, solidarity and unwavering love for Christ.