Within the framework of the Jubilee Year of Hope, Friar Willmer Moyetones introduces us to Saint Magdalene of NagasakiMagdalene of Nagasaki, a young Augustinian Recollect martyr who knew how to go on pilgrimage with faith and hope in times of persecution. Her life teaches us that, even in the midst of pain, love for Christ can sustain everything.
A woman who walked in faith
We are in the context of the Jubilee Year with the motto: “Pilgrims of Hope”. In this context, we are celebrating an important feast in the Order: the feast of St. Magdalene of NagasakiMagdalene of Nagasaki, a woman who teaches us, men and women of today, to go on pilgrimage with hope, keeping faith in God despite the circumstances of life.
We call our saint “pilgrim of hope” because this young woman, in order to save her life and be able to assist and help her brothers and sisters in the faith, opted for an action that, although it might seem an apostasy-signing in a pagan temple to disguise her Christianity-was not considered an irreversible fault at that time. It was enough to repent and return to proclaim Christ in hiding.
This decision allowed him to survive at a crucial moment, when all the friars – Augustinian Recollects and those of other charisms – were condemned to death for believing in Jesus, leaving the Christian community spiritually orphaned.
Servant in times of persecution
Aware that her brothers would be left without spiritual guidance, Magdalene took on the mission of accompanying the Christians who were fleeing persecution to the mountains.. She arrived there to be an instrument of hope in the midst of so much desolation.
He went from cave to cave, going on pilgrimage with the news of faith, with a word of encouragement for those who suffered.
Pablo Panedas, in his book Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, tertiary and catechist, suggests that during those two years the life of our saint must have been very similar to that of the missionaries: an itinerant life, moving discreetly, avoiding the main roads and using paths and trails at unearthly hours, guided by those who knew the area well.
Firm in hope
He showed extraordinary strength and hope in enduring the torment, even after fourteen days without food. fourteen days without food.
When asked how he could withstand so much, he replied:
“Do not grow weary, for I shall not die of this torment, for the Lord, whom I adore, sustains me, and I feel a gentle hand that, pressed to my face, is soothing my body.”
Living the torments with joy and serenity, glorifying the Lord, she remained firm, hopeful and joyful, giving her life for faith in Jesus Christ.
The communion of saints
Finally, when she died, Magdalene placed her hope in the communion of the saintsby addressing the witnesses of her martyrdom with these words:
“Those who remain, commend me to God.”
Despite having suffered so much on earth, she had full confidence that the prayers of those who remained in this world would help her to enjoy the fullness of life. Her faith led her to believe that communion with the saints overcomes death, and that love is not broken by pain, but purified in hope.
A pilgrim for our times
St. Magdalene of Nagasaki was a woman of faith, strength and hope. woman of faith, fortitude and hope. Her life, lived in hiding, is a testimony of fidelity to Christ in times of persecution, but also an invitation to us: not to give up hope, even in the midst of trial.
His example reminds us that faith is a journey, and that pilgrimages of hope pilgrimage with hope is to trust that God continues to act in history, even in our personal “Samarías”, in the midst of fear or silence.
✍️ Fray Willmer Moyetones, OAR