September 6 | Blessed Thomas Tzugi

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine walking through a bustling market in early 17th century Japan. Vendors are shouting, carts are rattling by, and right in the middle of is a humble wood seller. He keeps his head down, carrying his heavy load.

But this man is hiding a massive secret. He's not a wood seller at all. He's a wanted man, an outlaw, and if the authorities figure out his true identity, he won't just be thrown in jail. He'll face a brutal, fiery execution. Why is he risking his life every single day? Because he's on a secret mission to bring hope and faith to people who have been ordered to abandon their beliefs forever.

This undercover hero is Blessed Thomas Tsugi. Let's rewind a bit. Who is Thomas, and how did he end up sneaking around as a woodseller? Well, Thomas was born in the year 1571 into a noble family in Japan. We're talking high status and a very privileged upbringing. He was educated by Jesuit missionaries, and he was so moved by their work that he decided to join the Jesuit order himself when he was around 17 years old.

Thomas wasn't just an ordinary priest. He was a star communicator. He became incredibly well known for his amazing gift for preaching. When Thomas spoke, people listened. He could captivate an audience, and he spent years using his powerful voice to share his faith.

But then, everything changed. In 1614, the government issued a terrifying edict that banned all priests from Japan. Think about that. One day you're a respected priest, and the next day you are an enemy of the state. Thomas, along with 80 other priests, was forced to leave the country. They sailed to the island of Macau, where they remained in exile for four long years.

But Thomas knew that his people back in Japan needed him. In 1618, Thomas made a daring move. He disguised himself as a merchant and smuggled himself back into Japan to continue his priestly ministry. Here is where Thomas had a massive advantage over the other missionaries. The European Jesuit priests who were also sneaking around Japan stuck out instantly. If they went out during the day, they'd be spotted. So, they had to do all their ministry hiding in the shadows at night. But Thomas, he was Japanese, so he blended right in.

Changing his disguise to that of a poor woodseller, he could boldly walk the streets and serve his people right in the middle of the day. He hid in plain sight, doing God's work under the very noses of the people trying to capture him.

But living as a secret agent is incredibly dangerous, and eventually, his luck ran out. In the year 1626, Thomas had just finished celebrating a secret mass at a local family's home when he was discovered and arrested. They threw him into prison, and he stayed incarcerated there for 13 agonizing months. Finally, his sentence was handed down. He was to be burned at the stake along with two other prisoners.

The flames were lit, but as the fire raged, something astonishing happened. According to witnesses, just moments before his death, Thomas' breast literally burst open, and a brilliant flame shot out from his chest. This flame flew straight up into the sky, ascending higher and higher until it completely disappeared from sight.

People who saw it knew exactly what it meant. Thomas' ultimate sacrifice was deeply pleasing to God. Centuries later, in 1867, he was officially beatified by Pope Pius IX. So, what does a 17th century Japanese undercover priest mean for your life today? Thomas' life is a masterclass in bravery. This week, find one way to stop hiding your faith. Sometimes, it's easy to act like a secret agent at middle school or high school, hiding the fact that you pray or care about your religion because you're afraid of what your friends might think.

This week, try to undisguise yourself. Maybe it's making the sign of the cross and praying before you eat your lunch in the cafeteria. Maybe it's defending someone who is getting picked on because you know it's the right thing to do. Don't let fear keep you in the shadows. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.