Blessed Sebastian Kimura (Feast Day September 10)

1565-September 10, 1622

Sebastian Kimura was born in Japan in 1565 to Christian parents. As a matter of fact, Sebastian's grandfather was the first Japanese convert to be baptized by St. Francis Xavier. At the age of 12, Sebastian began learning and working with the Jesuits in Japan. He was 19 when he formally entered the Society of Jesus. In 1601, Sebastian became one of the first Japanese natives to be ordained a priest.

It was around this time that the Japanese began persecuting Christians, and many foreign missionaries were forced to leave the country. As a Japanese native, Sebastian was able to remain in Japan and move around freely by disguising himself as a soldier, merchant, or laborer. He used his disguises to visit Christian families and administer the sacraments to people in prisons. When it became clear that the police were looking for him, Sebastian's superiors urged him to flee, but he was captured before he could leave and died a martyr for the faith. Sebastian and 204 companions were beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1867.

• In today's Gospel story, the people who do not recognize Jesus as King treat him cruelly. Do you think people today recognize Jesus as King? Why or why not?

• Which of the two criminals in today's story treated Jesus as King?

• What does it mean to put your life under Jesus' authority? How does this shape your actions and behaviors?

• How does the life of Blessed Sebastian Kimura inspire you?

Dress Up Dinner

Blessed Sebastian Kimura disguised himself in order to minister to his people. Play this dress-up game today in honor of Blessed Sebastian.

Use old clothes, shoes, boots, and accessories or leftover Halloween costumes to dress up. Invite family members to wear their "disguise" to dinner today.

Cucumber Sushi

In honor of Blessed Sebastian Kimura, try this simple cucumber roll that you can personalize for each member of the family.

Cucumber
1 cup sushi rice, cooked
4 oz. smoked salmon (optional)
Avocado, sliced
Carrots, sliced thin like matchsticks
Red peppers, sliced thin
Sauces for dipping: mayonnaise, hot sauce, sriracha, etc.

Slice the cucumber in 1-inch-thick pieces. Remove the center of the cucumber pieces using a melon baller or a spoon. Fill the center of the cucumber with the other ingredients as desired. Adjust the amount of filling so that it fits. Mix mayonnaise and hot sauce to use for dipping if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Taizé Reflection

Taizé prayer is a meditative prayer that originated in Taizé, France. It involves sung and chanted prayer and a period of silence.

Try this prayer style by listening to Jesus, Remember Me. Listen to the song, take a few minutes of silence to listen to what God is saying to you, and then listen again. Share with your family what you experienced.

Today's Gospel tells us about the inscription on the cross. Find a crucifix in your church and see if you can find the inscription. What are the four letters you see? These letters represent the Latin inscription, Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.

Consider inviting someone who may be alone or new to the area to join you for Thanksgiving dinner or another time this week. Alternatively, look into ways to serve those in need on Thanksgiving by donating food to a food pantry or soup kitchen.

Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln was president.