Martin Lumbreras Peralta

Martín Lumbreras y Peralta was born in Zaragoza, Spain, to a noble family, on 8 November 1598. He was baptized on 10 November 1598 in Pilar.[2] He took the habit of an Augustinian Recollect in Borja, taking vows in Zaragoza in 1619. His name in religion was Father Juan de San Nicolás.

In July 1622, Peralta set sail from Cádiz to the Philippines, where he arrived in 1623. As a result of the persecution and the withdrawal of missionaries in Japan, his superiors assigned him to Manila, to serve as sacristan major and then as novice master.[3] During his years in the Philippines, he greatly promoted the devotion of the Virgin of Pilar, to which he dedicated a picture and an altar in the Iglesia de San Nicolás de Tolentino de los Agustinos.

Peralta still had a strong desire to evangelize Japan. In a letter, dated 4 August 1631, he announced his desire for this apostolate to the vicar general, and exactly one year later, on 4 August 1632, he departed from Manila for Japan, in the company of Father Melchior de San Augustin, who would be his constant companion until his martyrdom. Both arrived in Nagasaki eight days later. Hostility had arisen between the Chinese traders, who gave them passage to Japan. One of these traders denounced their entry into Japan to the authorities in Nagasaki. Upon finding out of this betrayal, Peralta and Melchior, fled into the mountains, where they befriended Dominican Father Domenico Equicia.[3] They were instructed in the Japanese language. Their anxiety soon pushed them down in a city where, discovered and recognized by government agents, they were arrested on 3 November 1632.[2] Met with resistance, the government tried to make them renounce Christianity.

On 11 December 1632, these Augustinian priests were led to the site of their execution, through the method of Hi-aburi (Punishment by burning at the stake). Melchior died four hours after the start of execution, while Peralta, to the amazement of the spectators, held out for eighteen hours.[3]

Peralta and Melchior were venerated through the promulgation of the decree on martyrdom on 28 November 1988. They both were beatified on 23 April 1989 by Pope John Paul II[4] and their feast day is celebrated on 11 December.[1]