The story of the Augustinian mission in Japan is one that spans centuries. In 1602, Augustinian friars from the Philippines arrived in Japan, built the Church of the Holy Spirit in Nagasaki, and soon after more churches followed. Sadly, however, missionaries and their converts soon came under severe persecution. Beginning in 1611, missions were destroyed and missionaries exiled or martyred. Augustinians and other religious orders continued to preach the gospel despite the persecution, and from 1623-1625 some 650 Christians were martyred. Subsequent attempts at establishing a mission church failed, but the seed had been planted. For centuries, Catholicism continued on in secret in the Nagasaki underground.

In 1952, 350 years after their first arrival in Japan, the Augustinians were invited by the Diocese of Nagasaki to return to Japan. Three Augustinians — Father Edward Griffin, O.S.A., Father George Krupa, O.S.A., and Father Tom Purcell, O.S.A. — accepted the invitation. The Augustinian mission has continued to grow since it set roots in Nagasaki. Today, Augustinians minister in four seaside cities throughout Japan: Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Tokyo. Though the Catholic population in Japan is small, the friars minister to a growing community of faith.

Shiroyama Catholic Church, Nagasaki
Two years after Fathers Griffin, Krupa and Purcell arrived in Nagasaki, they established Shiroyama Catholic Church, located just 800 meters from the epicenter of the atom bomb explosion. A kindergarten, elementary and junior high school soon followed — Saint Mary’s School, the first parochial school in all of Japan. The Augustinians continue to minister at Saint Mary's School today. The parish community, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004, continues to thrive.
Website: www4.ocn.ne.jp/~shiroyam/Perfect.html

Sasaoka Church, Fukuoka, Japan
Sasaoka Catholic Church is home to some 800 parishioners in the suburb of Fukuoka City. Founded in 1961 by Father Edward Griffin, O.S.A., today Father Thomas Dwyer, O.S.A., the current pastor, is beginning to raise funds to build a new church for the parish. Each Sunday the small church overflows with parishioners. Father Dwyer also spearheaded the building of a new kindergarten that sits adjacent to the church. Sasaoka Catholic Kindergarten, with Father Masaki Imada, O.S.A., as principal, is a well-known and respected institution in the community. Some 150 students, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, attend Sasaoka Kindergarten.
Website: www2.odn.ne.jp/csasaoka/

Minato Catholic Church, Nagoya
The Augustinians minister at Minato Catholic Church in Nagoya, one of Japan's largest cities. Nagoya, a seaside metropolis and major manufacturing center in Japan, is home to Toyota, the city is a chief port of export for the country. As a port city, the Augustinians are involved in a unique "ministry of the sea," called Stella Maris, where the friars minister to the many sailors who arrive at Nagoya. A majority of these sailors are Filipino, and so Minato Church finds itself home to a growing Filipino population.
Website: www5.ocn.ne.jp/~stmonica/

Kasai Catholic Church & Formation House, Tokyo
Kasie Catholic Church in Tokyo was founded in 1964. As a metropolitan parish, the Augustinians minister to the needs of the urban community with many social service programs, including food distribution to the homeless and outreach to the growing immigrant population, many of whom are Filipino. The Augustinian Formation House is also located in Tokyo, where young Japanese men prepare for ministry as an Augustinian priest or brother.
Website: www5.ocn.ne.jp/~kasaicc/

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