Born in Manilla in 1600, his father was Chinese, and his mother was Filipino. He married, had three children, and joined the Confraternity of The Holy Rosary. But when he was 36, Lorenzo was accused by the Spanish military of murder. 

He escaped arrest by boarding a ship bound for Japan. With him were three Dominican sisters, a Japanese priest, and a layman, all of whom were missionaries. 

They landed in Okinawa but were arrested by the Japanese and taken to Nagasaki. 

This was a time of great persecution of Christians by the Japanese. In Nagasaki alone, some 50 thousand Christians were either dispersed or killed. 

The Japanese had a sophisticated and viciously cruel method for convincing Christians to recant, and Lorenzo and his companions were not spared. 

Large amounts of water were poured down their throats. They were made to lie down and, while boards were placed on their stomachs, guards then stepped on the ends of the boards forcing water through their mouths, noses, and ears. Bamboo needles were stuck under their fingernails. The Superior, Fr. Gonzales, died first. 

Lorenzo and the rest of those with him were then hung upside down and brutally tortured for three more days. Lorenzo died from this treatment, the others were beheaded. 

St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, please pray for us.