
On Feb 10, 1865, the French Missioner Fr. Berivard Petitiean (later first Bishop of Nagasaki) dedicated the Oura Cathedral a month later on March 17, about 14 residents of Urakami visited the church and approached Fr. Petitiean, one whispered, "Our heart is one with yours. Where is the statue of Santa-Maria?" Thus did these people reveal the faith that they had treasured and transmitted through 300 years of fierce persecution, this declaration of faith by the Japanese Christians, unexampled in all of history, has now the acclaim of the entire world. The profoundly moving moment of Discovery has been recreated by a Christian artist of Nagasaki on this relief, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the event. March 17, 1965