Official Visit to Maria Province – 6

Thursday morning, we visited the cemetery where our sisters are buried. It was very moving. We prayed, lit the incense and each one was able to place it on the tombstone with an intention for our predecessors, and I imagine all the countless people who have gone before us to God.

In the afternoon, before our meeting with Sakura, a group of actively listening volunteers, we visited the heritage room, guided by Sister Mitsuko Yamaguchi. It is a room where, from the moment you enter, you can sense the history of the CND in Japan. Sister Mitsuko’s voice, like that of a poet, takes you on a journey through the Second World War, the orphans entrusted to the care of the sisters, the wisdom of Sister Rose Cauchon and her sisters, the first Japanese sisters and the mission shared with the sisters from Canada and the United States, and all the work of listening and accompanying new teachers and students that continues in this place…. I feel as if I am on holy ground here, full of good energy and stories about human beings, liberating education, and the charism of Marguerite Bourgeoys.

The Sakura Active Listening Group is a group of nearly 61 trained volunteers who reach out to seniors, people who are alone, and single-parent families today. It was 10 years ago that Sister Kayoko Shibata had this idea and created this group. Today, these men and women have crossed the borders of Fukushima to share this way of being and being present to people in need. Some of these people shared with us their experiences as active listening volunteers. A very instructive and edifying moment spent together. Listening is not about giving advice or making judgments, it is about sharing life experiences.

The final activity on Thursday, April 3, was a walking tour of the Palais Royal (a residence for the elderly where some of our sisters live), just a few minutes from the Fukushima community, to meet three gems; Sisters Hinako Imaizumi, Reiko Yasuda and Keiko Mine, who welcomed us with visible shared happiness and paper tulips made by Sister Keiko, as well as singing and music.

What is most important is that they are connected and follow everything that is happening in the CND. True missionaries of our time. It’s just great!

Continue to carry the whole Congregation in your ministry of prayer, gratitude, and joy. You are role models for us.