By Sr. Maria Auxilia Matsumoto, SCJ

Tokyo, Japan, December 8, 2015 - At the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the opening of the Holy Year of Mercy, we were blessed to have a Perpetual and First Profession at the Provincial House of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus in Japan.

One sister made her first profession and two made their perpetual professions. Archbishop Tomas Aquinas Maeda Manyo of the Diocese of Osaka, presided the Holy Mass with Fr. Hamaguchi, Vice Provincial of Salesians together with other 15 priests who concelebrated. Family and friends of the three sisters and members of the Salesian Family and the Caritas Sisters gathered together and witnessed their solemn vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. The father of the one of the sisters is a permanent deacon and he served during the Mass. To welcome three sisters, the “Veni Sponsa Christi” was sung by a small choir, the Sisters of Caritas' Choir. With the entrance song, the three sisters walked towards the altar accompanied by the provincial and vice provincial.

During the homily, Bishop Maeda shared that Mama Mary is the first person who lived God’s mercy and we are also called to be persons who live God’s mercy, and show it to others. And he read a Haiku, a Japanese 3-liner poem, “ITSUKUSHIMINO MIKAO AOGUYA SHIWASUKANA.”

At the end of the Holy Mass, the message of Mother General, Sister Teresia Furuki’s was read by the Vice Provincial of the Sisters od Caritas and three newly professed greeted their families and friends. From their touching words, we all were filled with tears; and, at the same time, filed with joy. They received the blessing from the Apostolic Nuncio to Japan, Archbishop Joseph Chennoth in the name of Holy Father. Two days after the profession they visited Nuncio to greet to him where they were warmly welcomed. He told them that the congregation is so blessed with many young sisters. He promised that he’ll come to our house to visit the elderly sisters during the Holy Year of Mercy.

After the Mass, we shared in a Family Spirit and joys by having lunch, singing and dancing together. We all praise and thank God for the precious gifts given to the whole Catholic Church and to our congregation.

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