Asia Pacific Ursuline Meeting in Japan September 15 ~ 21, 2014 Newsletter no.1

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Liliana Perry
5 years ago
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The joy to meet again for some and to know new sisters was at its peak! All together, we are 34 participants gathered for 5 full days on the theme: Mysticism and Prophecy in an Asian context.

1 Asia Pacific Ursuline Meeting in Japan September 15 ~ 21, 2014 Newsletter no.1 Here we are from Rome (1), Belgium (1), Canada (2), Australia (3), Republic of China (2), Cambodia (1), India (10), Indonesia (4), Thailand (2), Vietnam (2), Philippines (2) and Japan (4). The joy to meet again for some and to know new sisters was at its peak! All together, we are 34 participants gathered for 5 full days on the theme: Mysticism and Prophecy in an Asian context. Father Hoan Ribera, s.j. and Father Augustine Sali, s.j. both missionaries in Japan will accompany us in deepening the theme. Sr. Jeannette Tjitresna Krista and Sr. Lidwina Mariani from Indonesia will present us Saint Angela as prophet-mystic and Sr. Aurore Jean from the Philippines will present us Saint Marie of the Incarnation as mystic-prophet. That kind of meeting is held every 3 or 4 years. The last one in Japan was in 1987; Sr. Ryoko Akiyama, provincial superior in Japan had the joy to welcome the sisters after a so long period of time. From the general administrations, Mother Cecilia Wang, general prioress from the Roman Union and Sister Bimla Minj, general assistant of the Tildonk Union and Mother Louise Gosselin, general superior from the Canadian Union with Sister Fusako Itahashi, councilor, are participating with us. We count on the prayers of each one of you for the success of that meeting. This newsletter #1 will be followed by others so that we may be in communion. Tokyo, September 16, 2014 Odile Gardner, o.s.u. Contact-person

2 Asia Pacific Ursuline Meeting in Japan September 15 ~ 21, 2014 Newsletter no.2 Dear sisters, Wednesday. Here is just an overview of what happened on Tuesday, September 16 and on Tuesday morning, Fr. Augustine Sali, s.j. gave a rich talk on Prophetism and Mysticism in a Secular World and sent the sisters in province groups to share on their own reality. The sharing in plenary helped to anchor the reality of each region as well as to find some issues, some challenges. Where is relevant the role of Prophetism and Mysticism in our society and how about the role of Discernment and Wisdom in our spirituality? These subjects need to be deepened more and we will be united with one another in our reality. In the afternoon, Where are we in the world and how do we relate to it? was the theme developed with Popes Benedict and Francis, Saint Angela, to conclude with prophetic reflections from the Apostolic Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel. Wednesday was a day of exposure. We could have all the explanations without translation. Our bus guide Fujiko, the Shinto priest, the Buddhist monk and the Jesuit priest could transmit their treasures with us in English. First, we went to Meiji Jingu, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. This shrine is situated in the middle of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Shintoism, born in Japan, values harmony with nature, respect of ancestors and worship of heroes.

At the entrance, we pass the gate (torii) separating the secular area from the

to do. 1. Rinse your left hand, rinse your right hand 2.

Rinse your left hand, and rinse the dipper.

3 At the entrance, we pass the gate (torii) separating the secular area from the sacred area and then, there is the purification rite; the priest explained us how to do. 1. Rinse your left hand, rinse your right hand 2. Pour water into your left hand and rinse your mouth 3. Rinse your left hand, and rinse the dipper. We had the privilege to attend, with all the respect we could, the special prayers with dancing, music and with ritual vestments. To know Shinto is to know Japanese spirit.

sacred Then, we went to the Buddhist temple called Komyoji where the young monk

He told us his own experience: when he was a young student, there was the

4 place. Before leaving, we had a picture taking in souvenir of our passage in this sacred Then, we went to the Buddhist temple called Komyoji where the young monk welcomed us challenged by the English language. He told us his own experience: when he was a young student, there was the incident of the sarin (Japanese cult: Aum). He realized that Religion can be used for good and for bad. He decided to become a monk and work for adapting Buddhism to the actual Japanese society.

And then, we went home to the St. Ignatius Catholic Church where Father Flores, s.j. welcomed us.

This church is very well located in Tokyo; therefore, many Christians and non-christians are coming to pray or reflect.

During our pilgrimage, our guide told us many things about Japan; the scenery, the people, the imperial family, the

5 And then, we went home to the St. Ignatius Catholic Church where Father Flores, s.j. welcomed us. He explained us the many activities at the church. This church is very well located in Tokyo; therefore, many Christians and non-christians are coming to pray or reflect. There are few baptisms in Japan but we can say that the culture is little by little Christianized. During our pilgrimage, our guide told us many things about Japan; the scenery, the people, the imperial family, the history of the church, etc We thank the Lord for those 2 full days which helped us to understand other religions and enter into our theme which is Mysticism and Prophecy in an Asian context.. Tokyo, September 18, 2014 Odile Gardner, o.s.u. Contact-person

Asia. Cultural Geography

Asia. Cultural Geography Asia Cultural Geography Religion v Some religions that are found in Asia are: A. Buddhism B. Hinduism C. Confucianism E. Shintoism F. Islam G. Christianity D. Taoism Hinduism v Hinduism is an ethnic religion