On October 4, Sister Marie de Lourdes Kuroki, CSJ renewed her vows in Tsu, Japan. This was special timing as the day before marked the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Japan to carry out missionary work. Today, we have 10 Japanese sisters. Three sisters from the United States visited for these special occasions: Sisters Gail Trippett and Eileen McCann from the Congregational Leadership Team and Sister Joann Heinritz, who ministers with our sisters in temporary profession (those who have completed their novitiate but not yet taken final vows).
On October 3, the sisters from Tsu Convent gathered with Sister Marie de Lourdes and Sisters Gail, Irene and Joann for a celebration of the 70th anniversary of our mission in Japan. Sister Lucia Yamada said, “During our prayers we felt a strong sense of our congregation’s spirituality, “一つの愛、多くの道のり、一つのミッション” (One Love, Many Paths, One Mission), which reminds us that, though our paths may differ, we share one love and one mission. Furthermore, we experience a profound gratitude toward the American and Japanese sisters who have served the mission in Japan over the years and who now rejoice in heaven.”
The next day, the sisters gathered again for Sister Marie de Lourdes’ vow renewal ceremony. With love and gratitude, Sister Marie de Lourdes writes: “I am deeply grateful that I was able to renew my vows in peace, surrounded by the love and blessings of Sisters Gail Trippett, CSJ and Eileen McCann, CSJ from our Congregational Leadership Team; my director, Sister Joann Heinritz, CSJ; and the sisters of the Tsu Community. I sincerely thank all of you for your prayers, support and great love. Thank you very much!”
The next day, the America sisters we able to visit the girls high school we sponsor in Japan, St. Joseph Joshi Gakuen. Sister Lucia, who has long guided such visits, led them through the hallways, explaining how the school embodies our founding values and continues to shape the mission we share today. They were able to join the teachers for their morning staff meeting.
In the following days, our three sisters visiting from North America, Sisters Gail, Eileen, and Joann, spent a few days in Tokyo. While there, they met some of Sister Marie de Lourdes’ friends—the Maryknoll Sisters, a sister from the Daughters of the Heart of Mary and other consecrated women—with whom she shares a ministry of mutual encouragement. They enjoyed lively conversations about the future of their religious life.
Since this year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of our mission in Japan, our sisters went to Yokohama Port—where the first four sisters landed—and visited the cathedral with gratitude.
They also visited a friend of Sister Marie de Lourdes’ who lives at a Buddhist convent. She shared Buddhist rituals and teachings with them. She also treated them with wonderful hospitality, and they were truly grateful.
As we reflect on the rich spiritual heritage that has shaped our community, we reaffirm our collective determination to continue our mission in Japan, just as we have done for generations.
Thank you to Marie de Lourdes Kuroki, CSJ and Lucia Yamada, CSJ for contributing to this story.