On June 17, 1949, six Spanish Vedruna Sisters arrived at the port of Kobe, after several journeys: from Spain to China, from China to the Philippines, and from the Philippines to Japan. Therefore, in 2024 we celebrate the 75th anniversary of this arrival, together with the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Aitoku College. In May 2024 we had the visit of the sisters of the General Team, and then the sisters of Ain Karem, thus beginning the Jubilee Year.
Since then, we have celebrated a year of Thanksgiving for the history led by God’s Providence in the Evangelizing Mission in this land of the Rising Sun.
The closing Eucharistic Celebration of the Jubilee Year took place on June 14, 2025, with the presence of the Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka-Takamatu, D. Paulo Tosihiro Sakai and eight priests from the parishes where the sisters work. We also had the presence of many people from various parishes, students and alumnae, teachers and staff of our school and kindergartens. The atmosphere was familiar and very intercultural, thanks to the presence of sisters and teachers of different nationalities.
On June 15-16, we gathered for the Provincial Assembly, with the participation of three sisters from Taiwan and two sisters who are beginning the mission in China. Among many topics, we did the discernment of the Agreement Nº4 of the Chapter Document Born Again, about the new organization of AMA (Asia Mission Animation) in the “Conversation in the Spirit”. It is a very complex and difficult topic, but we trust in God, that his Spirit will enlighten and lead us, and give us new strength and courage to begin a new time in our mission in Asia.
On the 17th, the exact date of the 76th anniversary of the arrival of the sisters in Kobe, we went to pray at the cemetery of Kabuto Yama, a wonderful place, where 21 sisters who gave their lives for the Kingdom of God, as followers of St. Joaquina de Vedruna, are buried. Thus we ended our Annual Meeting, very happy and grateful with a sunny day, as a sign of the blessing of God the Trinity.
Sr. Mitsue Shirahama, ccv
