Solidarity with Japan in prayer

Message from Mary.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: mary
Sent: Fri, 1 April, 2011 8:17:02
Subject: Fw: the article for the interfaith prayers for solidarity with Japan

Dear Family,

A few of our Sisters went along to join  in the prayers for Japan and Sister Shoko, our Japanese Directress of Novices and Superior  wrote this atricle in English.  Quite an accomplishment, I think. 

Blessings. 

Love and prayers,

Mary fmm 

Sent: Thu, 31 March, 2011 13:41:42
Subject: the article for the interfaith prayers for solidarity with Japan

Sharing of the interfaith prayers for solidarity with Japan On March 28th evening, different kinds of prayers were offered in front of the Japanese embassy at Metro Manila .About 70 people of different nationalities and religions were invited by the JPIC team of Catholic Religious in the Philippines to show their solidarity for Japan which was terribly damaged by the big earthquake and Tsunami on March 11th. The prayer of this assembly was very simple and short but touched our hearts. About 10 groups offered prayers in turn, according to their way. Between prayers, the sound of a small Chinese gong was echoed as if it tied all our hearts together. Although we could not understand all of these prayers – the language and its meaning, however, we had a strong sense of unity and felt a deep solidarity with those who are suffering from this disaster. As one of the Japanese present, I was very grateful to these good and loving people, and united with one heart, I offered my prayer in silence. After sharing prayers, with the accompaniment of beautiful music, we, one by one, put small candles around the picture which was prepared on the ground by one religion before the assembly . At the end, a representative from the Japanese embassy came to us and spoke of their gratitude to us in a very humble manner. I hope he truly received the power of solidarity and deep peace from us.    Through this disaster, our Japanese spirit with its calmness ,dignity, consideration for others and team- work etc. was much appreciated. However, I must add that most Japanese people have not encountered the One , the Creator, to whom they could have cried out their despair, sorrow and anger. So often we are accustomed to repress our feelings. Therefore we really need the big support of prayers although they don’t understand its importance. For the Japanese people, this earth quake was surely the worst happening since the World War II. Whole country was shaken terribly and the people were terrified even including those who are living outside of Japan ! Perhaps many people in the world are experiencing of this fear. I remember the head line of one newspaper: Is this a warning or the beginning of the Last Day?? My present response is: we just humbly and unceasingly pray and it is the time for solidarity as brothers and sisters beyond nations and religions. This prayer assembly showed me the orientation of what I should do. Lord of life, as we remember the situations in different parts of the world. We offer to your care, Japan and all those who suffered from the recent tragedy there. We pray that they recover quickly and find better solutions for the worsening conditions of their nuclear plant.                                                             Prayer from catholic paticipant                                                                    Shoko fmm