Tokyo, nuns reflect on the mission (photos)

Youth apostolate and pastoral priorities were the seminar’s main points with discussions focusing, among others, on "Youth and vocation". Mgr Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi referred to the October Synod: "Walking together, listening to us and moving forward in prayer".

Tokyo (AsiaNews) – More than 300 people took part in the New Year's Assembly of Women Religious of the Archdiocese of Tokyo, which was held on 12 January at St Ignatius Parish in Tokyo’s Yotsuya district.

In the morning, Mgr Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, archbishop of the capital, officiated a Thanksgiving Mass. The youth apostolate and other pastoral priorities of the archdiocese were the main points of discussion of the seminar that followed the service until three pm. The topics discussed included "Youth and vocation".

Mgr Kikuchi shared with the sisters a reflection from last October’s 15th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to the theme "Youth, faith and vocational discernment". In particular, the prelate cited Pope Francis’ final message. In t, the pontiff points to a path of faith that combines listening, proximity and testimony.

In a note posted online at the end of the Assembly, Mgr Kikuchi stressed how "participants and young people strove to listen to each other while walking along the road, guided by the Holy Spirit to discern, and aimed at responding to the call of God".

"Even in the parish of Tokyo, in establishing the policy of missionary officiating, I would like [for us] to walk together, listen to each other, and move forward in prayer to identify [one another],” said the archbishop.

[Photo credit: Facebook profile Mgr Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi]