>Japanese Version

Passover:journey from darkness to light

Alleluia
Rejoice in the Resurrection of the Lord

Many years ago, just as we were to begin the “Service of Light”, the first part of the Easter Vigil, a grade-one boy and his mother entered the church lobby where we had gathered. Seeing a clay stove with burning charcoal, the boy casually asked his mother, “Yakiniku (Barbeque)?” Hearing this child’s voice, we smiled warmly at him and began the Service. The Vigil Mass, which included a baptismal rite, proceeded solemnly from beginning to end.

Ideally, we should participate in the three-day continuous liturgy before Easter Sunday. Called “Paschal Triduum”, it is composed of the “Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper” on Holy Thursday, “Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion”, and “Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil”.

The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. It includes “Washing of Feet”, which recalls the Lord’s command: “I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done to you”(John 13:15). In our daily lives, washing of feet means being compassionate, caring for, and helping one another.

The commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday begins in silence as the priest lies prostrate in prayer before the altar. The heart of the celebration is the proclamation of the Passion of the Lord Jesus and the veneration of the Cross. Before the Cross, we do not merely perform a ritual: we pray for grace so we may walk faithfully along the Lord’s path in this world (where suffering and hardship do not disappear), and follow His example of compassion, humility, and obedience to God.

The Easter Vigil begins with the blessing of a new fire. As the priest lights the Paschal Candle from this fire, he proclaims, “May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts.” The light of Christ shines into the world. There is no mention of roasted meat in the Vigil Mass. But as at every Mass, the priest invites the faithful to Holy Communion with these words: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”

The first reading of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday is from Exodus 12, where God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb, mark their doorposts with its blood, and eat its roasted flesh. This event became known as the Passover, for the angel of death “passed over” the houses marked with the lamb’s blood. God instructed the people to remember this event each year by sharing the Passover meal and recounting how He delivered them from slavery and made them His people. “When your children ask you, ‘What does this rite of yours mean?’ you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice for the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt; when he struck down the Egyptians, he delivered our houses.’”(Exodus 12:26-27)

While celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, our Lord gave it a new meaning: the bread became His body, soon to be offered, and the wine His blood, soon to be poured out. Our Lord Jesus became our Passover Lamb. Through His sacrifice, we are freed from the slavery of desire, hatred, resentment, and sin. The Passover meal that our Lord shared with His disciplesﾑthe meal we remember on Holy Thursdayﾑbecame the Eucharist. Our Lord Jesus instituted the Eucharist.

We are all travelers on the road of life. The Lord Jesus walks with us and provides us with the bread of life for our journey. With gratitude for the light of Christ and for the support, understanding, and love we receive from our fellow travelers, let us share with each other the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord.

Edgar Gacutan
Bishop of Sendai

Hirose River Martyrs Memorial Celebration

From the last day (February 18) of the old lunar year in 1623 through the first four days (February 19-22) of the following year, Portuguese missionary Fr. Diego Carvalho and eight lay faithful were tortured and left to die by being immersed in the icy waters of the Hirose River, which flows through the castle town of the Sendai Domain.

Each year, District 4 organizes a memorial service held in front of the martyrs’ monument in Sendai Nishi Park near the Hirose River. This year, about 120 people gathered on Sunday, February 22. The service started at 1:30 p.m. Bishop Edgar Gacutan led the service. He was assisted by Fr. Armando Romero and Deacon Shin Dongbin.

The ceremony began with a hymn, followed by a reading from the “Record of the Sendai Christian
Martyrs”, which is an account of the harshness of the sufferings the martyrs endured and the strong faith that sustained them. After listening to the reading, the participants faced the Hirose River and prayed in silence.

In his opening words, Bishop Gacutan reminded the participants that the martyrs proclaimed praise to the Most Holy Sacrament even amid their suffering. In his message, the bishop mentioned that the Mass and the words of God, such as the Beatitudes, were the source of the martyrsﾕ strength. Bishop Gacutan invited the participants to reflect on their experiences of being blessed after going through challenges, emptiness, and reconciliation. The memorial celebration concluded with Prayers of the Faithful and a hymn.

Tsuyoshi Seki
Diocesan Public Relations Committee

District News

From District 1
Sanpachi Bloc: Hachinohe Shiocho Church

The First of 88 Memorial Masses
Mass of Thanksgiving for the Ursuline Sisters

As previously reported, the Shiomachi Convent of the Ursuline Sisters was closed at the end of March 2025. To express gratitude for the sisters’ devoted service, 88 volunteers from Hachinohe Shiocho and Samemachi churches offered a “spiritual bouquet” in the form of a monetary contribution. They also decided that for the next 88 years, a commemorative Mass would be celebrated annually on the Sunday closest to January 27, the feast of Saint Angela Merici.

The first memorial Mass was celebrated on January 25 at Hachinohe Shiocho Church, with Fr. Justin Lukusa as presider. A picture of Saint Angela Merici was displayed at the altar. The faithful participated with hearts full of gratitude.

Even after the convent’s closure, the bond with the Ursuline Sisters continues. At last year’s joint Advent retreat, Sr. Ishii from Ipponsugi Convent was invited as speaker. The faithful of both churches remain deeply thankful for the sisters’ long years of devoted ministry and guidance.

Tomohiro Makiyama
Hachinohe Shiocho Church

From District 2
Iwate Central Bloc:Hanamaki Church

70th Anniversary of the Dedication of Hanamaki Church

On Sunday, December 21, 2025, parishioners of Hanamaki parish commemorated and celebrated the 70th anniversary of the dedication of their parish church. Bishop Edgar Gacutan presided the Mass; three priests concelebrated. Representatives from the seven churches of District 2 attended. Bishop Emeritus Tetsuo Hiraga and Fr. Tadashi Oikawa, who both hail from Hanamaki, sent their message of congratulations. Forty-five participants filled the church and the reception hall. During the reception, a 20-minute video traced the 70-year history of Hanamaki church from its first pastor, Fr. Gabriel, to his successors. A 20-page commemorative booklet was distributed.

In his message during the reception, Fr. Itagaki, one of three priests who come from Hanamaki, related the joy he felt when he celebrated Mass for the first time in his home parish, Hanamaki, an experience that resonated with Hanamaki parishioners.

Masanao Odashiro
Chairperson, Parish Council
Hanamaki Church

From District 4
Cathedral Bloc: Mototerakoji Church

Prayer Gathering for Children
Pilgrimage to the Hirose River Martyrs’ Monument

On February 11, parish school leaders of churches located in Sendai-Shiogama accompanied children of their parishes for a Prayer Gathering and pilgrimage at the Hirose River Martyrs’ Monument. The participants numbered 30, including children, clergy, parents, and leaders. At Mototerakoji Church, Fr. Ignacio spoke about the martyrs in front of the original monument models created by Fr. Morizo Fukazawa. From there, the participants walked to the Hirose River monument, wherethey prayed and offered flowers in tribute. Their pilgrimage and prayer deepened their appreciation of the martyrs’ faith.

Akiko Nakamura
Mototerakoji Church

SPECIAL FEATURE

The 42nd Japan Catholic National Convention for Justice and Peace
2025 Sendai Conference

The 42nd Japan Catholic National Convention for Justice and Peace, held in Sendai in October 2025, gathered participants from across Japan and Korea under the theme of “Hope, Peace, and Solidarity Beyond Borders”. Opening and closing masses and ceremonies were held at Mototerakoji Cathedral. Group presentations and discussions were held at several venues. In 2025, Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (August 15, 1945) and the 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake (March 11, 2011), prompting intense reflection on peace, the dangers of nuclear weapons, the duty to pass down memories of devastation, human rights, and the Church’s mission in society.

One major issue discussed was the legacy of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Fr. Yoshio Kajiyama, SJ, highlighted the reasons why Hiroshima was targeted for bombing. He also presented the development of support laws for atomic bomb survivors and pointed out that representatives of the atomic bomb survivors (hibakusha) have been calling on the Japanese government that it has not provided any compensation to those who were killed in the atomic bombings. Fr. Kajiyama quoted what Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) Terumi Tanaka said off-script during his speech at the Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony on December 10, 2024: “Let me repeat what I have said one more time: ‘I want you to know that the Japanese government has not provided any compensation to those who were killed in the atomic bombings.’” Fr. Kajiyama connected this painful history with Pope Francis’s strong denunciation of nuclear weapons and his vision of fraternity and care for our common home as expressed in recent papal teachings.

Okinawa’s burden as host to U.S. military bases was another key concern. Bishop Wayne Bernt of Naha described how Okinawa still lives under the shadow of war, with new missile bases and unresolved human rights issues. Echoing Pope Francis’ call for “unarmed peace,” he expressed his hope that Okinawa would one day become a demilitarized zone and a bridge of peace among nations.

Participants also revisited the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, reflecting on environmental contamination, community division, evacuation difficulties, and the long-term challenges of decommissioning nuclear power plants. Concerns were raised about Japanﾕs renewed push to maximize nuclear energy use and the risks involved in restarting nuclear plants such as Onagawa. One session was devoted to addressing global conflicts, including Gaza, Ukraine, and Myanmar, urging Christians not to become indifferent to crimes against humanity.

Discussion on Hansen’s disease discrimination and the Eugenic Protection Law, which forced people with Hansen disease to undergo sterilization, brought to the fore issues of human dignity. Foreign technical trainees shared their workplace struggles and faith journey. Church volunteers who have been supporting homeless people for 25 years through a soup kitchen and information desk shared about their ministry.

The convention concluded with a sending-forth Mass. Participants were challenged to ask whether society has truly changed after war and disasters, or if it merely has returned to comfort and convenience. Inspired by repeated papal calls to ﾒbuild bridges,ﾓ they were sent forth to become prophetic witnesses, connecting divided peoples and walking the path of peace with hope that does not disappoint.

2026 Sendai Diocese – Clergy Assignments

As of April 1, 2026

Chancery of the Diocese of Sendai

• Ordinary of the Diocese:
  Bishop Edgar Gacutan (C.I.C.M.)
• Vicar General:
  Fr.Yoichi Onodera (Sendai Diocese)
• Chancellor:
  Fr.Ignacio Martinez (M.G.)

Written in bold letters are the newly appointed or transferred.

Other Appointments

Japanese Language:

• Deacon Shin Dong Bin (Gwangju Archdiocese, Korea) Mototerakoji

Vietnamese Ministry (Sendai Diocese):

• Fr.Nguyen Cao Tri (S.P.) Mototerakoji

Collaborator Priests:

• Fr.Hiroshi Sasaki (Sendai Diocese) Priests’ House No.2
• Fr.Masashi Takahashi (Sendai Diocese) Priests’ House No.2
• Fr.Moriya Sato (Sendai Diocese) Priests’ House No.2
• Fr.Tadanori Kawasaki (Sendai Diocese) Priests’ House

Retired:

• Bishop Emeritus Tetsuo Hiraga, (Sendai Diocese) Priests’ House

In charge of Priests’ House No.2 :

• Kazuhito Ujiie (Sendai Diocese) Priests’ House House