The Missionary Sisters of St. John the Evangelist - Mother Okamura Part 2

Her encounter with Father Bunkei Totsuka was the key to her becoming the foundress of our congregation. After the Great Kanto Earthquake, she moved from her home to Meguro and lived near Father Totsuka's church in Nishi-Koyama, which was also a work of God's providence. Influenced by his father, who was a navy doctor, Father Totsuka had decided to become a doctor and he moved from Sasebo to Tokyo when his father was transferred there. It was then that he entered Gyosei Junior High School. Despite having a weak heart, he began to develop a sense for religion due to the influence of those around him. He entered the University of Tokyo after high school. After studying medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, he was ordered by the Ministry of Education to study in Europe. It was there that he chose to become a priest and he began his studies. In the midst of much opposition, he followed God's path and came back to Japan in the unique position of being a doctor and priest. With special permission, Father Totsuka opened St. John's Hanai Clinic in Shinagawa and worked hard to take care of tuberculosis patients which was epidemic at the time.

Meanwhile, after graduating from Sacred Heart, Fuku Okamura worked as an assistant to the mothers of the Sacred Heart. She dreamt of becoming a nun when she met Father Totsuka and became his right-hand woman. She wanted to be a neighbor to the people around her, just like Father Totsuka. She became Father Totsuka's right-hand woman. She didn’t say much publicly, and she was very tight-lipped about herself, but the instant that Father Gika from Romania blessed her with a piece of Christ's crown of thorns on the cross, her leg, which had been so crippled that she had to use a cane, she was suddenly cured. This was a gift from God for her to embark on her mission.

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MISSION STATEMENT

 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him.
John 15:5

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ENTERPRISES

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
John 9

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CONVENTS

A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another.
John 13:34

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BLOG

If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be.
John 12:26

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We express God's deep love through our service to:
"the sick,
the suffering, and
the marginalized"