St. John’s 

This year’s retreat began after confirming that our thoughts were not off tune, and being deeply convinced by what was being said.

Fr. Abe told us about a fascinating story about how people grow spiritually and how they are transformed through their encounters as Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jeanne Françoise Flemio de Chantal did.

The 16th-century saint Francis de Sales, known as a very kind and friendly saint, was not like this to begin with. He said that while he met Madame Chantal and gave her spiritual guidance, he learned from her and was gradually changed. Through meeting and interacting with people, we learn that even though we each have various shortcomings, we can change as we pray and live our lives desperately so that we can become closer to the Lord Christ.

He explained that when we tune our hearts, in the case of musical instruments, we look at sheet music, but our sheet music is the Gospel. If we pray that as we carefully meditate on the Gospel of the Bible each day, we would be able to reflect on the image of Jesus in our hearts and deeply savor His thoughts.

　In the midst of difficult social conditions, we renew our vows and some of our sisters make new ones. We renewed our resolve to continue walking with the Lord Jesus, no matter how bad the situation may seem. Trusting in the Lord who leads us from darkness to light, from death to resurrection.

　Thank you very much, Father Abe Nakamaro, for your guidance.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit for preparing a wonderful environment for the house of meditation, in spite of the corona epidemic, while taking care to prevent infection.

                                                                                                                                                      2022/9/18
                                                                       The Missionary Sisters of St. John the Evangelist