Who I am ? Sister Takako
My place of involvement : Tokyo, Japan
The guiding principle of my life : The gratuitous love of God
Working as an interfaith chaplain
During the period of study in my formation, I found out about “interfaith chaplains” in Japan. Interfaith chaplains are religious practitioners who provide spiritual care in public places such as disaster areas, medical institutions, and welfare facilities. They respect the belief of others while remaining authentic their own religion or tradition, so that they do not make the preaching of their religion as the goal of their care practice.
To face a challenge
In Japan, people without religion are majority and, unfortunately, there are also prejudices against having a religion. I thought interfaith chaplaincy would give religious people the possibility to mingle and to be accompanied by others, in universal love, regardless of any beliefs or religions.
After finishing the course of study about spiritual care and interfaith chaplaincy, I received certifications as an interfaith chaplain and as a clinical spiritual care practitioner. Thankfully, I have started to work in hospital as a part-time chaplain this year. Most of the patients are aged and some of them require intensive care or are in terminal stage. This work has many challenges but also brings lots of graces. I’d like to continue improving my skills to provide better care.
Supporting each other
Interfaith chaplains in Japan have the community that supports each other’s activities and studies, and they have training session regularly. As a member of this community in the Greater Tokyo area, I support management and training in the community. The other day, Honbu (mother house)-Community house (Ichigaya, Tokyo) opened its doors to the members of interfaith chaplain for a training session. In the part of the session, Sr. Akiko delivered a lecture about her experiences in providing support in disasters areas in Japan. The participants of the session had a good time, learning and interacting in the atmosphere of the religious house. It is a deep joy for me to have welcomed and supported them in the session.
Becoming more and more Helper Sister
My apostolic work as an interfaith chaplain is just a part of my mission because I think that “mission” is “How I/We are”, not “What I/We are doing”. I still exploring what my personal call and deep desire are through becoming the Helper. This way of quest will continue until the end of my life, but I enjoy discerning my way to serve God and others little by little rooted the love of Jesus Christ and the spirit of our Institute. The following sentence in our constitution inspires my spiritual journey.
“The gratuitous love of God is the Good News which awakens within us the desire to give ourselves completely. In the following of Jesus Christ we learn to welcome this love in the innermost depth of our being. It is a transforming power which opens us to communion with God and others, and which frees us to serve” (Art. 35)
The unconditionally love of God let me be myself and frees me to serve others joyfully with Him. Naturally we face with difficulties and worry at times, but I’d like to continue my journey in putting confidence that we are always in God’s providence.