Mrs. S, a devout Catholic baptized 50 years ago at Seto Holy Spirit Academy, remained faithful to her faith throughout her life, despite being the only Catholic in her family. Her final wish for a Catholic funeral was fulfilled, bringing comfort to her family and reaffirming the enduring bonds of faith.
“Let me go! Please let me go!” Her words over the phone were filled with desperation, but I couldn’t understand her plea. All I could respond with was, “What’s wrong, Mrs. S?” Later, I learned that she had been trying to say, “Please let me go to heaven!”
Mrs. S was baptized 50 years ago at Seto Holy Spirit Academy after I taught her the Catechism. At the time, she was in her second year of junior high school, and her passion for the Catholic faith was evident. She frequently contributed articles about Catholic events to the school newspaper and continued this dedication through high school. Afterward, she pursued a degree in Japanese literature at Nanzan University but maintained her connection to the school, returning for Christmas, Easter, and other celebrations. She later married and raised two sons, though she remained the only Catholic in her family.
One day, I received a phone call from her son. Mrs. S had been admitted to the hospital with an incurable illness. “My mother wants to speak to you, teacher!” he said. But our conversation ended abruptly, as visiting hours had passed, and I never had the chance to speak with her again. I didn’t even know where she had been admitted. Five days later, I received a heartbreaking news from her eldest son—Mrs. S had passed away.
I was shocked by her sudden death and reached out to her son. After learning that her body had been taken home from the hospital, I suggested, “Your mother was a Catholic. Would you like to hold the funeral at the Catholic church?” He responded, “We don’t know anything about Catholicism. Could you help us?” I contacted the parish priest of Higashiyama Church, where Mrs. S had been a member. Despite his busy schedule, the priest arranged for a service ten days later, and the local funeral director kindly accommodated the arrangement.
The parish priest and funeral director both provided clear and compassionate explanations of Catholic funerals to Mrs. S’s grieving family. The ceremony was beautiful, and the flowers added to its solemnity.
After the funeral, an aunt of Mrs. S approached me. “Sister, you taught at Holy Spirit Academy, didn’t you? She spoke of you often.” Her eldest son also expressed his gratitude, saying, “The funeral was exactly what my mother would have wanted. Thank you so much.”
Reflecting on this, I am filled with joy, knowing that God has kept the bond of our shared faith strong for more than 50 years. I firmly believe that Mrs. S is now at peace in heaven, just as she longed for.
Sr. Yulia OSATO, SSpS – Province of Japan
The baptism of Mrs. S at the Seto Holy Spirit Academy chapel in 1969.
Group photo of the celebration of Mrs. S’s baptism with her classmates, teachers and sisters.
Ceremony of depositing ashes in the crypt. Second son is in the middle, a priest (behind him), and his wife and a son in September 2024.
