[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”HEADER – ROW” module_class=”HEADER-FIXXXX” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”ip-text-headers” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”In August 2024, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur will celebrate their 100th anniversary of their mission in Japan! ” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
On July 22, 1924, at the request of the Archbishop of Hiroshima, Henry Doering, SJ, six SNDs from the Province of Massachusetts left the port of San Francisco (California). Except for the superior of the group, Sr. Marie Claire Leahy, all the other sisters were in their 20s. They set off for the mission without knowing Japanese culture or language, but a letter from Japan states that they arrived in Okayama without much difficulty and were warmly welcomed!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Issues and Essence” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In September 1923, a major earthquake occurred in Tokyo, and in 1924 Japan was in the midst of social and economic turmoil. The school that the sisters took over was struggling with a low student population due to an old building and lack of funds. The new principal, Sr. Claire Leahy, returned to the United States for a short time to obtain assistance from the Province of Massachusetts.<\/p>\n
The newsletter, named “Uchiwa,”<\/strong> published plans for building a new school building. The sisters who taught at Notre Dame College in Massachusetts worked tirelessly to raise the construction funds. The students also helped by saving money on sweets. At the same time, the sisters in Japan also made an effort to improve the educational content and to raise the school’s reputation. The school song also reflected Christian values \u200b\u200band spirit in Japanese culture. These efforts bore fruit, and the school’s reputation, which had already gained recognition from the people of Okayama, was further enhanced by the second principal, Sister Mary Koska Kemper, who promoted the school’s development.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Global Crisis: World War II” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In December 1941, Japan and the United States entered into war. The American sisters were confined to convents and eventually sent to camps. There, they were subject to strict discipline, only able to speak Japanese, and were forbidden from going outside or contacting people in the town. However, the camp guard was a kind man, and a place for prayer was provided for them, and they were able to attend mass every morning. Sometimes they were allowed to go outside to see the cherry blossoms. After the war, the guard became a Catholic, and his daughter studied at Notre Dame de Paris.<\/p>\n 1Photo 2 Srs. Kyojima Chihaya, Tokairin Mitsuko (Provincial Superintendent), Marie Cecile Abe, Maria Grazia Oda Hodoko (not seen) and Moriwaki Naomi are planning events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Japan Province.<\/p>\n Photo 3 In January 1944, the American sisters were forcibly repatriated to the United States on a prisoner exchange ship.<\/p>\n Photo 4 (p. 6) Sr. Marie Ignatius Aoki (far right) with students around 1920<\/p>\n Photo 5: Students taught by the sisters in the early days.<\/p>\n Becoming Sr. Agatha Julie Hoshishima, Sr. Therese Nagata, and Sr. Maria Julie Yasuda, and protected the school during the war. During the war, Notre Dame had 750 students. Three young Japanese sisters, Sr. Marie Ignatius Aoki, Sr. Maria Julie in Massachusetts, stayed at the school. Because of their connection to the United States, they were suspected of being spies, but many parents and teachers trusted them. During the war, food shortages made it difficult to provide food for the boarding students. The graduates of this era maintain strong ties with each other and with the sisters to this day. Chairman Suzuki Shigeru and Principal Matsuura Toshikichi helped the sisters to protect the school, established a vocational school, and built the foundation for the four-year university that was established after the war.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Back to Japan” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After the war, in October 1946, seven American sisters returned to Japan for the first time in four years. At that time, Sr. Mary Koska responded to a newspaper reporter’s question by saying, “I am glad that the school, teachers and students are safe. I will devote myself to God and peace.”<\/strong> Her first words to the students were, “You have a beautiful country and a wonderful culture. Be proud of your country.”<\/strong> These words cheered up people who had lost faith in their country because of the hardships and defeat in the war. Before World War II, 16 American sisters served in Japan.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Growth of the Province” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Educational Apostolate Universities and Schools” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We have operated 10 schools as above, but the Japan District is currently facing a major turning point.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Live in the present with hope for the future Sr. Masako Miyake SNDdeN (Japan Province)In August 2024, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur will celebrate their 100th anniversary of their mission in Japan! On July 22, 1924, at the request of the Archbishop of Hiroshima, Henry Doering, SJ, six SNDs from the Province of Massachusetts left the port of San Francisco (California). Except for the superior of the group, Sr. Marie Claire Leahy, all the other sisters were in their 20s. They set off for the mission without knowing Japanese culture or language, but a letter from Japan states that they arrived in Okayama without much difficulty and were warmly welcomed! \u00a0Issues and Essence In September 1923, a major earthquake occurred in Tokyo, and in 1924 Japan was in the midst of social and economic turmoil. The school that the sisters took over was struggling with a low student population due to an old building and lack of funds. The new principal, Sr. Claire Leahy, returned to the United States for a short time to obtain assistance from the Province of Massachusetts. The newsletter, named “Uchiwa,” published plans for building a new school building. The sisters who taught at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":15825,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" \u00a0<\/p>Global Crisis: World War II<\/h3>\n
The three in the front row joined later,<\/h3>\n
Back to Japan<\/h3>\n
Growth of the Province<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n In 1956, <\/strong><\/td>\n A novitiate was established in Kichijoji, Tokyo, and new members were admitted.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1947-1956 <\/strong><\/td>\n More American sisters were sent to Japan.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1963<\/strong><\/td>\n Japan became a vice province of the Province of Massachusetts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1975<\/strong><\/td>\n Japan became an independent vice province and became the Province of Japan.
The number of Japanese members continued to grow.
New monasteries were established.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n 1963<\/strong><\/td>\n Shibukawa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1972<\/strong><\/td>\n Tokushima<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1973<\/strong><\/td>\n Takaya<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1977<\/strong><\/td>\n Kochi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n As of 2000, <\/strong><\/td>\n There were 57 Japanese members, 3 Americans, and 1 British member engaged in missionary work in Japan. In 2003, a new monastery and circuit church was established in Higashi-Hiroshima, expanding missionary work.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Educational Apostolate Universities and Schools<\/h3>\n
Notre Dame Seishin Gakuen has developed in line with the postwar educational reforms.<\/h2>\n\n
\n 1949<\/strong><\/td>\n Notre Dame Seishin Women’s University (Okayama) established<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1950<\/strong><\/td>\n Notre Dame Seishin Junior and Senior High School (Hiroshima) established<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1961<\/strong><\/td>\n Notre Dame Seishin Junior College (Hiroshima) established<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1964<\/strong><\/td>\n Niigata Seishin Women’s High School (Niigata) established<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1964<\/strong><\/td>\n Seishin Junior and Senior High School moved from Okayama City to Kurashiki City<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1965<\/strong><\/td>\n Kindergarten attached to the university established<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1967<\/strong><\/td>\n Elementary school attached to the university established<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n