Messages

I was jolted wide awake by the word of Saint Martin - that even the simplest act of work like sweeping , scraping vegetables , weeding the garden and waiting on the sick could be a prayer when offered to God . This simple act of consecration have had led me to embrace my calling to serve in whatever way I can …

~Jenny Omura

My name is Hitomi Kamata, and I am a member of the San Martin de Porres Prayer Group. I am now living in Kansai with my husband and a caregiver for my mother. I am thankful because my mother is 99 years old and she can still walk somehow. It seems that my mother is more than happy to have a line haiku meeting with my husband, and only at that time she turns into a strict mother with 80 years of haiku history.

              "A rain frog who lives seven days with his mother"

      "I put my mother who decorates the chicks in the video".

I always make phrases like this. My motto is to be calm in my current life, but there are times when I can't help but raise my voice to my mother who is hard of hearing. It's painful to speak loudly so that my mother who can't hear me can hear me, as if I'm sitting next to her.. When I can't speak kindly to my mother, I fall into self-loathing. At the end of the day, I pray to God, I pray to St. Martin, I pray so that I can speak kindly the next days. Reading the book "The Life of Saint Martin de Porres," I knew of Saint Martin de Porres' perseverance, strength, equality, intelligence, and, above all, his faith in devoting everything to God. Since then, I would like to turn to St. Martin de Porres, and make my mother happy until the end.

~ Hitomi Kamata

Saint Martin for me.  I didn't know anything about St. Martin until a few years ago. This is God's guidance. Now, his way of life has become my big goal. Ever since I was a child, I hated the expression "I'll do it for you." When someone says that to me, I just can't accept it honestly, and it sounds so bossy, but sometimes I say it to someone myself, and at those times I fall into self-loathing. I always want to do what I can to help people who are in trouble or need help, but I suddenly wonder, ``Isn't this just self-satisfaction?'' ``I don't want to compare myself to others. Aren't I putting myself in a position of superiority and inferiority?'', ``Am I becoming a hypocrite?'', and so on, all sorts of thoughts kept spinning around in my head, and I was stuck in a Möbius strip, wondering what to do. I couldn't find the answer. However, I think I have found a little more answers now than I did back then. Yes, because after meeting St. Martin, I was able to discover his great goal of living a completely selfless and humble life. This goal may be too big for me to achieve, but I would like to move forward with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

~ Naoko Hasegawa

First,  I will introduce myself briefly.　 I am an “old man,” born in Kyoto City before Second World War. When I was in elementary first grade, second World War began. Then during summer of my sixth grade, the atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan lost this war.

When war was over, the word "democracy" has become popular, and everyone was starving for food.  I was a boy who had a robust appetite and I had 6 brothers.  I believe my parents wanted us to grow well even amidst starvation. I am still incredibly grateful to my parents though for raising us up  this way.

There was a lesson “KOKUSHI” (the history of Japan) at the elementary school during that war. The history of Japan began from “KAMIYO” (the age of the Japanese gods), and when we studied about Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi who were generals in Japan,  appearing  in “SENGOKU-JIDAI” (the period of wars), we learnt words such as “Nanban”(foreigners), “Yasokyo”(Christianity), “Bateren” (Missionary), “Kinkyo-rei”(prohibition) and “Bateren-tsuiho-rei”(missionary exile). I had a bad impression about Jesus (Christianity).  I never imagined that I would be baptized in later years.

50 years has passed since I was baptized Catholic, but I think my faith is still not enough. However, I believe that “God gives me a life to live”, and I always live in thankgiving to God.

Father Eeso came to Japan from the Philippines for the first time, and later arrived to Karasaki church (Shiga pref.), the parish where I belong. He used to speak skillful Japanese with his point of view similar to us, that is, not from the top, I think.

The life purpose that Father Eeso has admired and respected since his childhood is the life of  San Martin de Porres. San Martin spent his life in healing many people suffering in different forms of sickness. I also agreed in the establishment of the association, and I  feel so blessed too to be able to follow and be guided by the charism of San Martin.

When I was in elementary first grade, second World War began. Then during summer of my sixth grade, the atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan lost this war.     When war was over, the word "democracy" has become popular, and everyone was starving for food.  I was a boy who had a robust appetite and I had 6 brothers.  I believe my parents wanted us to grow well even amidst starvation. I am still incredibly grateful to my parents though for raising us up  this way.    There was a lesson “KOKUSHI” (the history of Japan) at the elementary school during that war. The history of Japan began from “KAMIYO” (the age of the Japanese gods), and when we studied about Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi who were generals in Japan,  appearing  in “SENGOKU-JIDAI” (the period of wars), we learnt words such as “Nanban”(foreigners), “Yasokyo”(Christianity), “Bateren” (Missionary), “Kinkyo-rei”(prohibition) and “Bateren-tsuiho-rei”(missionary exile). I had a bad impression about Jesus (Christianity).  I never imagined that I would be baptized in later years.     50 years has passed since I was baptized Catholic, but I think my faith is still not enough. However, I believe that “God gives me a life to live”, and I always live in thankgiving to God.    Father Eeso came to Japan from the Philippines for the first time, and later arrived to Karasaki church (Shiga pref.), the parish where I belong. He used to speak skillful Japanese with his point of view similar to us, that is, not from the top, I think.    The life purpose that Father Eeso has admired and respected since his childhood is the life  of  San Martin de Porres. San Martin spent his life in healing many people suffering in different forms of sickness. I also agreed in the establishment of the association, and I  feel so blessed too to be able to follow and be guided by the charism of San Martin.

~ Fumio Imai

I’ve been living in Kyoto since I was little.  It is turning 7 or 8 years now since I first met, in Kyoto,  a young Filipino priest.  In times we met, I have witnessed that his heart seems to be directed to God. I have felt he seems to set aside himself in times he was with the sick and people with wounded heart.

    When I heard him saying recently that Saint Martin de Porres is his favorite,  and the same Saint continues touching his heart since he was small, I had a deep realization why is that so, considering his thoughts since I met him until now.  Then, I think my encounter with him, that is, for me, under the guidance of God,  is a way that led me directly  to Saint Martin.​

    Some immeasurable times I have spent so far like attending to my parents, difficult parenting,  long-term care for my husband,  and my husband`s death may have been prepared for me as ways to seek God more. Now I have aged, and my heart is filled with more graces, living everyday in quiet and peace. it will be a great joy for me indeed if I will be allowed to continue to follow God all throughout my life,  from now on learning from the life of Saint Martin,  through San Martin Prayer and Healing Support under the supervision of the priest I met.

~ Emiko Uesugi

You might have been to the southwestern part of Luzon in the Philippines wherein the province of Batangas, a popular tourist destination near Manila, is located. I was born and lived in the province until mid-college and later lived in Manila until college graduation. Afterwhich, I transferred to Tagaytay, a city located in the province of Cavite, the neighbouring province of Batangas, and spent the rest of my academic years.    In between those academic years, I was given the chance to participate in some home-stay programs, community exposures, and some human development trainings in and out of the country. I derive my present life and ideals through many experiences gathered within those important years in my life. Meeting people from different walks of life will always be a great experience. I treasure the moments we shared, both griefs and laughters, and other life`s realities. while a lot of "departings" were moments I always hated but found no escape. In "FAITH-ING," it`s inspiring to realize many good things while living in respect, prudence, simplicity and the like, with people in different walks of life, no matter how complicated human relationship is. In moments somehow difficult to understand, COURAGE, then other things follow. 

Let us together learn many beautiful things about the life of St. Martin de Porres, our patron. We together deepen our prayer life and increase our awareness to the longings of our hearts, and care for our neighbors especially the sick, voiceless and marginalized in our society.

~ Eeso