Japan Mission: Celebrating Unity in Diversity: 25th Anniversary at St. Ignatius and Fr. Mukadi's Inspiring Journey
By John Francis Mukulu, SJ
This week at St. Ignatius Parish in Tokyo we celebrated the 25th anniversary since the inauguration of the new parish premises. The international mass was presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Tokyo, His Excellency Andrea Lembo of the Milan Foreign Mission Society. The mass brought together Catholics from across the globe, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, creating a vibrant and multicultural celebration of faith. It was a beautiful reflection of the universality of the Catholic Church, with readings, prayers, and hymns offered in various languages representing the diversity of the congregation.
Following the mass, a symposium on the future of children and youth was held in the main chapel. This gathering provided a platform for reflection on how the Church can continue to support young people in their journey through life, fostering growth, compassion, and a sense of purpose.
At SJ House (SJ ハウス), the community was graced by a special Eucharistic celebration in Japanese, led by Fr. Mukadi, SJ. A Jesuit from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fr. Mukadi first came to Japan several years ago, where he completed his Japanese language studies and served at Sophia University’s Catholic Center. He later pursued theological studies at Sophia and was ordained a deacon in Japan before returning to Congo for his priestly ordination. On September 24, he returned to Japan to further his studies in Japanese philosophy and literature.
The community was deeply moved by his first Eucharistic celebration entirely conducted and preached in Japanese, a testament to his linguistic gifts. His professors have commended him as a true polyglot, and we pray that the Lord continues to guide Fr. Mukadi on his missionary journey, inspiring all those around him with his faith and dedication.
