Sister Marianna Shiraki

My name is Sr. Marianna Shiraki. I was born in 1941 into a devout Buddhist family. I may have met Christians when I was 8 or 9 years old, or even younger. At Tatebayashi Station, I saw a man and a woman talking on the other side of the platform. This woman had a large silver cross hanging from a chain on her chest. When I saw it, I felt an indescribable emotion that made me want to cry but also made my heart leap with joy.

Also, when I was in upper grades of elementary school, I saw two Sisters and some children going on a field trip on a hot day. The Sisters were sweaty, their cheeks were hot and pink, they wore black habits and large black veils. The two of them talked earnestly, and their smiles gave a very gentle impression.

When I was 13 years old, I found an old photograph of the Holy Mother and Child behind a mirror. In the photograph, the Holy Mother was kissing the hand of the sleeping Jesus, and tears were falling from her eyes. This sacred painting became my only treasure. I didn’t know why I was so drawn to it. I wondered what it was that I was seeking.

I started studying Christianity by correspondence courses. It was Protestantism. There were two churches in Sano, one Catholic and one Protestant. There were cheerful people at the Catholic church, and it seemed like a fun place. The Protestant church was a solid black building, always quiet, with no sign of people.

When I was nineteen, I asked my foster parents if I could become a nun. What will the two younger brothers do? I was told that I might change my mind in the future, so I decided to think about it again. My next younger brother got married, and my youngest brother was 24 years old. I chose Christ with all my heart.

When I was twenty-five, there was talk of marriage several times. I was thinking deeply about how I really wanted to live my life. On Christmas night that year, if the church doors were closed and I could not enter, I would have to get married as recommended. The doors were open.

When I was twenty-six, I was baptized at the Catholic Sano Church. My baptismal name is Anna. I read a book about Nagasaki at church and wanted to visit Nagasaki. The priest who baptized me was a Franciscan priest, so he suggested that I go to Himeji to get used to the climate rather than going straight to Nagasaki. The priest introduced me to this Congregation, and I was taken in at the Himeji St. Mary’s Hospital. I wanted to work in a place where I could contact patients, so I wanted to do housekeeping. After working at dormitory of St. Mary’s Hospital for two years, I decided to go to Nagasaki, still wanting to become a nun. I stayed at the dormitory of our congregation in Nagasaki, worked at the hospital for half a day, attended nursing school for the other half of the day, and was able to obtain a nursing license.

In the meantime, my wish to join was fulfilled and I moved to Himeji to begin my religious life. I joined with Sr. De Deo, and in 1976, I took my first vows together with Sr. Zita Sugita and Sr. Maria Fidelis Furukawa. After taking my final vows, I was told that although there were nurses, nutritionists were needed for the Sisters, so I went to school again. I was able to obtain a certified nutritionist qualification.

As an apostolate, I worked as a nurse in the surgical ward at Himeji St. Mary’s Hospital and at Nagasaki St. Francis Hospital. As a nutritionist, I worked at Francisco Villa, East Village, and Maria Villa, where I managed meals as a nutritionist for 13 years.

When I started working in the apostolic ministry, I didn’t know anything, but the staff around me taught me everything in detail. I was happy to have an enjoyable time with the staff.

Every day is a blessing, and I will celebrate 50th anniversary of religious life next year. Now, I am engaged in the ministry of prayer, entrusting everything to God in prayer.