Pax Christi USA members take pilgrimage to Japan

From March 7-17, 2024, 11 members of Pax Christi USA will travel to Hiroshima and Nagasaki on a prayerful journey of remembrance, atonement, and reconciliation. The individuals on this trip took the initiative to organize this visit after Pax Christi International was obliged, due to the covid19 pandemic, to cancel its world assembly, which was to be held in Hiroshima in 2020. 

They will be accompanied by Sr. Filo Hirota, MMB, a former member of the Pax Christi International board. The agenda was crafted with the assistance of Ray Matsumiya of the Oleander Initiative.

The pilgrims will spend several days in Hiroshima, meeting with leaders of the Catholic church, including Bishop Alexis Mitsuru Shirahama, and with Hibakusha (survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing), and touring the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Park and other notable sites. In Nagasaki, they will meet with Archbishop Peter Nakamura, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Takami, and Hibakusha, and will visit other local sites. On Thursday, March 14, the group will formally present a letter of apology to the Hibakusha for the devastation caused by the United States and our bombing of the two Japanese cities. 

Pax Christi USA is full of gratitude for these members who, of their own accord and initiative, have organized a deeply thoughtful and significant experience. We send them with our heartfelt blessing, our prayers, and our humble appreciation. 

A simplified version of their itinerary:

Pilgrimage to Japan, March 7-17 [Each day includes morning and evening prayer]

Thursday, March 7

• Arrive in Hiroshima

Friday, March 8

•  Visit the World Friendship Center and hear lecture on “Facets of Hiroshima”
• Tour Peace Park and visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, followed by time for reflection

Saturday, March 9

• Hear testimony from Hibakusha at Nagarekawa Church
• Visit Nagatsuka Monastery
• Dinner with Bishop Shirahama

Sunday, March 10

• Mass at Noboricho Church, the Memorial Cathedral of World Peace
• Meet with Hibakusha organizations and church members, followed by lunch and reflection discussion

Monday, March 11

• Visit to Honkawa School Museum, including a tour and presentations on calligraphy and tea ceremonies
• Visit Miyajima Island

Tuesday, March 12

• Travel to Nagasaki

Wednesday, March 13

• Visit Martyrs Museum and St. Maximilian Kolbe Museum 
• Visit Kaminoshima Church
• Dinner with Archbishop Peter Nakamura and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Takami

Thursday, March 14

• Visit Urakami, including Peace Park and Urakami Cathedral, with Mass in the “Hibaku Maria” chapel
• Meet with Hibakusha for presentation of apology letter
• Visit Takashi Nagai Memorial Museum
• Visit Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

Friday, March 15

• Visit Oura Cathedral Museum and hear history of the Hidden Christians
• Visit Shitsu Church and the Hidden Christian Community (UNESCO site)

Saturday, March 16

• Visit Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture
• Closing Mass at Urakami Cathedral

Sunday, March 17

• Departure