Our Lady of Akita: July 6, 1973-2023. アグネス姉妹と日本の秋田での聖母のメッセージ + Our Lady of All Nations, Story of Sister Agnes chosen by the Mother of God (従順・貞潔・清貧).
メッセージ: rediscover the messages of Akita that build on Fátima. Use RHP Resources for 50th anniversary of Our Lady's urgent requests to pray the Rosary every day & make reparation to save souls.
QUICK NOTES ABOUT THIS POST:
Included is the original Eucharistic prayer taught to Sister Sasagawa in Japanese1 50 years ago, and translated to English & Portuguese for this post;
Below is the entire prayer taught to Sister Agnes on July 6, 1973 in the ORIGINAL Japanese —
“Eucharistic Prayer of Akita”. Try reading some of the characters after studying the Japanese alphabet links in the footnotes.
メッセージ | Message from Our Lady to Sister Agnes (born Katsuko Sasagawa):
“Do you say well the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist? Then, let us pray it together."
~ Our Lady of Akita, July 6, 1973
THE ROSARY HOUR PODCAST NEWSLETTER [2nd Edition, Vigil of 6 July 2023 Memory of Marian Apparition in Akita, Japan]
This week marks a special milestone:
50 years of remembering the apparitions of “
Our Lady of Akita” from 1973-2023.This apparition, according to Bishop Ito, has direct ties to the message of Our Lady of Fátima and builds upon the apparitions in Portugal from Japan.
ETERNAL WISDOM
聖体奉仕会の祈り
御聖体のうちにまことにおられるイエスの聖心みこころよ、
一瞬の休みもなく全世界の祭壇の上にいけにえとなられ、
御父おんちちを賛美し、み国が来ますようにとこい願う
至聖なる聖心みこころに心を合わせ、
身も心もまったくあなたにお捧げいたします。
この貧しい捧げを受け取り、
御父おんちちの光栄と霊魂の救いのために、
み旨のままにお使いくださいますように。
幸いな御母おんははよ、
あなたの御子おんこより引き離されることのないよう、
あなたのものとしてお守りください。アーメン。
ENGLISH: Eucharistic Prayer of Akita
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
TRULY presentin the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father, pleading for the coming of His Kingdom.Please receive this humble offering of myself.
Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls.Most Holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from your Divine Son.
Please defend and protect me as your special child.
Amen.
PORTUGUESE: Oração de Serviço Eucarístico
“Sacratíssimo Coração de Jesus,
verdadeiramente presentena Sagrada Eucaristia, eu consagro meu corpo e minha alma, para ser inteiramente um com vosso Coração, sendo sacrificado a cada instante em todos os Altares do mundo, dando louvor ao Pai e implorando pela vinda do seu Reino.Por favor, receba este humilde oferecimento de mim mesmo (a). Use-me como Vós desejais para a glória do Pai e a salvação das almas.
Santíssima Mãe de Deus, nunca me deixe ficar separado(a) de vosso Divino Filho. Por favor, defendei-me e protegei-me como vosso(a) especial filho(a).
Ámen".
*Note: Sr. Agnes was instructed about the emphasis upon the word “truly”.
Bishop Joseph Marianus Punt gave his letter of approval of the supernatural origin of this devotion. He describes the Church approval process in his letter: “In full recognition of the responsibility of the Holy See, it is primarily the task of the local bishop to speak out in conscience regarding the authenticity of private revelations that take place or have taken place within his diocese.” Similarly, in Akita, Japan, Bishop Ito, with Cardinal Ratzinger’s review of his letter, approved the supernatural origin of the events related to the replica of “Our Lady of All Nations” . January 4th, 1975, tears started to flow from this statue: the "lacrimations" (shedding of tears) started this day and continued, sometimes on consecutive days and sometimes at intervals for a total of 101 times. This phenomenon continued until September 15th, 1981—the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Nossa Senhora das Dores).ECCLESIASTICAL APPROVAL:
“In any case, in keeping with the current norms, given the absence of a repudiation of Bishop Ito's decision by his successors, or by higher authority, the events of Akita continue to have ecclesiastical approval.” [Revised: November 2011]
”罪びとの回心と世界平和のためロザリオを毎日唱えなさい” (Pray the Rosary Daily)
For those new to the story of Akita, we invite you to revisit the life of visionary & mystic, Sister Agnes. Learn about:
her mysterious wound
Our Lady’s weeping statue
the link between
AKITA & FÁTIMA
CLICK HERE to watch a one-hour presentation with archival footage from the original interviews with Sister Agnes, her superior and her Bishop who reflects at 43:00 why he wrote the pastoral letter of approval.
The Bishop later provides direct spiritual reflections on the warning given to the world by Our Lady of Akita and what these messages of warning mean to our generation.
”わたしはロザリオの聖母です”
… legendas em português abaixo, com a Irmã Sasagawa falando japonês…
The intervention of many supernatural events described in the 1973 testimony of Sister Sasagawa in Akita, Japan received ecclesiastical approval.2
ABOUT the Chapel of Our Lady of Akita in Japan (SUMMER INFO)
An invitation from Sister Agnes Sasagawa to pray in the chapel where on June 12, 1973 she saw a great bright light from the tabernacle which flooded the chapel: a sign that Christ is truly present. The next day, the light was “surrounded by a red flame”. Then, on the vigil of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, she envisioned ‘an adoring crowd of spiritual beings’ worshipping the Eucharistic Lord”.3
The chapel is open for prayer daily (excepting Wednesdays as of May 2023)
9H30 to 11H30
CLOSED FOR LUNCH
13H00 to 16H00
NOTE: Praying in the garden at theSeitai Hoshikaishrine is possible daily from 9H00 to 16H00.
NOTE: Groups over 13 pilgrims AND priests who wish to celebrate Mass will be required to make reservations in advance.
NOTE: Individual pilgrims do not need to make reservations.
Everyone is welcome.
CONTACT:
電話 | Phone: 018-868-2139
FAX : 018-868-4728
COORDINATES ON GOOGLE: 〒010-0822 秋田県秋田市添川湯沢台1
Our Lady of Akita Shrine, "Redemptoris Mater"
The Chapel of Seitai Hoshikai (聖体奉仕会)
”Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist”
Soegawa Yuzawadai 1
Akita 010-0822 JAPAN
従順: Obedience | Obediência (Obedecer a Deus)
貞潔: Chastity | Castidade (Pureza Divina)
清貧: Poverty | Pobreza (Virtude da pobreza)
VIDEO on SEITAI HOSHIKAI: 聖体奉仕会
JUMP TO GOOGLE MAPS TO VIEW THE CHAPEL ONLINE: https://goo.gl/maps/8w6xTUTqccwC7JGYA
Musings / Notes / Annotations on Akita | by: The Rosary Hour Podcast Team
“The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary & the sign left by My Son.”
DIRE WARNING DURING THE PRAYER OF THE ROSARY IN JAPAN:
On Oct. 13, when Sister Agnes Sasagawa began to pray the Rosary, she received a dire & urgent message from Our Lady about a future where humanity had rejected God. [JUMP TO FOOTNOTE4 for the message given].
Sister Agnes received instruction about the remedy by our taking every opportunity to ask for her assistance through her Son, with a powerful message of hope about the importance of unceasing Eucharistic adoration & the prayer of the Rosary.
After a lengthy investigation, the local bishop, John Shoojiroo Ito of Niigata, approved the apparition to be of supernatural origin and “worthy of belief.” The Vatican has not made an official statement, leaving it up to the local bishop’s discretion. (J. Haffert)
THE LINK: FÁTIMA, the USA, AKITA & BEYOND
What is the significance of the interview between John Haffert and Sister Lúcia, visionary of Fátima?In a meeting in Portugal, Sister Lúcia prayerfully decided to entrust to John Haffert the great mission of assisting her efforts to spread the Message of Our Lady of Fátima to the whole world!
Accordingly, some report that Lúcia expressed worry that the message of Fátima, originally given to her country in 1917, through a series of apparitions, was not able to be promoted throughout all the world as quickly as she imagined.
Primarily, this was due to the Estado Novo (1933 – 1974) which was one of the “longest authoritarian regimes in 20th-century Europe.” This movement was “inspired by autocratic, authoritarian, and fascist ideologies” and while it was “nationalist in nature” it also “defended Portugal’s traditional Catholicism”.That being said, however, given the political realities of state control over self-expression at the time, etc. Sister Lúcia was able to inspire the American John Haffert to help her cause and thus help Our Lady
more quickly spread the message of the Rosary & advance the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart.5
After listening to Sister Lúcia, Haffert returned to the USA promising to help the now Venerable Sister Lúcia find creative ways to inspire the whole world to make needed reparation to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, especially through First Saturday Devotion.
Haffert went on to imagine and create in 1947 The World Apostolate of Fátima a.k.a. The Blue Army (USA) to teach the world the message of Fátima:
Learn more here:
Ironically, Haffert went on to write the book:“THE MEANING OF AKITA”!We invite you to study Haffert’s book which contains the full story & the messages relayed to Sister Agnes by Heaven in private revelation: http://johnhaffert.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/The-Meaning-of-Akita.pdf.
HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY, 50 YEARS AFTER AKITA?
What efforts are we making in 2023 to respond to Our Lady’s requests…
to Pray the Rosary every day (with 1 or 2 other people, if possible)
to visit the Eucharistic Jesus in the tabernacle, in adoration, in prayer in the effort to make reparation to save souls?
to spread worldwide (even in our own communities) the interest in First Saturday Devotion & regular participation in at least Five First Saturdays with monthly Confession, Mass, Rosary, 15 minutes of Meditation on the Mysteries of the Rosary?
IDEA #1: TEACH THE BASICS of the PUBLIC PRAYER OF THE ROSARY
Try using the original transcription & document the Rosary Hour Podcast team used in March 2022 to pray together when we first began this journey: 6
IDEA #2: SHARE FREE RESOURCES ON THE ROSARY WITH OTHERS
There are many free teaching resources for Educators / Catechists / The Domestic Church. We invite you to teach the Rosary to others in creative ways; pick what works for your community; spread the word!
We are currently UPDATING our GOOGLE DRIVE for World Youth Day + renovating our materials with easy-to-remember websites for teaching the Rosary to anyone in multiple languages.
If you wish to find a LIVE ROSARY, and start praying right now, why not use, bookmark &/or share our friend Keith Nester’s 24/7 LIVE ROSARY from YouTube?
Keith Nester sent our team a copy of his book Unpacking the Mysteries of the Rosary. We are in the process of reviewing the book and invite you to take a moment to read peruse a sample here: https://www.amazon.com/Unpacking-Mysteries-Rosary-Connecting-Spiritual-ebook/dp/B0BCH4P6GZ.
IDEA #3: TEACH OTHERS TO INSERT THE FÁTIMA PRAYER AFTER EACH DECADE OF THE ROSARY
Of great interest to the apparitions at Akita, Japan is The Fatima Prayer, originally delivered to the children of Fátima on July 13, 1917 in Portugal.
According to John Haffert, this prayer part of the first message communicated to Sister Agnes: it was taught to her by her Guardian Angel in 1969, long before the appearance of Our Lady in her chapel.
This prayer was the “O Meu Jesus” taught by Our Lady at Fatima!” but in Japanese" (c.f. Haffert pg. 2).
Haffert summarizes the following story of
Sister Agnesin the hospital inMyoko:
Whensaying herRosary: “the angel appeared and told her to pray at the end of each decade:
“O MY JESUS, FORGIVE US OUR SINS; SAVE US FROM THE FIRES OF HELL; LEAD ALL SOULS TO HEAVEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE MOST IN NEED."
Haffert further notes:
“A priest who later heard Agnes saying this prayer asked where she had learned it. He recognized it as the prayer taught at Fátima and was amazed that Agnes knew it because it had not yet been published in Japan.
The angel guardian of Sister Agnes was to appear to her many more times, but the first appearance was to teach the prayer taught by Our Lady of Fatima to be said between each decade of the Rosary.
Obviously this becomes a part of the MESSAGE of Akita... although it is not singled out as such... just as it is a part of the message of Fátima.
When the children of Fátima (and now Sister Agnes) were instructed to say this prayer, WE [too] were so instructed!This is one of the instruments conveyed to us now to turn back the tide of evil, prevent the chastisement, and bring about the triumph of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. (John Haffert)
IDEA #4: For his First Saturday Devotion LIVESTREAM talk on July 1, 2023, Fr. Chris Alar posted this video on AKITA:
What is the dire prophecy? Watch the following video for a recent analysis of the significance of this Marian apparition:
A priest or trusted spiritual director can assist discussion about any aspect of this video7, these Marian Apparitions, etc.
FOOTNOTES
The Holy Spirit has a way of inspiring the desire to learn different languages so to be part of a community of prayer. RHPN suggests learning to read the two basic alphabets in Japanese before your pilgrim visit to Japan. If time, use this website: https://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/en/letters/hiragana.html.
As a start, new students of Japanese can learn:
“Hirigana” — the phonetic alphabet that all Japanese readers & children learn first, and which often in books unlocks the phonetic key to reading Kanji characters phonetically (all children’s books, comic books (manga) etc. use this alphabet to assist).
“Katakana” — the second phonetic alphabet for ‘foreign’ words not originating in Japan, many of which tend either to be English in origin, and / or used in popular culture (names of bands / fast foods), corporate marketing, etc. In this post, we insert the word, for instance メッセージ (メ = me; ッセ ー = saaaa; ジ = ze (me-ssaa-ge) = Message.
A great free resource is created by NHK WORLD-JAPAN: https://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/en/lessons/01.html#kanji
NOTE: This site has quite an accurate set of dialogues teaching how to communicate in Japan with locals; the notes list new vocabulary embedded in basic videos.
Pilgrims to Akita (where the sisters do not speak much English) would find this language site useful; lots of practical tips for most situations, i.e. phrases likeすみません = sumimasen (excuse me), a very dynamic Japanese word, and other important cultural norms of politeness that emerge with all of the request verbs: one ends always with the formal “KUDASAI” ください!
NOTE: This post includes a diagram of the Rosary in Japanese. RHP looks forward to posting the Digital Toolkit to the Rosary in Japanese before 2024.
Laszewski, Wincenty. The World of Marian Apparitions. Manchester, NH, Sophia Institute Press, 2021. See page 246-255 for a good summary on Akita in the chapter entitled “Apocalyptic Madonna”.
THE MESSAGE ON OCT. 13, 1973:
“My dear daughter, listen well to what I have to say to you. You will inform your superior. As l told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only weapon you will have left is the Rosary and the sign left by my son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the pope, the bishops, and priests.”
Then at the end of the message:
“This is the last time I will speak to you in a living voice. From now on you will obey the one sent to you and your superior.
Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I alone am able still to save you from the impending calamities. Those who will place their confidence in me will be saved.”
In our own humble way, our core team decided to call one another during the pandemic to talk about and pray the Rosary; we wanted to find a way to teach those in our direct peer group (and our children who were open to learning this devotion) — the words (which not all of us, we discovered, knew in our own language!). Also, when faced with questions by our children, we found out that we didn’t really know how to explain why the Rosary was so important, hence the beginning of our podcast journey many months ago! Exciting news: Season 2 LIVE RECORDS led by Amelia & friends, coming soon!
In Fr. Chris’s video on Akita / Fátima, he notes that the tears from the statue of Our Lady of All Nations began weeping in Japan in 1973, the very same year as the trial of Roe v. Wade, a legal case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States in January 1973. Lots of resources on this case with multiple discussions on both sides of the debate to discuss with a local pastor / community in the context of the Catechism / the Gospel.