Sister M. Christella Watanabe

✝ Monday, April 3rd 2023

---

"I am risen, and I am with you now and forever.”Preface of the Easter Sunday Mass.

God, our merciful Father, called by name our dear Sister M. Christella Watanabe, General Councilor, from the Japan Province of the Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.  

Born: June 02, 1944

Entrance: September 08, 1969

Profession: April 10, 1972

Died: April 03, 2023

The name of Sister M. Christella is "Yo". This name means "ocean" in Japanese. She was very proud of this name because the wide and deep ocean connects the continents. The tides of the ocean - ebb and flow - teach us the rhythm of life: receiving and letting go, passing and becoming new.

"I am sure that Jesus stood on the shore of Sister M. Christella's life as she set out on her last journey in the evening of her life," says Sister M. Margarete, our Superior General. There Jesus, our Lord, welcomed her with open arms. Hidden in the mystery of eternity, she can now sing the Easter Hallelujah with the Risen Lord.

We express our deepest sympathy to Sister Maria Fidelis and to all the Sisters of the Japan Province.

The Resurrection Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 9.00 a.m. in our Motherhouse Church. Father Michael Plattig, O.Carm, will celebrate the Eucharist with us followed by burial in the Sisters' Cemetery. May Sister M. Christella rest in peace!

Generalate of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis

 48145 Münster, Franzikusweg 2