Newly elected Provincial Leadership Team in the Japan Province

The Provincial Chapter of Election of the Japan Province was opened on Saturday, October 10, 2021 with the chapter theme:

"God is with us -  Walking into the future with hope”.

Because of the Corona entry restrictions, Sister M. Margarete Ulager, General Superior, could not travel to Japan. She participated in the Provincial Chapter as a “digital” participant. ‘Therefore she could not preside over the Provincial Chapter of election.  Father John (Masatoshi Yamaguchi) OFMconv from Nagasaki, Japan, had agreed to assume this task.On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, the capitulars completed the elections.

Sister Maria Fidelis Furukawa is re-elected as the Provincial Superior of the Japan Province. Re-elected as the Provincial Vicaress and the first Councilor is Sister M. Laetitia Matsunaga.

Re-elected to the Provincial Council for a second term of office are Sister M. Theodora Wakatsuki and Sister M. Vianney Kawaguchi.

A new member elected to the Provincial Council is Sister M. Pacis Park.

It is surely a beautiful sign of Divine Providence that the election of the Sisters of the new Provincial Leadership falls on October 13. On this day in the year 1847, the Franciscan Provincial Minister confirmed the Constitutions drawn up by Father Christopher Bernsmeyer in accordance with the Third Order Franciscan Rule.

The installation of the new provincial Leadership took place on October 14, 2021 in the chapel of the provincial house in Himeji. They were installed in office by Cardinal Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda, Archbishop of Osaka. The provincial house in Himeji belongs to the Archdiocese of Osaka.

For the first time, Sisters of the International Congregation were able to be present, as Sister Maria Fidelis had invited all Sisters of the International Congregation to participate in the installation ceremony via Zoom.

From October 15 to October 19, 2021 in the Chapter of Affairs, important factual issues and focal points were discussed, decisions  were made and future objectives defined.

May God’s blessing be with the new Provincial leadership team and may His Holy Spirit guide them.