4 January 2011: The Tears of Our Lady of Akita

The Mother of God has entrusted Sister Agnes Saragawa, a Japanese nun with important messages for the world. In 1973, the Blessed Virgin appeared in Japan, where about 0.3 percent of the population is Catholic. The religious order and convent visited by the Blessed Virgin is dedicated to adoration of the Holy Eucharist. The first focus of the mystical events at Akita* was to affirm the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist. (*Approved by the local bishop.)

On 4 January 1975, the statue wept for the first time. The angel told Sister Agnes: “Do not be so surprised to see the Blessed Virgin weeping. She weeps because she wishes the conversion of the greatest number. She desires that souls be consecrated to Jesus and to the Father by her intercession. ... The Blessed Virgin rejoices in the consecration of Japan to her Immaculate Heart because she loves Japan.

“But she is sad to see that this devotion is not taken seriously. ... The prayer which you have the custom of saying, ‘Grant to Japan the grace of conversion through the intercession of the Virgin Mary’, is pleasing to the Lord. ... speak to the greatest number in order to console the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Spread this devotion with courage for their greater glory.”

Ref: Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, 1993, pp181, 189

Mary as Co-Redemptrix

The events at Akita allude to the Blessed Virgin as Co-Redemptrix. Mary’s message comes in several ways:

1) the statue is a reproduction of ‘Our Lady of All Nations’ as she appeared in Amsterdam, when she announced a forthcoming dogmatic proclamation of Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate; 2) the right hand of the statue bears a cross-shaped stigmata which bled; and 3) the statue sweated fluid and wept blood.

The sweat and blood evoke images of Our Lord during His Passion. The Mother of Christ as Co-Redemptrix shares in Her Son’s suffering. “If there is a particular conclusion to be drawn from the blood shed by Our Lady of Akita, it is that her mission as Co-Redemptrix has never ended, that it continues to this very day”, said the missionary who worked in Japan for thirty years and was superior to the Sisters.
Ref: Ibid, op cit, 182

Mary, Co-redemptrix with the Redeemer

Mary, the humble handmaid of the Lord was chosen by the Father in fulfilling her God-elected task with her redeeming Son as the ‘Co-redemptrix’ (‘co’ meaning ‘with’ not ‘equal to’). Foreshadowed as the Co-redemptrix in the Old Testament (cf Gen 3:15; Is 7:14), she became the Co-redemptrix with her ‘Fiat’ at the Anunciation (cf Lk 1:28).

Her role as Co-redemptrix was prophesied to her by the power of the Holy Spirit at the Temple. (cf Lk 2:35) As Mary, Virgin of Nazareth, she became Co-redemptrix in its fullest expression through her intimate and intense suffering with the Redeemer at the foot of the cross. (cf Jn 19:26)

As gift for her sharing in the redemption of the human family, Mary also becomes Mediatrix and Advocate for her children in the order of grace. Pope John Paul II concludes, “Mary’s role as Co-redemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son”. (Pope John Paul II, “Address”, Sanctuary of “Our Lady of Arbolada”, Guayaquil, 31 January 1985)

Ref: M I Miravalle, “Mary: Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate”

Simplicity and naturalness of the Holy Family

“Mary, the most holy Mother of God, passes unnoticed as just one more among the women of her town. Learn from her how to live with naturalness.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, "The Way", 499) Her simplicity and naturalness made her very amiable.

Jesus was a model of perfect simplicity. In manifesting his Divinity, he performed the miracles without vain-glory. He was accessible to all -- the terminally sick and abandoned; the Apostles and children.

Simplicity, a sign of humility is essential in our relationship with God, for spiritual direction and in dealing with others. “Naturalness. Let your lives as Christian men, ... women -- your salt and your light -- flow spontaneously, without anything odd or absurd; always carry with you a spirit of simplicity." (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, "The Way", 379)

“If thy eye is clear, the whole of thy body will be lit up.” (Mt 6:22) Simplicity demands transparency and a right intention which preserves us from serving two masters: God and ourselves. Simplicity also requires a strong will which leads us to choose the good. It tempers an exclusively sensual life. The simple person rightly judges events, persons and things illumined by faith, not by momentary impressions. (cf I Celaya, “Simplicity”, in “Gran Enciclopedia Rialp”, Madrid 1971, vol 21, pp173-4)

Simplicity is a consequence of the spiritual childhood to which Jesus calls us: “Believe me, unless you become like little children” -- in simplicity and innocence -- “you shall not enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:2-3). We go to Our Lord like children because we know he ignores external appearances, but “reads the heart” (1 Sam 16:7).

If we are simple before God we will always be simple with everybody. We will act and speak in complete accord with our thoughts and desires; show ourself as we are and not pretend to be what we are not or to have what we do not possess. It is always a great joy to meet someone like Nathanael who earned Our Lord’s praise: “Here comes one who belongs to the true Israel: there is no falsehood in him.” (Jn 1:47)

Jesus also makes us beware of “false prophets, men who come ... in sheep’s clothing” (Mt 7:15), who think one thing, but do another. We must be completely simple in prayer, spiritual guidance and Confession.

Simplicity and naturalness are extremely attractive but difficult virtues because pride gives us an exaggerated idea of ourselves. Pride can lead us to think exclusively about our personal problems; to seek a word of praise, to be the center of attention.

Simplicity is not being naive -- “I am sending you out to be like sheep among wolves: you must then be prudent as serpents and yet innocent as doves.” (Mt 10:16)

“The Apostles, for all their evident and undeniable defects, were sincere, simple, transparent. You, too have evident and undeniable defects. May you not lack simplicity.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 932)

If we contemplate Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their ordinary life, they will teach us how to be like children before God and talk to Him personally.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:313-8

Pessimism -- “Turn to Our Lady -- the Mother, Daughter and Spouse of God, and our Mother -- and ask her to obtain more graces for you from the Blessed Trinity: the grace of faith, of hope, of love and of contrition. So that when it seems that a harsh dry wind is blowing in your life, threatening to wither those flowers of your soul, they will not wither -- and neither will those of your brothers." (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 227)

You can! -- “Do not abandon me, Lord. Don’t you see the bottomless pit this poor son of yours would end up in? My Mother: I am your son, too.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 314)

Dedication of Our Lady of Treves, in Germany, in the year 746, by Hydolph, Archbishop of Treves. The Princess Genevieve, wife of Syfrede, Palatine of Treves, and daughter of the Duke of Brahant, erected this church in a wood, on the very spot where Our Lady appeared to her, and assured her that her innocence should one day he acknowledged. (Bethlehem Observer Historical Calendar)

Madonna della Treviso, Italy. 746. Appears to St Jerome Emiliani, 1530. ["Dedication of Our Lady of Treves, Germany, 746, by Hydolph, Archbishop of Treves. The Princess Genevieve (wife of Syfrede, Palatine of Treves, and daughter of the Duke of Brabant), erected this church in a wood, on the very spot where Our Lady appeared to her, and assured her that her innocence should one day be acknowledged. (Additions to Molanus, "De sanctia Belgicis".) (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

Our Lady of Treves (Germany). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

Our Lady of Treves, Italy (746). Appeared to St Jerome Emiliani, 1530. (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)