Interview with Sr. Teresia Furuki, 

Superior General of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus

By Salesian Bulletin KOR - May 2017

Seoul, Korea, 10 May 2017 -- Sr. Teresia Furuki gave this interview during her Korean language course in Korea last March and the interview was translated from Japanese to Korean by Sr. Ursula Chong. We share shortened version of the interview (The Salesian Bulletin of Korea, n. 144 – May 2017)

Vocation journey?

I was born in Fukuoka, Southern Japan in a traditional Catholic family. Among 9 siblings we are four members of the Salesian family (elder brother SDB, elder sister CSJ – both already passed away and younger sister – CSJ is a missionary in Bolivia). When I was five years old I met one sister in the hospital after a car accident of my brother. She invited me in a straightforward way: ‘Furuki, It would be nice, if become a Sister!’ And my reply and promise was ‘Yes’. And from that moment on I try to keep this promise and from my high school age I joined the Caritas Aspirants (grade 7). That Sister became later on Sr. Apolinaris, former Mother General who passed away in 2015.

Your personal feeling at the moment of election as Superior General?

Last May 30, 2015 suddenly our former Mother General Sr. Apolinaris Yuriko passed away during her visit to Brazil vice-province. I was the Moderator of the General Chapter called for the election of her successor. I was very sure, that I would be not elected, since I have not the necessary qualities. After election I was much afraid and would like to escape, since I never imagine this situation before. However due the prayer of many Sisters and with a faith in God’s Providence and Grace I did accept this service.

What is the charisma of Caritas Sisters of Jesus?

Of course we find it in our Constitutions in very detailed way. Our charism is about sharing the Love of God with the people. We can know it through the first generation of Salesian missionaries in Japan – Fr. Vincenzo Cimatti and Fr. Antonio Cavoli. During their missionary send-off Eucharist the third successor of Don Bosco Blessed Philip Rinaldi told them: ‘Japan is a developed country but Japanese people don’t know yet about God. Their hearts can be touched only by the Love of God!’ And the first Salesian did their best to put in the first mission very poor mission of Miyazaki this advice in action. In the parish of Miyazaki the Salesians started a charity mission with a help of young ladies called ‘Sisters of Mary’ through family visits. Then was founded a ‘House of Salvation’ for homeless people where the first members of the ‘Society of Mercy (愛子會) lived and served the poor. These are our roots through the practice of God’s Mercy and this life model attracted many more young women to follow Jesus in our Congregation and this became also our spirituality.

You celebrate 80th anniversary of foundation. How do you envision your future?

My dream about the Caritas of Jesus Congregation? It’s a difficult question. Although we don’t have a clear vision, we live faithfully on the journey indicated by God. As a Superior general I live always with an open heart trying to do my best. I’m always trusting in God, whatever does happen on our journey. During my term of service to the Congregation I wish not to like to focus on some new or great external work that would attract attention in the world or in the Church. I’m happy even if some Sisters after my term of service would question: ‘What did we accomplish during Sr. Teresia Furuki’s term?’ I would only help each one of our Sisters would live with an open heart and fix her eyes at God and walk with Him joyfully to live our spirituality. This my dream about our future, this is my most important mission as the Superior of our Congregation.

You served as the head of the Commission for the revision of the Constitutions. What are the most important parts of your Constitutions and Regulations?

Thanks to help of many Sisters, of Fr. Midali, SDB our new Constitutions are close to the original version and renewed according the present biblical, theological and ecclesial vision. It was a very long journey, we needed a lot of patience especially due to the fast growth of the Congregation to more than 15 countries from the foundation situation in Japan. This long and slow process started in 2004. The Portuguese, Korean and Japanese versions of the renewed Constitutions were studied, translated forth and back few time in order to get the common understanding in all languages and culture where our sisters are living. In the same time the Regulations became shorter to give more space to the provincial directory that give more localized indication in each different situation.

Any greeting to the Sisters living three Korean provinces?

Congratulations for the 80th anniversary of our foundation and 60th anniversary of our start in Korea! It seems that now after 80 years there are more people you hunger for love than in 1937, there are more people who are waiting for the Mercy of God in our times! I think, that our Congregation is more needed than in the past! In the present situation we don’t’ need so much showy great works or institutions. We need that each of our Sister will practice the Love of God. Let’s become in this way the Caritas Sister of Jesus Congregation religious! We ponder the words of Blessed Don Rinaldi in 1925 when we sent first nine Salesian missionaries to Japan: ‘Only with Love - Caritas will touch and attract the hearts of the people!’ This is the origin of our Charism, lived among the first Sister with Fr. Cimatti and Fr. Cavoli. I pray for the evangelization in this country. Don’t forget our first love and first heart! We are united in prayer!

Sr. Teresia was born in 1964 (Japan, Fukuoka), made her first profession in 1986, after the perpetual profession in 1992 was sent to the Philippines (Santa Rosa). In 2004 was elected as the General Councilor for Education, in 2010 as the General Councilor for Formation and last October 2015 as the Mother General.

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