By Oyama Yui DBVG

Tokyo, Japan, on April 26, 2025 - We, DBVG (Don Bosco Volunteer Group), spent a day volunteering at the Motherhouse of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus (SCG) in Tokyo. We assisted in removing old furniture in preparation for the building's reconstruction. The convent's serene and nostalgic ambiance, along with the enduring statue of Mary, Help of Christians, made a lasting impression on us.

In the morning, we carried out desks, shelves, and other furniture that had been used for decades, loading them onto a truck. These pieces had fulfilled their purpose and were now being quietly sent off in preparation for the new convent. After finishing the morning work, we were treated to a homemade curry rice meal prepared by the sisters. The simple, homely taste had a nostalgic quality, warming us to our core. As we all gathered around the table, laughing and going back for seconds, the fatigue from the morning’s work naturally melted away. After the meal, we all helped wash the dishes together. We filled buckets with water, washing each plate while calling out to one another. That moment, too, became a treasured memory of the day.

In the afternoon, we continued removing and organizing items. The sound of footsteps echoing on the tiled floor, the thud of items being loaded into the truck—each of these small sounds felt like a rhythm connecting the history and the future of this place. In the evening, after all the work was done, we gathered in the convent’s chapel. There, a memorial Mass for Pope Francis was held. The gentle voices of hymns and prayers filled the quiet chapel. The day, made meaningful by the Sisters' heartfelt hospitality and efforts to share, fostered unity across different backgrounds and left deep gratitude and lasting memories. The experience inspired a quiet hope that, like Mary, Help of Christians, who watches over all, we will gently carry on this spirit. Please continue to pray and support us. From August 24 to September 7, we will be returning to Tắc Vân in Cà Mau Province, at the southernmost part of Vietnam, for another round of volunteer work. This marks our third year in Vietnam.

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