Ash Wednesday in Japan

So, I've been what my dad calls a CEO Catholic or... my new term (that I like better, sorry Dad!) ECO-Catholic.

There's a Catholic church on the island, and I met the Father a while ago (He's German!). But, I haven't actually gone to a Mass. Now that I'm living by myself I find it hard to get up in time to go. Or, I'm really busy. As the weekends are the only time to do some island hopping.

Well, since it was Ash Wednesday, I felt I really should go.

So, I finally went.

It is soo small. The Church is actually a converted house. And, along with the Father, there are two sisters.

So, about Mass in Japan. When I got there I thought I was really early, even though I knew I was a minute late. There were less than 10 people -- including the two sisters and father.

Let me tell you, Communion goes a lot faster with that few.

Of course, the whole Mass was in Japanese. And, I was confused as can be. But, about 15 minutes in, one of the sisters handed me a pamphlet that had the Japanese written down in both characters and roman letters, the English translation, and the Latin translation. Really helped!

Like I said, the congregation is really small 5 people, so during the homily, the father just kind of chats to us. There is a topic, a moral from the reading, but he knows everyone so well that he kind of just chats about life on the island and things that each person does. It's really different, but in a good way. Everyone knows each other so well, that it's just like old friends getting together. And... to be frank... I do mean older literally. I think I'm the youngest by about 60 or 70 years. I can't help but wonder if these few islanders converted when there was an American base on the island? Interesting though, huh?


So, about Ash Wednesday. We went up to receive the ashes and I realized that they were given on top of the head, not on the forehead. Being so tall (I feel like a giant here), I had to squat a bit so he could put the ashes on my head.

Also, the part of Mass where we usually shake hands, we bow here. You know you're in Japan when... right? ;)

After mass, everyone just kind of stayed put and chatted. They wanted to know everything about me. And one of the women there has a sister living in Ohio! Imagine that. She can't remember where, but she said she'll try to find out.

Pretty nice time. And the talking after is great Japanese practice!

Oh, the coolest part: like I said, the Father is from Germany originally. He's one of the only Catholic priests on the Kagoshima islands (as I gather) and he ferries back and forth between this island and the island just North of me about every two weeks or so.

So, he doesn't really know English, or he did learn it at one time but it's been so long since he's used it. So, we communicate in Japanese.

Now, I remember (and Casey if you're reading this, you should remember too!!) that when two people who speak different native languages use a third common language to talk there's actually a linguistic term for it. I believe (after a little internet searching, Thank you Google!) that the common language you use to talk in is called Lingua Franca. It was a very interesting moment to be able to use Japanese, a language that a few years ago I could barely form a coherent sentence with, to have a full, long, conversation with another person who's native language isn't Japanese.

Phew, you guys get two posts in one day!!

~Steph