The statue certainly looks a lot like her but it`s not. I came across it while sightseeing several years ago and took the photo myself on the grounds of a Buddhist temple. She is Kannon and more about this Buddhist deity can be read on the following wikipedia pages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guan_Yin#Guanyin_and_the_Virgin_Mary
As I have mentioned before the song Ave Maria is popular and widely used here in a variety of settings from weddings to commercials. The latest commercial to use the song is for Haagen Daz as you can watch here
http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/brand/cm.html
By my own research, of asking several Japanese friends, their opinion is that the vast majority of people in general have no idea what Ave Maria is really about they just think it sounds nice.
In response to a commenter challenging me to say one rosary a week for one year for Japan I have finally said my first rosary in response to that. I was waiting until I returned from Rome with my brand new rosary and its papal blessing. I think I started at a good time too because while I prayed for the church in Japan I also prayed we be protected from natural disasters like those that have affected Burma and China. My prayers for those affected by those disasters where at a different time as I intend to keep this rosary focused on Japan specifically.
Speaking of disasters before I left for my trip I said a blessing over my apartment that nothing would happen while I was gone, and left my crucifix (it`s on a stand) on the shelf at the entrance as a guard God. I know it`s silly but I thought if anyone broke in they might be a bit deterred. When I got home everything was fine even though I read on the news there had been a fairly noticeable earthquake in the area hours before.
All I can say is I hope other hospitals here, especially in Tokyo, follow their lead.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hGpj_y5zOQtKP-6N-9HallLOAEdQ
Yes mess not mass. Actually this is a photo of the mess after theSunday May 4 mass. I am a bit surprised that people left what is effectively their church square in such a state. I would have thought that this being St Peters people would be a bit more considerate but I guess not.
Lately the news has reported several cases of people attempting suicide by concocting poisonese hydrogen sulfide gas One case was even covered internationally because the neighbors in the girls building had begun to feel sick. The latest case I saw on the tv news tonight talked about a man who had gassed himself in his car but left a note warning of the gas. The most surprising thing to me came at the end of the story. The news cast gave out a toll free phone help line for people to call if they feel suicidal! Sounds ordinary right but I have never watched a news program do such a thing before and it is about time they did too!
Im back safe and sound from an amazing time in Rome. I was able to see the Holy Father twice as well as all the famous and historical sites. Of all the churches I entered St Peter`s was my favorite and the most stunning in every way. I was awestruck just to actually be there I couldn’t even take photos for one hour. I entered and instantly I wanted to sit and pray and take it all in so I found a chapel and sat for thirty minutes or more.
I am still recovering from jet lag so will keep this post short and will end with a fantastic photo I took of our wonderful pope Benedict .
His account of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,854114,00.html
Fr Max Defoux (86) and Fr Riccardo Magrin (84)
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=11937&size=A
While to Western ears the word missionary is often associated with a sex position or an outdated, oppressive person who forces pagan peoples to believe or die, or something along those lines it doesn`t have such a bad connotation here. Well as far as I know anyway. The majority of noticeable mission work here is by church run schools and hospitals, both Catholic and Protestant, and for a long time they were sources of some of the most respected education and medical care in the country.
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