VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Sister Marion Kikukawa, Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
One of the things I really appreciate at St. Francis Convent in Manoa is the regularity of our community prayer and daily Mass schedule. For our morning and evening praise we use a prayer book filled with reflections from our Franciscan spiritual heritage. I also do a lot of spiritual reading and keep current with the inspiration, workings and wisdom of our Holy Father Pope Francis. On the Internet there are other Franciscan reflections, inspirations and periodicals that I glean from. These are some ways I keep my soul green.
I recently read the book, “The Great Reformer,” by Austen Ivereigh. It is a biography of Pope Francis which I found not only very interesting, but remarkable in the way it gave a clear understanding of how his whole life had been a preparation for the present. This Advent I’m really looking forward to spending time with the newly published “Bringing Forth Christ, Five Feasts of the Child Jesus by St. Bonaventure,” by Andre Cirino, OFM et al. The meditative book examines what spiritual motherhood can mean for us through looking at the feasts of the Annunciation, Nativity, the Holy Name of Jesus, Epiphany and the Presentation.
The results of the brain injury I had in 2010, and the long recovery which is still occurring in part, has taught me a lot. There was a point when it was not possible to read a long book. There have been little learnings about patience, although I have not perfected that yet; about realizing that even with limitations, there are things I can do, and ways that I can be life giving for myself and, I hope, for others.
I spend much of my time in our health center with other sisters who are experiencing limitations and changes in their lives. This gives me much joy. I try to be encouraging and supportive and bring some happiness and humor to them. Every other Friday, several of us gather for about an hour to walaau — talk story on a topic I have prepared. Topics have ranged from global concerns to the common, such as what Thanksgiving means to us. I try to draw on memories, and what these mean for us today. One day I had my mom, Cecily Kikukawa, speak on Henry Opukahaia, one of the first Hawaiians that became a Christian and through whose pleas the Protestants sent the first missionaries to Hawaii. She had written a children’s book on him.
I am proud to be from Molokai along with fellow religious, Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona, Franciscan Sister Theresa Laureta and Trappist Father Harold Meyer. It is especially meaningful having been able to look down the mountainside at Kalaupapa while growing up. I had been a part of the process leading to St. Marianne’s beatification and canonization.
To all those religious, priests, laity and friends who have prayed for me, including Bishop Larry, I truly believe that it is through your intercession that I am still alive and doing fairly well. If anything ever convinced me of the power of prayer personally, this has been the experience.
Sister Marion Kikukawa is a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. She is 45 years professed. Sister Marion lives at St. Francis Convent in Manoa where she ministers in community services.
