Sister Maria del Transito de la Virgen SSVM and Sister Maria Fidelis from the Pro-Life Center in Taiwan traveled to Japan in April 2025 to present the 40 Days for Life mission to friends in Japan. Sister Maria has 16 years of experience working with the Sisters of Life in New York.

In Taiwan, the Sisters received a special invitation for the 40th Anniversary of the Respect for Life Pro-life Center. This institution is a non-religious pro-life center. After the visit of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in Japan, hearing the message of Mother Teresa, a group of Shinto (the majority religious group in Japan), Catholic, and Buddhist people started the first pro-life center in Tokyo. The pro-life center receives the approval of the Bishops Conference and the whole of Japanese society as well. 

During the Conference in the morning, they invited many professionals as doctors, lawyers, and politicians, involved in the protection of the unborn. It was very interesting, all of them used many arguments from natural law and a few from religious perspectives. 

During lunchtime, they introduced a special guest, so it was our turn to present in a brief time our pro-life apostolate around Taiwan, the support of the Bishop Conference, and the influence among Chinese speakers around the world. Especially emphasizing the fruits of the “40 Days for Life” around the world, our experience in a country similar to Japan, and the great desire to collaborate as a Catholic church in Japanese society. Finally, we invited them to support the “40 Days” for next year, working together for the protection of the unborn in Japan. 

The sisters also spoke at the Tokyo St Ignatius Church Latin American group. They had the opportunity to talk with the sister in charge of the Latin American community in the huge St. Ignatius Church. Sister Marcela was very enthusiastic about promoting the protection of the unborn, so she offered to help as much as she could for Lent. 

On the same day, the sisters met with Sr. Flor, in charge of the large number of English speakers’ community at Tokyo St Ignatius Church (English speakers group). They received the same welcome for “40 Days for Life” from the community. They arranged talks and some activities in the church at time.

The sisters also met Bishop Nagano of Kagoshima, who was very enthusiastic to promote during the Lent time the “40 Days for Life”, he wants to reach Japanese and also foreigners. 

The presentation of the "40 Days for Life" campaign for next year during Lent exceeded expectations. The campaign receives a welcome from different groups in different areas of Japan. Until now, the sisters can not find a local leader, so during this year they need to see the possibilities and reality with time and people to support them from outside. Looks like the best time is during Lent, so the sisters will be in contact with the international team to see how to support them from Asia. 

May God guide them in this new start for the protection of the unborn in another country in Asia!