On August 9, 1945, the “Fat Man” atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki directly above the Catholic Urakami Cathedral, killing tens of thousands instantly and devastating the city. Accounts from survivors describe scenes of unimaginable destruction—blinding flashes, hurricane-force winds, charred landscapes, and people horribly burned and crying for water. Among the dead were nuns and schoolgirls from Junshin who died singing hymns to Mary, offering themselves in faith. Dr. Takashi Nagai, a survivor and Catholic doctor, reflected on their sacrifice as a witness to the redemptive power of suffering, likening it to the Lamb of Revelation. In the wake of this tragedy, Nagai addressed a grieving, wounded congregation, urging them to see hope in the midst of devastation. Decades later, the Catholic community rebuilt the cathedral’s bell, and Pope Francis prayed at the site, reminding the world of Nagasaki’s lesson on the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare and the call to be instruments of peace.
Journal and reflect on the following
Human Cost: What details from the survivor accounts (e.g., cries for “mizu,” sudden darkness, hurricane-force winds) help you grasp the human reality of nuclear war more than statistics do?
Faith Amid Ruin: How do the testimonies of the Junshin schoolgirls and the prayers within Urakami Cathedral challenge or deepen your understanding of faith and hope in catastrophe?
Dr. Takashi Nagai’s Witness: What does Nagai’s interpretation of suffering (linking it to the Lamb of Revelation) suggest about finding meaning after tragedy? Do you agree?
Memory & Responsibility: How should communities remember events like Nagasaki in ways that honor victims and also promote peacemaking and nuclear disarmament today?
Moral Discernment: What ethical questions about warfare, proportionality, and civilian protection arise from the decision to use atomic weapons over a populated city?
Symbols of Renewal: The remade Nagasaki bell will ring again on Aug 9, 2025. What do rituals, bells, and commemorations contribute to healing and reconciliation?
Being Instruments of Peace: Pope Francis recalled the “catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences” of nuclear attack. What concrete actions—personal, communal, or political—can you take to sow peace, as in the Prayer of St. Francis?
Discuss
Song - Believe - for a brighter future....
79th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing – Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial and Peace Prayer Ceremony
Final Prayer
God of peace and compassion, we lift up to You the people of Japan and all nations that have endured the pain of war, loss, and devastation. May the songs of hope, remembrance, and unity that rise from hearts and voices be instruments of healing for our world. Let music remind us of our shared humanity and stir us to work together for a future free from violence and fear. Bless us with the courage to forgive, the wisdom to choose peace, and the love to see each person as our brother or sister. In Your mercy, bring harmony to the nations and let peace flow like a river through every land. Amen.
