A Song for Nagasaki

+ J.M.J.A.T

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam et Immaculata

For me, the truth makes me free. 

(And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)

Et cognoscetis veritatem, et veritas liberabit vos.

John 8:32

The reason why this book resonates with me is because I can identify with the life of Dr Takashi Nagai and his wife, Midori, especially that of their married life. I understand and can imagine and feel how Midori must have felt, having to wait long hours for her husband to come back home from the lab, especially when it was apparent to everyone (her the most) that he was suffering from leukaemia because of what he was so passionate about: his research on X-Rays. 

His passion for x-rays and his love for the scientific endeavour can be gleaned from these quotes:

"Microscopes brought a breakthrough into the vast microscopic world, once thought the ultimate frontier, but the atomic world is utterly smaller. The size of planet earth is to an apple what an apple is to an atom! Will x-rays make it possible for us to see this ultramicroscopic world?"

Dr Takashi Nagai experienced "a sense of exhilaration because we are in pursuit of truth, which is eternal! He believed that our laboratory is actually the threshold of the house of God, who created the universe and its very truth."

On one occasion, while studying a kidney case and looking at the brilliant formation of urine crystals, he "felt a great urge to kneel". I feel the same!!! Dr Takashi Nagai clearly saw "that a laboratory could be the same as the cell of a monk."

A snip from Angelus Press's website about the book (press book image for link):

On August 9, 1945, an American B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing tens of thousands of people in the blink of an eye, while fatally injuring and poisoning thousands more. Among the survivors was Takashi Nagai, a pioneer in radiology research and a convert to the Catholic Faith. Living in the rubble of the ruined city and suffering from leukemia caused by over-exposure to radiation, Nagai lived out the remainder of his remarkable life by bringing physical and spiritual healing to his war-weary people.

A Song for Nagasaki tells the moving story of this extraordinary man, beginning with his boyhood and the heroic tales and stoic virtues of his family's Shinto religion. It reveals the inspiring story of Nagai's remarkable spiritual journey from Shintoism to atheism to Catholicism.

Mixed with interesting details about Japanese history and culture, the biography traces Nagai's spiritual quest as he studied medicine at Nagasaki University, served as a medic with the Japanese army during its occupation of Manchuria, and returned to Nagasaki to dedicate himself to the science of radiology. The historic Catholic district of the city, where Nagai became a Catholic and began a family, was ground zero for the atomic bomb.

After the bomb disaster that killed thousands, including Nagai's beloved wife, Nagai, then Dean of Radiology at Nagasaki University, threw himself into service to the countless victims of the bomb explosion, even though it meant deadly exposure to the radiation which eventually would cause his own death. While dying, he also wrote powerful books that became best-sellers in Japan. These included The Bells of Nagasaki, which resonated deeply with the Japanese people in their great suffering as it explores the Christian message of love and forgiveness.

Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori.

Jesu mitis et humilis corde, Fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum. (ter)

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Anne, Therese, I love You; Save Souls!

Veritas liberavit vos! Jn 8:32

I'm just at the start of a hectic school year and the work seems never ending! :) lol.

During stats class today, I realised how some statistic proofs used, especially hypothesis testing, one sided/two sided are so philosophically inclined. To prove by contradiction. I think I might just use that method, show how its almost like syllogism and use it when I write more when I can grab the time too, to blog on the Evolution Out! series.

Statisticians are wonderful and brilliant. lol. They are the philosophers of the scientific community.

Deo volente, I hope I do write properly. Sancte Thomas Aquinas, ora pro nobis!

Here's some good meditation materiel from the Imitation. :)

"Sigh and grieve that thou art still so carnal and worldly; so
much inclined to exterior things, so negligent to the interior; so prone to
judge, so severe in reprehending."

-Chapter 7 of Book IV

Though unworthy, we are still confident, ora pro nobis!:

"For there is no oblation more worthy, nor satisfaction
greater, for the washing away of sins, than to offer thyself purely and entirely
to God, together with the oblation of the Body of Christ, in the Mass and
Communion"

-Chapter 7:4 of Book IV

Oblationem!

Domine non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanibitur anima mea.

Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

And here's one of my favourite prayers, said by Sancte Padre Pio, who is the famous stigmatist of our times, a Saint! In it, we realise how really nothing we are. How small and miniscule we are. How God doesn't really need us to show His glory, because He made everything and everything, including the human intellect is all but just a speck in the everlasting beauty of the eternal kingdom. Everything depends on His will and it would be definitely His will that everyone and everything must follow. O Dearest Love of my soul, I love Thee!

STAY with me, O Lord. It is so necessary to have Thee present,
not to forget Thee; because Thou knowest how easily I abandon Thee.

STAY with me, O Lord, because I am weak and need Thy strength
not to fall so often.

STAY with me, O my Lor, because Thou art my life and without
Thee, I am without fervour.

STAY with me, O Lord, because Thou art my guiding light and
without Thee, I am in real darkness.

STAY with me, O Lord, to show me Thy Divine Will.

STAY with me, O Lord, that I may hear Thy voice and follow
Thee.

STAY with me, O Lord, because it is my desire to love Thee so
much and always be in Thy company.

STAY with me, O Lord, that I may always be faithful.

STAY with me, O Jesus, because as poor as my soul may be, I
really want it to be a home of consolation, a real love nest for Thee.

STAY with me, O Jesus, because it is really getting late and
the day is declining so fast. Naturally realizing that life fades, death,
judgement, eternity approach and it is necessary for me to revive my strength,
not to falter on the way, and for this I really need Thee.

IT is getting late and death is nearing fast. I fear darkness,
temptations, my crosses with their bitterness and fatigue, my sorrows, and I
need Thee so much, my Dear God, in that lonely night of exile.

STAY with me, O Jesus, in the darkness of life and its
dangers. I really need Thee. Let me know Thee as Thy disciples at the fraction
of the bread, that is, that the Holy Eucharist be the light that dispels the
darkness, the strength that sustains me and the sole joy of my heart.

STAY with me, O Jesus, I do not ask for Divine Consolations,
because I am unworthy; but the gift of Thy presence, O yes! I beg it of
THee.

STAY with me, O Lord, it is Thee alone I seek, Thy love, Thy
grace, Thy heart, Thy spirit, because I love Thee and ask no other reward than
to love Thee more and more, with a firm and practical love.

I LOVE Thee with my whole heart on earth, so that I may love
Thee perfectly throughout Eternity.

O Dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for me, protect me!