Cardinal Isao Kikuchi has called on Catholics to embrace love, solidarity, and Marian hope as the world faces deepening division and uncertainty.
In his video message for the Fifth Sunday of Easter on May 18, the Archbishop of Tokyo reflected on the significance of May as a month dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
He underscored the relevance of Christ’s commandment to “love one another” in an era marked by fear and exclusion.
“The desire to defend oneself inevitably makes humans selfish. It strengthens our feelings of rejection and exclusion of what is different,” he said. “Especially in these times, we need the words ‘love one another.’”
He described Mary as “Stella Maris, the star of the sea who continues to shine a light of hope in the rough waves of life.” He added, “The Virgin Mary is our star of hope.”
Drawing from Pope Francis’ bull Spes non confundit (Hope Does Not Deceive), Cardinal Kikuchi highlighted the pontiff’s description of Mary as the Church’s supreme witness to hope.
“In her we see that hope is not an empty optimism but a gift of grace in the reality of life…. In spite of the terrible suffering she endured while watching the innocent Jesus suffer and die, she never lost hope and trust in her Lord and continued to say yes,” he quoted.
He also cited the pope’s explanation of the Marian title Stella Maris: “This title expresses the certain hope that when we are faced with the troubled waves of life, the Mother of God comes to our aid, supports us, and invites us to continue to hope with confidence.”
Cardinal Kikuchi urged the faithful to seek Mary’s intercession “so that life, a gift from God, may be protected from violence and its dignity may be established.”
Reflecting on the Gospel of John, he noted that Jesus’ commandment—“Love one another. As I have loved you, you also must love one another”—is a call to imitate the sacrificial love shown on the cross, a love that offers hope and eternal life.
“The Virgin Mary also stood beside the cross and shared Jesus’ suffering, yet she offered everything, and just as she responded to the angel Gabriel on the first day, saying, ‘Let it be done to me according to your word,’ she lived a life of complete dedication,” he said.
Linking his message to the Church’s synodal process, the archbishop emphasized the importance of community and mutual care.
“The Synodal path teaches us that it is the bond of faith that allows us to open our hearts to one another, to listen, to support one another, and to pray for one another that will generate hope for an escape from this desperate situation,” he said.
Among Catholics, May is widely known as “Mary’s Month”—a time set aside for special devotions honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.
