Sr. Bonaventura Sachiko Kataoka
I, Sr. Bonaventura Sachiko Kataoka, was born and brought up in Nagasaki. My parents were earnest Catholics. And my great-grandfather was persecuted for his faith; he eluded a pursuit and lived at Shikokuon, one of the 4 big islands in Japan.
When he returned to Nagasaki, he lost everything, land and property. I was impressed that he did not abjure God and continued keeping faith with the strong mind.
When I was a child, whenever there was an opportunity my mother admonished: "There was no gain if we lose our souls even if we gained the whole world". I am thanking late in my mother.
My vocation
When I visited the hospital to apply for at St. Francis Hospital, Sr. Polycarpa and Sr. Clementia were just visiting in Nagasaki. Fr. Berchmans mistook my intention and he asked me: “Do you want to enter the community? You will see the Sisters immediately.” He took me out to meet them. I was surprised a little and felt somewhat uneasy. I had the dream of becoming a nun since I was a child, because two aunts of my mother’s and father’s side were Sisters. I was surprised; I did not think that my dream would be realized so early.
I pronounced my temporary vows on Oct. 1953 and perpetual vows on October 1958. After working in the hospital for a short time, I went to medical technologist school and radiographer school. After getting a license, I worked as a medical technologist and a radiographer at St. Mary’s Hospital.
You may know that the work of X-rays and inspection was the place that served patients day and night. I sometimes worked at night. One day at midnight an emergency patient came. I did not know that he was gangster. I told him to take off his clothes so I could take an X-ray. As I still could see something on his body, I said again: “Take all off!” He roared “I took off all”. When I looked well, it was the tattoo of a floral design. Though I felt a little fear, I finished taking the X-ray and was relieved.
I have become old. I enjoy spending time with the elderly in our St. Francis Villa- nursing home and I have more time to spare. I thank God for all and also thank our community.