Sr. M. Stella Waka Juliana Doi Doi Waka
To trace the unique journey of this first Japanese sister, let’s explore her life story, conversion, and vocation as published in our magazine “Life in Christ and in the Church” (December 1957 – January 1958) in an article titled: “I Looked at My Star!”.
Waka was born on July 4, 1923, in North Korea, where her parents had moved from Japan 40 years before the outbreak of World War II. Two sisters and a brother died at a young age, but despite delicate health, she enjoyed a happy childhood.
She recalls, “My room was small but had a big window. One evening, I was in my room looking at the sky; I saw a star that seemed more beautiful than all the others, as if it wanted to tell me something. – What do you want? Who are you? – I asked. ‘Oh, my little one! I know your future. You will face many challenges in your life. But I will always be with you; I care about you so much.’ Upon hearing those words, I cried for a long time sitting on my bed. From that moment on, every evening, I looked at my star, talked to it, and listened. I didn’t know what praying meant, and I couldn’t pray. But every night before bed, I did it my way.”
Japan lost the war, and the Japanese were forced to leave Korea. Waka bid farewell to her home, the violin, the piano, Korea (the land of her birth), and many beautiful things that were essential until then. They landed in Fukuoka, and the journey took a month, during which many children died due to lack of food and water. In Fukuoka, Waka separated from her parents and worked at the American Military Base from 1945 to 1949. Her connection with the American Base later proved beneficial, aiding the emerging Pauline Family and leading her to faith.
Sergeant Wright introduced her to Father Martin, who guided her into the Christian life. In their first meeting, he asked, “Have you ever thought about God?” She replied, “I believe there is a God, but I don’t know Him.” Father’s words ignited a genuine desire to know God. She continued visiting him for six months, learning the Catholic Catechism, and then he sent her to the parish priest for another six months of Baptism preparation. Speaking to the priest about her star, he asked, “Do you believe that star is God?” She answered, “No, I believe there is only one God who sees everything, knows everything, and is everywhere. I have always prayed to Him through that star, which shines brightly in the evening and stays in the sky next to the moon in the morning.”
He explained, “That star is the figure we identify as the ‘Morning Star,’ meaning the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.” What joy! It was indeed the Madonna who had said, “… I will always be with you.” She had protected and guided me! My heart was filled with gratitude.”
On April 16, 1949, Holy Saturday, she received Baptism from Bishop Mons. Fukaori, and she was given the name Juliana. On Easter, she received the Eucharist for the first time.
Through a friend serving two Italian missionary fathers, she learned about the arrival of nuns called Disciples of the Divine Master in Japan. Despite warnings from the parish priest about the challenges, she chose this Institute as she felt she owed Jesus for the kindness shown to her. She had discovered Him too late and wanted to love Him through total surrender and sacrifice.
On November 26, 1949, along with another girl who later became Sr. M. Scolastica, Waka moved to Fukuoka to stay with the Paulines until the Disciples of the Divine Master arrived in May 1950. The arriving sisters were Sr. M. Ilaria Vaia and Sr. M. Cordis Drudi. After meeting, Waka was sent to Italy for her novitiate.
Father Angelo Castellotto, a Pauline priest, accompanied and introduced her, saying, “This girl knows how to endure physical and moral pain in an extraordinary way.” She took her First Profession on March 25, 1952, in Alba (CN), receiving the name “Stella” in memory of God’s love in her story. Back in Japan, she assisted missionary sisters, engaging in translations, training young women, and using her artistic sensitivity to initiate painting and music apostolates, contributing to the foundation of the Apostolate.
Many aspirants and postulants inherited her artistic techniques, such as painting on wood, torn and silk-screened papers. She made her Perpetual Profession in Japan, Tokyo, on March 25, 1957. In her request for perpetual vows, she expressed, “I trust that the Divine Master, my eternal spouse, will welcome me…” (January 3, 1957). In 1970, she was sent to South Korea, where she joined Italian sisters to establish our presence in the country. She stayed until 1975 when she returned to Italy, Milan, dedicating herself to drawing and silk-screen printing.
In 1979, she was requested for further missionary service and went to the United States. There, she served as a sacristan at the Cathedral of Los Angeles. During the beatification of Blessed Timoteo Giaccardo, she was in Rome. In 1989, she finally returned to Japan. She collaborated in the Osaka Cathedral, then in Tokyo, and at the Liturgical Apostolate Center in Fukuoka. After returning to Japan, her enthusiasm for the painting apostolate continued, creating postcards with new designs. Her constant enthusiasm was remarkable; she stayed updated on new social movements, cultivating them with great sensitivity and reaching people by always creating new things and conveying the Word of God through her paintings.
Even in her desire to communicate the joy of Jesus and His Word through the painting apostolate, she was proud to be a missionary until the end of her life! She actively participated in prayer, and in her apostolic ministry, her attitudes conveyed the joy of encountering Jesus! For the last three years of her life, she received proper healthcare in a nursing home in Komatsubara-en (Tokyo). She was loved by all; the sisters and brothers in Japan accompanied her with constant closeness. They remember that, as long as her physical strength allowed, she sang hymns to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, involving others. In her simplicity and the essential nature of life, she radiated Jesus and gave her testimony of faith!
On May 8, 2015, at 22:20 local time, in the nursing home “Komatsubara-en” (Tokyo), the Lord welcomed her into the joy of Heaven, in the month dedicated to Mary…
Sr. M. Stella, now that you can see Mary up close, the Morning Star, and give praise to God for the immense love experienced in your story as a disciple and lover of the Bridegroom, still keep your compassionate gaze on the earth, especially on Korea, Japan, and all of the Far East!