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Saturday 23 march 12-1pm
The true source of life and the meaning of peace
War is back in Europe and even closer to our homes. Despite being exposed to images of suffering and destruction daily, when we stop and realise what is happening, we cannot help but worry about what the future will bring.
In a conversation with Gabriele di Comite and James L. Nolan, we will discover the message of peace and reconciliation of Takashi Paolo Nagai (1908-1951), a Japanese scientist, convert and survivor of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945.
Nagai had a direct experience of war having been deployed as a frontline doctor during the two Sino-Japanese Wars before returning to Nagasaki to his work and family in the middle of WWII. In 1945, he was diagnosed with leukaemia and was told he had less than 3 years to live. One month later, the atomic bomb struck Nagasaki. Everything was burned to ashes, including his beloved wife Midori.
“A whole life for ashes! He could not endure a meaningless life! He had to find that which does not perish. He had to cling to that which never dies” (‘What Never Dies’, Takashi Nagai)
While facing these overwhelming adversities, Takashi Nagai found the source of true peace and reconciliation, a solid foundation to build a new life. Amid the atomic desert, he became a sign and inspiration of hope and peace for the people of Nagasaki and the whole world.
Is it possible to live this way during war and uncertainty?
speakers
James L. Nolan, Jr.
Saturday 24 March
"PEACE!" FROM NAGASAKI TO THE WORLD
12 - 1 pm
James L. Nolan, Jr. is the Washington Gladden 1859 Professor of Sociology at Williams College (MA, USA). His teaching and research interests fall within the general areas of law and society, culture, technology and social change, and historical comparative sociology.
Nolan’s grandfather, James F. Nolan, was a physician associated with the Manhattan Project, the US government’s secret project established during World War II to develop the first nuclear weapon. He escorted the bomb from Los Alamos to the Pacific Islands and was one of the first Americans to enter the irradiated ruins of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
James L. Nolan, Jr.’s most recent book, Atomic Doctors: Conscience and Complicity at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age, (Harvard University Press, 2020), examines the moral and professional dilemmas faced by physicians who took part in the Manhattan Project.
Dr Gabriele Di Comite
Saturday 24 March
"PEACE!" FROM NAGASAKI TO THE WORLD
12 - 1 pm
Gabriele Di Comite is the president of the association Friends of Takashi and Midori Nagai, the canonical actor for the promotion of beatification and canonization of the Nagai spouses.
Gabriele is the author of two publications in Italian on the life of Takashi and Midori Nagai and on the history of Christianity in Japan. He has translated from Japanese into Italian and has curated the edition of four books by Takashi Nagai. Two of those books are available in English (Thoughts from Nyokodō and The Pass of the Virgin, Amazon).
Born and raised in Italy, Gabriele is an MD/PhD, who worked for several years as a hospital clinician and then moved to the pharmaceutical industry for five years in Switzerland. Since 2019 he has been living in Tokyo, Japan where he currently leads the Women’s Cancer Medical Team of AstraZeneca Japan.
Friends of Takashi and Midori Nagai
Friends of Takashi and Midori Nagai is a Committee, recognised as Canonical Actor by the Diocese of Nagasaki, established in Rome on 23 March 2021 by friends who have known the history and faith of the Nagai couple and have been deeply affected by it.
The purpose of the Committee is to spread the testimony of this married couple and promote their cause for beatification.
EXHIBITION
THE TRUE SOURCE OF LIFE AND THE MEANING OF PEACE
Embark on a visual journey exploring the legacy of Dr. Takashi Nagai and Midori through an exhibition—shedding light on their extraordinary lives. Admission is free throughout the two-day event, and for guided tours, please refer to the general program.
Raised in the Shinto tradition, Takashi Nagai (1908-1951) was drawn to
modern materialism during his medical studies, but allowed his restless
heart and reason to engage with the provocations of life and death into a
journey that culminated with the encounter with Midori Moriyama (1908-
1945) and the conversion to Catholicism.
After getting married, each embraced their vocation of service to their
family and community, despite the challenges of illness and war.
On the 9th of August 1945, the atomic bomb exploded in Nagasaki killing Midori. Severely ill and having lost everything but his children, Takashi decisively set out on a path of deeper conversion and profound poverty of spirit, in the service of the Church and his fellow men, becoming a living proclamation of faith.
“He had lost everything. But he was entering his new life, searching for what he could never lose." (‘What never dies’, Takashi Nagai)".
GUIDED TOUR:
Saturday 23rd: 11 -12 pm
Saturday 23rd: 3.30 - 4.30 pm
Sunday 24th: 11- 12 pm
