(ANS – Tokyo) – March 2026 – Young people from the Don Bosco Volunteer Group (DBVG) have been carrying out volunteer activities in recent weeks in Izu Oshima, an island in the Pacific Ocean located about 100-120 km south of central Tokyo. There is a parish on the island with about 20 parishioners, but no resident parish priest. For this reason, the faithful can only attend Mass once a month. Motivated by the theme, ‘Until the world is full of smiles, like the hands and feet of Jesus,’ the members of the DBVG travelled to the island with the aim of painting the exterior walls of the church, a task they carried out with sincere dedication. During these days of volunteering, the participants experienced moments of communion and sharing, deepened their bonds with one another, and received great support. In addition, this experience allowed the young people to learn more about the story of Ota Julia, a Korean woman exiled to the island of Izu Oshima because of her faith. Her example of hope and trust in the Lord was an encouragement to those present to live without complaining about difficulties, entrusting themselves gratefully to God. Recalling the theme of these days, the young people concluded by saying that ‘as the hands and feet of Jesus, we will continue to move forward so that the world may be filled with smiles.’
