On Thursday, December 20, 1928 Mother Margarita departed from Saipan with the other sisters for a six-day voyage to Japan. She described her sentiments as “sadness mixed with happiness and joy, because with Christ and through Christ every sacrifice is small.”
This was a time of great uncertainty for the missions. Mother Margarita had many decisions to make, not the least of which were personnel decisions for each mission, which were not always easy.
Spain was in great political turmoil; the experimental work of the missions would soon be over and the constitutions for the new missionary order had to be completed. The lasting transformation of the order would then begin. Would Rome accept this transformation?
She also had to focus on the missions in Japan and China that were facing financial difficulties, and the countless meetings with the representatives of the Church in these countries that awaited her. She knew that only God could guide her through these perilous seas and the many storms that she would encounter.
Mother Margarita loved the islands. On leaving Saipan, she honestly admitted that “they tried to make their farewell as brief as possible, smiling, while sadness was overwhelming them.”
However, the joy of the Christmas Season soon filled her heart and she was happy to celebrate these festive days aboard the Yamashiro-Maru en route to Japan and China. In her diary she recounts how the 24th passed by unnoticed, but on Christmas Day a wonderful surprise awaited the sisters and the Dutch Protestant gentleman on board.
Out of consideration for their Christian guests, the Japanese decided to celebrate Christmas in their honor. The dining room was decorated in Japanese style, with flags from different countries, wreaths and lights. In response to this kind gesture, the sisters came in their best attire into the elegant dining room. The sisters were seated at the officers’ table, a kindness so out of the ordinary. The banquet sported assorted delicacies and liquors. This was topped by a lovely cake for dessert, complete with a windmill on top. How grateful they all were for such unexpected hospitality!
The night ended on deck with the sound of Adeste Fideles on the radio. That night the sisters contemplated the sea in silence for a long while before retiring. Mother Margarita recalled how she could not help but think about the paths of the Lord and the journey on which God was leading his daughters as Mercedarian Missionaries.
The sea brought a peaceful Christmas, because it was not only a time to receive the Christ Child, but a chance to rest in His love and providence in the still waters, before embarking on the uncertainties of their next destination.
Mother Margarita’s voyages were long and arduous, but as she herself said, “looking through the transparent waters were treasures that reflect the wisdom, power and kindness of God.” For her the sea was as boundless as God’s love and mercy; she never tired of searching its depths for His guidance. She knew the true meaning of Christmas.
