Around the World with Fr. Paul Mariani.
August 12th-24th - Tokyo, Japan
It's the end of a world-wide trip! Father Paul finished his international travels in Tokyo and left Japan
for San Francisco, California!! He will be there with the Jesuits West his community and then back to Boston in September.
Welcome home Fr. Paul!
BELOW: Father Paul is at the Yasukuni Museum and Shrine which is a controversial place because of its view of the role Japan played in World War Two. It is a nationalist perspective of the history. The photo is of the Howitzer artillery used and the caption describes that use. The video is a view of the war museum with visitors milling around. The Shrine was founded by the Emperor Meiji in 1869 to acknowledge those who died fighting for the Emperor in the Bosin War.
The Museum displays artifacts and documents related to Japan’s military history. Some countries see the museum as lacking remorse for Japan’s war time history and that is why it is controversial. Father Paul, as a historian, thought it was important to go there.
BELOW: Video One: His brother Mark has encouraged Paul to finish up strong, so Paul takes us for a walk on the campus of Sophia University, which is run by the Jesuits, Paul’s religious order. There are connecting trains and the popular church of Saint Ignatius.
Video Two: A narrated tour of the campus of Sophia University. It is like a hole in the donut with the larger city of Tokyo surrounding it. As Father Paul describes what he sees his brother John comments about how much he enjoyed the last video!!
BELOW: Video Three: A part of the city which is a city of cities according to Paul as there are millions of them all over like this. Many stores and multiple trains where you can get places very quickly. Saint Ignatius Church in the round in the distance and cram schools for students and a few businesses. Paul has been in the complex where they have one of his favorite things: Godiva chocolate. Many people are staying inside as the heat has been intense all the days Paul has been there reaching 96degrees. Those walking cover up like they do in Saudi Arabia.
A museum plaque in English and Japanese telling of the arms and armor of the Samurai / 12th thru the 19th century.
Photo of a sword with Father Paul commenting under the photo “Famous sword owned by famous people.”
Fr. Paul's brother Mark responded...“Famous sword owned by famous people?! Sounds like our expert traveler has finally succumbed to travel fatigue.”
Father Paul will be leaving Japan on Sunday, August 24, 2025 for San Francisco, California!! He will be there with the Jesuits West his community
The famous bronze statue of Hachiko, the loyal Akita dog, is located outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo. It stands as a memorial to Hachiko's unwavering loyalty to his owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, who passed away while Hachiko was still alive. Hachiko continued to wait for his owner at the station every day for nearly ten years after his death. The statue is a popular meeting spot and a symbol of loyalty in Japan.
A Summer festival gathering with music.
Beautiful photo of the moat around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in
World War II`. During a recent tribute remembering Japan's surrender 80 years ago, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said, "We will never repeat the tragedy of the war. We will never go the wrong way. Once again, we must deeply keep to our hearts the remorse and lesson from that war.”
May peace prevail.
August 8th-12th - Hong Kong, China
While in Hong Kong, Fr. Paul took an early morning walk around a park in a Hong Kong neighborhood. He said he was surprised at how many people were out at that hour doing exercises. He attended a 2-day International Conference for Chinese Studies. He delivered a paper on his most recent book.
Aerial view of Hong Kong.
A beautiful Athletic Track that Fr. Paul walked-
while calling home to catch up!
Walking with umbrellas to protect themselves from
the heat of the sun.
View from the hotel room of downtown Hong Kong. Fr. Paul is here for an International Conference on China Studies. He will be presenting a paper on his recently published book China's Church Divided.
An overview of a large mall with an extremely long elevator. Karen, his sister-in-law spotted Lego signs, the company she worked for in Connecticut.
A panorama of the waterfront on a beautiful day in Hong Kong. The high real estate properties are in the distance.
August 4th-8th - Taiwan
The National Palace Museum. Not on display today made of stone. Delicious pork belly.
This is some of the philology of how Chinese understand their characters.
Making Boba tea.
Boba tea, also known as bubble tea or pearl tea, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink with chewy tapioca balls (also called boba) at the bottom. It typically consists of a tea base, milk, and boba, but can also include fruit juices, fruit purees, and other toppings. The tapioca pearls are made from tapioca starch and are known for their chewy texture
July 29th- August 4th - The Philippines
This is the Augustinian Church in Manila with a proud picture of Pope Leo XIV, who is a member of the Augustinian religious order. It is the church of Saint Augustine.
The Jesuit School in Manila. This is an overview of the Jesuit School that was founded for Chinese Filipino students. The Jesuit residence, where Fr. Paul is staying, is attached to it, and the view is a skyline of the city of Manila,
The famous Green Hills Mall with the chapel and the times for Mass. Also posted on the chapel are photos of younger priests who serve the chapel. Outside of the chapel is Krispey Kreme where you can get donuts.
A wall of photos commemorating The Battle of Manila which occurred during World War Two February 1 to March 2, 1945. It acknowledges the 80th anniversary of the Battle when Manila was heavily destroyed by the Japanese. Some of the different churches, including Santo Domingo, were bombed as the American/Philippine forces fought the Japanese forces.
American soldiers celebrating Mass at the main door of San Austin Church.
The Shoppesville Connecticut Mall!! Lots of happy people shopping and saying hello. Crowded and trying to find the chapel at the end of the mall, past many high-end shops. “I’m lost in a maze; I’m lost in a maze!”
Burger King across the street where they advertise “Grillin’ 24 Hours” !!!!
There are more than 20 Burger King Restaurants throughout the Philippines!
July 23rd - 29th - Singapore
Fr. Paul in Singapore.
While in Singapore, Father Paul visited the church of Saint Ignatius. The Cardinal was appointed by Pope Francis on August 27, 2022. He is the first Cardinal from Singapore and was born in 1957. He got his Bachelor of Theology degree from the Pontifical University in Rome and was ordained May 1, 1985 for Singapore.
In the video below, Father Paul is at Sunday Mass at Saint Ignatius Church in Singapore. The Cardinal of Singapore is speaking to some parishioners. His name is Cardinal, William Goh Seng Chye. They are celebrating the feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola a few days before July 31. It is a very full church with much energy and joy.
Did you know?
221,000 Singaporeans identify as Catholic in this city of 6 million! Singapore is considered the most religiously, diverse nation in the world.
Conveniently, Chinese is one of the standard languages that Father speaks fluently!
(As you can tell, he enjoys their Malls!)
Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. Singapore enjoys close ties with China.
(Below) These first video scenes are from the crown jewel of Singapore - their Botanical Gardens where the orchids take center stage!
The Republic of Singapore is getting ready for the 60th year anniversary celebration of their national independence from Malaysia in 1965. Ironically, Father Paul turned 60 years old in early April!
July 18th - 23rd - Vietnam
Sunday in the City...
Busy Vietnam coffee shop with the pink church background on a recent Sunday.
The Independence Palace, also publicly and officially known as the Reunification Convention Hall or simply Reunification Hall, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The Tunnels of Cu Chi...
Traveling to the tunnels of Cu Chi. Fr. Paul is at the tunnels in 3 photos where the Viet Cong hid during the Vietnam War. About 45,000 Vietnamese men and women died from constructing Cu Chi and the Iron Triangles tunnels and defending them during the war.
July 13th - 18th - Bancock, Thailand
Activity in the busy and bustling city. Fr. Paul's hotel is in the heart of it. He enjoys eating Thai food in the local spots!
A view of the river and the ferries that cross from one side to the other in Bangkok.
July 8th - 11th - Additional Videos of India
Several videos of Father Paul exploring India.
July 8th-11th India Update - Part 1
(below) The Amber Palace. It is divided into three parts. It is the main attraction of the city of Jodhpur.
Amber Palace
Amber Palace
Amber Palace
Amber Palace
Amber Palace
Amber Palace
(below) Baby monkeys outside the Mehrangarh Fort . It overlooks the city. Bolleywood made several films here because of the background.
(below) City of Jodpur from the hilltop.
(below) Fr. Paul at the astronomical observatory which has one of the world’s largest sundials. Video is below.
More posts to follow!
(below) Jodpur, the pink city, relatively new from the early 1700's after visiting the wind palace.
Taj Mahal - Uttar Pradesh, India
Fr. Paul toured the Taj Mahal and shares these photos of his travels!
It is popularly known as a "monument of love" or the "Crown of Palaces". The name "Taj Mahal" itself is derived from the Persian words "taj" (crown) and "mahal" (palace), meaning "Crown of the Palace" or "Place of the Crown". This beautiful building is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, symbolizing their enduring love.
Taj Mahal
Entering the grounds.
Taj Mahal
Enetring the grounds.
Tah Mahal
Symbol of love.
Unknown Facts About the Taj Mahal.
- The Taj Mahal took 22 years to build.
- More than 22,000 laborers worked in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
- The construction of the Taj Mahal cost 3.2 crores of rupees at that time.
- Various Precious stones were brought from various countries for the building of the Taj Mahal.
July 3rd Update.
MAY 25, 2025, TO SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
Father Stan has often referred to Father Paul Mariani as our “native son” when he visits Our Lady of Peace Church and assists at Mass.
Father Paul received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Mary’s/ Our Lady of Peace and celebrated one of his first Masses there in June of 2002.
As a Jesuit priest in the Society of Jesus, Father Paul has been a Professor at Santa Clara University in California, teaching courses on the Catholic Church and China since his ordination in California.
This year, starting in the Fall of 2024, Father Paul spent the academic year at Boston College, where he had received the Gasson Chair. As part of that special honor, Father Paul was granted research funds to use for further study. Since he had already completed his second book on the Catholic Church and China, he decided to use the funds to take a trip around the world, visiting many historical and pilgrimage sites while staying with members of his Jesuit community.
Many parishioners at Our Lady of Peace Church, some of whom he has known since the family first became members in the l970’s, have asked about the journey, and this website will follow some of the major points of his travel.
Thus far, Father Paul has been to Paris, France from May 26 until June 10; Ethiopia, Africa from June 10 to June 14; Nairobi, Kenya June 14 to June 25; and Mumbai, India from June 26 to July 13.
More posts to follow!
