Miracle of the Rosary in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Occurred between August 6 and 9, 1945
During World War II, two Japanese cities were destroyed by atomic bombs: Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki three days later. In Nagasaki, as a result of the explosion, all the houses within a radius of approximately 2.5 km from the epicenter were destroyed. Those who were inside the houses were buried in the ruins. Those who were outside were burned.
In the midst of that tragedy, a small community of Jesuit Fathers lived next to the parish church, just 1 km from the epicenter of the bomb. They were German missionaries serving the Japanese people. Since the Germans were allies of the Japanese, they had been allowed to stay.
The church next to the Jesuit house was destroyed, but their residence was left standing and members of the small Jesuit community survived. They had no after effects from the radiation, no hearing loss, or any other illness or effects. Father Hubert Schiffer was one of the Jesuits in Hiroshima. He was 30 years old when the atomic bomb exploded in that city and lived another 33 years, enjoying good health. He narrated his experiences in Hiroshima during the Eucharistic Congress that took place in Philadelphia (USA) in 1976. At that time, the eight members of the Jesuit community were still alive. Father Schiffer was examined and questioned by more than 200 scientists who were unable to explain how he and his companions had survived. He attributed it to the protection of the Virgin Mary and said: “I was in the middle of the atomic explosion… and I am still here, alive and safe. I was not struck down by its destruction.”
Furthermore, Father Shiffer maintained that, for several years, hundreds of experts and researchers studied the scientific reasons why the house, so close to the atomic explosion, was not affected. He explained that in that house there was only one thing different: “We prayed the Rosary daily in that house.”
In the other city devastated by the atomic bomb, Nagasaki, Saint Maximilian Kolbe had established a Franciscan convent that also remained intact. The brothers did not suffer the consequences of the bomb and were protected by the Virgin. There, they also prayed the Holy Rosary daily.
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