Presentation of the book 'NENRIN'
EAO Regional Conference on the State of Salesian Historiography
Day 2 | Tuesday | 5 Nov 2013
The Mission of evangelization carried out by the FMA in Japan, according to the spirit of the founder, St.
John Bosco and Co-foundress St. Maria Mazzarello, thanks be to God, is 84 years. The book I am presenting today
is titled 'NENRIN'. 'NENRIN', in Japanese means tree rings. Every year, a circle, and therefore expresses the
length of the shaft, and life for us in the history of the FMA presence in Japan. The history of our Province has
grown gradually as the rings of a tree.
This book includes three volumes. It was compiled by Sr. Maria Hirate Shige FMA on the occasion of the
70th anniversary of the arrival of the first FMAs in Japan. It is a precious and important document in which were
collected many testimonies of lives that were lived in various periods. Each sister writes their own experiences
and memories and testifies to the history of that period. This book aims to document the journey of 70 years of
our Province and was created with the collaboration of many FMAs. Readers can learn more about the
wonderful journey of the Province both in suffering and in joy, especially the early years led by the Lord and
Mary Help of Christians. We can also know the context of the period: the social and cultural situation of the
Church; the daily community life, Youth Ministry and vocations; the various educational and social activities, etc.
By means of these three volumes, we can see the path of our Province for over a period of 70 years. The
first volume introduces the first 20 years, from the arrival of the first missionaries in Japan until 1949. In 1925,
the Salesian missions’ 50th year, sends the first Salesian missionaries in Japan led by Don Cimatti. As a
foundation stone for the FMA Foundation in Japan, Sr. Letizia Begliatti was assigned for 44 years. In this country,
the first missionaries encountered in their work of evangelization, many difficulties, in language and in many
other ways. Nevertheless, the sisters worked with a missionary spirit and tirelessly to save souls among the
Japanese people, trusting only in God and in Mary.
Our work began in 1933 when in Beppu in Kyushu, an infant was entrusted to our sisters. So begun the
task of kindergarten in 1935 with the social work 'Sayuri Aijien'. In 1939, the house was founded 'Maria
Ausiliatrice-Mikawashima’ station in Tokyo, and the following year saw the inauguration of ‘Seibi Gakuen’ with
daycare, oratorio, several lessons, sewing school, etc. In 1941, the Pacific war broke out, during which the sisters
had to try various places to evacuate with children: Nikko, Shizuoka, Yamanaka. Meanwhile, due to heavy
bombings, the 'Seibi Gakuen' Tokyo Mikawashima station is burned completely. During the war, the sisters and
the children lived in extreme poverty. Many nuns testified in the first volume of the book that during this period
they were concerned everyday for the food to give to the children entrusted to them. We have always been
guided by God's providence which never failed. After the war, the sisters had to search for land to build the
house for children. A nun said, 'When the money was missing, we prayed intensely to the Madonna.” They
repeatedly said the prayer: 'Divine Providence of the heart of Jesus, think of us'. In this way they would really
obtain the amount of money needed.
From a small group of missionaries who have lived in faithfulness with the charism of Don Bosco, under
the protection of Mary Help of Christians, the tiny seed had taken root. The plant was reinforced and brought to
the lush flowering that we see today. The second volume, from 1950 until 1979, was during the celebration of
the 50th anniversary of the FMA’s arrival in Japan. It is the period of expansion, during which, in our Province
there was a great flowering of vocations and works. The Mission in Japan was originally from the Eastern
Province with Banwell SR. as Inspector. From 1938 until 1945 the Japan became Brasil Sino-Japanese based in
Shanghai, and by 1945 it became a Province. The Japanese Province was erected in 1952 under the name of
'Alma Mater' based in Tokyo-Akabane. The first Inspector appointed the missionary, Mother Teresa Merlo, from
India, who became head of the Province for 6 years.
