4978(I)_Reconfirming the Importance of Unity

The Annual Salesian Family Joint Council in Japan

January 13, 2019

By Mr Chihiro Okawa, EXDB
Member of Social Communication Team, Japan

Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2019 -- The Annual Salesian Family Joint Council was held on 10th January, at the Salesian Sisters Provincial House (Chofu City, Tokyo), involving 31 representatives from each group of the Salesian Family in Japan (SDB, FMA, SCG(Caritas Sisters of Jesus), ASC, ADMA Union Japan, and EXDB: VDB was absent).

Following the welcome remarks of FMA Provincial Sr Teresina Morishita, FMA, Fr Paul Tamura, SDB reflected on the memorable address given by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB during his visit to Japan last November. Fr Tamura reminded us that the Rector Major especially emphasized the importance of unity of the Salesian Family,

The representatives of each group reported on their progress and good news in 2018. Then followed the introduction to the guidebook for Lay Mission Partners of the Salesian Family, which will be issued within one year, and explanation of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) which is currently being developed in Japan concentrating on the spirituality, networking and sharing. An explanation of this year's Strenna "Holiness for You, too” was also offered, then participants divided into 4 groups, each of which shared respectively on formation of Lay Mission Partners, SYM, the Strenna, and a range of other topics.

During evening prayer (Eucharistic Adoration) in the chapel before the Holy Eucharist, all participants were blessed abundantly and reconfirmed that Christ is the very source of our unity.

After dinner in the dining room together, Fr Provincial, Jacob Hamaguchi, SDB, gave the Good Night. "Our Salesian Society is indeed facing a crisis such as a decrease in members, but I am not pessimistic, rather I think optimistically that it is a good chance to go ahead even better. Trusting the Lord, let us walk as one Family in unity and be holy this year.”

The meeting finished with a blessing and the prayer to Mary Help of Christians by Fr Hamaguchi. It was a good opportunity to share the common strong points and struggles of each group connected to the same spirituality of Don Bosco.