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5418(II)_One more Oratory, in Chofu - Tokyo

July 11, 2020

By Br. Phuc Hai, SDB
Vietnamese missionary in Japan

Chofu, Japan, 11 July 2020 -- “Run, jump, shout but do not sin”. These are the words that Don Bosco told the young people when they came to his first Oratories in Turin.

We try to imitate the Valdocco Oratory which was animated by Don Bosco and by the first group of Salesians. Oratory is the place where the young people can find a home to welcome them; learn a language or some hobby; prayer – to grow in the Catholic faith and an upright citizens' playground – to meet their friends.

We also work together with others – we call them “Cooperators”. Especially the group of young people as the animation group to help other young people.

This atmosphere we can find in a Salesian community, school, parish or the place where Salesians are. Now we can taste this atmosphere at the Oratorio in Chofu, Tokyo.

Those who come to the Oratorio in Chofu are the migrant youth. Now most of them are working youths from Vietnam.

We also welcome the support of everyone, especially from the Salesian Family. With your prayer and your help, we hope that the new Oratory in the Chofu community will be the place for the young people to have a good relationship with others and with God. For their prayer, retreat and formation, the holy ground of Chofu, with the tomb and museum of Venerable Fr Cimatti, is an ideal venue.