Rectors
Meeting, Japan, at Miyazaki on 75th
anniversary
MIYAZAKI: 2 December 2012 --
75
years ago, on 20 December 1937, the Salesian Province of Japan
took
on a formal canonical status. Fr Cimatti was informed of the
news on 29
January following, and communicated the fact to confreres in a
letter
on 22 February. (Communications moved more slowly then than
they do
now!). It was just 11 years after the arrival of the first
group of
missionaries led by Fr Cimatti. The Rector Major was in Japan
recently
to highlight the solemn celebration of this anniversary.
When they arrived in Japan in 1926, the Salesians began their
work at
Miyazaki, the city that can be regarded as the cradle of Don
Bosco's
sons in Japan. For this reason the annual Rector's Meeting
this year
was held in Miyazaki, on 30 November and 1st December.
The first day was given over to reflection on the basic topics
for the
next Provincial Chapter: how to be mystics, prophets and
servants for
the young in Japan today. Confreres are contributing already
to
preparations for the Provincial Chapter by responding to
questionnaires
drawn up by the preparatory commission.
On the second day the Rectors dealt with practical issues in
the
Province. The event concluded with a visit to some areas where
pioneer
Salesians were working, before the War, and where the Sisters
of
Charity of Jesus came into existence as a flourishing women's
institute.
