TOKYO: 17 February 2011 -- "Don Bosco, welcome
back". Such was the greeting from the Principal of
Kodaira school, Fr Suzuki Masao. On a calm day you can see
Mt Fuji in all its majesty from the school, and this
certainly was what prompted the greeting. Finally the dream
has come true!
It was, of course, an occasion of great
festivity for the 200 primary and middle school pupils who
surrounded Don Bosco, singing and praying.
Two hours on and 'Don Bosco' left for the
Salesian Polytechnic where a further 800 students were in
expectation. In Tokyo, as in other places, the turnout was
much greater than expected. On the 12th, despite the cold
and snow of the previous evening, some 400 people took part
in a Symposium on the Preventive System where Salesian
Bishop Mizobe told of his own Salesian story and how it has
influenced and indeed altered the manner of pastoral contact
in a setting outside the usual Salesian one
In the evening, a large group of young
people, together with the Bishop, reflected together on life
as a vocation and gift for others.
Sunday 13, 8.30 Mass at the oratory then
the 10.30 mass for the Salesian parish in Tokyo. the huge
Meguro parish church was packed. A thousand or more, many of
them young. The Bishop's message was addressed to them in
particular: Let nothing worry you: Courage, move ahead.
These were words that Mons. Cimatti used often repeat and
which sum up Don Bosco's approach well.
In the afternoon there was a special
programme for youngsters from the middle and upper
secondary. The courtyard was full. Then the following day it
was the turn of the 700 primary school children from the
nearby FMA school at Seibi and then the 450 children and
parents from Salesio Kindergarten attached to the parish.
How they could sing!
That afternoon and the following day Don Bosco was
'borrowed' by the students from the Middle and Upper
Secondary school at Seibi and then by the Sisters at
Seibi Home and their pupils ( kindergarten, primary, middle,
upper secondary and college) from the school at Akabane, the
heart of the FMA presence in Japan. Such joy and devotion!
Don Bosco offers hope, trust.
In the evening the Relic was taken to Shimoigusa: the
provincial had prepared just 150 information brochures and
had to beg pardon for his little faith! More than 600 people
turned up for the evening mass.
Today is the final day. Don Bosco is at the studentate at
Chofu. It will be a day of pilgrimage and prayer with mass
celebrated by the Nuncio, Archbishop Alberto De Bottari, for
the entire Salesian Family.
Thank you Don Bosco. Stay with us in Japan. _________________
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