MEJURO: 19 May 2014 --
Sunday May 18 was the day the Japan Province chose to
celerbate its Province Day, choosing Meguro Parish (PP Fr
Achilles Loro Piana) as the gathering point for some 300
members of the Salesian Family (SDB, FMA, Caritas, Salesian
Cooperators) and Salesian Bishop Mizobe Osamu Francis
Xavier who celebrates his Golden Jubilee of priestly
ordination this year.
That afternoon, in the Parish centre, Fr Mario Yamanouchi,
delegate to GC27 and Vice Provincial, shared some thoughts,
illustrated by slides, on the Chapter event, also offering the
RM's recent interview with Japanese subtitles. The Provincial,
Fr Cipriani, offered a gift and thanksgiving to the
jubilarians. There was also a brief address by the EAO
Regional, Fr Klement, who has been in Japan for the
consultation for the new provincial. He asked Salesians to use
the 25th day of each month as an EAO prayer day (for each
other: 22 countries, 10 provinces and some 1400
Salesians).
Mass followed at Meguro Church, with Bishop Mizobe joined by
special concelebrants (Frs Simoncelli, Tazawa) the Provincial
and regional and 25 other SDB priests. Cimatti's Mass was sung
by the Meguro parish choir. Fr Loro Piana was the
homilist.
Bishop Mizobe chose, instead, to speak after the Eucharist.
After his retirement as bishop of Takamatsu, he is now
living in Kyoto, and has a particular mission to youth
accompanying many of them on their vocation journey. He spoke
of "the Crocetta years as cleric (when Loro Piana was a novice
in Piedmont) and the song 'Gli anni passano e i bimbi
crescono.'" He said his dream now was to stay with the youth
till the end of his life, and be there with the heart of Don
Bosco, staying in the playground, assisting them. He closed
with his prayerful wish that the younger generation of
Salesians might continue to live with this pastoral heart in
the future too.
The evening witnessed an Academy and light dinner in the
Parish & Kindergarten Hall - songs contributed by Caritas
Sisters choirs (FMA Sisters were present but many were at a
prayer vigil for a Sister who died), young Salesians in
formation (1 temporary professed brother, 2 novices and 5
senior aspirants), Salesian Cooperators (with the song to Don
Bosco which they composed for the DB 200 contest). All the
Jubilarians offered a brief sharing.
Bishop Mizobe congratulated everyone for the fine family
spirit of the Provincial Day, sharing his deep conviction that
the Salesians are giving the Japanese Church a fine example of
a hardworking and spiritually strong religious congregation
and family.
