austraLasia #2713 After a four year wait, Japan rejoices in its new priest and
deacon
TOKYO: 13 September 2010 -- Saturday 11 September was a
day of particular celebration for the Salesian Family in Japna, the
first priestly ordination for four years. The ordination of Fr
Jospeh Kitagawa Daisuke along with the ordination to diaconate of
Francis Sanada Tomihiko was a very special evant.
The ordination ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon at
Shimoigusa, Tokyo and the ordaining prelate was Salesian Bishop
Franciso Mizobe Osamu, surrounded by more than 50 concelebrants,
Salesian and diocesan. It is estimated that the congregation numbered
600, representing various groups from the Japanese Salesian Family.
Also present was Fr Andrew Wong, Regional Councillor, in Japan
for the Extraordinary Visitation of the Province.
Newly ordained Fr Kitagawa Daisuke completed his studies last
year at Ratisbonne in Jerusalem and has been working at the aspirantate
at Yokkaichi, in the Mie province. An older brother of Daisuke is also
a Salesian and is currently the Rector of the community at Yokohama.
The new deacon, Sanada Tomihiko, recently finished his studies
at the Sophia University run by the Jesuits in Tokyo and is now part of
the deacons' course at the Franciscan seminary of St. Anthony's in
Tokyo.
In his homily, Bishop Mizobe dwelt at length on the role and
duties of the priest as one sent by Christ to the Church and for the
Church, as a commentary on the text contained in the liturgy of
ordination.
In his words of thanks, Fr Cipriani, provincial, said how happy
he was that the ordination also of a deacon now meant hopefully less
than a four year wait for another priestly ordination!
The ceremony was not followed this time by the usual
fraternal agape or academy, these being delayed until the Sunday after
the First Mass in Tokyo Chofu, the province's formation house. _________________ AustraLasia is an
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