austraLasia #2387

Japan's Special Day

SEOUL: 26th March 2009 -- Japan Province experienced a special day yesterday. The morning saw provincial councillors and rectors gathered at the Formation House in Chofu to finalise planning and initiatives for the new year (first of April for Japan) in the light of GC26, the 150th, and under the direction of the new provincial, Fr Aldo Cipriani. But the culmination was in the afternoon, with the long-awaited final profession of cleric Anthony Thuy and the first professions of clerics Joseph Hung, Joseph Diep, John Ryohei and  Andrew Hai. Some forty priests concelebrated at the three hour ceremony. The fact that all but one of those making profession were born in Vietnam gave the moment a special touch.  
    'Project Vietnam', as it is known, began four years ago and now begins to show results with five young postnovices who came to Japan as aspirants and continue their vocational journey in this province. They are preparing to be real missionaries to the Land of the Rising Sun.
    Fr John Nguyen Van Kich arrived in time to be part of the celebrations as the Vietnam representative. Fr John Baptist Them, provincial in Vietnam, and Fr Dominic Pham Xuan Uyen, rector of the formation community in Ho Chi Minh City, were delayed until the following day.
    Of course the liturgical celebrations were followed by toasts, music and song and in the evening an academy very much in Salesian style.
    In January the newly professed passed their entrance examination for Sophia University and will commence their philosophy studies there next month.

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Title: australasia 2387
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces Japan professions
Date (year): 2009