(ANS - Tokyo) - On the afternoon of Sunday, 6 October, the Salesian Family in the Tokyo area experienced a moment of joy and fraternity on the occasion of its annual assembly

About 150 people gathered in the formation house at Chofu in Tokyo. They were members of the different groups of the Salesian Family: Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sisters of Charity of Jesus, Salesian Cooperators, Volunteers of Don Bosco and members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA). The event took place on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the death of Venerable Vincent Cimatti. It was an opportunity to reflect on the sanctity of this great pioneer of the Salesian missions in Japan and to get to know his fidelity and loyalty to the style of Don Bosco.

The words of welcome by the Provincial, Fr Aldo Cipriani, were followed by a talk given by Fr Gaetano Compri. He spoke about a book for which he is responsible. It is entitled, “Vincent Cimatti: the autobiography he did not write." It is a publication that consists exclusively of quotations from more than 6000 letters that Fr Cimatti wrote throughout his life, letters that reveal faithfully the great personality and the profound spirituality of the Salesian venerable. Fr Compri concluded by inviting all present to invoke the intercession of Fr Cimatti and to recite the prayer for his beatification that is now well known to all the members of the Salesian Family in Japan.

The meeting then continued with a visit to the recently renovated Cimatti Museum, and the Sunday Eucharist at which the provincial presided. In his homily Fr Cipriani was inspired by the Gospel of the day and the prayer of the apostles asking Jesus to increase their faith. He spoke of Fr Cimatti as a Salesian who lived his faith deeply and faithfully, following the example of Don Bosco.

The gathering ended with a moment of fraternal sharing that fostered mutual understanding and a climate of genuine Salesian communion.

Published 09/10/2013