Having arrived on the morning of 4 November and accompanied by his secretary Fr Saimy Ezhanikatt, Fr Bregolin has been able to meet representatives of the Salesian Family in a series of meetings organised in different places. The first was in the afternoon of the day he arrived 4 November at the “Saint John Bosco” School in Osaka.

The following day the Vicar of the Rector Major met the Rectors of the Salesian communities in Japan and before leaving for Nagasaki, he visited the city of Kyoto, the ancient historical capital.

In Nagasaki on 6 November Fr Bregolin gave a conference and celebrated Mass during a meeting with the Salesian Family in that area. Among those present were Fr Aldo Cipriani, Provincial of Japan and Fr Yamanouchi Mario, Vice Provincial Particularly significant was a visit to the museum and the place commemorating the victims of the atomic bomb.

In Beppu, on 7 November, Fr Adriano Bregolin took  part in the closing ceremony of the 13th General Chapter of the Sisters of Charity of Miyazaki celebrating Mass. Speaking to the Sisters, the Vicar of the Rector Major asked them to broaden their horizons and to look at new missionary goals such as Africa. This was followed by another meeting  with the Salesian Family in that area.

On Sunday 8, at the theological studentate in Tokyo, there was another meeting with the Salesian Family attended by about 300 people. In the Chapel of the studentate, in which the tomb of the Venerable Fr Vincenzo Cimatti is located, Fr Bregolin gave a conference. This was followed by Mass in the parish church of Chofu. Adding to the festive spirit had been a performance of some pieces composed by Fr Cimatti and a stage performance recalling the beginnings of the Salesian Congregation.

At the Kosen Salesian Polytechnical Institute in Chofu, on the morning of Monday 9 November there was a meeting with the teachers, and in the afternoon a friendly and fraternal visit to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Akabane.

“Fr Bregolin in Japan had the opportunity to animate and to sow fresh seeds with his words and presence.” –the  correspondent from Tokyo reports. “We pray that his visit will bear much fruit.”

Published 10/11/2009