January 28, 1926 On board the ship bound for Hong Kong
To the Superior General, Father Rinaldi Filippo
The group heading to Japan belonged to the Salesian Province of China for the first year. The Provincial Superior was Father Canazei. He had visited Japan two years before the group to check out the area. As the text says, the group first met him in Singapore.
Dear My Daddy
(Omitted) In Singapore, our dear Father Canazei was waiting for us on his way back from a visit to Thailand. You can imagine the joy of everyone. Some of us took a rickshaw and some a car, and he took us to a Catholic church in Portugal. Next, we had the opportunity to tour the Catholic churches in the city. We were very touched by everyone's kindness.
We bought what we needed and returned to the ship, but as usual, I was overcome with indescribable disgust and disgust at the arrogant attitude of the rulers. Although the rulers try to improve the economic condition of the people, they completely ignore their spiritual and moral aspects. It was as if my own arrogant character had been shown to me. When the natives saw the material luxury of the rulers, they wanted to emulate them and turned away from God. (Omitted)
As I write this, our boat passes by Sanchan Island. St. Francis Xavier comes to mind! I am sure that with a smile, this saint is welcoming us, who look up to his namesake, St. Francis [Salesian], as our patron, and asking for God's abundant blessing on our future work!
Bless me and pray for me from Jesus the humility, the spirit of work and the charity of St. Francis de Sales.
Your Child, Father V. Cimatti
February 2, 1926 from Shanghai
To the Superior General, Father Rinaldi Filippo
After parting ways with the members going to China in Hong Kong, he was taken care of by Salesians in Shanghai. Mr. Lo-Pa-Hong, who appears in this letter, was a devout Catholic who donated his wealth to social welfare.
Dear My Daddy
(Omitted) At 7:30 on December 30th, there was an emotional farewell for the members and novices who were going to Macau. At noon, we left Hong Kong while praising Mary in the Angelus prayer. (Omitted)
On February 2nd, to express my gratitude to the kind Senroku-sensei who had taught me Japanese along the way, I held a small party where I read a composition in French and presented him with two bottles of wine. He was very happy and shook hands with each of us. I'm sure my encounter with him was not in vain.
We landed in Shanghai at 7:00 on the 3rd. Father Garelli (Note: Headmaster of the Salesian School in Shanghai at that time) and Mr. Lo-Pa-Hong's son drove us to the Salesian school. We embraced the brothers in Shanghai amid the sounds of musical instruments and the applause of the students in welcome. We forgot all our fatigue, boredom, and lethargy after the long journey. We were back among the Salesian brothers once again. We went to the chapel, greeted Jesus, and were able to see the gentle smile of Our Lady Help of Christians. (Omitted)
In Shanghai (expansion) On the afternoon of the 4th, I visited the Paris Mission office and sent a telegram to inform the missionaries in Moji of my arrival. I also sent a notice to the Papal Nuncio in Tokyo and the Italian Embassy. (Omitted)
In Shanghai, when experienced missionaries heard that we were heading to Japan, they unanimously told me that missionary work in Japan is "very difficult...very poor" in many ways, and always used superlatives such as "very, very difficult." I felt great comfort in my heart (they told me there were many difficulties). What a great sign of Jesus' mercy that he would send us to his garden in Japan to show his glory. (Omitted)
Father Rinaldi, when you see the spiritual and material poverty in which millions live! Pray and ask all to pray.
Father V. Cimatti
