(9) Starting at Miyazaki Church

February 16

We arrived in Miyazaki around 11am.

Father Bonnecaze of the Paris Mission was waiting for us at the station along with some faithful believers. Some children, having been informed in advance by their catechist, were shouting "Hurrah! Hurrah!" from 100 meters away from the station in order to see us early. As we came out of the station, the first to smile and bow to us were two small children. Don Bosco would have wanted the first to greet his children to be those most loved by him and by Jesus.

From there the procession began. Six of us got into rickshaws, Father Cavoli at the front and I at the back, and headed to the church. Our arrival had already been reported in the newspapers. We marched confidently along while citizens looked at us with curiosity and policemen stood guard and asked the faithful for information.。

When we arrived at the church, I felt like I was dreaming. The church is a wonderful piece of Japanese architecture. It was as if we had fallen from heaven. Six of us sang the Te Deum in front of the church and dedicated ourselves to Our Lady, who is venerated as Our Lady of Japan, Queen of Martyrs and Help of Christians. Our Lady of Don Bosco wants to be venerated in Japan as Help of Christians. Thank God! In two ways, it felt like coming home.

St. Joseph's Church in Miyazaki

In the evening, the parish priest gathered the faithful (about 100 people) for a solemn celebration of the Eucharist, after which the middle-aged men greeted us. Through an interpreter, I spoke the words that God had encouraged me to speak to them, and then we parted ways, bowing to each other as if we were old friends.

Today marks the beginning of the month dedicated to St. Joseph [until March 17] and the Church is dedicated to him. What more could one ask for?

February 18

Today is Ash Wednesday. The foreheads of the believers who came to the Ash Ceremony were smeared with ash. These are the select few who inspire great hopes. These believers, who live among the heathen while fighting, are strong, resilient, and strict in their duties. They can even be said to be closed off. Especially here in Miyazaki. The majority of this community is made up of farmers, and they tend to shy away from city life and learning, which they do not like very much. This phenomenon is especially seen among the descendants of the old believers from the time of St. Francis Xavier. They certainly have great difficulties. As can be seen from the above situation, they are poor, live lonely lives, and are reserved. Compared to Protestants and heathens, who are all-permissive, Catholicism seems strict. It seems that if you want to live a materially wealthy life and get ahead in life, Shintoism, which is the official religion, is indispensable. There may be other reasons, but I am not yet accustomed to this land, so I cannot grasp them yet. Anyway, at first glance, it seems that we can expect great fruits for the future.

At present, we lack the most necessary means to act: words. What St. Francis Xavier wrote in one of his letters applies to us too: "Among this people, we are like silent statues. They speak of us, they argue, and we have no words to reply..." At this age, as I learn to speak, I feel as if I have returned to being a child. I wish I could be as innocent and docile as children.

We live and study together in four rooms on the second floor of the building. It's a little cramped, but it's better than those who are in a worse situation. There is a dining room on the first floor, and the other rooms are used by the priests of the Paris Mission.

If all goes well, the full schedule will begin on Monday the 22nd. I'll report on that next time.

During lunch, the editor-in-chief of the Hyuga Shimbun came over for an interview, took our photograph, and asked who we were and why we were there. I decided it was best to tell him straight away.

And today, the article and photo were published in the newspaper. (I will send you a translation, but I don't think it expresses it well enough. It is often very difficult to understand what goes on in the mind of a Japanese person.) This is the first public article about Don Bosco and the Salesians in Japan.

In the afternoon, Father Tanguy and I went to greet the prefectural governor, the mayor, and the police chief. All three of them welcomed us politely and promised to help us whenever we needed it. The prefectural governor offered us tea (without sugar, as is the Japanese custom). Here, as in other places, there was endless bowing and words of thanks. Anyway, our visit seemed to have been well received by everyone, and it will be beneficial for us. In the evening, Father Liviavera finally arrived in Miyazaki, feeling better.

February 19

Father Liviabella complains of eye pain. We decide he should see an eye doctor. Even the doctors here are polite in the Japanese way. We take off our shoes, put on slippers, and bow deeply to people. When a patient enters the examination room, he also takes off his slippers. When the doctor's wife is introduced, we again repeat the greeting (kneeling, putting our hands on the floor like a crawling child, bowing deeply three times, and sitting on our heels on the cushions offered to us). Then we begin an enjoyable conversation, in which we only understand three or four words out of 100, and everyone smiles broadly. When we parted, the doctor again saw us off to the entrance, where he enjoyed watching the Europeans do the exercises to put on their shoes.

This time Father Cavoli fell ill (with a severe fever, possibly resulting from rheumatism).

Today, Father Marjaria and Mr. Guasquino joined our group, so we are finally all together.

The Stations of the Cross, held in the evening, was attended with great devotion by some 50 faithful, some of whom also attend daily Mass and receive the Eucharist.

February 20

Father Cavoli's fever is not going down. We had a doctor visit him, but he can't give us any definite answer. He says it's a gastrointestinal disorder... We'll wait and see. Typhus is going around everywhere these days.

Now it's time for work! We want to get started right away for us, for the young people! (Omitted)

What about me personally? - Well, I am very calm. I have the usual difficulties in concentrating, but my health is good. Please help me to become a saint in my work, in my faith and in the spirit of sacrifice.

Happy Feast of St. Joseph! Please pray for me and our mission fields.

Everyone here is saying, and they are saying, with one voice: first of all, that learning the language is extremely difficult. Apostolic work is even more difficult. The Bishop also spoke about the difficulty of getting used to the new environment. So, in order to avoid a sudden change in life, I think we should offer more plentiful food and a little more wine, even if that means some financial sacrifice. (The Provincial Superior also agrees.) (omitted)

Please bless me and, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, grant me humility, a spirit of concentration, the strength to work hard, and the grace to keep Jesus in my heart, for myself and for my beloved brothers. I embrace you, Major General, and all my beloved superiors with all my heart.

Commemorative photo in Miyazaki	(expansion)

Your Insignificant Son, Father V. Cimatti