(17) Current situation in Miyazaki, Oita, Nakatsu, and Beppu, and expectations for young people

April 8, 1926 from Miyazaki
To the Superior General, Father Rinaldi Filippo

To my good father

...Thank you for your letter. I came back from Oita and Nakatsu... I was bored on the slow train ride and was very tired when I got home. But I have great joy in my heart. Here is a brief report.

The territory that God has entrusted to us, the little children of Don Bosco, is very large and the population of both provinces is growing.

Miyazaki boasts that it is the birthplace of the Imperial family.

Oita has memories of the work of St. Francis Xavier, and as Salesians go about their pastoral work, we hope to find old believers there.

Nakatsu is an area completely dominated by Buddhism. The churches and parsonages in Oita and Nakatsu are smaller than those in Miyazaki, but they will suffice for housing for now.

Oita has a small port and is a fishing and commercial town. It has a population of 40,000 to 50,000 people from all over. There are students of all kinds and Protestantism is deeply rooted. Catholics are few in town and scattered around the country, and are not very numerous. The situation is similar in Nakatsu. Oita's parsonage is the smallest building in the commercial area, and the parish priest has recommended that it be enlarged.

Nakatsu Church is isolated from residential areas, with a police station to the right of the building, city hall to the left, a prefectural office behind, and a school in front. It is a quiet town with a population of 25,000, two and a half hours from Oita and eight or nine hours from Miyazaki.

Between Nakatsu and Oita is the famous Beppu, known as one of Japan's great beach destinations and for its hot springs of all kinds. Many Japanese people and believers flock to Beppu for treatment, and it is becoming a famous spot. A church is desirable for the local believers and tourists. Some of them will become believers. Psychotherapy is effective for the sick (especially those with tuberculosis or mental illness). How many new religions are trying to use this type of psychotherapy to help people recover? Please consider this point. A branch church at least for Sundays would be good.

The climate of Oita and Nakatsu is similar to that of the Piedmont region.

For now, we are thinking of opening a Sunday school in Miyazaki to look after the children. (It can be done every day, not just on Sundays). We are thinking of destroying part of the garden to make room. The Lord will think of the rest. This is all assuming that Father Bonnekers does not object. It is urgent to look after the boys and girls in Miyazaki so that we do not lose our faithful families. (Please also consider arranging for sisters.) Children up to 14-15 years old are still children, but if we do not look after them continuously, they will go astray and become seriously ill. We need space for them to play and a permanent library and a mobile library. They devour books. We also need education in the faith. ...

There was a strong earthquake the other day (magnitude 4-5, two times), with the epicenter in Miyazaki. Japanese houses are flexible, so even when they shake, we don't feel the same shock, fear, or panic as in Europe.

It is now cherry blossom season in Japan. Japanese people celebrate with joy, going out to see the flowers and going on excursions.

Please pray for all of us, especially for me, who is so loved by the Lord yet has not fully responded to His grace. Together with all the elders, I embrace you with all my heart.

Your dear Father V. Cimatti