(26) Daily life, leprosy clinics, and the issue of emperor worship

(26) Daily life, leprosy clinics, and the issue of emperor worship

Miyazaki, June 30, 1926
To Father Rinaldi Filippo

Dear Father Rinaldi,

Here is this month's news. (Omitted)

June 12 This is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, patroness of Japan. It is celebrated in accordance with the vows made by Father Forcade, who became the first parish priest of the Apostolic Province of Japan in 1884.
The first loquats are starting to appear around this time. They are larger and fresher than those in Europe.

June 13 On the Feast of St. Anthony, we celebrated Father Cavoli's name day.

June 17 We went on a field trip along the Oyo River. The views were beautiful, but even more amazing than the scenery were the large number of poor young people! Oh Lord, when will I start working with young people? (Omitted)

June 18 We were visited by the missionary Father Boulteau. There is always something to learn from interacting with such men of God. They all say they want to see and get to know us. Father Boulteau lives in the Biwazaki clinic, which is run by the government and treats over 500 leprosy patients. He told us about the difficulties of conversion in such a clinic, the troubles of marriage, and the promiscuity of relationships between non-believers. Their newborn children are being entrusted to the care of Franciscan sisters. Father Boulteau believes that it is through providing material care that Japanese people become interested in religion.

In my opinion, it is more important to focus on indirect evangelism among young people and to train Japanese priests. Furthermore, we need to better organize the current faithful and encourage them to go "outside" the Church more. I also think it would be good if capable Japanese priests went around giving lectures. However, it seems that we do not have the means to do so.

Children playing at the time

Another issue is the disagreement among bishops and missionaries about emperor worship (as well as other moral details), which remains an unresolved and difficult question: whether Christians should be allowed to participate in such rituals. Some argue that it is a religious act and that it is not permissible. Recently, three Catholic soldiers refused to take the oath, feeling that it went against their beliefs. I wonder how the government views this, and how you feel about it, Your Excellency? Well, it seems that the higher-ups are finding this contradictory. (Recently, the government has also come to the view that it would be better to remove mythological elements from approved textbooks.)

On the other hand, there are people who say that emperor worship is like the salute we Italian fascists give, and that it's okay. It's mandatory for children and young people to do it in schools, and the entire nation does it too. Therefore...

June 21

Friar Guasquino

It's the anniversary of St. Aloysius. It's also the name day of Brother Guaschino. He won the photography competition and the bocce (Italian ball rolling) competition organized by the chapter. Italy is respected in Japan, and Mussolini's message to young people was well received. This too is useful to us, and is meaningful through God's providence. Recently, Italy sold an airship to Japan. At the moment, there are only a few Italians in Japan, apparently only about 15 other than us. (Omitted)

June 28th-29th Starting in July, our parish priest has entrusted us with preaching on Sundays, so first, on Sunday, July 4th, I will talk about Saint Peter and the Pope. After that, we will take turns preaching. I'm still not very good at the words, but it's very good training. May the Lord bless, protect, and preserve us! Please pray that with the help of Our Lady Help of Christians, we may be able to do so as well as possible.

In Jesus Christ, with loving kindness

Father V. Cimatti

June 12	This is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, patroness of Japan. It is celebrated in accordance with the vows made by Father Forcade, who became the first parish priest of the Apostolic Province of Japan in 1884. The first loquats are starting to appear around this time. They are larger and fresher than those in Europe.
June 13	On the Feast of St. Anthony, we celebrated Father Cavoli's name day.
June 17	We went on a field trip along the Oyo River. The views were beautiful, but even more amazing than the scenery were the large number of poor young people! Oh Lord, when will I start working with young people? (Omitted)
June 18	We were visited by the missionary Father Boulteau. There is always something to learn from interacting with such men of God. They all say they want to see and get to know us. Father Boulteau lives in the Biwazaki clinic, which is run by the government and treats over 500 leprosy patients. He told us about the difficulties of conversion in such a clinic, the troubles of marriage, and the promiscuity of relationships between non-believers. Their newborn children are being entrusted to the care of Franciscan sisters. Father Boulteau believes that it is through providing material care that Japanese people become interested in religion.