（39）Friendship, encouragement at work, fond memories

Miyazaki, November 21, 1926
To Father Caviglia Alberto

Dear Father Caviglia,

I was deeply touched to receive your letter! How beautiful it is to understand and be understood by others! We must have understood each other. To repay the favor, I offer many prayers and pray with faith. There are many reasons for this.

a To thank you so much for the love you have shown me and the many good things you have done for me that only God knows.

b Especially so that the many tasks you are currently working on can be completed. My heart truly leaps for joy when I hear that you are now in charge of publishing Don Bosco's works. Believe me (and I say this without flattery or for any other ignoble purpose) that if it had been my choice to choose the person in charge, I would have chosen you. Thank God from my heart! I am so happy that this fulfills a wish that I have expressed so many times in our retreats. I am so happy, dear Fr. Alberto, and I look forward to reading the results of your research one day. This would be a better way to honour Don Bosco than to erect a monument in the square in front of the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians. The honour that would befall Don Bosco and the immense good that would result from it will also befall you. Thank God!

Now, I will answer the question posed by the priest.

①
As far as I know, there is not much Christian art in Japan today. The cathedrals that exist in Japan today are in all styles. Most were built by French priests, so they can be described as either French-style or non-style. The only Japanese features are the tatami mats and wood. Since believers sit on tatami mats, most churches do not have benches. To make them more Japanese, I think believers would be pleased if they imitated Shinto or Buddhist temples. Some temples are truly beautiful, with vibrant decorations (bright red lacquer, black, gold, and silver). The precious, sturdy wood used is also impressive. I enclose some postcards.

If I ever build something in the future (I'm thinking of two more), you may ask for some work. If so, I'll let you know soon. For now, I'd like a quick sketch of a small chapel for the cemetery, since there is no cemetery for the faithful, and they are making tombs among the Buddhas and gods.

I'm thinking of a rectangular structure about 20x10 meters with a cross in the middle. I want something that stands out and makes people think, "Catholics care about their dead!" The cemetery issue is urgent. A wooden structure would be fine at first. The Japanese have excellent skills in this area. The roof tiles here are made from special clay, slightly wavy, with rounded edges and a dark gray color. However, a copper roof would also be fine. There are trees growing nearby.

② (omitted)

③ The documents for my modest work (Don Bosco educatore) are incomplete. I have searched the libraries of Turin, the Oratorio, and Valsalice... I have inquired with various members... but they are slow to respond. (Father Rossi said at the time that he had found some interesting documents in Oxford, but I have not received them.) There are also some in the Bollettino Salesiano and Central Council libraries (there may be some). There are none elsewhere. I gathered some documents at hand, when I did not expect to come to Japan, hoping to supplement them if the opportunity arose. I am enclosing them here. Please forgive the messy handwriting and the torn paper.

④ As for the tea, do this: go to the kitchen (...) and put some leaves in boiling water for a while to soften them. Remove the leaves, dry them, crush them and make a tea. It will work. I drink a hearty amount of it every day with every meal. But next time I send a specimen to Father Tonelli, I'll make sure it's properly prepared.

⑤ Dear Father Caviglia, please do not overestimate me. Saving our souls is the most important thing, and nothing else...

Congratulations to everyone, everyone. For me, the St. John's Branch in Turin is a place where I was able to carry out concrete activities as a Salesian, even if it wasn't something big. But I was able to do so because all of you wonderful members supported me both physically and mentally. I remember you all every day and pray for you. That's all I can do now.

Father Alberto, I send you a big kiss and a big hug from my heart. Work for the glory of Don Bosco, for the glory of Mary and God, and for the glory of the Church on earth. Continue to pray for me. I am by your side every day, in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers.

Yours, Father V. Cimatti

Please excuse my Italian writing style. Learning this difficult language has made my native language sound strange.

①	As far as I know, there is not much Christian art in Japan today. The cathedrals that exist in Japan today are in all styles. Most were built by French priests, so they can be described as either French-style or non-style. The only Japanese features are the tatami mats and wood. Since believers sit on tatami mats, most churches do not have benches. To make them more Japanese, I think believers would be pleased if they imitated Shinto or Buddhist temples. Some temples are truly beautiful, with vibrant decorations (bright red lacquer, black, gold, and silver). The precious, sturdy wood used is also impressive. I enclose some postcards. If I ever build something in the future (I'm thinking of two more), you may ask for some work. If so, I'll let you know soon. For now, I'd like a quick sketch of a small chapel for the cemetery, since there is no cemetery for the faithful, and they are making tombs among the Buddhas and gods. I'm thinking of a rectangular structure about 20x10 meters with a cross in the middle. I want something that stands out and makes people think, "Catholics care about their dead!" The cemetery issue is urgent. A wooden structure would be fine at first. The Japanese have excellent skills in this area. The roof tiles here are made from special clay, slightly wavy, with rounded edges and a dark gray color. However, a copper roof would also be fine. There are trees growing nearby.
②	(omitted)
③	The documents for my modest work (Don Bosco educatore) are incomplete. I have searched the libraries of Turin, the Oratorio, and Valsalice... I have inquired with various members... but they are slow to respond. (Father Rossi said at the time that he had found some interesting documents in Oxford, but I have not received them.) There are also some in the Bollettino Salesiano and Central Council libraries (there may be some). There are none elsewhere. I gathered some documents at hand, when I did not expect to come to Japan, hoping to supplement them if the opportunity arose. I am enclosing them here. Please forgive the messy handwriting and the torn paper.
④	As for the tea, do this: go to the kitchen (...) and put some leaves in boiling water for a while to soften them. Remove the leaves, dry them, crush them and make a tea. It will work. I drink a hearty amount of it every day with every meal. But next time I send a specimen to Father Tonelli, I'll make sure it's properly prepared.
⑤	Dear Father Caviglia, please do not overestimate me. Saving our souls is the most important thing, and nothing else...