(43)The Japanese Heart

Miyazaki December 19, 1926
To the seminarians: Marchisio Carlo

Dear Carlo,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. But you say you'll repay me. That comes from your good heart. If we pray for one another and love each other as brothers, everything will be fine. I too owe you and your mother so much. I'll stop saying that and just work in the Lord and move forward fearlessly.

Pray for me. The only thing I need is to become a saint. Without this, I won't be able to accomplish much in the mission field, and I won't be able to do anything in Japan. You won't understand the unique difficulties of this place. It's something that affects the whole of Japan, so it's difficult to explain simply.

The Japanese people are cultured and have an unimaginable attachment to tradition. They live in wealth, smile, and are grateful, but they do not easily accept foreigners. But they tolerate them because they are useful and cannot do without them. (...) In terms of organization, they are so advanced that it is inimitable. They worship the Emperor, and now that he is ill, all plays, entertainment, movies, etc. have been canceled. If he were to die, all business would come to a complete halt. We cannot imagine this, but these are the most noticeable things.

Please pray that I will become a saint and that I will learn Japanese well. I am enclosing some Japanese stamps and a letter to your mother, so that you will write her a letter. Greetings to each and every one of you. I sincerely bless you.

Father V. Cimatti