Independent Province
Father Cimatti brought the Salesian Order to Japan (February 1926) as head of a group of nine Salesians.
After 10 years of missionary work, the number of members and activities have increased and developed,
so the superiors at the Turin headquarters decided to make the Salesian Society of Japan an independent province in Japan.
The appointment order was sent to Father Cimatti, who was in charge, on December 20, 1937.
The name of the new province was "Province of St. Francis Xavier" and the provincial superior was Father Cimatti.
He actually held that position until 1949, so for 24 years he bore the great responsibility of the Salesian evangelization in Japan.
Considering the 24 years of missionary work, from its inception to its development, the difficulties faced by members in training,
the constant economic poverty, and the various adversities faced by Japan at the time,
it must have been an extremely painful "24 years of martyrdom" for Father Cimatti, who bore such responsibility.
Accepting the appointment of the Provincial Superior
How did Father Cimatti accept this appointment? His feelings can be seen in a letter he wrote to Father Ricaldone, who was the Superior General at the time.
"The appointment was delivered to me as I was. My superiors at headquarters must know me through my letters. If they decided to do this despite that,
it must be God's will. I believe there is nothing wrong with carrying out my superiors' wishes.
I conveyed this to our members with the following words: 'Please continue to be patient with me, just as you have been patient with me until now.'"
All the Salesians expressed their joy for him, saying, "We thanked our superiors and God's Providence."
Father Cimatti himself considered himself unqualified and unrepresentative for this position, as he wrote in one of his letters to his superiors:
"I come from Romania and I've always felt a sense of opposition. I like working as a low-level worker,
and sometimes I feel a certain resentment and dislike for those in higher positions, including myself."
He accepted the responsibility, but for the safety of his own soul and the souls of his members,
he asked his superiors many times over the course of 24 years to revoke it.
It is a duty to acknowledge one's own shortcomings,
and a virtue to tolerate the shortcomings of others.
So, what kind of superior was Father Cimatti? Vicar General Berruti, who visited Japan, wrote the following:
"Father Cimatti's methods can be seen in the Salesian Society's work in Japan. His family-like way of managing things, his trust in people and words of encouragement,
Father Cimatti embraces everything with love and corrects everything."
As Saint Francis of Salesio and Don Bosco said, "A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrel of vinegar,"
"The best is the enemy of the good," and "Ask only what one can do."
To those who complained that he was too kind, Father Cimatti said, "Everyone has faults, but it is a duty to acknowledge your own,
and a virtue to bear with the faults of others. I endure everything for love.", "When I stand before God, I want to be judged on my kindness."
Cimatti Museum Father Marsilio
August 6, 2022
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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