Someone who shares my mission
Father Cimatti dedicated his life to the formation of priests and religious.
Not only in Valsalice, Italy, but from the very beginning of his missionary work after arriving in Japan, he began looking for people to share his mission with.
In 1937, Father Cimatti was able to see the fruits of his ten years of missionary work in Japan.
The work of the Salesians not only brought new believers, but also a growing number of young people, both men and women, who wanted to become Religious.
The Miyazaki seminary was filling up with young men, and the young women who had been helping out at the Miyazaki Relief Center for five years were beginning to
talk about joining religious orders.
Father Cavoli's words in his autobiography
Father Cimatti entrusted the Miyazaki Asylum to Father Cavoli, who was the parish priest of Miyazaki Church,
so we introduce some words written by Father Cavoli in his autobiography.
"The year was 1937. Japan's political situation was gradually leaning more and more towards imperialist policies,
and foreign missionaries were being considered spies and were being followed by the police.
Father Cimatti, who was a man who understood me well, considered self-control and recommended that
I establish a convent for women to continue the work of the orphanage and relief facility.
When I heard Father Cimatti's offer, I blurted out, "There's no way I could do that."
Shortly thereafter, Father Cimatti brought up the topic again,
encouraging me with his natural optimism.
And after being advised the same thing for the third time, as a religious I could no longer refuse,
so I bowed my head and, borrowing the words of Saint Peter, replied, "Since you say so, I will let down the nets," and followed his advice.
After going through various procedures, the new Congregation was approved on August 15, 1937.
In his encyclical letter Rerum Ecclesiae addressed to the diocesan priests of the missionary territories,
Pope Pius XI advised them, "The founding of Japanese religious congregations of men and women must be considered an important part of your mission."
Founding of the Caritas Sisters of Japanese
In fact, Father Cimatti, who was the parish priest of the Miyazaki Apostolic District,
received permission from the Holy See to found a new religious order and, on his own authority, promulgated the following document:
Based on the permission granted by the Holy See on June 16, 1937, to found a Japanese Congregation of Caritas Sisters in our Miyazaki Apostolic Diocese,
and also at the request of Father Cavoli, who for many years has been in charge of the religious formation of the women living in the Miyazaki Asylum for Orphans and the Elderly,
after hearing the opinion of the Council, and in accordance with Canon 492-1 of the Code of Canon Law, I hereby officially establish, by my own authority,
the Japanese Congregation of Caritas Sisters in Miyazaki as a diocesan religious order.
Cimatty, Diocesan Priest
In a letter dated August 31, 1937, reporting to the Salesian Superior General, Fr. Peter Riccardone, Fr. Cimatti wrote:
"It was a great joy for all of us to be able to establish a new convent, as recommended by Pope Pius XI.
The example and actions of our Japanese sisters are essential for the fruitfulness of our apostolate in Japan.
The purpose of the new convent is to spread the faith through corporal and spiritual charitable works.
Over time, we believe it will become a convent that is fruitful for the apostolate in Japan."
Very recently, the Holy See decided to recognize Father Cimatti, along with Father Cavoli, as founders of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus.
Cimatti Museum Father Marsilio
September 6, 2022
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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