The war is over
In 1945, Japan's eight-year war came to an end. After a long battle in Japan and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
the Japanese Emperor announced Japan's surrender over the radio on August 15th. Japanese citizens were forced to live a difficult life.
During the war, many people died and were left homeless, work in all factories stopped, mail was suspended,
trains were running but there were still no tracks in places, and food and other necessities were in short supply.
Foreigners were banned from traveling, and the Japanese people in general were in a state of depression.
Revealing a new plan to put into practice
Father Cimatti is now 66 years old, but he does not let the burden of age get to him, as he once said:
"I'm in good health, but I'm getting older. In Japan, they say that when you turn 50, it's good to hand over responsibility to someone fresher and younger."
However, as soon as the war ended, he revealed to the Salesians in Japan a new plan to be put into practice.
"Return to your previous work, help the faithful entrusted to you with planning their lives, renew your ties with your collaborators,
devote your efforts to printing, and use the social status that arises from your new situation to do as much good as you can, with as few words as possible."
Salesian work in Japan, with the exception of the Beppu Church, had suffered damage to the missionary residences in Kyushu and Tokyo and was in a state of reconstruction.
Some young Japanese confreres had died and others had been injured during the war.
The foreign confreres had been temporarily imprisoned, but
all had been able to return safely. Furthermore, six seminarians were able to receive priestly ordination in December 1945.
He wrote letters to everyone and offered words of encouragement.
Father Cimatti wrote to everyone with the following words of encouragement:
"The building was destroyed but our members are safe. Thank God. Let us work together in unity to rebuild our work, both physically and spiritually.
Let us not complain about the past, but work with joy and serenity to help others and for the glory of God.
Let us follow the spirit of Don Bosco and do our best for everyone, especially the young people."
From October 1945, Fr Cimatti, as Provincial, visited Salesian churches and committed the work of the confreres to the task of rebuilding the buildings.
In fact, after a year of hard work, he rebuilt the missionary accommodation. In December 1946, he wrote the following to members:
"We have finished rebuilding Miyakonojo Church, and the rebuilding work is now complete.
It is thanks to the miraculous work of God that we were able to achieve this in just one year. From now on, let's focus our efforts on rebuilding our hearts."
Towards the end of 1945, the Diocese of Miyazaki and Oita was transferred from the Diocese of Kagoshima to the Diocese of Fukuoka,
and in accordance with the wishes of the Bishop of Fukuoka, Fr Cimatti and the Salesians were able to return to Miyazaki and Oita
and devote themselves to their pastoral care there.
This was the first time in four years, and it was a great joy for the faithful and the Salesians alike.
Cimatti Museum Father Marsilio
April 6, 2023
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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