Recommended as the Diocese Chief of the Miyazaki-Oita
Independent Mission District
The work of the Salesians, who had arrived in Japan only two years earlier, bore fruit,
and in 1928 Miyazaki and Oita prefectures were separated from the Fukuoka Diocese and became "independent missionary districts."
Three names were submitted to the Vatican to recommend a new parish priest, and Father Cimatti's name was one of them.
The Vatican consulted with Bishop Mario Giordani (1922-1931), the Papal Nuncio to Japan, and he sent the following message about Father Cimatti:
"Father Vincenzo Cimatti is 49 years old and has been in charge of the Miyazaki Mission since its inception (1926).
He is an outstanding leader of Salesian activities.
Blessed with a keen intellect, he is able to quickly understand situations and provide the appropriate measures needed.
People are amazed by his mysterious energy.
He displays a spirit of initiative that is wise, sensitive and bold in his actions, while trusting in God's Providence.
He has long experience as a superior at the Turin Valsalice Chapter and has earned the trust and respect of all Salesians in Japan.
After just two years of evangelization work, he has established a satisfactory system in the Miyazaki mission field, and we expect great development from now on.
With his optimistic personality, he quickly gained a good reputation among believers and non-believers alike,
and he actively cooperated with the many religious orders working nearby, which earned him a great reputation.
As a religious and as a priest, he is considered a role model by those who came to know him.
He was quite old when he came to Japan (46 years old), so he had a hard time learning Japanese, but he was able to speak it reasonably well."(Positio super virtutibus,Vol.1,p.153).
Recommended as the first parish priest of the Miyazaki Independent Mission
In 1935, the Miyazaki Independent Mission was elevated to a "pastoral district". When it came to selecting the first parish priest,
Father Cimatti wrote to the Holy See asking that someone else be chosen if possible, so the Vatican consulted Father Pietro Riccardone,
then Superior General of the Salesian Society, and received the following reply:
"Father Cimatti, head of the Miyazaki Independent Mission, is the missionary best suited to be elected parish priest.
It is true that he dislikes the position of superior, but he is a missionary of prayer, a knowledgeable teacher,
a holder of three academic degrees, a man of sacrifice, and a man of extraordinary energy.
He will give various reasons for not being elected Superior, such as his own incompetence, the salvation of his own soul and the salvation of others, and so on, and he will be opposed to being in a position of authority, because he is a truly humble man.
But he is also very obedient, so I am sure he would accept if elected.
I am sure he will do great good."(Positio super vitutibus,Vol.1,p.175).
Cimatti Museum
Father Marsiglio
September 6, 2024
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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