Bishop Paulo Marella's letter to the Vatican
In 1935, Father Cimatti was appointed Superior of the Miyazaki Apostolic District.
When he heard his name being mentioned, he wrote to his superiors in the Vatican and Turin, refusing to be selected.
Bishop Paulo Marella, the Apostolic Nuncio to Japan at the time, wrote the following about Father Cimatti in a letter to the Vatican:
●"Father Cimatti is in charge of the Miyazaki Independent Mission and, at 55 years old,
is qualified to become the leading parish priest of
the Miyazaki Apostolic District. He is a natural scientist and a man of many abilities. He is full of health and energy, and often spends the
night on an overnight train, buying a cheap ticket, in order to spread the gospel, but the next morning he always gets back to his regular
work as if nothing had happened. He is a true father to the missionaries and is respected by all.
He is close to people in a cheerful and
simple way, and is happy to accept even humble tasks, setting an example of faith and a spirit of sacrifice for everyone.
He is not afraid of
difficulties and knows how to encourage and comfort tired members with words and jokes.
He has a natural talent for making friends and
has earned the favor of the town's politicians."
(Congregatio pro Causis Sanctorum,Positio super virtutibus,Vol 1,p.174)
Testimony of Father Peter Allupe about Father Cimatti
There is also a testimony about Father Cimatti from Father Peter Allupe, who worked in Japan for many years and later served as Superior General of the Society of Jesus.
These are his words upon learning of Father Cimatti's death:
●"When I hear the name Cimatti, many memories come to mind.
I first got to know him in 1941, and since then I have been blessed with
a long relationship with him. In 1941 he was in Miyazaki,
and I was the parish priest of Yamaguchi Church. When I held a concert at
Yamaguchi Church,
I had the opportunity to sing accompanied on the piano by Father Cimatti.
Since then, I have had many opportunities
to witness his charity, kindness and apostolic passion. His love and respect for me and for others will not be easily forgotten.
Over time, despite the different circumstances of life, Fr. Cimatti's work became known throughout Japan, and it became a source of
comfort and joy for me too.
Two things stand out about Father Cimatti's missionary work: he succeeded in identifying himself completely with the Japanese people,
and he was outstanding in his fraternal cooperation with everyone, without discrimination.
For this reason, Fr. Cimatti provided a new imaginative stimulus for evangelization activities not only for the Salesian Family but also for all
those who had some kind of connection with him. Fr. Cimatti will remain in the history of evangelization in Japan as a truly great
missionary figure.
(Testimonianze,Vol.1,p.56)、（June 16, 1966）。
Cimatti Museum
Translated by Father Marsilio Giovanni
October 6, 2024
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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