If I hadn't been transferred, I think I would have become Catholic.
When the American occupation began, Miyazaki's Protestant Chief of Military Affairs frequently came into contact with Father Cimatti for administrative purposes.
He was deeply impressed and captivated by his personality, and a mutual respect and warm friendship quickly developed between the two men.
When Father Cimatti was in Miyazaki, he could be seen almost every night chatting with people as if they were old friends.
As Father Cimatti recalled to a priest who knew the military chief well:
"He himself said that if he hadn't been transferred, he would have become Catholic."
Additionally, on special feast days, Father Cimatti invited Catholic officers and soldiers from the military stationed in Miyazaki
to participate in solemn liturgical ceremonies presided over by Bishop Fukabori, along with the Japanese faithful.
"What a wonderful expression of the universality of the Church is this ceremony, which unites victors and vanquished as brothers before God,
and which brings Americans to their knees before the Japanese bishop, God's representative, and unites people of different languages ??and nationalities..."
Running around trying to rebuild!
In Miyazaki Apostolic District, Father Cimatti's presence was virtually the same as when he was directly responsible for the parish.
Bishop Fukahori had the Fukuoka Diocese to drain his energy, so he left all but the major events in his hands.
And that was understandable.
All but one of the missionaries were Salesians, so he ran around everywhere trying to revive the church!
It was necessary to provide a minimum level of material and moral support to the missionaries so that their activities could get on track and proceed regularly.
Cimatti Museum
Father Marsiglio
"From the biography of Father Crebacole"
November 6, 2024
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
|
