The Seminario in Miyazaki and Father Cimatti　　　

Nakatsu Minor Seminary

January 28, 1934: Opening ceremony for Miyazaki Minor Seminary

March 1935: Seminaries leaving for Tokyo Seminary

　　　We need to train Japanese priests quickly　　　

　During his time as head of the Salesian Society (1926-1950) and as bishop of Miyazaki and Oita (1935-1940), Father Cimatti undertook a variety of projects, but the one to which he devoted the most was the Miyazaki Seminario.
　This minor seminary began in Nakatsu in 1930, moved to Miyazaki in 1933, and continued until 1942. Despite the economic crisis facing Japan in the 1930s, Father Cimatti insisted on building a minor seminary in Miyazaki. At the time, strict nationalistic ideas were in vogue, and foreign missionaries were looked down upon and feared for possible expulsion. For this reason, Father Cimatti felt that it was necessary to quickly train Japanese priests.

　　　Miyazaki Seminar　　　　

　Father Cimatti recruited young people from Miyazaki Prefecture who had just graduated from elementary school, as well as from Nagasaki, all over Japan, Korea, and other places, for the Miyazaki Seminario, and he trained them through five years of serious study.
　In addition to the required subjects at the time, students were taught Latin and Catholic doctrine. As many as 50 students lived at the Miyazaki Seminario. Graduates were to begin studying philosophy and theology at the large seminary in Tokyo.
　At the time, the seminary in Miyazaki was the only minor seminary in Japan, and many Japanese diocesan priests visited. Life at the minor seminary was one of study, prayer, play, and formation in an atmosphere of family spirit. Needless to say, there was also a brass band and a drama group that regularly performed concerts.
　Father Cimatti asked the seminary's graduates to find a successor before they left. Not all of the students at Miyazaki Seminario possessed exceptional abilities, but Father Cimatti's thinking was, "It would be great if even one of them could graduate and become a priest. Even if just one priest can celebrate Mass, that would be the best thing."
　In fact, the first priest was born on March 19, 1939. Father Cimatti's emotions that day were indescribable.

　　　Abundant Harvest　　　　

　Miyazaki Minor Seminary continued for 12 years, closing in 1942 due to World War II. While it is not possible to trace it clearly, it must be acknowledged that it was very fruitful. Miyazaki Seminario's 12 years of work produced 19 priests for Japan, 10 parish priests, 9 Salesians, and 3 religious. Of the students in Miyazaki Seminary's final year, 40 went to war, 10 were killed, and 20 returned but had to give up their priestly careers due to illness.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　Cimatti Museum
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Father Marsiglio
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　December 6, 2024 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　

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