Saint Francis Salesio and Saint John Bosco
Father Cimatti studied St. Francis Salesio and St. John Bosco closely.
St. Francis Salesio taught 16th-century Europeans that holiness is a grace available to everyone.
Any Christian can become a saint, even in his or her own environment and involved in worldly matters.
He expounded on this teaching in his two books, "Introduction to the Devotional Life" and "On the Love of God," which are still highly regarded and read today.
Don Bosco found St. Francis Salesio to be an excellent patron and a wonderful example for living out his vocation to educate young people.With the goodness, patience, gentleness, and wise guidance that this saint displays,
he realized that he could turn the mischievous children of the Oratory into "honest citizens and good Christians."
Indeed, this was possible thanks to a preventive education method based on the three pillars of reason, faith, and charity.
Father Cimatti imitated Don Bosco
Father Cimatti studied the spirit of these two saints, made it his own, and applied it to his life as an educator and spiritual leader,
placing great importance on daily spirituality.
To become better, or even saintly, all we need to do is to perform our daily duties and tasks diligently, joyfully, and properly.
The method is simple, and I believe anyone who wants to deepen their religious life can do it.
Don Bosco also succeeded in creating a wonderful spiritual atmosphere and became the mentor of young saints such as Dominic Savio.
Father Cimatti imitated Don Bosco, and both in Valsalice and in Japan he succeeded, by word and example, in creating an atmosphere of seriousness,
enthusiasm and cheerfulness that reflected what he himself lived and constantly taught.
He gave a clear and gracious encouragement: "God wants each of us to perform all our duties well.
Let us perform our daily duties with serenity." Note the words duties, all duties, small duties, and daily duties.
You don't have to do great things. Just walk small paths.
Father Cantone, who taught theology at the Salesian Seminary in Chofu and lived close to Father Cimatti for nine years, wrote the following:
"In his Sunday catechesis this evening, Fr. Cimatti summed up the essence of Salesian spirituality in these words:
'We do not need to perform great works. Let us walk the small path, which is to perform all our daily duties simply and for God.'
This is not new, but I have included it here because I feel that in these words Fr. Cimatti defined himself.
Fr. Cimatti is a simple and down-to-earth man who, in a very earnest and natural way, faithfully performs even the smallest tasks if that is what God wants."
Let me give you the testimony of some of the main people who lived with him.
"What impressed me most about Father Cimatti was his faithfulness to his daily duties."
"Father Cimatti's holiness was not something to be feared, but rather a call to imitation."
"His holiness was easy to imitate and accessible to anyone."
Father Cimatti's aim was to show that the path to Christian perfection is easy and attractive.
Complete seriousness
However, we should not think that Father Cimatti was satisfied with the same level of goodness that everyone possesses.
In reality, he was demanding and strict. He constantly urged people to overcome "lukewarmness," to become better people, and to set high ideals.
He often encouraged people to do their best, saying, "Be positive, do all you can, and then try a little harder."
He proposed to everyone the "complete seriousness" that he himself practiced as an ideal.
To those who lamented a lack of energy and enthusiasm, he strongly urged them to "rely entirely on God's will and throw themselves into it."
I myself was once told something similar in the incense room at Oita Church.
When I finished my devotions, I confessed to Father Cimatti
that I felt no special attraction to the Lord Christ and that I felt fear when I was in God's presence.
He compassionately told me with strength, "Throw yourself into the heart of Jesus."
I hadn't had the courage to do so, and I'd lived a life closer to the ground than the high heavens, but that experience has continued to support me ever since.
Father Renato Tassinari
Cimatti Museum
Father Marsiglio
March 6, 2025
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
|
