He walked the path of holiness
Many people testify that even while he was alive, Fr. Cimatti possessed an exceptional spirituality and lived his life striving for perfection.
In his personal letters to his superiors, he often wrote the following:
"I want to become a saint. I really want to, so please help me. A great saint. I want to become a saint soon."
In Valsalice, Fr. Cimatti was recognized as a model of priestly, religious and Salesian life, and already had the reputation of being a "saint."
Here are some testimonies from that time.
Father Franco Amelio: "Early in my life in Valsalice, I often heard seminarians say that Father Cimatti was a saint.
To me, he was the ideal Salesian. He always did everything perfectly."
Father A. Pava: "It was common knowledge among his students that Father Cimatti was a saint.
But he was able to conceal his virtues with ease and naturalness. It is certain that during his time at Valsalice,
Father Cimatti reached perfection as a man and as a monk, and was on the path to holiness."
In Japan, it is generally agreed that Fr. Cimatti's desire for perfection continually deepened,
reaching its peak during his final, painful illness. He asked everyone to pray for him, saying, "May he die in perfect love."
Beatification Research
Given the high reputation of Fr. Cimatti's holy life, it was expected that a request for permission to begin a beatification investigation would be submitted to the Holy See shortly after his death.
To this end, the work of gathering materials began immediately.
The Superior appointed Father Crebacore,
who diligently collected and collated as many testimonies and documents as possible, compiling them into an 800-page book.
Several confreres also assisted in this work.
Father Luigi Fiora, head of the beatification research, has studied the material thoroughly and written an 1,800-page summary of the material,
"Positio super virtutibus," for consideration by the Vatican's Congregation for Beatification and Causes.
The Japanese testimony was prepared at the Archbishop's Palace in Tokyo from September 1976 to 1978,
and the Italian testimony was prepared at the Archbishop's Palace in Turin from April 4 to June 3, 1978.
The witnesses (72 priests and lay people, 53 in Tokyo and 19 in Turin) testified before members of a special commission appointed by the archbishops of Tokyo and Turin.
At the same time, a review of the books written by Father Cimatti was underway, and by the time it was completed in 1981,
the results had been compiled into an astounding 22 volumes.
The two theologians in charge gave positive reviews, one writing "completely positive," and the other saying,
"Father Cimatti is a man who should be looked up to as a model for modern missionaries."
At that time, it can be said that the beatification investigation had taken an important first step.
''Venerable''
Cimatti's deliberations on virtue were commissioned by nine theologians and published in 1991 in a 171-page book with nine reports and evaluations.
The discussion of virtues includes the "fundamental virtues of Christian life" - the divine virtues of faith, hope, and love
- as well as the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, as well as poverty, chastity, obedience, humility,
and a reputation for holiness. Father Fiola, who was in charge of the beatification investigation, explains the results of the deliberations
at the beginning of his biography of Father Cimatti as follows:
"The theologians in charge who have studied and deliberated on the materials concerning Fr. Cimatti have not only made a positive judgment
about his heroic virtues, but have also concluded that Fr. Cimatti is an outstanding figure not only in the history of the Salesian Family
but also in the history of the Church in Japan, and that he represents one of the most outstanding saints of this century."
On December 21, 1991, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon Father Cimatti the title of "Venerable," so that we may now pray to God, asking for his intercession.
Cimatti Museum
Father Marsiglio
April 6, 2025
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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