He spent 46 years in Italy
Father Cimatti was 46 years old when he was dispatched to Japan. He spent 46 years in Italy.
He spent his youth in Faenza, then joined the Salesian Society and went on to become a novice seminarian in Turin-Forizzo,
and then spent time at the Valsalice College as a priest, teacher, principal and rector.
Father Cimatti among the people
How is he remembered by the people in the three towns where he lived?
In Faenza, his soprano voice became unforgettable: "the voice of an angel", "he not only prayed as he sang, but led his listeners in prayer too".
In Turin Forizzo, Fr Cimatti became a Salesian along with 137 others, but "Vincenzo Cimatti stood out in all respects."
As a seminarian at the Valsalice Academy, before he was qualified to teach, he was made to teach music and was given the title of "master" as if he was the only teacher.
He is remembered as "a teacher who always greeted everyone with kindness and a smile," and "for us, Seminary Vincenzo was an angel of love and sacrifice."
Venerable Father Andre Beltrami
In fact, when Seminary Cimatti was assigned to the Valsalice College in 1896-97, he met the Venerable Father Andre Beltrami there.
Beltrami died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 27, but Seminary Cimatti was able to come into contact with this young priest for only a year,
and was deeply impressed by him, so much so that he received his goal in life from him: "to suffer, pray, and work for others."
It is true that Father Cimatti's life in Italy can be well summed up by these words.
In 1905, the seminarian Cimatti was ordained as a Salesian priest, and from that time on "his word became an experience of God and at the same time an outpouring from a heart that experienced God".
New Principal
Regarding Mr. Cimatti, he said, "His lessons were ones the students looked forward to and no one was bored. His lessons were always clear and full of passion."
In 1920, the principal of the Valsalice College died suddenly, and a meeting was held to choose a new principal from among the Salesian teachers of the Valsalice College.
After a while, he appeared, and the students, overjoyed, grabbed the reluctant Mr. Cimatti, put him on their shoulders, and paraded him around the school playground like a portable shrine.
Everyone was shouting and shouting, but he was crying.
"Even after becoming principal, he never showed any sternness. He continued to teach 18 hours of classes every week, as before, and walked and played with us."
Headmaster of the Academy
During his final three years in Italy, Father Cimatti became the rector of the college.
"You could always approach him and talk to him. He was humble and did the dirtiest job at the school."
Father Cimatti served at the Valsalice College for 29 years, where he founded and always served as head of three associations for the good running of the college.
The "Wire Club" is a group of people who prepare and clean up all kinds of events at the school.
The Knights of Don Bosco are a group of people who regularly clean the tomb of Don Bosco, which is in the center of the corridor surrounding the school's playground.
The "Musical Society" was a group of people who wrote and performed plays, and Father Cimatti, needless to say, was always composing music and playing the piano.
Many operettas were composed and performed at the Valsalice Academy between 1921 and 1925, such as "Rays of the Sun", "The Golden Lily of Vishnu", "Ben Israel",
"Saint Francis of Salesio", "The Dream of Don Bosco", "Lord of Love" and "The Dream of the Chief".
The operetta that became best known throughout the world is "Marco the Fisherman", which was first performed at the Valsalice Academy in 1922 for the celebration of the Immaculate Conception.
Just looking at the titles of these operettas brings to mind the missionary mind of the young Father Cimatti.
Cimatti Museum Father Marsilio
September 6, 2021
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