Boat trip to Japan
Led by Father Cimatti, nine Salesians set off for Japan from Genoa on the evening of December 29, 1925, aboard the German ship Fulda.
The voyage took 42 days at sea. The ship dropped off and picked up passengers and stopped at ports in various countries to refuel, including Port Seychelles, Aden, Colombo, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. It arrived at Mojiko Port in Japan at 8:00 a.m. on February 8, 1926.
Meeting Professor Senroku Uehara on board
On the ship, the missionaries met a Japanese man, Professor Senroku Uehara, who taught them Japanese every day.
Father Cimatti said that he was a kind man, "bravo, buono."
Here is Professor Uehara's testimony about Father Cimatti:
"I traveled from Italy to Japan with Salesian missionaries who were visiting Japan for the first time.
I was deeply impressed by their attitude and friendly manner. There were other missionaries on the ship, but I was able to connect easily only with the Salesians.
Father Cimatti was the central figure in the group.
He spoke little, always answered questions calmly, and always had a smile on his face. He was always writing letters, reading, studying, or doing something.
One day, I told him, "You don't understand Japanese very well, so you'll have a hard time when you arrive in Japan."
Forty-five years have passed since then, but I can still hear his reply:
"The Lord knows where we are. There's no need to worry; we entrust ourselves to His providence."
Father Cimatti was a short man, quiet, yet approachable, gentle and thoughtful.
He reminded me of a famous monk I knew.
I also once asked him, "What do you plan to do when you arrive in Japan?"
Father Cimatti replied, "I plan to immediately devote myself to evangelizing the Japanese people. I'll think about other things when the time comes."
I had connections with Christians both in Japan and at the University of Vienna in Austria, and they preached to me many times, but
Father Cimatti never behaved in that way toward me.
He never pushed his opinions on others or pushed himself forward. Rather, he welcomed and was always willing to listen, even if his opinions differed from his own.
If I had asked, I'm sure he would have taught me about Catholicism, but since I didn't ask, he respected my wishes.
Although many years have passed, my memories of Father Cimatti are deep and beautiful, unlike other priests.
He had a broad heart and perspective. He was someone who considered the feelings and thoughts of others and always respected people as they were.
Kissing the chapel tatami mat
Father Cimatti and eight other Salesians were received in Mojiko by Father Martin of the Paris Mission and visited his home,
where Father Cimatti entered the chapel, gave thanks to everyone and to God, kissed the tatami mats, and said,
"This is the blessed new home that the Lord has given us."
Cimatti Museum Father Marsilio
October 6, 2021
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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