First year after arriving in Japan (1926)　　

長崎司教と共に

　　He arrived in Japan on February 8, 1926.　　

　Nine Salesian missionaries, led by Fr. Cimatti, arrived in Japan on February 8, 1926. After visiting Nagasaki, the sacred site of Japanese martyrs, they traveled to Miyazaki, their missionary home. They were welcomed by Fr. Bonnecaze and several faithful from the Paris Mission, and on February 14 they took up residence in the parsonage of Miyazaki Catholic Church. They immediately gave thanks to God in the church and dedicated their work to the Virgin Mary, who was honoured in Japan with the title of "Help of Christians, Queen of Martyrs."

　　The missionaries are like marble statues that cannot speak　　　　

　I soon began to experience what people had said: "Evangelism in Japan is difficult, and it's tough to get used to the local climate." Here are some words from St. Francis Xavier, the first missionary:
　"At the beginning of their missionary work, missionaries are like marble statues that cannot speak, and people will talk about them and talk to them, but they will not understand anything and will feel like babies."
　In fact, the Salesians took the elementary school book and struggled for a year to master the Japanese language. Fr. Cimatti began to speak Japanese, setting melodies to the short poems in the book. But almost immediately, he began to dedicate himself to his apostolate.

　　The impression of believers　　　　

　Father Cimatti taught the children the Gregorian Mass for the celebration of St. Joseph in March, and in May, the month of the Virgin Mary, he recited the rosary with the faithful in the church in the evening, after which one of the missionaries spoke in Japanese.
　The impression of the believers is interesting: "These missionaries speak Japanese well in church, but outside they can't understand a word." Father Cimatti wrote in a letter to Rector Major Rinaldi, "We are all studying Japanese hard, but we are stubborn and it is taking us a long time to memorize the words. We put our hope in God. St. Francis Xavier roamed Japan even though he could not speak Japanese as well as we can. He was a saint. We want to do our best not to be outdone by him."

　　Many believers' homes are shacks　　　　

　After the summer vacation, Father Cimatti, together with Father Bonecaze, visited the homes of all the parishioners of Miyazaki Church to get to know them better, and shared his impressions in the following words:
　"Many believers live in shacks, and Jesus of Bethlehem was not born into such a poor family. I was once again convinced that the Gospel is for the poor."
　Salesians have transformed the beautiful gardens of Miyazaki Church into a playground to give children a place to play.

　　The faithful also loved Father Cimatti　　　　

　In 1926, the 700th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Salesians were invited by the Franciscans of Kagoshima to give their first musical concert and learn about this fruitful method of evangelization in Japan.
　Father Bonecaze left behind these words.
　"Unlike before, many children began to come to Miyazaki Church. Not only did the Salesians show great respect for Father Cimatti, but the parishioners of the church also loved him. This is because Father Cimatti possessed the love, humility and kindness of St. Francis of Sales."

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Cimatti Museum　　 Father Marsilio
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　November 6, 2021

　　Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life