They started working in three different places.
After studying Japanese for a year, the nine Salesians split off in 1927 to work directly in evangelization activities.
Although they had little knowledge of the Japanese language and its customs, they trusted Father Cimatti's words,
"Mary and Don Bosco will do what we cannot," and began working in three different locations.
Before leaving, Father Cimatti reflected on the situation of the members and the difficulties of missionary work in Japan, and set a goal for everyone.
"First, take care of yourself, devote yourself to young people and their families, build close relationships with people who can help you with things like Japanese, and finally, muster up the courage to go out and help."
Each Mission
★ February 1, 1927
Fr. Cimatti was chosen by the Bishop of Nagasaki to be in charge of the Salesian missionary work and became parish priest of Miyazaki Church.
Fr. Antonio Cavoli and Brother Aloysio Guaschino were chosen as his collaborators.
At the time, Miyazaki Church had about 200 parishioners. Father Cimatti wrote about this in his notebook as follows:
"Let us strive to spread the gospel in accordance with the teachings of Don Bosco and the Salesian spirit."
★ February 18, 1927
Father Cimatti also selected three more Salesian missionaries to take to Nakatsu Church.
Their names were Father Peter Piacenza, Father Leone Liviabella and Brother Alfonso Merlino.
Father Piacenza was the parish priest.
They sang thanks to God in a small chapel and began to sow the seeds of the gospel in the town. Six believers participated in the ceremony.
During the Christian era, thanks to the work of the Jesuits, there were 70,000 Christians in this region.
★ March 9, 1927
On this day the Salesian Congregation commemorates the death of St. Domenico Savio.
On this day, Father Cimatti guided the three remaining Salesians to Oita Church and appointed them to evangelize the land that was once known as Bungo.
The names of these three were Father John Tangui as the head priest, Father Marjaria, and Brother De Mattia.
To everyone's amazement, Father Margiaglia brought out a statue of Domenico Savio and placed the missionary work under the protection of the saint.
Oita Church is filled with memories of St. Francis Xavier and Otomo Yoshishige Sorin.
Francis was welcomed by the feudal lord and spent 46 days in the town, baptizing around 600 people, before traveling to China.
Evangelism in Miyazaki and Oita, Japan
Thus, under the leadership of Father Cimatti, a small group of Salesian missionaries joined other religious orders and began to evangelize the Japanese cities of Miyazaki and Oita.
Cimatti Museum Father Marsilio
December 6, 2021
Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life
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