The 46th Nojiriko Bible Camp:
Since 1972 nurturing the vocation culture in Japan
Nojiriko, Japan, 17 August 2018 -- By the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called the first Apostles. Lake Nojiriko (280km far in the North from Tokyo), likewise, has watched many young boys be called by Jesus to the Salesian way of life. The 46th Bible Camp, the annual vocation-promoting camp by the Youth Ministry department of the Japan Province, has taken place from Aug 8 to Aug 17. It welcomed 66 boys, between 10 to 18 years of age. The theme "Lord, give me this water"(John 4:15) has been taken after the 2018 Strenna by the Rector Major. The participants from various parts of the country have been invited to reflect on their own relationship with the Lord under the theme above.
The programme consists of Eucharistic celebration, rosary, group work, bible study, recreation, mountain climbing, sharing of vocation stories, as well as meditation and the sacrament of reconciliation. One of the most characteristic aspects of this Bible Camp must be that many Salesian priests, lay brothers, seminarians, post-novices, novices and aspirants take part as leaders and staff (many Salesian Family members behind the scenes as well!!). Its prayerful and recreational atmosphere, nature-surrounded setting, and a close relationship with joyful Salesians may be a nice recipe to create an environment in which the young boys can listen to Jesus' personal calling. For some of the participants, this camp becomes a great opportunity to think about a religious or priestly vocation.
The Bible Camp has made a big contribution to promoting Salesian vocation in Japan, showing that God calls ordinary people in order to give out his extraordinary grace. Quite a few of the Salesians once experienced the Bible Camp as small boys. I myself was called to the Salesian life through the camp some 30 years ago.
However, its perspective is not just vocation promotion. As the number of the Christians in Japan is low (1% of the whole population), it is not easy for the young people to find the fellow young Catholics in the parishes or schools with whom they could share their faith in Christ. That situation often discourages them from living out their faith openly in the society. On the contrary, faith-sharing experience with the fellow believers through the camp encourages them to walk as sons of Christ with dignity, pride and joy!
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