austraLasia

?

Shortcut

PrevPrev Article

NextNext Article

Larger Font Smaller Font Up Down Go comment Print Attachment
Views 1835 Comment 2
20181127_GIA.jpg


Vocation journey of VIDES member


By Mr Makoto Yamada (Raphael)


Tokyo, Japan, 26 November 2018 -- In November 2018 the Salesian Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernandez Artime, visited Japan and made enlightening comments on Japan’s pastoral condition. His comments made me consider if I, as young Salesian Family member, was truly living the life of a lay apostle. My thoughts quickly moved to my own Salesian-influenced vocation.


VIDES - a Lesson in Pro-Active Life


In my primary school days I was under the care of the Salesian Sisters (FMA) and soon joined the VIDES International Volunteer group (www.vides.org) which gave me opportunities to participate in youth events in an international setting. It was there I learned the importance of moving out of one’s self and that being proactive was a necessary requirement for a church to become open to society.


Doing Charity by Doing Business


Building on this conviction later in my life I was taken with the concept of “Doing Charity by Doing Business”. In my university days this idea had particular resonance as I had to discern my future path. Would I lead a monastic life or enter into secular society? At this time I became acquainted with the work of a Japanese NGO- Seibo Japan (named after Our Lady) who provided school meals in Malawi, Africa.(cfr: www.seibojapan.or.jp).


The organization was built on the concept of “Doing Charity by Doing Business”. Inspired by the efforts of Mobal (UK-based Catholic owned telecom company: www.mobal.com/our-story) to me it exemplified Don Bosco’s “pro-active approach” in action.In Mobal’s commitment to use the majority of their business profits for charitable purposes I found my own vocation.


Being Proactive


Sharing the Gospel in Japan can be challenging. The same applies to doing charity.


Don Bosco faced similar challenges yet through proactive actions could turn any space into an oratory. He believed the power of the Gospel could enable change in society. The Salesian spirit is similar in that it calls us to live our vocation in a pro-active way. Through VIDES and the life of Don Bosco I have found life guidance. I hope and pray as a member of the Salesian Family that I will continue my role in participation with the wider Don Bosco Family worldwide.


I’m personally glad to live a new call – vocation, being part of a social enterprise helping the poor children in Malawi, Africa. I"m happy to work with VIDES to make the spirit of Don Bosco more deeply rooted in Japanese context in the future.


NB: The Makoto Company rises to the challenge of putting nearly 90 % of its profit toward this African charity. (https://www.mobal.com/our-story) Makoto is involved in the NGO ‘Seibo’, founded in order to protect all human beings, especially children like Mary.




20181127_GIA1.jpg


Attach

Drag and drop your files here, or Click attach files button.

Maximum File Size : 0MB (Allowed extentsions : *.*)

0 file(s) attached ( / )
  • vaclav 2018.11.30 20:30
    Thanks for your post about VIDES through my vocatinal story.

    I am very glad to work with you and all the family of Don Bosco through my laymanship.

    Please keep in touch and make more fruits of evangelization 
    through VIDES work.
  • lillawilkinson97 2021.09.03 20:52

    Looking for the best assignment writing service that offers premium services at reasonable prices? 


  1. 4964(II)_For the mutual understanding

    Traditional joint Quinquennium meeting Japan and Korea By Fr Taniguchi Ryohei, SDB Nagasaki, Japan, 28 December 2018 -- Japan province is very happy to welcome our confreres from Korea to one of the memorial places of our faith and history ...
    Date2018.12.29 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views1385 file
    Read More
  2. 4939(II)_St Francis Xavier Province celebrates its Patron Saint

    Rectors Japan meet in Nakatsu, Kyushu island By Fr. Michael Lap, SDB Nakatsu, Japan, 3 December 2018 -- The Salesians of St Francis Xavier Province, Japan, met for their 3rd Rectors meeting during this year of 2018 in Nakatsu, Kyushu Island...
    Date2018.12.04 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views1250 file
    Read More
  3. 4931(I)_Inspired by the Rector Major

    Vocation journey of VIDES member By Mr Makoto Yamada (Raphael) Tokyo, Japan, 26 November 2018 -- In November 2018 the Salesian Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernandez Artime, visited Japan and made enlightening comments on Japan’s pastoral conditi...
    Date2018.11.27 CategoryGIA Reply2 Views1835 file
    Read More
  4. 4926_"We saw Don Bosco alive!"

    Japan visit of the Rector Major By Mr. Mitch Tateishi, GIA SC team, EXDB Tokyo, Japan, 22 November 2018 -- The visit of the Rector Major to Japan has become an unforgettable moment for the members of the Salesian Family in their various voc...
    Date2018.11.22 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views1668 file
    Read More
  5. 4924(I)_"Under the common flag of 'Salesian'"

    Don Bosco Past Pupils Japan Annual Board Meeting in Miyazaki By Mr. Chihiro OKAWA, EXDB Miyazaki, Japan, 17 November 2018 -- The Federation of Don Bosco Alumni, chaired by President Mr Hiroshi Yoshida (the Honorary Advisor of the Osaka Seik...
    Date2018.11.20 CategoryGIA Reply1 Views1181 file
    Read More
  6. 4919(II)_EAO Formation Meeting Starts in Japan

    By Fr. Michael Lap, SDB Yamanaka, Japan, 16 November 2018 -- Surrounded by nature, by a lake with Mt. Fuji in view, East Asia and Oceania Regional (EAO) Formation Commission is having their bi-yearly meeting at the FMA Sisters’ retreat hous...
    Date2018.11.16 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views1445 file
    Read More
  7. 4917(I)_Inter-cultural Catholic community of Saitama open to the poor

    Missionary communion of Saitama diocese By Dcn Sadato Yabuki, Saitama Diocese Saitama, Japan, 15 November 2018 -- The Tokyo metropolitan area has 11 vicariates with 60 parishes scattered over the large area of 4 prefectures with a populatio...
    Date2018.11.15 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views892 file
    Read More
  8. 4913(I)_The Salesian Family in Japan Say Good-bye to the Rector Major

    Rector Major's visit to Japan (8) By Chihiro Okawa, EXDB Tokyo, Japan, 13 November 2018 -- Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians successfully finished his visit to Japan early on the morning of 13 November 2018, and h...
    Date2018.11.13 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views1447 file
    Read More
  9. 4912_Rector Major meets Salesians in Japan

    Rector Major's visit to Japan (7) By Fr Yoshiki Sekiya, SDB Tokyo, Japan, 13 November 2018 -- On Monday 12 November, in the morning, the Rector Major had a time of encounter with Salesians of Japan at the Chofu Seminariate. Around 45 confre...
    Date2018.11.13 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views1660 file
    Read More
  10. 4911_Let Us Unite and Advance with Creativity!

    Salesian Family Day Japan 2018 with the Rector Major By Chihiro Okawa and Mitsuhiro Tateishi, EXDB Tokyo, Japan, 11 November 2018 -- On the afternoon of Sunday 11th November, the Salesian Family Day 2018 with Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the ...
    Date2018.11.12 CategoryGIA Reply0 Views1636 file
    Read More
List
Board Pagination Prev 1 ... 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ... 25 Next
/ 25