Already 25 years of Mons Cimatti Venerable
By Fr. Gaetano Compri, SDB
Vice-postulator - Cause of Fr Vincent Cimatti
On the 21st December 2016 we remember already 25th anniversary of Mons Vincent Cimatti declared by the Church a "Venerable". Since that time we just wait for one miracle attributed to his intercession as the main condition for his eventual Beatification. Would like to help? Please, translate in your language the Prayer for the beatification and make it pray in your EAO country or province!
Since the times of the first Vice-postulator of his Cause, Fr. Alfonso Crevacare (1916-1995) there was an ongoing diligent effort to make known the spiritual and cultural heritage of our dear 'Mons Cimatti', as he is known around the Salesian Family in Japan. In the Tokyo-Chofu based Cimatti Museum we have gathered all his 950 music compositions, including his 40 'Operettas' and all possible publications, letters, conferences and spiritual writings. Come and visit us! We can be also visited on the internet: http://www.v-cimatti.com
"I'm already 87 years old, but still fully active in the missionary working field, God willing until He will call me and I will tell him 'Here I'm Lord' and will give thanks to God for all gifts he entrusted me. In the 2017 'Cimatti Calendar' we present the 'Alumni - Disciples of Cimatti in Japan'. He always focused on vocation ministry for priesthood and religious life. I'm praying for you from the Chofu - Tomb of our beloved Mons. Cimatti."
Prayer for the beatification of Venerable Vincent Cimatti
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, who wished to manifest
the goodness of Your heavenly Father
through your Faithful servant Vincent Cimatti,
help us to imitate his wholesome cheerfulness
and faithfulness to daily duties.
Help us, as You helped him, to be fervently united
in charity and prayer with each other and with You.
Also grant us the grace_____________________
We ask You also to quicken his glorification on earth,
through the intercession of Your Holy Mother Mary,
our Help and Guide. Amen
- Basic biography and materials available on the BOSCOLINK:
- Calendar 2017 (Fr Cimatti and his Alumni)
- Cimatti museum news 2016, December
- Cimatti - video (biography) 25 minute (ITA)
(ANS – Roma) – “Among those who distinguished themselves for the zeal with which they collaborated towards the evangelizing mission of the Church, it is worth numbering Fr. Vincenzo Cimatti, who put himself completely at the service of Christ, witnessed to him with the excellence of his virtues and with the fervour of his apostolate”. This is what is written in the Decree of Venerability of Msgr. Vincenzo Cimatti, promulgated by Pope St. John Paul II on December 21st 1991.
Vincenzo Cimatti comes from a family of saints: he is venerable, his sister, Sr. Maria Raffaella, of the Congregation Hospital Sisters of Mercy, has been beatified; Luigi, a Salesian Brother, missionary in Latin America, died in the odour of sanctity.
Born in Faenza on July 15th, 1879, Vincenzo lost his father at the age of 3. He became a Salesian at the age of 17, a priest at 24; he obtained a Diploma at the Conservatorium of Parma and degrees in Agriculture, Philosophy and Pedagogy in Turin. And yet he used to say: “I would willingly give away all my degrees to deserve the grace to be a missionary”.
Nevertheless, for about twenty years he had to stay in Turin. With total devotion he fulfilled many roles: dean of studies, professor, music teacher, principal, rector of the community of Valsalice, which was dedicated to the formation of clerics. He had a profound influence of his students, who always had for him a high esteem.
On Christmas 1925 the then Rector Major Fr. Philip Rinaldi sent him as head of the group to found the Salesian mission and presence in Japan. He will work there for 40 years. He conquered the Japanese with his artistic talent and even more with his goodness: he directed many concerts with resounding success; he went to the poorest, the children, the aged, the sick. With very poor means and despite difficulties of all kinds, he integrated in the new environment with enthusiasm, fervour, prudence and pastoral charity.
He loved Japan as his second home country and assimilated its costumes and traditions. He opened orphanages, oratories, vocational schools, a publishing house. In 1935 the mission of Miyazaki-Oita was erected as Apostolic Prefecture and Fr. Cimatti was its first Superior. But to his friends who had sent him from Italy the vestments of “Monsignore” he sent them back, saying: “Sell everything and send me money for the poor”.
He later became Provincial. After the trial of war, he reconstructed again with redoubled courage. Eventually he retired, to leave his place to the young. He died at 86 years of age, on October 6th, 1965. He had said: “I would like to die here to become Japanese soil”.