Provincial Community Day and Consultation in Tokyo

By Our Own Correspondent

Tokyo, Japan, 18 June 2018 -- According the 2018-2019 annual schedule the Japan Provincial Community Day was celebrated on Sunday, June 17 in the Salesian Formation House in Chofu - Tokyo with the presence of more than 50 SDB gathered from all 14 communities from Miyazaki to Tokyo.

Before the Eucharist were two short talks given by Fr. Gaetano Compri (Vice-postulator of Mons. Cimatti Cause) about the Salesian Holiness and by Fr. Shijiro Urata (Ongoing formation commission) who presented the newly published translation of Don Bosco Biographies of Three Youngsters (Savio, Magone and Besucco).

The Solemn Eucharist was presided by the main Jubilarian, Fr. Gaetano Compri (60 Years of Ordination) with Fr. Giovanni Marsiglio and Fr. Paolo Tanaka (50 years of Ordination) and three Silver Jubilarians (25 Years of Religious profession) of Fr. Shinjiro Urata, Fr. Tsujie Naoki and Fr. Tamura Hiroshi. Only Fr. Jan Bury who celebrates this year his Golden Jubilee of profession was not present (Yokkaichi community). Personal life sharing of senior confreres created a wonderful family atmosphere.

As usual, the welcoming community of Chofu prepared after family supper participatory Academy in honor of the Jubilarians with songs, magic of Fr. Mickey Muramatsu (and new star in person of Cl. Iguchi is coming out) and other creative items.

Following day (Monday, June 18) was dedicated to the Rectors Meeting (morning sessions) and to the discernment for the new provincial, both with the animating and listenful presence of the EAO Regional Councilor, who was sent by the Rector Major especially for this occasion. More than 30 confreres attended the prayer and reflection encounter of consultation, that helped all to widen their vision about the present state of the province and the possible candidates. Serene and positive family spirit reflected the present atmosphere in the provincial community after the recent appointment of Fr. Mario Yamanouchi as Bishop of Saitama.

At present time the Province of Japan has 90 confreres in 14 canonical communities, with one novice and three senior aspirants in Chofu as well with one practical trainee in Papua New Guinea for the discernment of his missionary vocation. The Reshaping process of the Salesian province started in 2014 with a clear direction to fulfill the preferential option for the poor young people gives to most of the confreres wide vision and new energies.

We give thanks to God for the fidelity and creativity of our senior confreres and for renewed experience of missionary communion within one Salesian Provincial community! Arigatou Gosaimasu!

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