“Rejoice, becasue your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10.20)

By Fr. Mario Yamanouchi, SDB

Beppu, Japan, 2 August 2016 -- In the early morning of August 2nd, 2016 passed away Salesian priest Paul YAMANO Gentaro at the age of 69 years in Beppu, Oita Prefecture in Kyushu Island of Japan.

Fr. Paul was born in Hirado, in the Northern part of Nagasaki Prelature in September 1946 in a large Catholic family with a tradition to send their sons to the Aspirantate or Minor seminary. Gentaro entered also the Salesian Aspirantate in Hyuga Gakuin , Miyazaki City, from where he continued to the formation house in Chofu, Tokyo for his novitiate and discern his Salesian priestly vocation. After his first professionin 1967 started his Salesian consecrated life with a wonderful transparency and respect to all confreres and people around him. He never forgot to congratulate them on their birthday! After his ordination did continue his ministry in the Aspirantate of Kawasaki, Youth Center of Chofu, Orphanage of Nakatsu, Boarding house of Myiazaki school and kindergarten of Adachi in Tokyo. His versatility and pastoral zeal was famous.

Last 20 years due to his ill health Fr. Gentaro spent in Beppu – Salesian House serving other confreres, praying for the intention of the province and offering hospitality to the Salesians who were passing through Beppu. Until recent annual spiritual retreat in Fukuoka everybody witnessed his smile and patience. The immediate cause of his death was a heart attack. Fr. Paul was burried in the Salesian parish church of Beppu.

After the funeral Vigil (Tsuya) on 3rd of August presided by Fr. Provincial was celebrated the funeral Mass on next day at 12:00 with the participation of numerous faithful of his native Hirado parish and many Salesians and Salesian Family members who sung the ‘Salve Regina’. Also the Beppu Salesian Kindergarten ‘Stella Maris’ (Umino Hoshi) contributed with their song of Ave Maria and Auxiliatrix.

Fr. Paolo YAMANO Gentaro

• 1946. 16 September Born in Ohsashi-cho, Hirado, Nagasaki-ken
• 1961. April Entered in the Salesian Aspiranate of Miyazaki
• 1967. March First religious profession, Chofu - Tokyo
• 1970-1973 : Practical training, Kodaira Boys Home, Tokyo
• 1973. March Perpetual profession
• 1977. March Priestly ordinatioin
Kawasaki Aspirantate, Youth Centre in Chofu,
Orphanage in Nakatsu, Boarding house in Miyazaki
Kindegarten in Adachi (Tokyo)

• 1996- Yotsuya, Nakatsu, Salesio House - Beppu
• 2016. August 2 Beppu, Salesio House – passed away at 69 years of age

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