austraLasia #3204
CHOFU, TOKYO: 11 March 2013 -- Japan Province was celebrating on 9 March this year.
At the Salesian seminary in Tokyo, Chofu, the Rectors held their regular Rectors' meeting, and in the early afternoon, 1.30 p.m. Francis Okamoto Daijiro was ordained deacon by Bishop James Koda, auxiliary bishop, Tokyo.
Some thirty Salesian priests concelebrated and at least two hundred faithful were in attendance, many of them members of the Salesian Family.
After the simple but moving ceremony the new deacon and the ordaining bishop were presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. A resounding applause broke out as deacon Okamoto offered the flowers to his mother. The bishop gave his bouquet to the new deacon's father! Naturally there was opportunity to fellowship afterwards and a substantial afternoon tea.
The new deacon was baptized when he was 14 and came to know the Salesians after his university studies where he had specialised in Indian philosophy. He actually made his novitiate and first vows in Samoa, belonging to the Australia-Pacific Province.
In April, deacon Okamoto will begin is final year of Licentiate in theology at the Sofia University run by Jesuits in Tokyo.
Thanking people, deacon Okamoto spoke frequently of 'serving', emphasising that his role as a deacon is to serve others, to always be of benefit to his neighbour.
We wish him a busy and fruitful time as deacon and a fine preparation for priesthood.
Japan: Ordination to diaconate
At the Salesian seminary in Tokyo, Chofu, the Rectors held their regular Rectors' meeting, and in the early afternoon, 1.30 p.m. Francis Okamoto Daijiro was ordained deacon by Bishop James Koda, auxiliary bishop, Tokyo.
Some thirty Salesian priests concelebrated and at least two hundred faithful were in attendance, many of them members of the Salesian Family.
After the simple but moving ceremony the new deacon and the ordaining bishop were presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. A resounding applause broke out as deacon Okamoto offered the flowers to his mother. The bishop gave his bouquet to the new deacon's father! Naturally there was opportunity to fellowship afterwards and a substantial afternoon tea.
The new deacon was baptized when he was 14 and came to know the Salesians after his university studies where he had specialised in Indian philosophy. He actually made his novitiate and first vows in Samoa, belonging to the Australia-Pacific Province.
In April, deacon Okamoto will begin is final year of Licentiate in theology at the Sofia University run by Jesuits in Tokyo.
Thanking people, deacon Okamoto spoke frequently of 'serving', emphasising that his role as a deacon is to serve others, to always be of benefit to his neighbour.
We wish him a busy and fruitful time as deacon and a fine preparation for priesthood.
