Three days with the Rector Major to get the Road Map 2024

By Our Own Correspondent

RMG, 25 July 2018 -- Accompanied by the Fr. Mario YAMANOUCHI, Bishop elect of Saitama and his predecessor (as interpreter) the new provincial of Japan, Fr. Jacob HAMAGUCHI Hideaki spent three full days in Sacro Cuore general house in order to share with the Rector Major and the other General councilors and to get his 6 year Road Map 2018-2024.

First of all the family environment of the Salesian house (3 community in one house), the friendly and cordial atmosphere in the refectory and during the personal talks, contributed to the strong feeling of fraternity and support at the beginning of the new provincial service of authority to the 92 Salesians in Japan.

The 12 point 'ROAD MAP 2024' received from the Rector Major, is based on the recent Consultation results processed in the General Council. There is no breaking news, but a strong invitation to continue the charismatic journey of the Japan province started in past four years: to become a province for the poor youth in the multi-facet reshaping process. Growth in openess and communion within the world wide Salesian community, strengthening the SDB community life, empowerment and formation of lay mission partners are among the top priorities for next 6 years. Indeed this Road Map will help to prepare the incoming Centenary of Salesian presence in Japan in 2026.

Another impact of this short visit was a deeper encounter with Don Bosco at Sacro Cuore. Thanks to Br. Cosimo (former missionary in Ecuador and in the Catacombs of St Callisto) excellent guidance in the rooms of Don Bosco and thanks to one morning Eucharist in the Basilica of Sacred Heart built by Don Bosco and a special blessing of Mary Help of Christian in front of Her altar in the Basilica. Also the only Japan Salesian student based in Rome, Fr. Francis Daijiro OKAMOTO (UPS, Catechetics) joined his new provincial during the lunch time with the Rector Major.

During this week also other two Provincial superiors were present for their first talk - Fr. Paul Formosa from Malta (MLT) and Fr. Celestin Ngoboka from AGL viceprovince (Great Lakes). Next June 2019 Fr. Jacob Hamaguchi is supposed to join the new provincial course with other 11 superiors including also 3 new provincials from our Region - Indonesia - Korea and China.

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