First two Salesian Cooperators from Samoa are born in Tokyo: 

EAO Regional Congress (Day 3)

By Our Own Correspondent

Tokyo, Japan, 9 May 2017 -- The third day of the EAO Regional Congress in Tokyo (May 7-10) was the most dynamic and helped the participants to touch the life and culture of Japan and its Catholic Church. All 240 participants have been moving the whole day on the pilgrimage from the Center of Tokyo (Keio Plaza Hotel) to Chofu (Tomb of Venerable Mons. Cimatti) Salesian Parish of St. John Bosco to the Mount Fuji (FMA retreat house and Mary Help of Christian - Our Lady of Mt. Fuji raise by the Salesian family in 1964).

The Eucharist presided by the World Delegate of the Salesian Cooperators Fr. Giuseppe Casti in crowded Chofu Parish was a venue for the promise of 27 new Salesian Cooperators in 4 different languages: 15 Japanese, 2 Vietnamese, 4 Filipinos, 4 Chinese and especially the ever first two Samoans. In his homily of Mary Help of Christians Eucharist, Fr. Casti underlined the spirit and identity of the Salesian Cooperator in the Church community: 'There is not true and complete cooperation with God outside of the Church community!' With enthusiastic words he shared the 'mangnificent witness of Salesian Cooperators vocation... All is possible with the maternal presence of Mary, the first Cooperator of God in the history of salvation!"

After the Eucharist the Congress participants prayed at the tomb of Venerable Mons. Vincent Cimatti (1879-1965), visited his Museum and then embarked by six buses towards the Mount Fuji (3775 m). Soon after arrival to the Lake of Yamanaka all enjoyed the hospitality of the FMA Retreat House and then followed very meaningful pilgrimage to Our Lady of Mt. Fuji (station 3 of Fuji San), a giant statue of Mary Help of Christian erected there in 1964. Prayer for peace and multiple photo sessions made this pilgrimage a long-lasting memory.

After return to the base camp in Tokyo, followed the last supper and cultural night of the 9th EAO Congress with multiple dance and song contributions. Last day of the Congress, May 10 is dedicated to Action Plan (2017-2020) drafting and evaluation of the event.

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