By Fr. Michael Lap

       Tokyo, Japan, 14 December 2022 -- “It's all right. No need to worry.” This is like Father Massa's motto, who returned to Father’s garden on the feast of St Lucia, December 13, 2022.

       His brain seems to say only “Bene”. When someone has a problem and confides it to Father Massa, he says "It's all right. You don't need to worry.” So many people get well and in gratitude they bring “sochu” (Japanese sake) and thank Fr. Massa. This is one reason he loves “Sochu”. Of course, there were times someone wanted to share their worries with Father Massa and wanted him to take time for them, but Father Massa told them “It's all right. No need to worry,” and sent them away.

       Fr. Massa Bautista was born on July 28, 1928 in Trenel, Argentina; he made his first vows as a Salesian on January 31, 1947. And he came to Japan as a young missionary, still in initial formation on October 31, 1952. He was ordained priest in Tokyo on December 21, 1956.

       After ordination he served for 4 years in the Suginami community and took care of Aspirants, then for 30 years in Miyazaki (Kyushu island in the South) as a rector and principal of high school. From 1985 to 1991 he was the provincial of Japan.

       We give thanks for his life-long witness of joyful Salesian life: 94 years, 75 years of religious life, 70 years of missionary life and 66 years of priesthood.

       He always said, "It's all right," a phrase that was truly based on faith. In other words, it is one of the characteristics of the Salesian spirit: Optimism and Joy!

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