An interview with two novices after 50 years of Mons. Cimatti's death, Oct 6, 1965

By Philip Neri and John Baptist, Salesian novice

Chofu, Tokyo, Japan

Who is Jesus for you? Who was the person who introduced you in the Catholic faith?

• Jesus is the greatest supporter for me. And when my soul’s condition is fine, I feel he is good friend!
• Jesus is like father for me. My parents introduced me the Christian faith in my childhood

What or who does sustain your faith in Jesus Christ?

• My faith was guided to God by my mother. (My father isn’t Catholic). She took my brothers to the church every Sunday, and we prayed together every night since I couldn’t understand what it means.
• To depend on the Jesus and to bear my cross. If I success every times every things, I may forget to depend on him and abandon my faith. Prayer of my sisters and my family , friends , benefactors. I know that many people pray for me and I pray for myself and my vocation too.

Can you share your Salesian vocation story? How was the vocation journey so far?

• First, my mother met Bishop Mizobe when she was young, and it made connection with Salesians. Bishop Mizobe invited my brother to Bible camp in lake of Nojiri. (It’s the best training vocation camp in Japan) I participated in it when I was 13 years old. I can know about Don Bosco, Salesians, and Asp in Yokkaichi there. All was new for me! Second year which I was in Asp in Yokkaichi, Fr. Hamasaki said to us in a director’s lecture “I wish someone who are here, will become a missionary”. Then, an idea of work in foreign countries as a Salesian and a missionary was born and grow in my mind.
• My sister who was an Aspirant of Caritas Sisters of Jesus recommended me to the Salesians.

What is your favorite Scripture verse or story?

• Paul’s Letter to the Philippians chapter 4, verse 4 ‘Rejoice always in the Lord’
• Luke Gospel 23, 34. "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

What did attract you on the person of Don Bosco or his Salesians?

• Don Bosco and his Salesians “call” children during playtime in ground, and doing activity. I was also “be called” them during playtime in lake of Nojiri. They have shown me missionary work is not bombastic but do with “live”.
• Salesians’ cheerfulness. They always meet anyone with smile.

How do you meet Mons. Cimatti in Chofu novitiate?

• I meet him through Fr. Compri’s class once every week; or when praying a Rosary on day for preparing good death (=monthly recollection). I meet him by reading many books about him.
• I sometime visit the tomb of Don Cimatti and pray in silence.

What is your favorite sport, hobby….?

• To play basketball (I was in the basketball club), watch drama in Reasonable Theater.
• I love soccer very much. I started to play piano 3 months ago, now I’ am very interested in it.

What did you help most in your Salesian vocation journey?

• Don Bosco’s attractive Charism. Prayer from many people. I can feel many people support me. Fraternal life in Salesian community. Especially, senior Salesian Brothers - Akabae and Kitanishi are the best model as Salesian and one of good Christian for me.
• Living together as brothers and helping each other.

What is your future Salesian dream?

• I want to work in foreign countries as a missionary. If it will possible, I want to work for saving people’s soul and education of children in developing country. I want to work at an institution for homeless or maltreated children as Salesian. I want to give poor children a lot of love of God as a Salesian.
• I want to become a Parish priest. A parish Priest who are playing and praying with youngsters.

Thank you! All these questions are an opportunity to look back our life, vocation, and faith. After that, we would like to meditate about each question again, and deepen it. We novices of Japan would like to pray for all Salesians in the EAO region!