Salesio Gakuin – Junior and Senior High School

By Our Own Correspondent

Yokohama, Japan, 13 September 2016 -- Salesio Gakuin - Salesian Junior and Senior high school moved in 1995 from the site in Saginuma, Kawasaki to the present site in Yokohama. During past 56 years more than 7000 young men received Don Bosco education in this place. Until 2010 this school was also a venue for the Junior Aspirants – students in our school. At present there are four Salesians fully involved in the school ministry – Fr. Torigoe (Rector and Principal), Fr. Tani, Fr. Enomoto and Br. Sasaki.

Typically Salesian environment of 1000+ strong boy school is enhanced by many living Don Bosco traditions – starting from the greeting of the Salesians at the school gate in the morning, by Good Morning talk, religion class, ‘assistenza’ of the teachers, monthly Bible class for the parents and Salesian formation of our mission partners. No wonder that one student shares in a spontaneous way: ‘The best in our school is Don Bosco!’

Besides high academic standard of the school, an integral education of our students is fostered by many sports, clubs, arts, music and technical activities – both part of the curriculum or exercised after school time or during the weekend. Indeed in Japan also on Sunday the students are busy with a variety sport activities.

According the Japanese standards (only 2% of the mission school students are Catholics) there is a good number of 50 Catholics among the 1000+ students with few catechumens as well seven Catholic teachers. The ‘Kato-ken’ (Catholic Action for/ by the students with 70+ members) is quite lively animate by Fr. Enomoto and does foster volunteer and other community services.

After the earthquake - tsunami in Tohoku (2011) are the students went for service there, from this school year (2016) there is a new experience of serving the homeless people in Hamamatsu City. All over the year the students collect rice that is in turn shared during the night volunteer service for the homeless in Hamamatsu. In this way the youth vulnerable to secular value system, technology and consumerist culture supremacy can experience the deep joy of serving others.

Becoming true ‘Bosconians (called ‘Salesians’ in Yokohama) means to share our mission of Jesus disciples, serving the poor. Many of ‘Salesio’ graduates are becoming Don Bosco Past pupils with their involvement in the school education community, facilitating many ways of volunteer service as gratitude for education received!

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