AKABANE-TOKYO: 30th October '04 --  It has been an exhausting schedule - but also exhilarating.  Salesian Family Day, centred on the FMA complex at Akabane.  The day began from Chofu with a short address to 18 aspirants from Yokkaichi, a five hour car ride from near Nagoya for them, and almost as many already present at Chofu, some 33 in all. 

    To Akabane, then, for the Rector Major, where he met with the Sisters in the morning, and encountered their work for young people at risk, both girls and boys.  In the afternoon it was the Past Pupils and the Councils of the various branches of the Salesian Family: SDB, FMA, CSM, ACS, followed by a gathering of some 400 combined members of the Family.  Altogether Japan has 135 SDBs, 260 FMAs, 530 CSMs, 110 Cooperators, 3 VDBs, a number of Damas Salesianas, and some 10,000 Past Pupils of Don Bosco.

    At 4.30 pm, Mass, where the Rector Major spoke of missionary zeal: 'Japan's youth needs you!  Japan's culture needs the Gospel, needs God, needs the Salesian charism!'

    Supper to follow, still with the gathered members of the Family, but by this time the Rector Major was understandably very tired, so the evening finished with thanksgiving and a brief Goodnight: 'I never realised how fruitful the Salesian charism has been here in Japan'.  But then it was off to Suginami to meet the community there and to settle in for the evening, after a warming tequila 'brindisi' and welcome from Fr Massa, the Rector, and the twelve confreres there.

    For the content of the Rector Major's talks this day - another austraLasia to come.