austraLasia #2733
Peace amidst war - Cimatti event evokes prayerful emotions
Tokyo: 12 October 2010 -- The Venerable Monsignor Cimatti, affectionately known as 'Don Cimatti' by all who knew him, died 45 years ago on 6 October 1965. Cultural figure as he also was, outstanding amongst other things for musical talent honed in the crucible of the Second World War, this year's annual concert in his honour evoked strong emotions of prayer and peace on a day when another war, in faraway Afghanistan, claimed yet more victims
The concert in honour of the Venerable Mons. Vincent Cimatti, the 45th anniversary concert, was held on 11 October, although the commemoration of his death is some days earlier. Since 6 October was a weekday this year, it was celebrated with a solemn Mass in which various confreres, members of the Family and friends of Cimatti took part. Fr Andrew Wong, Regional for EAO, who is currently carrying out the Extraordinary Visitation in Japan, was also there.
The national holiday recalling the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 is held on 11 October, so offering an opportunity this year for many more people to be involved in the commemorative Cimatti concert, which took place in the huge Italian Institute of Culture Hall in central Tokyo.
The Vice Director of the Institute greeted people, praising Cimatti, and recalling his contribution and that of the missionaries not just in the religious area but also for fostering culture in Japan. At the end of his welcoming address he invited those present to observe a minute's silence in prayerful memory of Italian soldiers who died this day in Afghanistan, carrying out a mission of peace.
The Oratorio Bonus Pastor composed by Cimatti in 1944, when Tokyo was under constant bombardment, was performed first. The performers were outstanding in evoking the yearning for peace and reconciliation that Cimatti sought to infuse in this work during that sad time.
After interval his operetta Carma was performed, a story of conversion. The finale to this operetta is marvellous, a powerful chorus of invocation and thanks to Mary Help, and her powerful intercession in the missionary apostolate. In Cimatti's music, the Marian pieces are amongst the best and become an invitation to prayer.
The key performers (professionals) and choir from four Tokyo churches ( Chofu, Shimoigusa, Himonya and Fuchu) truly gave honour to the occasion. The hope is that Don Cimatti will soon be proclaimed Blessed.
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2010 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
Peace amidst war - Cimatti event evokes prayerful emotions
Tokyo: 12 October 2010 -- The Venerable Monsignor Cimatti, affectionately known as 'Don Cimatti' by all who knew him, died 45 years ago on 6 October 1965. Cultural figure as he also was, outstanding amongst other things for musical talent honed in the crucible of the Second World War, this year's annual concert in his honour evoked strong emotions of prayer and peace on a day when another war, in faraway Afghanistan, claimed yet more victims
The concert in honour of the Venerable Mons. Vincent Cimatti, the 45th anniversary concert, was held on 11 October, although the commemoration of his death is some days earlier. Since 6 October was a weekday this year, it was celebrated with a solemn Mass in which various confreres, members of the Family and friends of Cimatti took part. Fr Andrew Wong, Regional for EAO, who is currently carrying out the Extraordinary Visitation in Japan, was also there.
The national holiday recalling the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 is held on 11 October, so offering an opportunity this year for many more people to be involved in the commemorative Cimatti concert, which took place in the huge Italian Institute of Culture Hall in central Tokyo.
The Vice Director of the Institute greeted people, praising Cimatti, and recalling his contribution and that of the missionaries not just in the religious area but also for fostering culture in Japan. At the end of his welcoming address he invited those present to observe a minute's silence in prayerful memory of Italian soldiers who died this day in Afghanistan, carrying out a mission of peace.
The Oratorio Bonus Pastor composed by Cimatti in 1944, when Tokyo was under constant bombardment, was performed first. The performers were outstanding in evoking the yearning for peace and reconciliation that Cimatti sought to infuse in this work during that sad time.
After interval his operetta Carma was performed, a story of conversion. The finale to this operetta is marvellous, a powerful chorus of invocation and thanks to Mary Help, and her powerful intercession in the missionary apostolate. In Cimatti's music, the Marian pieces are amongst the best and become an invitation to prayer.
The key performers (professionals) and choir from four Tokyo churches ( Chofu, Shimoigusa, Himonya and Fuchu) truly gave honour to the occasion. The hope is that Don Cimatti will soon be proclaimed Blessed.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2010 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
