austraLasia #3033
Priestly ordination in Tokyo
TOKYO: 12 March 2012 -- For Japan Province, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March were two very meaningful and happy days.
On Saturday 10th at 2 pm in the beautiful Himonya church (Tokyo Meguro) the priestly ordination of Fr Anthony Takei took place. Archbishop Peter Okada Takeo, Tokyo, was the ordaining prelate, surrounded by some sixty priests, some of whom came from Vietnam and Australia, this latter where Anthony had recently spent nearly a year studying English. More than 500 faithful, half of whom were Vietnamese, were present. Anthony, now a Japanese citizen, was born in Vietnam in 1978.
With the Vietnamese hymns and an orchestra the ceremony was very moving, and at the end the new priest told the story of his vocation.
Already attending a Salesian institute as a child, Anthony very soon came to know about Don Bosco, but at the beginning of his senior school studies he went back home, where he attended church in a nearby area, run by the Salesians. In 1998 Anthony found himself in Japan, where his father had already been working for some years. This was the second time that he was away from the Salesians, but it wasn't for long, since in Japan too, Anthony soon came into contact with Don Bosco's sons, this time with the intention of becoming one of them in his newly adopted country. In 2003 he made his first profession and began his life as a Salesian.
The ordination was followed by festivities, Vietnamese food, songs dances, a magic performance, and orchestral pieces.
On the following day, Sunday 11th at 10.30 am in the Parish church at Chofu, Anthony celebrated his First Mass, a solemn and moving ceremony also. Whereas the festivities previously had a distinctively Vietnamese flavour, this time it was Japan's turn. The aspirants at Yokkaichi enacted two brief plays: one recalling the new priest's vocational story and the other presenting Fr Cagliero. The post-novices put on a folkore dance, while the Salesian Sisters presented a Presentation on their work of educating Japanese girls.
Fr Anthony will soon go to the Philippines for a year of apostolate there before commencing his mission in the Japan Province.
Priestly ordination in Tokyo
On Saturday 10th at 2 pm in the beautiful Himonya church (Tokyo Meguro) the priestly ordination of Fr Anthony Takei took place. Archbishop Peter Okada Takeo, Tokyo, was the ordaining prelate, surrounded by some sixty priests, some of whom came from Vietnam and Australia, this latter where Anthony had recently spent nearly a year studying English. More than 500 faithful, half of whom were Vietnamese, were present. Anthony, now a Japanese citizen, was born in Vietnam in 1978.
With the Vietnamese hymns and an orchestra the ceremony was very moving, and at the end the new priest told the story of his vocation.
Already attending a Salesian institute as a child, Anthony very soon came to know about Don Bosco, but at the beginning of his senior school studies he went back home, where he attended church in a nearby area, run by the Salesians. In 1998 Anthony found himself in Japan, where his father had already been working for some years. This was the second time that he was away from the Salesians, but it wasn't for long, since in Japan too, Anthony soon came into contact with Don Bosco's sons, this time with the intention of becoming one of them in his newly adopted country. In 2003 he made his first profession and began his life as a Salesian.
The ordination was followed by festivities, Vietnamese food, songs dances, a magic performance, and orchestral pieces.
On the following day, Sunday 11th at 10.30 am in the Parish church at Chofu, Anthony celebrated his First Mass, a solemn and moving ceremony also. Whereas the festivities previously had a distinctively Vietnamese flavour, this time it was Japan's turn. The aspirants at Yokkaichi enacted two brief plays: one recalling the new priest's vocational story and the other presenting Fr Cagliero. The post-novices put on a folkore dance, while the Salesian Sisters presented a Presentation on their work of educating Japanese girls.
Fr Anthony will soon go to the Philippines for a year of apostolate there before commencing his mission in the Japan Province.
