The major reason for the trip of Fr General to Japan from December 20 to January 2 was the celebration of the centennial of the Society’s return to the Land of the Rising Sun (1908-2008). The trip also offered Fr. Nicolás the opportunity to meet the Jesuits of the Province of Japan and to see many long-time friends. Fr. José M. de Vera, who accompanied Fr. General on his trip, gave some of his insights.
On November 24 the beatification of 188 17th century Japanese martyrs took place in Nagasaki in a solemn, public ceremony attended by over 30,000 people. The martyrs represented those Christians who, between 1603 and 1639, shed their blood for Christ and laid deep foundations for the Japanese Christian community.
The Jesuits, together with three other religious orders, have opened a language school in a poor district of Tokyo, where many foreign workers live. The aim is not only to teach Japanese but also to empower children and their parents, many of whom face discrimination in public spaces. Read the article by Fr Ando Isamu (JPN) here: http://www.kiwi-us.com/~selasj/jsc/english/bulletin/no146/iss146_1.html (Source: SJS Headlines, November 2008)
The Japanese Province Novitiate will join the Malaysia-Singapore Novitiate programme for six weeks from September 29.
In his effort to gain knowledge of the social apostolates in the various units of the EAO Assistancy, Fr Denis Kim (KOR), EAO Social Apostolate Secretary, visited Japan last December 21 – 27. Fr Kim wrote, “The encounter… has become an inspiring refresh for my role as an Assistancy secretariat. Although I have heard that the Jesuit mission is mainly centered on education in Japan, my visit makes me realize that the Jesuit social apostolate is not weak in the Province.
Every major ancient religion featured the practice of a deliberate journey to a specific holy place in quest of special blessings. In acting out this sacred ritual, pilgrims recreated the essentials of a hero’s journey which stands for all the partings we must do in life, all the separation we must undergo in order to find our way again to new life, new challenges and higher danger.
Tokyo, 01 June 2007. Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree approving the beatification of Peter Kibe and 187 other martyrs on June 1st, something which the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan has long been requesting the Pope to do. The date when the beatification will be publicly proclaimed and celebrated will be determined after consultation between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan and the Holy Office in Rome.
On May 9, 2006, the theologians’ consultative committee of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints presented an ‘in favor’ report regarding the beatification of Fr. Peter Kibe and 187 martyrs.