Project: Salesians in Japan Date: 1950 Place: Chofu Province: GIA

The house at Chofu was opened in 1950, when the Salesian studentate was transferred from Nerima.

It is the Japanese province's formation house. All current Salesians in Japan have studied there.

The formation stages are as follows: prenovitiate novitiate postnovitiate theology

From 1952 to 1962 the Rector was the Ven. Fr Vincenzo Cimatti, whose cause for beatification and canonisation has been introduced.

The Salesian Youth Center involving both Christians and non-Christians began in 1953.

Thre is also a Boys Scout group with 100 members.

Since 1967 the church has been recognised also as a parish for Chofu. There are 1400 Catholics. The church is dedicated to Don Bosco.

Around 30 Adult Baptisms take place annually.

Preparation for Baptism takes at least a year.

Priests from the house and nearby Sisters help with the preparation.

As Fr Cimatti said, fishing in Japan is not done with a net but with a hook, one by one!