November 2022

In this late autumn, Shinmeizan was clothed in the typical colours of the season. These have been enjoyed by both the resident community and the guests who have been here on various occasions. In November, there were numerous episodes to note down in this month diary.

On 2 November, Fr Franco visited the Daiji temple in Kumakoto (Zen Buddhism) to prepare for the next interreligious meeting of the Kumamoto dialogue group.

On 6 November Fr Franco joined the inhabitants of our village (Heboura) gathered at the local Shinto temple for a thanksgiving celebration at the end of the rice harvest.

From 11 to 13 November, Shinmeizan welcomed Fr Fernando Garcia, Superior General of the Xaverian Missionaries, who was visiting the Xaverian Region of Japan with Councilor Fr Eugenio Pulcini, followed on 16-17 by the new Bishop of Oita, Mgr Moriyama, an old friend of the Centre.

On 10 November, the usual monthly retreat took place, with 13 participants, including four non-Christians. While on 23-25 November, a retreat was held for a group of six people from Tokyo and Yokohama, organized by the travel and pilgrimage agency `Paradise`.

From 20-26 November, Maria De Giorgi travelled to Tokyo and Hiroshima to collaborate, at the invitation of the relevant Jesuit commission in Japan, in the investigation procedure for Fr Arrupe's cause of beatification.

27 November: the baptism of little Akasaki Tomoka was celebrated in the presence of her family (parents and two little brothers) and grandparents, cordial friends frequently engaged in maintenance work at Shinmeizan.