Japan

“Every branch full of flowers hides hundreds of words. Oh! Try to understand them.”
– Fujiwara Hirotsugu –

W e, Xaverian Missionaries, arrived in Japan in late autumn 1949. Ever since we have worked in about 24 centers, giving witness, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to non-Christians, providing dialogue and charity. Our area of activity is quite extensive indeed. Some teach in Universities, while others are involved in schools for children; some assist the sick and lepers, while others direct parishes. Some are engaged in dialogue with Buddhists, while others are respected for their artistic contribution.

The priorities in our missionary work are collaboration with the Local Church, Education, Inculturation and Dialogue. At the present time, these goals can be summed up as follows:

+ We are committed to the growth of the local Church: to its becoming a more mission-oriented Church. We cooperate with all peoples in dealing with the most urgent human and social problems, giving our own contribution to the incarnation of the Gospel.
+ We educate preschool children, high school and University students in the values of the Gospel. Our educational criteria, methods and goals are inspired by clearly defined spiritual values.
+ We are particularly involved in a qualified dialogue with Buddhism, in the form of mutual knowledge and cooperation in activities.

Today we are 39 Xaverian Fathers and 16 Xaverian Sisters in the Region. In the local Church we have been entrusted with the care of 20 parish communities and outstations (a total of 25 faith communities altogether), some of which have nursery schools attached to it.