Japan’s Sophia Catholic University celebrates centenary
06 November, 2013 - Japan’s Sophia University could be called “the heart of the Church
in the country,” said Fr.Mario Bianchi, Regional Superior of the Pontifical Institute
of Foreign Missions or PIME. Speaking about the Catholic University’s first centenary,
he said the educational institution “embodies the efforts by Catholics, especially
by the Society of Jesus, to proclaim the Gospel in the “Land of the Rising Sun” and
to become inculturated. Some 4,000 people took part in the cenetenary celebrations,
including Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Pope Francis was represented
by Cardinal Renato Farina who read a papal message stressing St. Francis Xavier’s
commitment to Japan’s evangelization and the courageous missionary saint’s closeness
to the University’s founders, who “followed in his footsteps.” Sophia University
began as a theological seminary run by Jesuits. After World War, II, it underwent
a major expansion. The University truly embodies efforts by Catholics, especially
by the Society of Jesus, which in Japan is a major force in education, to pass on
the evangelical and Christian message.