Viatorians Mark 60 Years in Japan
10/25/2011

The city of Kyoto --- once hailed as the imperial capital of Japan and “shrine city” for its 1,400 ancient Buddhist temples --- drew Viatorian missionaries following World War II. Heeding a call by Pope Pius XII to help evangelize Japan, Viatorians sought to reach local people through education, both at the parish and school level.

Sixty years later, officials at Saint Viator Rakusei High School and St. Viator Parish, celebrated their milestone anniversaries, appropriately enough on the feast day of Saint Viator, Oct. 21.

The mission started by priests and brothers from Canada and the United States now consists of a thriving parish and a nationally ranked school that serves 1,000 students.

Fr. Francis White, CSV, was among the early Viatorians to arrive in Japan, in 1949. At the age of 34, and having taught only deaf students in upstate New York, he left for the Far East armed with a master’s degree in curricular administration.

Now 94 and living at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights, Fr. White pointed to his role in Japan, serving as the school’s first principal, as among his most important work as a Viatorian. “I loved it,” he says simply.

Fr. Mark Francis, superior general of the international Viatorian congregation, traveled to Japan for the milestone celebrations.

“For 60 years Viatorians have worked at Rakusei to promote respect for others, loyalty to teachers and friends, and a concern for the common good,” Fr. Francis said. “These elements continue to help all of us to reach out to the world with compassion and hope.”