The major reason for the trip of Fr General to Japan from December 20 to January 2 was the celebration of the centennial of the Society’s return to the Land of the Rising Sun (1908-2008). The trip also offered Fr. Nicolás the opportunity to meet the Jesuits of the Province of Japan and to see many long-time friends. Fr. José M. de Vera, who accompanied Fr. General on his trip, gave some of his insights.
"The visit of Fr. General to Japan can be summarized by one word: intensity! The preparation, especially the visit to Sophia University in Tokyo, has been accurate, balanced and intense. Practically nothing has been changed on the scheduled agenda. The answer from the people who participated in his conferences and meetings has been warm and cordial. We can say that the highlights of this trip were two: the visit to our Sophia University, December 22-23, and the encounter with the Jesuits on December 26.
At the University, Fr. Nicolás met first with the administrative staff and then with professors and students. In both cases the room was filled up to its capacity. Also present were many of his former theology students (lay, sisters and priests) who at the end surrounded him with their affection and gratitude. The theme of the two encounters was the identity and mission of a Catholic university run by the Society of Jesus, with particular reference to the role of Sophia, and then in the reality of Japanese society.
Needless to say that the encounter of December 26 with the Jesuits was warm and brotherly. Almost two thirds of the Jesuits working in Japan were present. Everyone followed, with interest, the more than one and a half hour conference with Fr. General. Two other events highlighted the afternoon: the historical commemoration of the "second arrival" of the Jesuits in Japan (1908-2008) prepared by a Jesuit expert of history and the Mass of thanksgiving in St. Ignatius Church. During the Mass seven young Jesuits (five Japanese, one Korean and one Indonesian) pronounced their final vows in the Society of Jesus. A reception followed that included the relatives of the new "professed" Jesuits and numerous friends of the Society.
The agenda offered the opportunity for official visits with the Nuncio, the Cardinal and the Archbishop of Tokyo. A Mass was celebrated with the retired and the sick Jesuits in the Province infirmary, followed by an individual visit to each person living there.
Another nice and touching moment was the visit to Adachi, a poor suburb of Tokyo, where the Jesuits have worked for many years and where a group of Catholics run a school for children of immigrant parents. Father Nicolás lived near this suburb when he was Provincial of Japan." (Source: S.J. Electronic Information Service, January 13, 2009)