Despite their social and political history, the Salesians of both countries are closely linked and are an inspiration to each other. The first Salesian missionaries were sent to Korea from Japan in 1954, a few months after the end of the Korean War. Until 1972 the Salesian Delegation of Korea was part of the province of Japan, and although now South Korea is an autonomous Province, there is always a lot of contact between the Salesians of the two countries.
For example, in 2002 an exchange programme was begun for young Salesians in the five years after ordination. The exchange takes place every two years, once in Japan and one in South Korea, and allows them to learn from each other's culture and enjoy the spirit of communion.
It was during one of these exchanges that Fr Chang started to think about the possibility of missionary service in Japan. "Knowing the situation of the Salesian Province and of the Church in Japan, I realized the need for more young Salesians. Also the total number of Catholics in Japan is very small compared to the total population." After careful discernment, Fr Chang is now in the Formation House in Chofu intending to stay for three years.
As often happens, he is finding difficulty initially with the new language, but the Salesian community is helping him to belong.
"I do not know what will happen in the next three years” he says. “However, I entrust myself fully to the Holy Spirit who guided me up to this point in this adventure. Citing the Strenna of the Rector Major for 2016, I am already experiencing the adventure of the Spirit in my journey."
