Five Japanese bishops, under the leadership of Sulpician Mgr Joseph TAKAMI, pss, Archbishop of Nagasaki, came to Montreal, Canada this week for a fraternal visit. The primary purpose was to thank the Sulpicians, including two of their former teachers, for their priestly formation. The two confreres are Fathers Zenon YELLE, pss, and Alcide LAPLANTE, pss, who live at the retirement residence in Old Montreal.
Mgr Takami presided and preached at the principal Solemn Eucharist at the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Old Montreal on Sunday, May 11, 2014. Following the Mass, the bishops participated in a festive meal with the residents of the Provincial House, just next to the Basilica.
Among the many Sulpician concelebrants were Ronald D. WITHERUP, Superior General of the Sulpicians, Jacques D’ARCY, Provincial Superior of the Canadian Province, and the twelve participants at the Franco-Canadian Solitude being held at Oka, just outside Montreal, accompanied by the Director of the Solitude, Argiro RESTREPO, and the Socius, Paul ROUMANET.
The Sulpicians have been present for priestly formation in Japan since 1933 and currently have charge of Japan Catholic Seminary, which has two campuses, one in Fukuoka, and the other in Tokyo.
Below are a few photos from the event on May 11.
