CICM started in Japan after World War II, in 1948, at the invitation of the then bishop of Osaka. At that time, the apostolic and financial responsibility of the central and Western part of Hyogo-Prefecture was entrusted to us, but now we are involved in a wider variety of ministries and tasks.

Here is our history in brief, from the arrival of our great "senpai"...our pioneers who with an incredible missionary zeal paved the way for a great mission in Japan, until 50 years later.....

1948 ( May 8) : Frs. J. Jennes and J. Spae arrived at Yokohama by way of America.

• They were followed by Frs. G. Verbrugghe and J. Van Brussel who came all the way from China.

1949 : Fr. J.. Spae was in Himeji church and Fr. D. Van Kerkhove was in Nibuno church ( Hyogo Pref. )
1950 :

• Akou church ( Hyogo Pref. ) was newly erected - Fr. De Corte R.
• Toyooka church ( Hyogo Pref. ) was newly erected - Fr. Van Den Plas L.
• Sayou church ( Hyogo Pref. ) was newly erected - Fr. Debyttere U.
• Tatsuno church ( Hyogo Prer. ) was newly erected - Fr. Joos P.
• Fr. Van Assche J. in Okayama.
• Existing church of Kurashiki ( Okayama Pref. ) - Fr. J. Van Brussel

1951:

• Existing church of Tamashima ( Okayama Pref. ) - Fr. Vanhoutte J.
• JOC was started.

1952 :

• CICM-Japan becomes a province.
• Newly erected Aboshi church ( Hyogo Pref. ) - Fr. Defourny J.
• Newly erected Kasaoka church ( Okayama Pref. ) - Fr. Van Overwalle M.
• Newly erected Ikuno church ( Hyogo Pref. ) - Fr. Geusens P.

1953 :

• Newly built Kakogawa church ( Hyogo Pref. ) - Fr. Van Boven H.

1954 :

• Immaculate Heart Secondary School was started in Himeji.
• From the MEP Fathers, Sakai church ( Osaka ) was entrusted to CICM - Fr. Defoux Max
• Newly built Tsuyama church ( Okayama Pref. ) - Fr. Sips J.
• Newly built Aioi church ( Hyogo Pref. ) - Fr. Verbrugghe G.
• ORIENS Religious Research Institute was started - Fr. J. Spae

1957 :

• Immaculate Heart High School

1958 :

• Existing church of Tottori ( Tottori Pref. ) - Fr. Debyttere U.
• Existing church of Yonago ( Tottori Pref. ) - Fr. De Weirdt F.

1959 :

• ORIENS Religious Research Institute was moved from Himeji to Tokyo

1961-1963:

• Kurayoshi church ( Tottori Pref. ) - Fr. R. Schyvens
• Osaka Suminoe church was built - Fr. Schrurs P.
• District of Sakai and surrounding was developed.
• Mikkaichi ( Osaka Pref.) mission station.

1964-1965 :

• Fujiidera church ( Osaka Pref. ) was built - Fr. Wim Michiels.
• Newly built church of Mizushima ( Okayama Pref. ) - Fr. Smet C.
• The blessing of Matsubara church (Tokyo)

1967 :

• Yao church ( Osaka Pref. ) - Fr. Van Bael A.

1970-1972 :

• Kongo church ( Osaka Pref. ) was built - Fr. De Gendt G.
• Newly built church of Himeji (Himeji Catholic Center)
• Senboku church ( Osaka Pref. ) was started inside our nursery school "heiwanosono" - Fr. Goessens R.
• Correspondence Course was launched.

1979 :

• Tamano church ( Okayama Pref. ) was built - Fr. Van Assche J.
• Nibuno Refugees' Center

1980 :

• Seamen's Center in Yokohama - Fr. Wellens J.
• Nishiwaki church ( Hyogo Pref. ) - Fr. Schreurs J.

1985-1986 :

• Young Christian Workers (YWC) of Osaka
• New agreement with Osaka and Hiroshima Districts was set.

1995 :

• Parish Pastoral Team-Ministry was started in Osaka and Hiroshima.

1998 : 50 YEARS CICM-PRESENCE IN JAPAN

13 first missionaries -1949

our great cicm fathers with some of their first Japanese friends

Naba church, the only existing church in Himeji district when CICM arrived there

50 years cicm-presence in Japan was celebrated in Nibuno,1998

click here and let us remember in our prayers our deceased missionaries.

CICM-Japan History

JP-Provincial Assembly 2004