CICM Japan Website -

Initial Formation (Internship Program)

Those who join our Institute receive a solid initial formation program. The Institute assumes the responsibility of discerning with them the authenticity of their vocation and of preparing them for their future ministry.

The formation of new members is a concern of all confreres.
This important task of the Institute needs everyone's interest,
prayer, witness and cooperation. (Const. Art.58)

Until this year 2009, we have been blessed by 8 young missionaries
as interns. 2 among them were just ordained priest, namely Frs. Patrick Castroverde (Filipino) and Henri Badibanga (Congolese).
1 intern is doing his 3rd year Pastoral and Missionary Program in Tokyo (Bro. Honore Kabundi/Congolese), 2 interns are doing the last year of Japanese Language Study (Bros. Jean and Barth/Congolese), 3 interns were just arrived and preparing to enter the Japanese School in Osaka (Bros. Armando/Filipino, Justin and Frederic/Congolese).

These young guys have joined our group
giving a new blood and spirit in doing missionary activities
here in Japan.

CONGRATULATION!! for all of them.....

Our internship programs which are composed of inculturation, integration and missionary-pastoral training, have been set into three steps.

The First Year:
The intern(s) are living in our formation community located in the
annex-building of Kongo Church, Southern Osaka. From there, it is
expected that the interns make the most of the time set for language
study by going to the Japanese Language School.
While studying the language, the interns are invited to see and to feel the life of our confreres and of ordinary Japanese people in the country.

formation community

Bros. Jean and Barth together with young confrers after enjoying the onzen.

Bro. Patrick together with Frs. Garry and Harnoko visited Toyota Automotive Museum, in Nagoya.

life in the language school

Kanpai for a good work!

Speech Contest

With teachers and friends

The Second Year
Coinciding with the start of the second year of language study,
the intern shall move from Kongo to a parish rectory where
there is at least one Japanese priest. This is to assure
the intern of a daily contact with a native speaker of the Japanese language.

The intern's stay with a Japanese priest during the second year of
language study serves also the purpose of integrating into the
Japanese Church. During this period, with the guidance of the
Japanese priest he lives with, he furthers his contact with the
local parish community and with the diocesan clergy.

The Third Year
After graduating from the language school, the intern is guided by
the Director and his respective Supervisor into a first-hand
missionary-pastoral training. The intern will be helped to become
acquainted with the different social issues being tackled in the
country and abroad, to experience different involvements set in the Provincial MIssionary Projects.

During this period, the intern may follow some courses on Japanese history, culture, religions and other subjects related at a nearby
university as a free student/auditor to strengthen his inculturation and integration process into Japan's society.

Having all these experiences and training and upon the
recommendation from the General Commission for Initial Formation and
approved by the General Government, admission to perpetual vows
shall take place during this last year of internship. Ordination to
the diaconate and to the priesthood will follow afterwards.

The Ordination to the Diaconate of Bro. Gary Gestuveo, November 3, 2003.

A new deacon was born!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 15:46 - FORMATION Posted by Administrator

Ordination of Deacon Honoré Kabundi, cicm

by Antonius Harnoko

Honoré Kabundi was ordained deacon on March 6 at the church of Matsubara. It was the first time that an ordination was ever held there. Confreres from Kansai area, Okayama and Hiroshima came to Tokyo the day before. Many of Honoré’s friends also came. Several priests of nearby parishes and sisters of several congregations responded to our invitation as well. Including several faithful of Matsubara some 300 people come for his ordination.

The liturgy was executed solemnly and beautifully. In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Jacob Koda addressed Honoré and the congregation in a very understandable language. What the Bishop Koda said that priests and bishops should remain a deacon will not be forgotten by those who heard him. After the ordination a simple party was held. The ambassador of the Republic Democratic of Congo proposed the toast. The party was over at 2:00 p.m., but some confreres and Honoré's compatriots continued to celebrate with him till night.

The success of Honoré’s ordination was indeed because of our Lord’s love and of the support from Matsubara's faithful. Without their helping hands before, during and after the celebration, this meaningful time will not be possible. From the bottom of our heart, we thank the preparatory committee of Matsubara church.

Congratulation to our new deacon, Honoré Kabundi, cicm.

add comment

Newly Arrived Missionaries

Friday, January 8, 2010, 02:28 - FORMATION Posted by Administrator

CICM-JP New Interns

In September 2009, Japan Province was blessed by the arrival of three young missionaries.

They are bros. Armando Romero (Filipino), Frederic Khonde Ntoto (Congolese) and Justin Lukusa Mende (Congolese). After graduting from Maryhill School of Theology (MST) in Manila, they came as interns to do their 3 year-internship program in the country. At the moment, they live in Kongo Formation Community (c/o Kongo Catholic Church) while doing their Japanese Language Study in Osaka.