Father James F. Hyatt (June 26, 1922-January 14, 2009), a priest of the Archdiocese of Tokyo, originally from the USA, traveled to Japan in the early 1950s as a Maryknoll Missioner. He started the Good Shepherd Movement in 1952 by publishing pamphlets on Catholic topics. In 1957, he started a daily five-minute radio program, which is still on the air, and then in 1966, when television was new to Japan, he began broadcasting in that new medium. The program features interviews with various people, including those with little or no connection to the Church. His television program was called The Light of the Heart, referring to the light of Christ. The candle flame was a symbol of his ministry and a reminder of his personal philosophy that, as Christians we are called to be lights to dispel darkness. Here is a link to an informative article.
http://www.signis.net/article.php3?id_article=353
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I remember an associate of Fr. Jim's, Fr. Graham MacDonnell (sp?), who told us over dinner one night that Beethoven's 5th Symphony (the "Pastoral Symphony") is commonly known in Japan as "the Light of the Heart Symphony" because that was the theme music for the Light of the Heart radio program. When this music was played to the man on the street, he (or she) would make that association and call it by that name.
ReplyDeleteWe really loved him.
ReplyDeleteAfter my graduation from High School in 1960, my mom and I traveled to Japan for the first time. We met Father Hyatt at that time in Kyoto, and his words changed our lives. He said, "If you have nothing better to do than to travel around the world, why don't you stay and teach English for the church?" Needless to say, we agreed and taught for the YBU for 6 months. What a great memory and life that unfolded!
ReplyDeleteRoberta Ohno
yo lei el compendio de sus programas durante mi adolescencia me ayudo muchisimo, y de verdad me gustaria conseguir el libro "sonrisas del sol" como se llama en español para que mis hijos puedan leerlo..
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