austraLasia 1697

Salesian Fiji celebrates Mamma Margaret with two ordinations

SUVA 25th November 2006 -- Within an hour or two of publishing this news item, the Australian province will welcome two new deacons into its midst:  Deacon Aleki Piula from Tonga, and Deacon Taisali Leuluai from Samoa.  The event makes a little bit of history.  To begin with, it occurs on the day that Don Bosco's mother, fondly known as Mamma Margaret, will be celebrated for the first time in the Salesian world as 'Venerable'.  It is an event that can hardly be contained by the word 'venerable', since Don Bosco's mother has been recognised as a 'saint' since her death - by her own son in the first place, and by Michael Rua and others since.  In fact it was such a 'rumour of holiness' that convinced His Holiness, Benedict XVI, that this cause must proceed forthwith!
    'To begin with', we said.  There is more afoot.  Don Bosco, Nakasi, is still one of the newer Salesian presences in the world, having begun effectively in 1999 with a dozen young men largely from Samoa, and a couple of older ones from nearby Australia, but including one from Tonga.  For the rest of the world, one has to say, these islands of the South Pacific are rather ingloriously wrapped into 'Paradise'.  Indeed, if one's idea of paradise is sun, sand 'n surf, then more than one island in the Fiji archipelago will provide, but alas, Fiji is like the rest of humanity, struggling to survive, struggling to give its young people what they need to grow, to be loved, find God.  And as for Fiji, so for Samoa, Tonga.
    Today's ordination to the diaconate for Aleki and Taisali realises at least one of the goals of the Salesian presence in the South Pacific - the formation of good young men to carry out the Church's and Don Bosco's mission to the poor and needy, especially the youngest of them.  Both new deacons have been very active in this regard.  Today will be a culmination of their activities and desires. They become the first of this group of Pacifican Salesians trained in Fiji to embrace the penultimate step to ministerial priesthood.
    Both Aleki and Taisali spent two years in Papua New Guinea for their Practical Training, the former in Port Moresby, the latter in or near Rabaul.  Both will carry out their diaconate period in Australia, Aleki in Hobart, Tasmania, and Taisali in Melbourne, Victoria.
    The ordination takes place at Pacific Regional College, Suva and the ordaining Bishop is Christopher Prowse, Auxiliary, Melbourne.  Fr Frank Moloney, Provincial, will be present.  The Rector of Don Bosco Nakasi, Fr Bellarmine, will see to the smooth running of the day.
    Meanwhile, in the rest of the Australian province, local events will commemorate Venerable Mamma Margaret and prayerfully accompany the two new ordinands.
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