3594_Rector Major at Salesian Youth Day in PNG (RM in EAO_4)

By Angel Sanchez

(Port Moresby, PNG) Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime 10th successor of Don Bosco was the special guest of honour at the Salesian Youth Day celebrated at Don Bosco Technical School (DBTS) Gabutu, in Port Moresby. The event was marked by great solemnity, warmth and the presence of over one thousand youngsters. The Salesian Community headed Fr. Rogelio Miranda along with the DBTS Staff and Bosconians managed the event efficiently.

At around 8:30 AM, the youngest Bosconian adorned the Rector Major with the traditional necklace made of shells and tusk while Martin Dai Deputy Principal of DBTS put on Fr. Ángel the Motuan Head dress. According to traditional parlance the “BIG MAN” was carried to the hall amidst the sound of ‘kundu’ (traditional drum). The Cultural Groups Hiri-Motu and Kairuku-Mekeo lead the entourage.

Inside the Kurongku Hall, more than a thousand Salesian Youth including students from Don Bosco Araimiri, Caritas and Don Bosco Technological Institutions from Boroko were eagerly awaiting to have a glimpse of Don Bosco.

Fr. Vaclav Klement the Regional Councillor for East Asia Oceania presided over the Eucharistic celebration in honour of St. Dominic Savio, concelebrated by Salesians working in Papua New Guinea along with the participation of other Salesians and members of the Salesian Family.

Dwelling on the motto of Zephrin Namancura which read ‘I would like to be helpful to my people’, the Rector Major encouraged the students to cultivate the virtue of honesty love of God and be helpful to everyone.

After the Holy Mass, Fr. Angel blessed the newly-renovated Science Laboratory and the adjacent lecture halls.

After a short break there was a variety entertainment programme consisting of traditional dances, songs and address depicting various themes, performed by Salesians, Salesian Family members, the staff and students. Tokens of appreciation were given to Salesians and their collaborators. Among them Fr. Valeriano Barbero visionary and pioneer of the PNG missions needs special mention. After the meals games were organised for the youth.

Later, the Rector Major visited Sabama parish where he was greeted by the parishioners, marked by great love and affection.

In the evening, Fr Angel joined the Savio Haus Formation Community for prayer and dinner. In his brief message to the candidates he spoke about love of God, love for Don Bosco and love for the young as essential ingredients to mature in Salesian vocation.

The Rector Major showed great appreciation for the warm welcome accorded to him and the immense work the Salesians and their mission partners do for the young. He was moved by the enthusiasm and the artistic talents of the students.

The facilitators Fr Vaclav Klement, Fr. Peter Baquero, Fr. Danny Torres, Fr. Rogelio Miranda, Fr. Pankaj Xalxo along with their team did a marvellous job in according the Rector Major and his secretary Fr. Horacio Lopez a very warm welcome to Papua New Guinea.