PORT MORESBY:  15th February 2008 -- Papua New Guinea, the largest country in Oceania is home to about 5 million people.  With its rich cultural diversity and rare Melanesian customs and traditions it is home to a variety of tribes.  

    The Salesians of Don Bosco arrived in Papua New Guinea 28 years ago.  8 Salesian institutes in different provinces offer a technical education to youth in the different provinces of Papua New Guinea.

    In this Melanesian country perhaps like several other countries of the world, the woman is least respected.  Rape, prostitution and domestic violence are issues that the country is constantly dealing with.  “A country is not able to grow when their women lack respect and dignity.  The Virgin Mary is a powerful symbol of dignity.  Hence the need for a church to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, and highlight the fact that women need a symbol of dignity, were the guiding lines that motivated the initiative of the Shrine to our Blessed Mother”, said Fr. Valeriano Barbero sdb, pioneer and builder of several institutions in Papua New Guinea.  “It is good to have a shrine to honour Mary for the whole of Papua New Guinea”, said Archbishop Brian Barnes, Archbishop of Port Moresby.

    The shrine is now receiving its final touches, before being officially opened on 24 May, 2008.  Its computerised bells, one of its kind in the country, that peal every half hour remind people of the need to lift up their hearts and minds to the Lord in prayer.

    The large windows are adorned with paintings of saints, blessed and others that have Salesian and regional importance – Bl. Peter Channel, of Oceania, Bl. John Mazzucconi, martyred in PNG, Bl. Peter To Rot, Papua New Guinean catechist martyred for his faith, Bl. Mother Teresa, Bl. Pope John Paul II who visited PNG, Msgr. Stanislcaus Vergus, first Bishop of Bereina, St. Mary MacKillop, first saint of Oceania.  Maria Goretti, Dominic Savio, Laura Vicuna, Namuncura, Versilia, Carvario, Rua, Rinaldi, Mama Margaret and St. Michael the Archangle.  Four large pictures of the Old Testament – Isaac, the Sacrifice of Abraham, Moses and the crossing of the red sea and the 10 commandments adorn the windows.  Devotion to the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph and St. Francis de Sales is also depicted.

At the back of the shrine, there is also the dream of Don Bosco at the age of 9, while Mary Mazarello is depicted with several girls.  High above the main altar is a figure of the Resurrection, inviting all to go beyond the struggles of daily life to the joys of what lies ahead.  Artistic Kina shells adorn the walls of the shrine behind the altar.  They are a symbol of wealth, and create a presentable and welcome atmosphere.

The Eucharistic chapel downstairs holds a tabernacle donated by Pope Benedict XVI.  Several offices and rooms for cooperators, youth ministry, and dormitories will be available to pilgrims and groups wanting to spend time in reflection and prayer.

    As preparations for the blessing proceed, Archbishop John Ribat is also keen that a youth rally for the youth of Port Moresby is also held around the same time.

    “The shrine has unfolded gradually.  It has been the fruit of listening to the comments and ideas of salesians, well wishers and especially Vincent Oberes the one engaged with the construction, has resulted in a shrine of beauty”, says Fr. Val.  “Managing with little construction equipment and a group of 20 dedicated workers, with no debts or a major accident has been the blessing of the Lord and his mother these past few years”, said a smiling Fr. Val.

The shrine has been largely funded by the Superiors in Rome, the Holy Sea.  CEI, Episcopal Church of Italy and other benefactors while an amount was also donated from within the country.  Fr. Pier Luigi Zuffetti sdb has donated the bells together with the people of Bellinzago, the village from where Fr. Val hails.

    Important dates of our lady marked important landmarks.  The foundation stone was laid on the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin - 8 September 2004, in the presence the Apostolic Nuncio Adolfo Tito Yllanna, Fr. Francis Gustillo sdb, FIN provincial and others.

    Excavation and construction for the shrine commenced on 21February, 2005.  Our Lady’s statue at the grotto was blessed on 8 September, 2007 and the bells were fitted on 24 October, 2007.  Finishing touches to ensure that the shrine dedicated to the Blessed Mother is completed well before the 24May, 2008 are in progress.