Archdiocesan Marian Motorcade 2017
Port Moresby, PNG, 28 October 2017 -- Blessings were showered on the residents of Port Moresby as vehicles carrying the statue of Mary accompanied by young people drove through the different parts of the city. The young people prayed and sang, during the three-hour long motorcade, imploring peace and the protection of our Blessed Mother upon the city, its residents and themselves.
This Annual Marian Motorcade organized by the Catholic Youth of the Archdiocese Port Moresby was held on Saturday, 28 October 2017. The host for the program was the Salesian parish of Mary Help of Christians, Sabama. Over 300 young people were warmly welcomed to Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu, venue for the celebrations, by the mothers and the young people of the Salesian parish, on the evening of 27th October, 2017.
The youth appreciated the inspirational talk, the dynamic Taizé prayer session and the time for confessions, that went on late into the night. Fr. Dong Saladaga, PIME, youth chaplain of the Archdiocese, deepened the theme: “Renewing our relationship with Mary”. He inspired the youth to strengthen and develop a close relationship with Mary and her son Jesus. “The concern, generosity and prayer life of Our Blessed Mother is what we as young people need to imitate”, said Mathias Lola, from St. Charles Lwaga.
The youthful Taizé prayer session was animated Ms. Rica Lavilla together with the help of volunteer Don Bosco students. “It had time to pray for our missionaries, leaders, young people and our families”, said Susan Iwagi, from the Mary Help of Christians parish. Many young people made use of the opportunity to make their peace with God as Fr. Sonny Fajardo, sdb, Fr. Vincent MSC and Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb were available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation late into the night.
Early morning of Saturday, each parish group prepared their vehicle for the motorcade through the city. 15 parish youth groups participated in the event and 25 vehicles moved around the city with the statue of Mother Mary in this Marian Motorcade. “It is the culmination of the month of the Holy Rosary,” said Sr. Rebecca Fernandez OND. The motorcade moved gracefully through the city, led by a police pilot car and accompanied by four police motorbikes.
The crowning was then done by the Legion of Mary group of Mary Help of Christians parish, Sabama. This was followed by a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Sonny Fajardo, SDB, parish priest of Mary Help of Christians parish. He thanked Sr. Rebecca Fernandez, OND and the Archdiocesan youth committee, the youth and the mothers and all who had a part to play in the preparation and execution of the motorcade event.
Young people now look forward to the Year of Youth 2018 and World Youth Day 2019.
