austraLasia #3155
SALELOLOGA: 11 November 2012 -- “Think happiness”. “Dream happiness”. “Live happiness”. “Talk happiness” . These were just a few of the brightly coloured banners that welcomed some 200 young people from the Salesian parishes and schools in Samoa to the new Don Bosco High School and Vocational Centre at Salelologa on Friday, October 26th 2012. This year the “Big Island”, as Savaii is affectionately known, was chosen as the gathering place for SAMBOSCO, a truly Salesian gathering. “Be happy in the Lord” was last year’s theme. This was taken up again this year in the theme “Happiness”. It was a suitable name for this gathering when young (and not so young) people met to spend three days together to pray and play, to eat and sleep (not much of that, mind you!) and recognize that it is the spirit of Don Bosco that unites them.
In the traditional welcoming ceremony the “Kava” cup was shared which almost sacramentally united the gathering into one family. The participants then were divided into 6 groups who were presented with their coloured T-shirts. Hakas were rehearsed to urge the groups on in the many activities that were to follow. After an abundant evening meal the young people prepared for the candle vigil which lasted till in the small hours of the night. This certainly was one of the highlights of the gathering.
The Saturday was “mini-Olympic” day, sports and fun day. “Hakas” (war cries) urged on the competitors, and good- natured rallying choruses flew to and fro adding to the noisy and friendly competition.
A hilarious entertainment ended he Saturday and took the gathering well into the Sunday. A few hours sleep and the crowd filled the big Salesian church of St Francis of Sales in Foua, one of the sub villages of Salelologa to celebrate a special Youth Mass.
After the traditional “to’onai” (the festive Sunday family meal) the “Big Islanders” farewelled the “overseas” travellers with the heartfelt wish to meet again next year.
Coordinator of this year’s SAMBOSCO was Father Mosese. He was happily assisted by the other Salesian priests, Fathers Nicholas and Julius, Petelo, Sefo and Filipo, and the deacons and catechists and their wives from their respective Salesian parishes. Brothers Nuku, Atonio and, Sinapati, our young Salesian Brothers in formation, organised the games and activities, and our young “Salesians-to-be” Eteuati, Sailele and Vitale helped to keep things going smoothly with their generous service.
SAMBOSCO
In the traditional welcoming ceremony the “Kava” cup was shared which almost sacramentally united the gathering into one family. The participants then were divided into 6 groups who were presented with their coloured T-shirts. Hakas were rehearsed to urge the groups on in the many activities that were to follow. After an abundant evening meal the young people prepared for the candle vigil which lasted till in the small hours of the night. This certainly was one of the highlights of the gathering.
The Saturday was “mini-Olympic” day, sports and fun day. “Hakas” (war cries) urged on the competitors, and good- natured rallying choruses flew to and fro adding to the noisy and friendly competition.
A hilarious entertainment ended he Saturday and took the gathering well into the Sunday. A few hours sleep and the crowd filled the big Salesian church of St Francis of Sales in Foua, one of the sub villages of Salelologa to celebrate a special Youth Mass.
After the traditional “to’onai” (the festive Sunday family meal) the “Big Islanders” farewelled the “overseas” travellers with the heartfelt wish to meet again next year.
Coordinator of this year’s SAMBOSCO was Father Mosese. He was happily assisted by the other Salesian priests, Fathers Nicholas and Julius, Petelo, Sefo and Filipo, and the deacons and catechists and their wives from their respective Salesian parishes. Brothers Nuku, Atonio and, Sinapati, our young Salesian Brothers in formation, organised the games and activities, and our young “Salesians-to-be” Eteuati, Sailele and Vitale helped to keep things going smoothly with their generous service.
