By Cl. Francis Mallol

Savio Haus, Bomana, Port Moresby, PNG, 8 May 2020 -- The feast of Saint Dominic Savio was celebrated in style on 6 May at the Savio Haus in Bomana. This long-awaited feast day of the Savio Haus community is it important as it is the feast of their patron saint.

The day started with the Holy Eucharist integrated with lauds. The main celebrant was Fr. Dominic Kachira, Rector of the community.

During the day the community cooked and decorated the house for the evening program. It commenced with Solemn Vespers which was followed by dinner.

The aspirants presented two items. Fr Edwardo Revilla sang two Spanish songs. He said that he would sing these during his aspirantate days. He also said that during his formation years he would always be ready to present any song.

In the past, the Savio Haus community usually invited other neighbouring religious communities to participate and celebrate, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only three Salesian communities of Port Moresby were invited to join in the celebration. They were Don Bosco Technological Institute, Boroko Provincial House and Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu. The feast day preparation and celebration were new for the aspirants who had joined Savio Haus for the first time.

The nine-day Novena to St Dominic Savio with sermonettes was given by the aspirants. The topics chosen for the sermonettes each day helped the community reflect on the life of Dominic and how each one is challenged to follow the Saint’s life because he is the patron saint of the formation house.

An aspirant said, “St Dominic Savio is a young boy full of courage and passion. He is a young boy who loves Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, is devoted to our Blessed Mother and encourages others to be devoted to her. We are challenged by His heroic life to stand up for the truth and even sacrifice himself is a challenge for us at our current stage of life”.

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