"Be Young and Stay Young"

By Arlene Abital

Boroko, Port Moresby, PNG, 24 August 2023 -- The Educative Pastoral Community (EPC) of Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI) celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass in honor of the 208th Birthday of St. John Bosco on the 16 August 2023 at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. Archbishop Francesco Panfilo, the Archbishop Emeritus of Rabaul, was the main celebrant together with Fr. Ariel Macatangay, DBTI President, Fr. Roger Miranda, DBTI Rector and Fr. Bernard Kaiau, the newly ordained Salesian priest.

Highlighting Don Bosco’s optimistic humanism in his positive emphasis on education, the Archbishop quoted St. Paul’s words from the reading of the feast, “I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; fill your minds with everything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable." As the Apostle to the Gentiles is set by the Church as a model of zeal in evangelization, so is St. John Bosco proposed as a model for our generation, especially for the young. Like St. Paul, Don Bosco asks all of us, “Keep doing things that you’ve learned from me, and how you’ve been taught by me.” For us, Don Bosco remains a concrete expression of Jesus’ compassion by being a loving father and teacher of the young.

Reflecting on the Gospel, the main celebrant shared, “The apostles prevented the children from coming closer to Jesus but the latter loves them. Like Jesus, Don Bosco searched for the young in the most unthinkable ways in order for them to become friends of Jesus. Don Bosco shared the problems, aspirations and the joys and sorrows of the young.” He continued that Don Bosco does not love the young because they are good rather he loves them so that they can become good Christians and honest citizens. He did not impose his mentality but challenged the young to make clean and mature choices in life.

Moreover, the Archbishop said that we may live in different times but Don Bosco’s style and method of educating the young transcends time and culture and it is based on true and sincere love for the young. At present, Don Bosco’s message for everyone of us is “Be young and stay young. To have youthful spirit means to fight the evil and sin in and around you.” In doing so, we need the frequent reception of confession, communion and devotion to Mother Mary - she is our help, our protection and our intercessor. Through Don Bosco, we may obtain the grace to love and educate the youth in the spirit of sacrifice and charity. He asked the community present to continue to pray for the youth of PNG and the world especially the marginalized and the victims of evil and injustices. Through the help of Jesus, our Good Shepherd and Good Samaritan may they find hope, love and happiness.

Five classes joined forces to animate the music and the readings of the Mass, while various cultural groups enthusiastically partook of liturgical dances during the entrance, offertory and recessional processions.

After the Eucharistic celebration, the institute recognized some members of the staff who have been loyal in serving the school for 20, 16 and 6 years. All in all, the EPC of DBTI, on this third day of their week-long Don Bosco festivities, offered a meaningful, memorable and moving birthday tribute to their father, friend and teacher, St. John Bosco!

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