By Fr Dominic Kachira, SDB

Bosconians’ day with the Rector Major in Solomon Islands

Tetere, Solomon Islands, 5 May 2015: The 3rd and last day of the Rector Major’s visit to Solomon Islands on 5 May 2015 was spent with the Bosconians of Tetere and Henderson. He visited the youth in the Correctional Home at Rove. His onward journey towards Salesian Centres in Fiji did not take place as planned, as the flights are delayed due to an earthquake at Kokopo in Papua New Guinea.

The day’s program began at 8.00 AM with a “Youth mass”, in honour of St. Dominic Savio, a student in Don Bosco’s Oratory. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Luciano Capelli SDB of Gizo. During the the homily given by the Rector Major and translated by Fr. Vaclav Klement, Fr. Angel spoke about youthful sanctity. He gave the example of two Bosconians of Latin America, Zepherinus Namancura and Laura Vicuna, who were tribals like the listeners. They both died young, like Dominic Savio, leaving behind a legacy of virtue and sanctity. In Solomon Islands too, the same Bosconian system of education is being followed. The challenge is to want to do something more with our lives, the desire to give than to receive. The Eucharistic celebration was lively youthful hymns and dances.

After Mass, there was an informal interaction with the students. Many interesting queries were put by the students. One was interested to know why the Rector Major undertook such a strenuous journey all the way from Rome to meet us here, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. He said that he is glad to be with young people and intends to visit the young wherever there are found in Salesian centres all over the world.

To the question why he became a Salesian Fr. Angel narrated briefly narrated his vocation story. Although he was intending to pursue studies in Medicine or chemistry in the university, God pointed to him another direction – the Salesian way. In appreciation, one of the students presented him a home-made bamboo school bag which he wore and moved around with the young.

Later he visited the Holy Cross Cathedral and proceeded to meet the young in the Juvenile Home (Correctional Center) at Honiara - Rove and presented them some Salesian mementos.

He has accepted the bad news of his flight to Fiji being cancelled with a sense of humour, and said that he is glad to spend more time with his Salesians in Solomon Islands. At the end of this day he was able even to enjoy some moments of relax at the Honiara beach.

Don Bosco’s Successor meets the youth in the Correctional Home at Rove in Solomon Islands

Honiara, 5 May 2015: On 5 May, 2015 at 11.15 AM, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco visited a Correctional Home at Rove in Solomon Islands. Due to communication lapses he had to wait patiently to be permitted to meet the Juveniles. However, the wait was worthwhile as all those who accompanied him were permitted inside. At present there are 270 inmates, among them 20 young people (under 18 years of age), the Rector Major met 13 of them today.

The youngsters sang “thank you for your love” demonstrating their musical and vocal talents. Speaking to them he recalled how Don Bosco, as a young priest used to visit the prisons of Turin and was a friend of young people and tried to prevent their ever being in prison.

The Salesians continue to be a “Father, friend and educator” like Don Bosco in 132 countries. Fr. Angel encouraged them saying “Life is beautiful. You can make more beautiful after you leave this place”. He gave each one some mementos including a life sketch of Don Bosco.

The two Don Bosco Institutions at Tetere and Henderson take care of the prison ministry assisting the youth to learn a trade (6 months long course of welding).