Boroko, Port Moresby, PNG, 8 September 2024 -- Pope Francis expressed his joy at being in the Diocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Boroko. As he stated that he was baptized by a Salesian in a parish of Buenos Aires, the clergy responded with thunderous applause. From the life of Don Bosco, he recalled that in 1844 Our Lady inspired Don Bosco to build a Basilica. Our Blessed Mother told Don Bosco, “Here is my home, from here my glory goes forth”. And she added, “If he had the courage to build, great graces for the gospel and for young people would follow”.
The beautiful shrine and the testimonies shared highlight the following:
1. The courage to begin,
2. The beauty of being present and
3. The hope of growing.
He compared the building of the shrine to the struggle of missionaries to establish the gospel. He highlighted St Peter Chanel, Bl Mazzucconi, Bl Peter ToRot, St Mother Teresa, St Mary McKillop, St Maria Goretti, Bl Ceferino Namuncurá, St Francis de Sales, and the other saints on the stained-glass windows of the shrine as models to be imitated. He thanked the early missionaries who risked their lives and for the sacrifices they made. He invited all to be instruments of the Lord and preach the gospel to the peripheries despite the lack of necessities.
He highlighted three special attitudes:
1. Compassion, closeness, and tenderness.
2. The beauty of being present and
3. The hope of growing.
The Holy Father thanked the missionaries, bishops, priests, religious and catechists for their courage, beauty and hope to witness to the gospel in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. After the Hail Mary the Holy Father blessed the congregation. A ‘lakatoi’, a sailing vessel from dug-out logs, fastened together, was then gifted to the Holy Father.
The testimonies shared were:
Sr Lorena Jenal, a Franciscan nun shared her insights and experience of dealing with the violence, especially Sorcery Accusation Related Violence in the highlands of Mendi. She shared about the persons who were rescued and have assisted women and men. One rescued woman is now assisting with human rights.
Fr Emmanuel Moko, Archdiocese of Port Moresby, 64 years, a late vocation, spoke about his cultural identity and the need to be productive. He spoke about three challenges - a local church that has received so much and must now stand on its own; marriage that must care for life and educate children and young people in Papua New Guinea, that need to be trained, cultivated and nurtured, to embrace priestly formation for the benefit of the church.
He questioned how he could see the face of Christ in the culture of Papua New Guinea.
The sharing of James Etariva, Holy Family Catechist, Kuriva parish, was read out. The challenges highlighted were: lack of resources, balance of family life and pastoral responsibility, other denominations, and the need for younger catechists.
Grace Wrakia, National Coordinator at Lasallian Family Office, PNG clearly stated that ‘Synodality is our Melanesian way of life’. While it gave her a voice to share communion, she wishes that we do not lose the wisdom of the simple people in the peripheries and implores that their voices may be heard, respected, and valued. She pleaded for a collaboration among different groups of people that takes time and love, as this could be lost in our rapidly changing world.
The beautifully decorated Shrine of Mary Help of Christians is laced with white and yellow, colors of the Vatican and inlaid with roses and flowers, delicately decorated by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and a team of volunteers.
The pews were filled with members of the clergy, bishops, priests, religious and catechists. Outside were over 2000 young men and women who prayed and sang as they waited anxiously for the Holy Father.
The members of the clergy were keen to wish and touch Pope Francis. Fr Eugenio Zurias Dias, a Neo Catechumen priest, was encouraged to continue the good work in Papua New Guinea.
Earlier, at the Caritas Technical Secondary school, run by the Caritas sisters of Jesus the Holy Father interacted with Street children and disabled young people.
Despite the audio technical issues, all those present were filled with the spirit of zeal, dedication and compassion. We look forward to the Eucharistic celebration on the 8th of September, the Birthday of Our Blessed Mother.
6538_Courage! Be strong, do not fear
6536_Prepared to Welcome His Holiness Pope Francis
