(ANS – Apia) – Rector Major and his team, consisting of Fr Horacio López, Personal Secretary, and Fr. Václav Klement Regional Councillor for East Asia Oceania, visited three notable Salesian presences in Samoa, from 8 to 11 May, 2015.

The Salesians have been in Samoa for the past thirty six years educating the young in their faith, to become good citizens of the country. The three notable presences are at Upolo in Alafua, Levaa, Sinamoga-Moamoa and at Saleleloga in Savii Island, with three parishes and two schools with technical centers. Young boys come from these islands, complete their technical education particularly in Electronics, Motor Mechanics, Plumbing, Electricity and other trades. 

On Sunday, 10 May Mothers’ Day was celebrated with great favour beginning with the Eucharist in St. Michael’s Parish at Levaa, followed by a family welcome and cultural presentation in the nearby FMA St. Joseph’s Primary school.

Soon after Rector Major visited the island of Savaii, where at Saleleloga there is the vibrant presence of the Parish of St. Francis de Sales and Don Bosco School. The one hour long journey by ferry between the two main islands Upolu and Savii  was rewarded with a great welcome ceremony. In the evening, of under the roof of the traditional fale (community hall in Samoan) there was an evening prayer, welcoming ceremony with some cultural items, concluding with the good night talk by the Rector Major.

On the morning of Monday, Rector Major was greatly impressed by the presence of practically all the 42 families of the parish at the Eucharist as early as 5:30 AM. In spite of the national holiday (Mothers day) and ongoing rain, 280 students of the Saleleloga Don Bosco School presented a large variety of traditional dances and songs in Samoan style.

In the afternoon of Monday Rector Major returned by another boat trip back to Alafua where the students of Don Bosco Technical school welcomed Fr. Angel in the name of the whole school community presenting their vibrant songs and dances. In the afternoon hours the same group offered the Rector Major a rare opportunity of riding the Don Bosco 200 boat at the harbour of Apia, where he himself rowed the boat along with 44 students.

In the evening at 7.30 after a family prayer and dinner Rector Major and his team left for Apia Faleolo to take the flight for Auckland in New Zealand, scheduled to arrive at 2.00 AM. The Rector Major arrived in Auckland and he was received by the Provincial Greg Chambers and other priests and Salesian Family members.

Published 12/05/2015