(ANS – Honiara) – Fr. Peter Baquero, the Delegate of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands together with Fr. Danny Torres, the Vice-Provincial FIN, Fr. Václav Klement, the Regional Councillor for East Asia-Oceania, Fr. Horacio López, the secretary to the Rector Major besides Salesians accompanied, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime, during the first visit of the Rector Major to Solomon Islands which began on 3^rdMay, 2015. 

By Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB

Earlier on his arrival at the Henderson International Airport, the Rector Major and his team were given a grand welcome with a dance troupe dressed in their traditional costumes playing panpipes. The Eucharistic celebration at Don Bosco Rural Training Centre, Tetere, was presided over by Fr. Klement. The Sunday school children rendered praise and thanks to God through singing and dances.

A Teacher from Karen Zilmah Kalea Sunday School and the parish chairman of John Manengelea Parish delivered thanksgiving speeches in praise of the services of Salesians who have worked there for the past 20 years. The Pupils’ leader of the Institute, Clancy Vanita thanked the Rector Major for his first ever visit to the Solomon Islands. “Your smiling face will be remembered for a long time” she concluded.

After dinner there was a special reception programme during which the cultural treasure of Solomon Islands was showcased by the students of Don Bosco. The Rector Major thanked everyone.

The Honourable Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare was the Chief Guest at the welcome ceremony accorded to Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime SDB, the 10^thSuccessor of Don Bosco, at the DBTI Hall on Monday, 4^thMay at 11.00 AM. The event celebrated three events: the 200^thbirthday of Don Bosco (1815 – 2015) ; the official welcome to Don Bosco’s 10^thsuccessor; and finally to thank God for the 20 years of the presence of the Salesians at the Solomon Islands.

The program started with the opening prayer led by the Archbishop Adrian Smith, followed by the National Anthem. The students from Tetere and DBTI presented 4 entertainment programmes.

The Prime Minister in his message heartily welcomed the Rector Major and expressed great satisfaction at seeing him in the Solomon Islands. He described the situation of the youth in the country and said that his government is committed to educate the young and bring them up as good citizens of the country for which he relied on congregations like the Salesians of Don Bosco. 

Dr. Derek Sikua, Honourable Minister for Education and Human Resource Development was also present on the occasion. He acknowledged the leadership that Don Bosco was giving in the field of Technical Education in the country.

In his speech, the Rector Major affirmed the concerns of the Prime Minister regarding the situation of school drop outs.

The Prime Minister was awarded a plaque by the Rector Major, a Souvenir of the 200^thBirth Anniversary of Don Bosco.

Earlier at 9 AM, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Archbishop Adrian Smith in which religious leaders from all the local Churches participated. The Rector Major in his homily highlighted the unity of the Christian family existing in Honiara and Solomon Islands and encouraged everyone to translate into action the ideals given by Don Bosco.

In the evening at 5.00 PM, the Rector Major met with the Salesian Family working in Solomon Islands and encouraged them to work united as a family. This was followed by a two hour meeting with the Salesians in sharing matters concerning Salesian apostolate and planning for the future. ​

Published 04/05/2015