(ANS – Honiara) – The 3rd and last day of the Rector Major’s visit to Solomon Islands on 5 May 2015 was spent with the students of the Salesian institutions 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 were delayed due to an earth quake in Papua New Guinea.

By Fr Dominic Kachira, SDB

The day’s program began at 8.00 AM with a “Youth mass”, in honour of St. Dominic Savio. The Eucharistic celebration, with lively youthful hymns and dances, was presided by Bishop Luciano Capelli SDB of Gizo. During 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 Vicuña, who were indigenous like the listeners. They both died young, like Dominic Savio, leaving behind a legacy of virtue and sanctity.

After Mass, there was an informal interaction and many interesting queries were made by the students. One was interested to know why the Rector Major undertook such a strenuous journey all the way from Rome to Oceania. Fr. Angel replied that he is glad to be with young people and intends to visit the young wherever they are found in Salesian centres all over the world. To the question why he became a Salesian Fr. Angel briefly narrated his vocation story.

Later, accompanied by his Secretary, Fr Horacio López, he visited the Holy Cross Cathedral and proceeded to meet the young in the Juvenile Correctional Home at Rove. 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. 

Fr. Angel encouraged them saying “Life is beautiful. You can make it even more beautiful after you leave this place”. He then 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.

“The Rector Major has made a commitment to visit the Salesian houses never visited before by any Rector Major – commented Bp. Capelli regarding the visit. - After 20 years of Salesian presence in Tetere (1995), and 15 years at Henderson, the Rector Major arrived for the local celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. These days he established a good family relationship with the confreres, young people, and the members of the Salesian Family. He personally expressed his appreciation to the volunteers from Valtellina and Bergamo who work in these two Salesian presences. We see God’s blessing on the sons of Don Bosco have started well and are on the right track”

Published 05/05/2015