Back in 1815 16th August, a seed falls on the earth. It’s a seed with great and promising future. The seed will bloom and spread across the face of the earth, transforming and uniting different nations, tribes and tongues into one family, with one name that spells B-O-S-C-O-N-I-A-N-S.
June 26th marks a milestone in the spread of the work and presence of Salesians in the Pacific islands especially on, “The Island of many Colors- Papua New Guinea”. It’s a time of joy and plenty of gratitude as we reflect and contemplate about the Salesian Missionaries who have sacrificed their lives for a worthy course to whisper the Gospel to us. A great contribution made for the betterment of the lives of many Papua New Guineans. Many thirsty souls who drank from this well, have found themselves the long missing oasis of their weary souls in this troubled world.
The Salesian Mission Day 2018 is celebrated by the Don Bosco Simbu Technical College on the 1st of June 2018 with the theme, “Whispering the Gospel through Technical Training Centers”. It’s a very fitting theme that truly reflects the pedagogy of Don Bosco to “Educate and Evangelize”.
The day began with the Eucharistic Celebration in the Don Bosco’s Shrine presided by The Provincial Fr. Alfred Maravilla, who delivered a beautiful and challenging homily. In his homily, Fr. Alfred enlightened our minds to realize ourselves as Bosconians in this sea of life. More significantly, we are a missionary family with vision. Uttered more eloquently, two points were the highlights. Firstly, “we belong to a family of missionaries; we are Bosconian missionaries who are ready to whisper the Gospel and to share with others what we have”. The second point was, “let’s make a little contribution to help others who are in dire need of the very system of education and the Gospel which we enjoy here”. Such a beautiful homily delivered in the most comprehensible fashion. We were challenged and encouraged to be missionaries among our friends and families in our societies. As commissioned by our Savior, we are all called to whisper the Gospel to ends of the earth. The vocation club enacted the dream of Don Bosco on Patagonia during the Mass, which touch the young hearts.
After an inspiring homily, the students were involved in some thrilled-filled games to collect funds for the mission of Myanmar. Tickets were bought to play various games. Basketball, football, soccer, ringing and candle lighting were some of the games played. The surrounding community also was part of the celebration. The proceeds from this will be sent to help build a Vocational Training Center in Myanmar. From the bottom of our hearts, “Thank you Salesians for what you are doing for the young people of Papua New Guinea”.
In the afternoon all the religious from the Diocese of Kundiawa gathered together to renew their missionary zeal. Speaking on this topic Fr. Alfred Maravilla highlighted the dangers of missionary life in the present world quoting the Evangeli Gaudium. His talk has awakened the hearts and minds of the missionaries in the Diocese of Kundiawa. In the evening the young Bosconians expressed their joy through the Eucharistic Adoration and musical night.
Mr. D. Kagl- Always and forever a proud Bosconian