Port Vila, Vanuatu – On December 13, three Salesian pioneers—Fr. Alfred Maravilla, Fr. Moise Paluku, and Br. Paulus Bataona—arrived in Port Vila, where they were warmly welcomed by the local Ordinary, Bishop John Bosco Baremes, SM. That evening, the bishop and several diocesan priests honored them with a simple Kava ceremony.

The following morning, December 14, the bishop celebrated the Eucharist and officially presented the pioneers to the diocesan community. In his message, he expressed gratitude, saying, "We are happy to see the Salesians here. I know this is the result of your fervent prayers over many years. We are grateful that, despite many requests from bishops across Oceania, you have accepted to come to our small diocese."

Before Mass, the Salesians made a significant discovery: a statue of Mary Help of Christians stood in the Cathedral. During the devastating earthquake that struck the capital in December 2024, the original statue was destroyed. A Catholic government minister arranged for a replacement, ordering "a statue of Mary" from Vietnam. When it arrived in September and was installed in the Cathedral, no one realized it depicted Mary Help of Christians—a title that holds great significance for the Salesians and St. John Bosco.

The Salesians only learned about the statue's identity moments before Mass. "Just before our Mass, we learned that this statue is actually Mary Help of Christians, a title very dear to the Salesians and to Don Bosco. Perhaps it's merely a coincidence, but Mary Help of Christians has preceded her sons here," they remarked.

During his "Good Night" talk following community prayers, Fr. Alfred Maravilla recalled his visit to Vanuatu in May 2019, when he was Provincial of PGS. At that time, he and Fr. Klement Vaclav, the then Regional Councillor, presented the bishop with a small statue of Mary Help of Christians, stating, "For now, I give you our Mother; later, her sons will follow." Today, that promise had come true. "This is her work. This new missionary presence is Mary's work," he emphasized.

During this initial period, the Salesians will assess the pastoral situation, particularly focusing on the needs of young people, and prepare a development plan. In the meantime, they plan to begin an oratory.

Fr Alfred Maravilla, SDB