By Our Own Correspondent

SOLOMON ISLANDS, May 4 2015—The visit of Fr. Ángel in the Solomon Islands was full of many meaningful events from the early morning up to late evening; it was indeed truly a Feast of Thanksgiving.

More than 400 youth from both educational institutions of Tetere DB Rural Training Center and Henderson Don Bosco Technical school along with many Salesian family members and distinguished guests celebrated the Eucharist presided by Archbishop of Honiara, Adrian Smith, CM.

The Mass was followed by the official commemoration of 20-year presence in Solomon Islands attended by the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, three other bishops (are we not going to supply the names of these two? And yet, Bishop Capelli we provided the name: Catholic Auxiliary bishop of Honiara, Anglican bishop of Guadalcanal and Luciano Capelli, SDB, bishop of Gizo), Minister of Education, three ambassadors and numerous well-wishers.

In the late afternoon followed a series of encounters with the Rector Major. First, Fr. Ángel met with the only FMA community in Solomon Islands, which is composed of four sisters, then with the whole group of the Salesian family, which is comprised of Don Bosco Past Pupils, Salesian Cooperators, SDB and FM).

Below is a rousing address and heartfelt song from the Association of Don Bosco Past Pupils in Honiara:

"We are glad that we are here today with you today. Your presence reminds us when Don Bosco found us and helped us realized that we are born for Greater Things (DBTI school motto). And we are here proud to be a Bosconian which follows the educative system of Don Bosco that proves to us of who we are today in our Society.

We become heads of departments in the working place

Some of us are teachers.

Some of us are supervisors

Some of us are employers

Some of us are resources-full persons in the industry.

It’s not all because of the knowledge and skills we have but with the values and attitudes we have acquired from Don Bosco Education, for we have lived with it as Bosconians forever.

As citizens of Solomon Islands, we welcome you, Rector Major. We are thankful for the education we have received from Don Bosco, for we acknowledge that Solomon Islands really do need the Educative System of Don Bosco. Let us sing a song and let us share our joy together!"

Welkam song for the Rector Major:

When everything just falls apart

And someone needs a helping hand

When the mountain seems so high

And the valley seems so de-e-ep

The sun seems to go down so fast

Hey look our guest is here with us

We glad to have you as our treasure

Where the pasture are so green

And the laughter fills the earth

And sunshine in our hearts

Let us all share a warm welcome

To the Rector Major our loving friend

And let us share our Joyce with him

We are glad that you here with us!

The most important moment of the Rector Major’s visit was his spending the whole evening together with all seven Salesians of both communities of Solomon Islands and the other SDB guests: Fr. Danny Torres (Vice-provincial of FIN, Manila; Fr. Peter Baquero (Superior of PNG-SI Delegation; Fr. Ambrose Pereira and Fr. Horacio Lopez, personal secretary of the Rector Major. After the vespers and dinner there was a long time for fraternal sharing and exchange with the Rector Major about important topics that touched the hearts of the confreres.

At the end of the day, the two Rectors received from Fr. Ángel the new edition of The Project of Apostolic Life in order to foster the starting stage of the Salesian Cooperators in this country.

At present there are three aspirants in the initial formation preparing to become Salesian Cooperators.