By Isabella Saleu
CBC Social Communications
Gabutu, Port Moresby PNG, 29 April 2022 -- In anticipation of Good Friday on 15 April, over a thousand students from Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu, together with staff and Salesians took part in a prayerful experience of following Jesus on his Way of Sorrows.
Organized by the Pastoral Team of DBTS, the Way of the Cross took place on Friday 8 April 2022, at the end of the 1st Term examinations and before the students got ready for their term holiday. Each station was assigned to different classes and staff to prepare.
Spiritual moderator Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, the presiding minister invited all present to participate fully in the Way of the Cross. “As we follow each station, let us picture Jesus and his agony in our minds. As we meditate on each station may it offer for us an opportunity to use the symbols and gestures to reflect and meditate. May it offer for us a unique way to follow Christ, surrender our lives to him and strive for conversion. All our burdens be lightened, and our sins forgiven as we relate to the sufferings of Jesus”, he said.
With different gestures such as kneeling, joining and raising of hands as a way of acknowledging the different activities Jesus endured on his way to Calvary 2000 years ago, participants were able to briefly experience the pain and agony of Christ and thus prepare for the upcoming Holy Week.
Despite the heat of the scorching sun, the boys stood as an army creating a pathway as the Cross was passed on from one station to the other until the fourteenth station. As the Cross moved on there was singing, prayer recitations and moments of silence for reflection.
After the concluding prayer, a short creative dance was presented by the grade 12 boys which saw everyone ask for another round and they all joined in to dance. “It is not in falling down, but our faith is in rising to new life”, said Fr Pedro Sachitula, Rector.
He congratulated the boys for successfully completing the term and told the students to use the holidays to rest or take part in other productive activities. He reminded them of their Bosconian values that they should also strive to uphold even when not in school. “In whatever you do during your holiday week, please make time to go to church during the Easter Triduum. Try your best to do so as we are all people of the risen Lord and we must be close to Him during this time”, he added.
