By Fr. Ariel Macatangay, SDB

Port Moresby, PNG, 7 October 2016 -- The new Salesian Vice Province of Blessed Philip Rinaldi (PGS) was blessed with a Salesian cleric in the person of Francis Mallol. Cl. Francis made his First Salesian Religious Profession and was invested at the Mary Help of Christians Shrine at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea during the Eucharistic celebration on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, 7th October, 2016.

Francis completed his Novitiate at Cebu in the Philippines, and pronounced his vows for a year to live obedient, poor and chaste as a Salesian of Don Bosco. The rites of First Profession were presided over by the Superior of the Vice Province, Fr. Peter Baquero. Fr. Alipio Añano sdb represented the Formation Community of Cebu. He was among the 11 priests who concelebrated at the Eucharistic celebration. The celebration was attended by various members of the Salesian family, staff and students of Don Bosco schools, and a large number of members from the Salesian run Mary Help of Christians Parish at Sabama. Francis hails from the parish where he has been actively involved as a young person.

In his homily, Fr. Peter presented Mary as the model of responding with a total ‘yes’ to God. “She serves as an inspiration for the young cleric and to give his threefold ‘yes’ to God through the faithful observance of the vows, through his fraternal love of his Salesian confreres, and through his loving service of the youth”, said Fr. Peter. In his thank you speech at the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Francis reiterates the homilist's message by declaring with faith and love, "TGIM - Thank God It's Mary!" Refreshments were served for invited guests at the DBTI multi-purpose hall after the Mass.

The Goilala dancers led the entrance and offertory procession. The Sabama Youth choir sang the parts of the mass and the hymns, several of which were in the local language.

Br. Francis Mallol will soon return to the Philippines to start his post novitiate formation.

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