By Ms. Arlene Abital

Boroko, PNG, 12 October 2017 -- A Thanksgiving Mass was held on October 12th at Mary Help of Christians Shrine, Boroko, Don Bosco Technological Institute’s compound to celebrate the 25 years of priesthood of two Salesian Priests. The two PGS Salesians namely Fr. Ariel Macatangay, SDB and Fr. Roger Miranda, SDB happily celebrate their Silver Jubilee together with Fr. Louie Castañeda, SDB as concelebrant. Fr. Roger was the main celebrant while Fr. Ariel delivered the Homily to the Graduating students present in the Shrine.

Fr. Ariel chose October 7th –Feast of the Holy Rosary as an advance celebration since it will be Christmas break in PNG on December 8th and also some members of the community will be out of the country by then.

Fr. Ariel reiterated his homily at Bomana Chapel last October 7th. He focused on October as the month of the Rosary and reflected on the four types of mysteries significant to his Silver Jubilee. He finds his life Joyful when he was sent to the mission. It has helped him to be more faithful and closer to Jesus and Mary. The sorrowful mystery reminds him of his weaknesses in life and strives to strengthen these daily. The glorious mystery makes him happy to know the many successful stories of Don Bosco schools’ graduates and he feels fulfilled to have assisted them in any way possible. The Luminous Mystery/Mystery of Light allows him to see God as light and clear direction in times of weaknesses and trials.

He recalled that seven of them (from PGS and FIN) who celebrate their 25 years in priesthood came from families who pray the Holy Rosary. Six of them recently went to the Holy Land while the other one is a Diocesan priest in the United States. “Praying of the Rosary at a young age inspired me to accept Jesus and embrace the vocation I’m in,” said the PGS Head of Formation and Provincial Secretary.

Before the final blessing, Fr. Roger expressed that he entered the seminary after college. He said that their Silver Jubilee celebration is an invitation for promotion and growth of local Salesian vocation. He said that his student in Grade 4 back in the Philippines is now a Rector at Don Bosco Canlubang, Philippines. The first PNG Salesian priest, Fr. Isidore Maramun, SDB was his Grade 11 student in DBTS-Gabutu and Reverend Deacon Gilbert Pano, SDB was his student in Don Bosco Vanimo when he was Grade 8. Rev. Deacon Gilbert will be ordained as second PNG Salesian on October 21st in Vanimo and other locals are now in their pre and post novices in the Philippines and in Bomana seminary. He said “I owe my vocation to Fr. Eduardo Revilla, SDB who is now on his 50 years as a priest. The 82 year old priest whom you often see assisting around invited me to become a priest,” said the PGS Provincial Economer and Rector of MHC Shrine.

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