By Sr. Matalena Leota, FMA

Honiara, Solomon Island, 11 November 2017 -- History was made on the 10th and 11th of November, the first SoloBosco (Salesian Youth Gathering) with all the young people under the guidance of the Salesian, FMA/SDB in the Solomon Islands.

From fun games to dance, prayer moments in Taize style, Marian moment, an inspiring and challenging input from our own Salesian Bishop Luciano Capelli, to workshops on different parts of the Salesian Family, sharing food and to top it all up the last Eucharist together. The theme was “We Are Family” from the Rector Major’s Strenna for this year 2017.

One and half day with the young really opened up the eyes and hearts of most of them, where they personally expressed with these words:

“Best time ever”,

“It’s the best time of my entire life”,

“Can we have these gathering monthly”,

“Thank you Salesians for organizing this day for us youth”

I asked one of them if they enjoyed the program, the reply was: “Sr. I am overjoyed, it was the best”.

The Salesian Spirit was truly and well inserted into the hearts of these young people with the activities that was prepared for them. “Young people, without YOU, we SALESIANS will havenothing to do, thank you for changing our lives and we hope that we have changed your lives.