First house of worship dedicated to Don Bosco’s Madonna

in the Solomon Islands

By Fr. Moïse Paluku, SDB

Henderson, Solomon Islands, 6 September 2019 -- “It is a day of thanksgiving and celebration, as we thank God for the many blessings He showers on us”, said Fr Alfred Maravilla SDB, PGS Provincial, at the Eucharistic celebration in which the blessing and dedication of the School Chapel of Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson, Solomon Islands took place. He thanked the Salesian communities of PGS Vice Province, the benefactors, each and everyone present at the opening of the Chapel which has been locally funded. The celebration of the Eucharist was animated by the Ranadi Landfill Community with the cooperation of the DBTI Henderson students.

The Chapel, dedicated to Mary Help of Christians, has capacity for 300 seats, and will be able to accommodate all the students on days of big events. Archbishop Christopher Cardone, OP, of the diocese of Honiara, has already given permission to the Provincial to allow the Henderson Salesian community to celebrate Sunday masses to serve the surrounding community. The site of the church is well placed, offering a very strong welcoming atmosphere to the school campus, and its landscaping attracts the attention of any passer-by and invites to prayer.

In his word of appreciation, Fr. Srimal Priyanga, SDB the rector of DBTI, briefed those who attended the blessing of the history of the development of the Chapel project. He commented that the achievement of this chapel was a response to the ten-year plan of of DBTI Henderson 2008. It was in 2017 that the Henderson community made up of Frs Srimal, Moïse Paluku and Isidore Maramun met, came up with two projects: building a covered court for school assemblies and the school Chapel. But the House Council then decided on the School Chapel as it has also been the wish of many visitors and the EPC of the School. But because the budget of the school would not allow it at the time, the Vice-Province took it on as a project for the 2018 annual “Province Solidarity Project” which saw the contribution of every Salesian community in PGS. The school also had fundraising activities as well as help from local benefactors. Fr Srimal also explained the design of the chapel: It is inspired by missionaries boats, though seen from above it may look like a leaf floating on the sea. It has nine main pillars to symbolise the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands. The works, finishing touches and landscaping were done by students, teachers, the Ranadi community mothers and the ancillary staff.

At the end of the celebration, the Provincial thanked everyone who made this dream come true and highlighted the unity and synergy. “Something beautiful happens when people work together”, he said. He thanked the local benefactors as well, for they have been very helpful, supportive and ready to assist whenever help was needed. He also congratulated everyone for the completion of this beautiful house of prayer, the first to be dedicated to Mary Help of Christians in the Solomon Islands, on the 150th anniversary of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, in Valdocco.

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