By Bartholomew Dai

Port Moresby, PNG, 18 June 2024 -- The Salesian Missions Day, with its theme "Builders of Dialogue," was held on June 8th at the Don Bosco Technological Institute, Port Moresby. It was attended by members of the Salesian family, including the ADMA, Past Pupil Association, the FMA sisters, Caritas, Missionaries of Mary Help of Christians sisters, Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, Cooperators, and Salesians.

The program commenced with a thought-provoking Taizé prayer led by Rica Lavilla and the mission group of Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu. The prayer was a beautiful blend of spiritual reflection and scriptural insights, setting the tone for the day’s proceedings.

Following the prayer, Fr. Angel Sanchez, SDB, led the participants in lectio divina, a form of biblical meditation that emphasizes slow and contemplative reading of scripture. Using a video clip, he invited the participants to reflect on the story of the Samaritan Woman. Fr. Angel guided the participants, encouraging them to reflect on their own lives and relationships. This session was an excellent opportunity for reflection and allowed participants to connect deeply with the Word of God.

Next, Fr. Gregorio Bicomong, Provincial Superior of the Vice Province of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, conducted a session on Dreams. He shared his insights on the importance of building bridges through dialogue and understanding, highlighting the role that dreams play in shaping our relationships and interactions. His talk also touched on the dreams of Fr. Valeriano and other pioneers who did their best in Araimiri, in the Gulf Province.

Throughout the morning, participants were encouraged to engage in open and respectful dialogue, sharing their thoughts and experiences with one another. The focus of the program was on building bridges and fostering dialogue to inspire meaningful connections and forge lasting relationships among participants.

The program concluded with lunch for all.

---

---