Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Honiara (Agenzia Fides) - Young Catholics in Solomon Islands continue to prepare for World Youth Day in Sydney Australia in 2008 with prayers, reflection and sharing experience of volunteer work. Recently a special Mass in Honiara started with a procession with young people carrying the symbols of pilgrimage: walking stick, sandals, a canoe, and a map of the world, to recall the first of all missionaries who came to Oceania carrying the Gospel and then to express their own desire to be “pilgrims and missionaries on the journey of life”. On this journey participation in World Youth Day in Australia will be an important lap. “We are called to bear witness to the spirit of Christ in our lives at all times wherever we are ”, said Fr Ambrose Pereira, Catholic communications officer in Solomons. The Mass concluded with typical local song and dancing as the young people expressed their enthusiasm for a chance to experience WYD with young people all over the world.
Contact is regular. Rewcently a delegation of 20 young people from the Australian diocese of Lismore arrived in Solomons to meet their peers in Honiara and Gizo, visiting parishes and associations and taking part in a special Mass together. “This is an opportunity to strengthen our faith and our friendship and to prepare will for WYD ”, said one of the group leaders from Lismore, thanking the young people of Solomons for the warm welcome and inviting them visit Australia. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2007 righe 26 parole 261)
