Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Honiara (Agenzia Fides) - Named after the mother of Saint John Bosco, “Mamma Margherita” is the new home to the Salesian Sisters (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) that was recently inaugurated and blessed in the Solomon Islands. The name of the house was chosen to emphasize the family atmosphere and the care for the youth that the house is intended to have. With great joy for the Catholics of the Solomon Islands, in the presence of Sister Ciri Hernández, the Salesian Sisters’ General Councilor for the Missions, Archbishop Adrian Smith of Honiara presided a Mass in honor of Mary Help of Christians, inaugurating the “Mamma Margherita” House. The celebration, a local religious told Agenzia Fides, took place in typical style: a celebration of young people for young people. The young people were the protagonists at the celebrations, with their dances, but above all with their joyful and friendly presence: they were at home in a place of gathering, of human and spiritual growth, of communion and sharing.
The first community of Salesian Sisters, formed by Sister Sialei Taofinou, Sr. Anna Maria Gervasoni, and Sr. Sonia Murari, arrived in the Solomon Islands last January and soon played an active part in the Church’s pastoral activity there. In nearly six months, the community has organized a place and built a house where they can continue youth ministry, especially with young women, and education for youth.
The religious say: “Our house is called ‘Mamma Margherita.’ Don Bosco’s mother was a great spiritual and moral support to her son at the beginning of his ministry with the marginalized youth. The Church considers her ‘Venerable’ and a model for all Christians, especially for mothers and teachers. We Sisters like to think that once again, Mamma Margherita is responding to her son’s proposal that she be the mother of the many poor youth of the Solomon Islands, with the beginning of our new adventure. We are already dreaming of the house full of children and young people who want to grow and become protagonists in their own lives and in society. Our community is taking its first steps in this new mission and, with our hearts wide open and ready to listen, little by little we will try to find the way each day of being signs of God’s love.”
Margherita Occhiena (1788-1856), the mother of Don Bosco, is considered the mother of the family that was founded by Don Bosco. In 2006, the “Decretum super virtutibus” was issued, declaring her “Venerable.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/7/2008)
