“That first spark of interest towards a Salesian vocation I had in 2003. I was enrolled in the first year of Philosophy at the Seminary of the Most Holy Name of Mary in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. I met Fr Ambrose Pereira, SDB, as he was very active in organizing communications seminars for the country's schools and institutions. There, I began to really admire the work the Salesians have been doing for our younger, less fortunate young people, for such a long time.
In 2011, I completed my studies in Philosophy and in Theology as a diocesan candidate, but I felt I did not have the vocation as a diocesan priest. That is why I went back to my parish the following year and I helped to develop pastoral programs. The year after, I went to Honiara and got a part-time job at the Ministry of Education and Development of Human Resources, working on reviewing the country's secondary school's scholastic plans.
During the two years I spent at the Ministry, my interest in the Salesians revived, and so I contacted some Salesian animators and, finally, contacted Fr John Cabrido, SDB. My meeting with Fr John was my first encounter with the love and affection of Don Bosco for young people.
I was offered the opportunity to participate in one of the 'Come and See' retreats led by Dominic Kachira, SDB. So I decided to stay at the Henderson Salesian Institute in Honiara; in the end, I asked to be included in the program for pre-aspirants as a Salesian candidate.
Seeing young people who do nothing after leaving school, or just not going to school, is very painful for me; this is why I believe that the Salesians are the right place for me to do something greater for the glory of God through the charism of Don Bosco.
And if this is the will of God, I'm sure it will provide me with the way to do it. Meanwhile I continue to pray to ask for His grace to strengthen me and to guide me in the discernment of my vocation”.
Source: AustraLasia
