Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bora Bora (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic community of the parish of Saint Pier Celestino in Bora Bora lived three intense days. The occasion was the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, May 19. The Mass and Confirmation celebrated by the Archbishop of Papeete Jean Pierre Cottanceau, SS.CC., in the church of Saint Pier Celestino in Bora Bora were broadcast live on video by Radio Bora Bora through the Facebook channel. The archbishop was accompanied by Father Sandro Lafranconi, parish priest of the Society of African Missions (SMA).
"Eleven Confirmations during the solemn celebration of the Pentecost Mass: 10 young people between 13 and 15 years old and an adult parishioner who was able to realize her long-cherished wish of finding her place in the parish family", writes to Fides Agency the SMA missionary.
"The event was especially significant because, due to the enormous distances - the archdiocese of Papeete alone is as large as Europe - explains Fr. Lafranconi - the archbishop had not visited the parishioners of the Catholic church of Bora Bora for four years. On the other hand, when you are Bishop of the largest diocese of Holy Mother Church, it is already a blessing to have him for three days and moreover on the occasion of Pentecost which this year also coincided with the feast of the Patron Saint which the calendar commemorates on May 19th".
"The liturgical celebration, animated by songs and participation, continued with an important gathering around a lunch of traditional dishes patiently cooked in the Tahitian oven: a bed of red-hot volcanic stones on which the dishes are placed. They will cook while everything remains buried for several hours before being served. Everything was intended to highlight the importance of an event capable of recreating unity and participation worthy of Pentecost", concludes the missionary. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 22/5/2024)
