CATHOLIC parishioners of the Archdiocese of Honiara on Sunday, September 16, congregated at the Holy Cross cathedral to mark the 450 years of the Cross arrival in the country.
The celebration to mark the great day began with the enactment of the arrival of Alvaro de Medana on our shores in 1568 from the Yacht Club to the Holy Cross cathedral by the Avuavu parishioners alongside the Barana and Mataniko communities.
In 1568 Spanish explorer Alvaro de Medana come to our shores, because of the great beauty of our islands and prospect of finding gold, and he named our country Solomon Islands.
The cross pilgrimaged around parishes and districts of Honiara Archdiocese to promote the love of God, the grace of our lord Jesus and the Communion of the Holy Spirit in our communities and to help and encourage people in their spiritual faith to live and share the Good News of Christ in our parishes and communities; and it symbolises the dead and suffering.
It is also a sign of victory of love and mercy of Christ to all Christians and shows us a great history of the coming of the Church or faith in our shore and it remind us of the important message about the great events which are the highlights of the synod in Rome the youth, faith and vocation.
Speaking during his homily, Bishop Elect for Auki Diocese Fr Peter Houhou said, “today we gather together to witness one of the significant and historical events in the Catholic Church here in Solomon Islands.
“The planting of the cross in our shore is a great and salvation history for us and that particular day is a greatest day of all days that has been long before.
“The drama that we show and witness this morning is significant and the planting of the cross on vuhokesa hill top now known as Holy cross is like planting the spiritual seed in each one of us.”
The event also highlights with traditional (chupu) presentation, unveiling and blessing of the historical monument (cross) in front of the cathedral and concluded with number of religious entertainment. More than five thousand devotee attended the celebration and the theme of Cross reads, “Take up your cross and follow Jesus”.
By Camillus Kole
Catholic Press
