Nuncio to Don Bosco Graduates: Use Your Skills to Help Build a Better PNG

PORT MORESBY — His Excellency Archbishop Maurizio Bravi, Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, has challenged graduates of Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu, to use their education, professional skills and Christian values to contribute meaningfully to the development of Papua New Guinea and to become responsible citizens.

Speaking at the school’s 2026 Graduation Ceremony on 12 November 2026, Archbishop Bravi reminded the graduating students that technical education carried a responsibility beyond securing employment or building successful careers. He said the true value of their education should be seen in how they use their knowledge and abilities to serve others.

Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of John (2:5), “Do whatever He tells you”, the Apostolic Nuncio reflected on the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the wedding feast of Cana, presenting them as a guiding principle for the graduates as they prepared to enter a new chapter of their lives.

The Archbishop of Moresby, Sir John Cardinal Ribat MSC, was present at the occasion.

In his welcome address, the Reverend Director, Fr Ambrose Poreira SDB, said their certificates represented years of hard work and personal growth, and that in 2026 they had grown under the Strenna, “Do whatever He tells you, Believers free to serve.” Amidst distractions, Artificial Intelligence and digital noise, he said, they had revealed their true and authentic face. He thanked parents and guardians and educators for living Don Bosco’s Preventive System with reason, religion and loving-kindness.

Four exhortations from Cana

In his address, Archbishop Bravi developed Mary’s invitation into four exhortations.

1. Learn to Listen. At Cana, Mary noticed that the wine had run out and brought the problem to Jesus. Then she turned to the servants and said, “Do whatever He tells you.” His Excellency Archbishop Bravi urged the graduates to learn to listen in a world full of voices — friends, social media, society, politics, and personal ambitions. He encouraged them to listen to the Word of God, to their conscience, and to the advice of people who truly want the best for them.

He reminded them that receiving a diploma did not mean their learning had ended. Life would continue to teach them, work would give them new experiences, and mistakes would help them grow if they had the humility to recognise them.

2. Turn What You Have Learned into Service. Technical education, he said, has its greatest value when it is used to serve others. A good technician is not only someone who can repair a machine, install a system, or use equipment correctly, but someone who works carefully, follows safety rules, keeps promises, and treats everyone with respect and dignity.

“A good professional does not take dishonest shortcuts. He or she does not cheat customers, waste materials, or put other people’s lives at risk just to make money more quickly,” he said.

“Your skills will help you find your way in life, but your honesty will make you worthy of other people’s trust,” he added.

He recalled the educational vision of St John Bosco, who sought to form “good Christians and honest citizens”, encouraging the graduates to carry these values into their workplaces, families and communities.

“Do not ask only, ‘What can I gain from my education?’ Ask yourselves also: ‘What can I do with what I have learned to help my family, my community, and my country?’” he said. This question, he noted, can turn work into a true mission of service.

3. Do Not Be Afraid of Difficulties. Acknowledging that the future would not always be easy, Archbishop Bravi said some graduates might find a job soon, while others might need to keep looking, improve their skills, or face times of uncertainty. Some doors might close. Some plans might fail.

When difficulties seem greater than their strength, he urged them not to forget prayer, trust in God, to be faithful in the small things of everyday life, and the support of family and community. He added: be smart enough to recognise and make good use of every good opportunity.

4. Be Agents of Change. His Excellency Archbishop Bravi reminded the graduates that Don Bosco deeply believed in young people, not simply as people who needed to be educated, but as people who could help build a better future.

Papua New Guinea, he said, has many resources and rich human potential, but also a great deal of precariousness, inequality, suffering, and hardship. The future of the country depends on the ability of the younger generation to accept responsibility, work together, and use their talents for the good of everyone.

“Be people who build, not destroy! Who unite, not divide! Who encourage, not discourage!” His Excellency urged.

If they found a job, he said, they should do it conscientiously. If they had the opportunity to continue studying, they should do so with dedication. If one day they were called to lead others, they should lead them with respect and fairness. Their diploma must not be just a document to keep, but a tool to build a dignified life and contribute to the good of society, he said.

Before concluding, His Excellency Archbishop Bravi entrusted them to Mary Help of Christians and prayed that Don Bosco would teach them to be courageous, generous, and close to those most in need.

“Be proud of what you have achieved but remain humble! Go out into the world and make your profession a service to others, your skills a gift to be shared, and your lives a witness to honesty. May God bless you!” he said.

For the young Bosconians of 2026, the challenge is clear: to become skilled professionals, good Christians and honest citizens who use their talents to help build a better Papua New Guinea.