(ANS – Nairobi) – In recent days the casket of Don Bosco has continued its pilgrimage in Kenya with public honours and manifestations of devotion on the part of young people, the faithful and religious authorities.

On Sunday 4 December there was a national celebration, with the day very well organised.  The ceremony was held in the Sanctuary of Mary Hep of Christians at Upper Hill, Nairobi. Accompanied by a variety of folk dances, the Mass was celebrated by Bishop Peter Kihara of Marsabit, Bishop Anthony Muheria of Kitui and the Nuncio Apostolic, Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin, and 20 priests Salesians and others. “Don Bosco is a saint for the whole Church” Bishop Kihara said  in his homily. After the Mass, in the afternoon the relics of the saint were taken to the Salesian Novitiate at Mutuini, the Don Bosco Youth Educational Services (DBYES) and Don Bosco Boys’ Town.

The following day the relics arrived in Machakos, about 80 km from the capital. At the express wishes of the Bishop, before reaching Nzaikoni, the casket stopped at the city Cathedral. Then accompanied by a large and colourful procession continued its journey to the Salesian house, before returning to Nairobi, and the Salesian Theologate of Utume. Here the welcome was organised by the students and the boys from “Bosco Boys”, a reception centre for disadvantaged youngsters, who provided music for the occasion.

The next day the boys from “Bosco Boys” again accompanied the casket to the various Salesian centres they attend. First they went to Langata, where there was a short prayer and hymn service and where each one offered a flower; then with a candle lit procession they went to the main centre of Kuwinda, where Mass was said after an all-night Vigil.

7 December was a special day. The casket was taken to the Kakuma refugee camp where there are about 80,000 refugees. The Bishop of the diocese of Lodwar, Bishop Dominic Kimegich, Mr Eric Wanyonyi, the District Officer, representatives of UNO and other Agencies and International NGO were present. Many Christian refugees especially from the Turcana tribe, paid homage to the relics of the saint and then took part in the Mass at the church in the centre. Then the casket was taken to the Salesian Vocational Training School also in the Kakuma camp.

That was the final day of the pilgrimage of the relics of Don Bosco in Kenya. In the afternoon the casket was taken back to the Provincial House at Upper Hill, in Nairobi. That evening and all night there was a Vigil of prayer and hymns and films about Don Bosco, attended by a large number of people who remained until the farewell Mass celebrated at 5.00 the next day.

Published 13/12/2011