(ANS – Bilbao) – Yesterday, 1 May the casket of Don Bosco arrived in Bilbao, at Deusto, and so began his pilgrimage in Salesian Spain. “Welcome home!” everyone was saying. The first day ended with  Mass celebrated by Bishop Mario Iceta of Bilbao.

Taking part in the welcoming ceremony were the Provincials of  Seville, León, Madrid and Bilbao, with many Salesians, Daughters of Mary a Salesians, Help of Christians , a large group of members of the Salesian Family from  all round the Province friends of Don Bosco, teachers, parents teachers and pupils from Deusto.

The Bilbao Salesian Family met together in Deusto early in the morning to share reflect and, enjoy a  family atmosphere as they waited for the  arrival of the relic of the Founder. The  Vice Provincial of León, Fr  Eusebio  Martínez Aguado, was in charge of things and presented the Salesian Family Charter  of Identity for reflection.

Then the Provincial of Bilbao, Fr Félix Urra, his Vicar Fr Sebastián Muñoz, the Rector of the centre in Deusto, Fr Isaac Diez, and the Rector of the Provincial house Fr Ángel Rad, at the feet of the statue of Don Bosco welcomed the casket with the relic of Don Bosco and the Past Pupils of the Deusto centre then performed a welcomìng dance -  a  “aurresku”.

As part of a large procession the casket then entered the church of Mary Help of Christians and was taken to the altar. While the main guests present gathered around the casket with the representatives of the various groups of the Salenian Family and the school community  the choir of young people  sang some hymns. Present at the ceremony were also guests from the media and from different social networks which transmitted some of the events.

Afterwards the relics were exposed for the veneration of the faithful, and then at  19.30, Mass began at which the Bishop of Bilboa presided and  the church choir sang to a full church. In him homily Bishop  Iceta said “We have to go looking for the young as Don Bosco did  and offer them  a place for them to live and to grow up. They are exposed to dangers and live in a world of contradictions.” During the offertory symbols were brought up the celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Province which over the years has given many witnesses and many Salesian vocations.

Published 02/05/2012