(ANS – Venice) – After the great tributes received in Sicily, the relic of Don Bosco is now on pilgrimage in the Province of North East Italy. Twenty-three stops have been planned in as many days (from 21 November to 13 December). There have already been many manifestations of faith and enthusiasm aroused by the visit of the relic.

The pilgrimage with the relic of Don Bosco in Triveneto started at the Astori Salesian Institute in Mogliano Veneto and reached the centre of San Dona di Piave in the early hours of the morning of Sunday 24 November. Here a hundred young people were waiting for the truck carrying the relic and escorted it with bikes and scooters to the Cathedral which was crowded for the celebration of the Eucharist. It is estimated that at least 2,000 people took part.  Then, led by the oratory band, followed by the police and civil and religious authorities, many of the faithful formed a long procession to the Salesian House where the relic was displayed at the foot of the altar for veneration by the people. The day continued with times of common prayer, Masses and opportunities for personal reflection. It ended late in the night with a vigil in which the young people were joined by Bishop Gianfranco Agostino Gardin, bishop of the diocese.

On Wednesday 27 the relic was taken to Riese, the birthplace of Pope Pius X. This was a highly significant moment that brought together two saints who had known and respected each other in life. Joseph Sarto was a great supporter of Don Bosco, the priest of youth, so much so that he had his certificate of membership of the Salesian Co-operators, signed by Don Bosco himself. In 1954 he became the first Salesian Cooperator to be canonized.

Other important events are planned as part of the pilgrimage of the relic in the Province of North East Italy – today in Udine and then in Trieste, Gorizia and Padua, to name only the next few.

We can already begin to assess the outcome of the journey of Don Bosco’s relic throughout the world. Speaking on Vatican Radio, Fr Filiberto Gonzalez, Councillor for Social Communications, said: "I think the pilgrimage of the relic around the world has awakened in the hearts of Salesians the desire to become more faithful to the charism and vocation we have received from the Church, bringing God's life to young people. Moreover, it has awakened the thought of a vocation in the hearts of many young people, as if to say, 'I want to become like Don Bosco!'“

Published 29/11/2013