(ANS – Nairobi) – With the arrival at Jammu Kenyatta airport in Nairobi, on the evening of Thursday 1 December, the pilgrimage of Don Bosco’s relics in Africa officially began.

The plane carrying the Relic of Don Bosco arrived at 8.30 PM, 8 hours late from Sri Lanka. The clearing of the Relic was not a problem as some of the people involved were our own Christians from Upper Hill who were staff at the cargo section of the Air port. The relic was brought directly to the East Africa Provincial House (AFE) to the church of Mary Help of Christians Fr Gianni Rolandi, Superior, Fr Simon Asira Lipuku, the Vice Provincial and other Salesians welcomed it with a short prayer service.

Early next morning,  2 December, the casket was taken to the Salesian centre in Embu. At the entrance to DB Embu the school band, Scouts and various other groups were ready as the Father who loved and lived for the young came in. Then in the school chapel after a short service of prayer every boy had a moment to talk to their beloved father and friend. Then the relic of Don Bosco moved to Don Bosco Girls’ Secondary School Embu which was half a kilometer away. There too the few students and Sisters welcomed Don Bosco and had a moment to talk to him.

Back at the Boys’ school, at 11.30 a.m. Mass was celebrated with the Relic by Bishop Paul Kariuki the Bishop of Embu. During the Mass 16 boys were confirmed.

In the afternoon the casket was taken to Makuyu, where  huge crowd of children, youth and the people of the area were waiting, with Salesians and Salesian Sisters. Mass was celebrated, the main celebrant being the Bishop of Muranga, James Wainania and afterwards a vigil was conducted around the Relic. Different groups had a chance to spent time with the founder of the Salesians. 

On Saturday  morning 3rd various out-stations came to pray around the Relic of Don Bosco. At 10.oo am a solemn Mass was celebrated, Fr. Provincial being the main celebrant. After the Mass the Relic was taken in solemn procession around various sections of Don Bosco Makuyu and Salesian Sisters, after which there was a time of entertainment, at the end of which the Salesians renewed their vows.

In the afternoon the casket went to visit the Provincial House of the FMA, where it was given a very warm welcome by a group of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and some children, who expressed their joy with traditional Masai dances and song. Sr Teresa Fernandes, the Superior gave a welcoming address, and then with the Sisters went to the chapel to thank God with prayers, hymns and poems  and then renewed their vows.

Published 05/12/2011