(ANS – Moshi) – The account of the casket’s journey in Tanzania which began on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception continues, where there are 11 Salesian communities belonging to the “Saint John Bosco” Province of  East Africa (AFE).

There was a seven hours delay at customs on 8 December when the casket crossed from Kenya to Tanzania. Nevertheless the Salesians and lay people involved in transporting it were not discouraged  as the delay became a great opportunity for evangelisation since many passers-by, tourists and workers were curious and asked questions and so learned about Don Bosco.

After the delay the relics reached the city of Moshi only a half way through the afternoon and were taken immediately to the Cathedral where the local bishop presided at Mass, with festive dances and songs by the faithful.

On 9 December, the 50th anniversary of the Independence of the country provided a unique occasion to celebrate the presence of the casket. The large numbers present and their deep devotion showed the effectiveness of the preparations carried out in the parishes and by the media. At the Salesian seminary in Dodoma, the day vegan with a moment of prayer followed by the catechesis of Bishop Gervas Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga, and by the retired  Bishop Mathias Isujaa, who explained the Christian meaning of relics. Then Mass was said, during which Bishop Isujaa movingly recalled how in 1980 he invited the Sons  of  Don Bosco into his diocese. In the evening the casket was taken to the house of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI).

On Saturday 10 December the casket left for Iringa, while  a first stop was made at Ilula, 40 km before Iringa, where hundreds of children were waiting to pray to the saint of youth. When it finally entered the city it was able to stay only a short time because a large crowd was already waiting at Mkwawa. “Practically the whole of the city of Iringa was on the streets to welcome Don Bosco” a Salesian from the local community said.

On Sunday 11 the casket passed through the  cities of Ifunda and Mafinga. To reach the second destination the convoy had to go on the important international motorway  which links the city  of Dar es Salaam, to Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and the Dem. Rep. of the Congo: for the occasion the police had arranged to move aside the traffic and give the casket priority. Mass was said in the Salesian parish of Mafinga in the presence of many ecclesiastical and political authorities, and it was  broadcast by Radio Maria.

Kwa Ndege was the first stop for the relics on Monday 12. In the church there were very many young people, accompanied by the novices who led the prayer moment. Then the casket was taken to Morogoro, where the Vicar General of the diocese presided at Mass in the Cathedral. The casket stayed there in the city until the following day and attracted very many people. The local Salesians were very pleased especially since they had only been in the city for two years.

Published 14/12/2011