(ANS - Macerata) – The pilgrimage of Don Bosco to Central Italy has reached the halfway mark, with a week marked by the usual liturgical celebrations and spontaneous popular devotion. The relic will resume its visit to the South of Italy at the beginning of November, this time, however, in Sicily.

Florence welcomed the relic of Don Bosco on Sunday 20 October. From Arezzo, the relic was taken to the parish of the Holy Family and from there it was carried in procession by many young Salesians and friends to the Basilica of San Lorenzo. There, the auxiliary bishop of the city, Bishop Claudio Maniago, celebrated Mass, which was followed by a session for the veneration of the faithful and then a night vigil.

The following day, Monday 21, still in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Archbishop Joseph Betori of Florence, celebrated Mass to welcome the relic.

The relic arrived in Perugia on Tuesday 22. The celebrations in Perugia were particularly significant because the visit coincided with the ninetieth anniversary of the Salesian presence in the city. "I feel the need to ask Don Bosco to bless Perugia” - said Archbishop Gualtiero Bassetti during the welcoming ceremony – “to bless the workers and the world of work, to bless our young people and our children, to bless this work that our Salesians have carried out for ninety years for the spiritual and material welfare of young people and the city. Bless all the sick, the prisoners, people who suffer, all who are disheartened and all who feel abandoned."

Yesterday, Thursday 24 October, the relic reached the city of Macerata. At about noon it was taken to the church of the Salesians where it remained until mid-afternoon.  At first it was exposed for the veneration of the faithful and later for various youth groups and for the Salesian Family. It was then escorted to the cathedral of the city where the faithful were able to participate in the Mass presided over by Bishop Giancarlo Vecerrica, and then to visit an exhibition on Don Bosco.

Published 25/10/2013