Great joy at the arrival of the casket of Don Bosco in Bolivia

The following comes from the Salesian News Agency:

The casket with a special relic of Don Bosco arrived at mid-night on 28 February in Bolivia, beginning in this way its travels around the Interamerica Region. In spite of the late hour there was great enthusiasm and a great welcome for the saint of youth.

Having left from Manuas, where its travels around Brazil were completed, the casket arrived at the airport of Viru Viru di Santa Cruz de la Sierra. In spite of the late hour to welcome it was a delegation presided by Bishop Jesús Juárez Párraga SDB of El Alto, Fr Juan Pablo Zabala, Provincial of the Salesians in Bolivia and Sr Carmen Elena Rivera, Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, as well as a large group of the Salesian Family, young people and youngsters with their teachers from Salesian houses in Santa Cruz.

Afterwards, about one thirty in the morning, the casket was taken to the “Cáritas” Institute of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus. There were eight hundred youngsters waiting to welcome the Saint of Valdocco with applause, slogans, dances and songs. In the sports hall, in the centre of which the casket was placed, Mass was celebrated at which Fr Jorge Milan, Rector of the Salesian house of “Miguel Magone” presided.

After the prayer vigil will lasted until the morning, the casket was taken to “Casa Maín”, the reception centre where at present a hundred or so young orphans and those at risk are housed. This was followed by a religious and educative event of prayers, songs and symbolic gestures attended by the Sisters, the teachers and the girls.

Afterwards escorted by a military detachment and a long festive procession, the casket was taken through the centre of the city in spite of the early hour. Having arrived at the Cathedral of Santa Cruz, the saint was welcomed in the name of Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval by Auxiliary Bishop Sergio Gualberti, who then celebrated mass.

Ana María Cáceres, Mayor of the city declared Don Bosco “Guest of Honour” of the city and “a great benefactor of Santa Cruz” on account of the more than 40 centres which his spiritual sons have provided for many years: reception centres, orphanages, schools, clinics, hospitals and work-shops, always attentive to the people most in need.

Continuing its travels through the streets of the city the casket stopped at the “Hogar Don Bosco” Centre and the “Albergue Miguel Magone” where it stayed until 7.00 the following morning, surrounded by Salesians and youngsters who took it in turn during the all-night vigil. Also present was Archbishop Tito Solari Capellari SDB of Cochabamba.

On the morning of the following day 2 March, Fr José Iriarte celebrated mass in the sports hall of the “Colegio Don Bosco”, attended by over three thousand boys and girls.

The travels of the casket of Don Bosco around the Provinces of the America South Cone Region had been a great success, with the participation of adults and young people.

On the site of the Salesians in Bolivia a blog has been opened which gives an account of the various stages of the journey round the country, in which are also available chronicles, photographs and videos. The whole series of videos of the casket’s journey is available on www.missionidonbosco.tv