Shirva, August 24: The people of coastal region, especially Christians, will on Thursday have a very rare opportunity to see the sacred relic of St John Bosco, popularly known as 'Don Bosco' all over the world.
The worldwide pilgrimage of the relic began in Italy on April 25, 2009, to mark the 150th anniversary of a religious order founded by him, namely, the Society of St Francis De Sales, popularly called the Salesians of Don Bosco.
The relic comprising the bones and tissues of Don Bosco's right hand have been placed within a wax replica of Don Bosco's body, which in turn is enclosed in a large urn. The sculptured face of the statue is made with Don Bosco's own death mask – the mould made on his face right after his death and designed by Architect Gianpero Zoncu.
Giving details about the urn, Don Bosco Youth Centre (Shirva) Rector Rev Fr Maxim D'Souza said the urn, constructed specially for this pilgrimage is composed of a large glass box in which the wax replica is placed, and easily viewed.
The box is mounted atop a large wood and metal cart. Among the urn's decorations are the words: 'Da mihi animas, caetera tolle,' which translates to, “Give me souls, take away the rest,” one of Don Bosco's many quotes that guided his ministry.
Images of young faces also surround the urn, as well as maps showing where the Salesian Family is present today.
Finally, the years 1815 and 2015 are engraved near the base, serving as a reminder of the purpose of this Relic Pilgrimage: In 2015, the Salesian Family, and the Church as a whole, will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco's birth in 1815.
The urn weighs 850 kilograms and is transported via two specially designed and built trucks, to its host country driven by Italian chauffeurs who have vowed never to leave the wheel and remain near the sacred relic on the entire worldwide journey, according to Fr Francis Xavier, a Salesian priest based in Hubli.
Relic in Shirva
The relic arrived in India in April 2011 at Dimapur in North East India. It is being taken through the major cities and centres of the 10 provinces in India where Salesians of Don Bosco have their centres.
The relic would arrive from Goa via Sirsi in Uttara Kannada, at Our Lady of Health Church in Shirva in Udupi district on August 25 at 9 am. From Shirva, it will travel to Bangalore via Hassan.
As per the schedule, the relic would complete its India journey on November 30, 2011 and leave for Sri Lanka. The relic will tour about 129 countries of the world before concluding its seven year journey in 2015 to celebrate the bicentenary of his birth.
Fr Maxim said that hectic preparations are on at Shirva to receive the famous relic of Don Bosco.
Mangalore Diocesan Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza will welcome and receive the relic, followed by a holy mass for the youth at 11 am.
Another mass for the people will be celebrated by the Vicar General Rev Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu at 4 pm. Besides, sessions on Don Bosco's life will be held for youth and parish leaders from 1.30 onwards in the church hall. The devotees will have the opportunity to venerate the relic till 6 pm, he informed.
26 centres in Karnataka
Interestingly, there are nearly 400 Don Bosco centres in 10 provinces in India and 26 centres in Karnataka including six in Konkan province spread in three dioceses - Mangalore diocese (Shirva, Thrasi near Kundapur and Bola near Karkal), Karwar diocese (Sirsi) and Belgaum diocese (Belgaum town and Hubli).
The Salesians have also adopted a village at Pavoor near Manjeshwar in Kasargod and are working for the upliftment of the primitive tribe (the only church where mass is offered in Tulu).
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