The weekend had finally arrived when the relic of Don Bosco would visit Pasil! Everyone was extremely excited and the center was buzzing with activity.
The relic van which had transported the relic from its starting point in Italy, driven by two Italians and no one else, travelled from the Cathedral in Cebu City to the entrance to the area of Pasil. The streets had been cleaned of rubbish and the street vendors had been asked the move for the special occasion. The streets had never looked so wide! There were cheers and shouts of welcome when the van of Don Bosco arrived. The casket was unloaded and moved onto an open lorry. The lorry processed through the streets of Pasil to the center. There were many people lining the streets and clambering over roofs to try and get a better glimpse of the relic and flowers were thrown by spectators onto the relic. There was also a marching band and traditional native Sinulog dancers to accompany the relic to the center. Once inside the center a special hand over ceremony was conducted when the representative from the Cathedral officially gave the relic to the center and the casket could take its pride of place on the stage. A special welcome mass was then held by Fr. Andy, rector of the parish of St. Nino.
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| The Italian van carrying the relic of Don Bosco arriving from the Cathedral |
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| The relic being moved onto the open lorry |
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| The crowd trying to catch a glimpse of the relic |
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| Procession of the relic to the center |
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| Sinulog dancers |
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| The relic arriving in the center |
After the mass there were queues of people passing through the exhibition space to have the chance to touch the relic of St. John Bosco. When asked what they felt when they first saw the relic of Don Bosco most people said the feel was amazing but indescribable. An exhibition space had been created which people passed by to truly understand the story of Don Bosco before visiting the relic. There was a vigil throughout the night and prayers, songs, and quiet reflections were held in front of the relic.The queue to see the relic never stopped!
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| Exhibition |
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| Fireworks |
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| Night time vigil |
At 7 am mass for the sick was held by Fr. Bonni and many people came to visit the relic in the hope they would be healed. At 8:30 am there was the usual Children's Mass held by Fr. Andy. The queue to see the relic after that mass was unbelievable. The children were very excited even if they couldn't all quite understand that they were seeing a wax statue of Don Bosco with his actual right hand placed within it.
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| Healing Mass |
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| Queues after the Children's mass to see the relic |
At 2 pm a final goodbye mass was held with the trainees and alumni members of the center present. A procession of the relic was then held as it was moved back to the edge of Pasil and placed back within the van. A procession of many cars and runners headed up by Bro Carlo proceeded to travel to Lawaan where a hand over ceremony took place as the relic will now spend the next three days in the Formation Center and Retreat House.
Having the chance to see the relic of Don Bosco truly is a once in a life time opportunity and it was a special event that will not be forgotten.
