The relic of Don Bosco placed in a glass casket at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School on Saturday, May 21. (Morung photo)
Dimapur, May 21 (MExN): The sacred relic of Don Bosco arrived in Dimapur this morning. Hundreds of people gathered to pay homage to the relic which was received at Nagaland Gate by Selesian members. The relic was brought to Don Bosco Higher Secondary School where a brief programme was organised before it was taken to Chumukedima.
The relic of Don Bosco in the form of a statue is on a 130-nation pilgrimage. The casket began its journey on April 25, 2009 from Italy’s Valdocco, Turin, in the Basilica of ‘Mary Help of Christians’ and is travelling across five continents, where Salesian members are serving the youth in particular. Salesians of Don Bosco, which is the congregation founded by Don Bosco, have schools, junior colleges, vocational training institutes and social organisations spread across the world.
‘Don Bosco’s noble deeds has shaped many lives’
The statue which is in a reclining position and in a silver casket will be in Dimapur for the next three days and will travel to the various Don Bosco houses. The pilgrimage is part of the preparation for the 2015 bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth and also to mark the 150th year of the founding of the Salesian congregation.
In his appreciation speech, Deputy Commissioner Maongwati Aier said it is beyond words to describe the contributions of Don Boco in the field of education and uplift of the margnalised. Aier said that Don Bosco’s system of “preventive education” has helped shaped the lives of many youths across the world. He added that even in the North East, Don Bosco’s noble deeds have helped many young people. Selesians all over the world has carried forward the values instilled in them through this system of education, he added.
Francis Solo, Commissioner Secretary for Higher Education and President Dimapur Alumni Past Peoples Association also said that, “preventive education” has produced many eminent personalities in the north east region. He said many Don Bosco alumni are placed in high ranking jobs and still carry the values of the system. Fr James Poonthuruthil, Provincial, Dimapur Province, described the arrival of the relic of Don Bosco as a historic moment. He said that for many Don Bosco is just a school, but the works done by the Saint is beyond education.
The casket contains the right arm of Don Bosco. The casket is made of aluminium, bronze and glass especially for the pilgrimage. The box containing the relic is 253 cm long, 108.3 cm wide and 132 cm tall. The casket is transported by two specially designed trucks.
The relic of Don Bosco in the form of a statue is on a 130-nation pilgrimage. The casket began its journey on April 25, 2009 from Italy’s Valdocco, Turin, in the Basilica of ‘Mary Help of Christians’ and is travelling across five continents, where Salesian members are serving the youth in particular. Salesians of Don Bosco, which is the congregation founded by Don Bosco, have schools, junior colleges, vocational training institutes and social organisations spread across the world.
‘Don Bosco’s noble deeds has shaped many lives’
The statue which is in a reclining position and in a silver casket will be in Dimapur for the next three days and will travel to the various Don Bosco houses. The pilgrimage is part of the preparation for the 2015 bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth and also to mark the 150th year of the founding of the Salesian congregation.
In his appreciation speech, Deputy Commissioner Maongwati Aier said it is beyond words to describe the contributions of Don Boco in the field of education and uplift of the margnalised. Aier said that Don Bosco’s system of “preventive education” has helped shaped the lives of many youths across the world. He added that even in the North East, Don Bosco’s noble deeds have helped many young people. Selesians all over the world has carried forward the values instilled in them through this system of education, he added.
Francis Solo, Commissioner Secretary for Higher Education and President Dimapur Alumni Past Peoples Association also said that, “preventive education” has produced many eminent personalities in the north east region. He said many Don Bosco alumni are placed in high ranking jobs and still carry the values of the system. Fr James Poonthuruthil, Provincial, Dimapur Province, described the arrival of the relic of Don Bosco as a historic moment. He said that for many Don Bosco is just a school, but the works done by the Saint is beyond education.
The casket contains the right arm of Don Bosco. The casket is made of aluminium, bronze and glass especially for the pilgrimage. The box containing the relic is 253 cm long, 108.3 cm wide and 132 cm tall. The casket is transported by two specially designed trucks.
