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Thousands greet St Don Bosco relics

Thousands greet St Don Bosco relics
Young and old united to welcome St Don Bosco
Published: March 10, 2011 10:26 AM GMT
Updated: March 10, 2011 10:33 AM GMT

Thousands of Catholics, including bishops, priests, nuns and laypeople, have flocked to see the relics of Saint Don Bosco on display at the community house of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Jakarta. Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta led a special Mass held at the community house in Sunter, North Jakarta, yesterday, two days after the relics arrived from Dili, Timor Leste. About 3,000 Catholics attended the evening Mass. “Saint Don Bosco is a blessing for Catholic Church. I believe he was blessed because he made God’s love real,” the prelate said in his homily. He said the saint wanted Catholics, particularly young people, to be willing to face difficult situations at any time. He also thanked Salesian missioners for their contribution to the growth of faith among Catholics, particularly young people. Maria Fransisca, 16, praised the saint for looking upon youths as the Church’s next generation. “He taught young people not to lose hope and to get themselves closer to God by praying and attending Masses,” said the girl studying at Don Bosco Senior High School in Jakarta. The relic tour is aimed at “inviting Catholics, particularly young people, to understand the saint’s charisma, to bring them closer to God, and to find their identity within the Church,” Salesian Father Andy Wibowo said. The event is also to mark the 150th anniversary of the congregation’s founding and the 200th anniversary of Saint Don Bosco’s birth, he added. Since the saint’s relics were put on display around 7,000 Catholics have come and prayed. “We hope more Catholics will recognize Saint Don Bosco’s mission of love,” Father Wibowo said. The relics will be on display until tomorrow, before being taken to China on March 12. Related reports Bosco relics continue journeyVietnamese Salesians set to welcome Bosco relicsThai Church welcomes Saint John Bosco relics IJ13602.1644

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