Report : Bellevison (Dr Eugene Dsouza)
Pics by Wilson Dsouza

Udupi, Aug 25:  The students of the educational institutions of Shirva Parish including those of Don Bosco English Medium High School, priests from the parish and neighbouring parishes, Salesian priests, parishioners of Shirva and other parishes and devotees of Don Bosco accorded devout red  carpet welcome to the Relic of Don Bosco which arrived from Sirsi in Uttara Kannda District on Thursday, August 25, 2011 sharp at 9 am.
 
Prior to the arrival of the vehicles carrying the Relic of Don Bosco, students lined up on two sides of the path  leading to the Church of Our Lady of Health from the main road. Two hundred balloons were distributed among the students to be released one by one as the vehicle with the Relic of Don Bosco passed by them. The students were also given flowers petals to be showered on the way.
 
Just before the arrival of the Relic of Don Bosco, Rev. Fr. Ian Figueiredo (sdb), the Provincial of  the Salesian Konkan Province and a little later the Bishop of Mangalore Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza arrived at the church. The Bishop was welcomed by Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, Parish Priest of Shirva, Rev. Fr. Ian Figueiredo (sdb), Irwin D’Souza and Melwyn Aranha, Vice President and Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council respectively and Salesian Sisters.

As the people were waiting eagerly, the vehicle bearing the Relic of Don Bosco  escorted by motor-cycle riders entered the main gate at 9 am to the sound of the tolling of the church bell and bursting of fire-crackers. The vehicle was led by the school band. As the relic bearing vehicle passed by, the students released the balloons one by one and greeted the vehicle with flowers.
 
On  arriving in front of the church, the glass casket comprising the Relic of Don Bosco was lowered  which was received by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza along with Rev. Fr. Ian Figueiredo (sdb), Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro and Fr. Maxim D’Souza, Director of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Shirva . After paying respect to the relic by laying a garland of flowers on the glass casket  and incensing the wax replica of Don Bosco bearing his relic , the Bishop recited the prayer following which the casket was  taken inside the church and placed in front of the main altar.
 
Meanwhile, the students trained by the Salesian Sisters presented a prayer dance that was performed with elegance and devotion.
 
A special Mass for the youth was offered by Most Rev. Dr. Alysius Paul D’Souza along with a large number of priests at 11 am. The altar was profusely and aesthetically decorated with natural flowers that enhanced the  spiritual ambience of the occasion. Besides the students and parishioners of Shirva and neighbouring parishes,  a large number of devotees, many of them coming from distant parishes through hired buses,  attended the Eucharistic celebration.  The youth played an important role in animating the liturgy and singing melodious hymn.
 
In his homily, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza narrated the life and spirituality of St. Don Bosco and highlighted the fact that Don Bosco had a special place in his heart for the welfare and spiritual development of the youth and worked throughout his life in showing the right path to the youth. Hence, he is rightly regarded as the ‘father’ and inspirer of the young generation. The Salesian religious order founded by Don Bosco has been working for providing a better life both spiritual and temporal for the youth, especially from the poorer section in different counties of the world.
 
Following the end  of the Mass, the Provincial Rev. Fr. Ian Figueiredo (sdb) thanked the Bishop, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro and all those who had been instrumental in welcoming the Relic of Don Bosco to Shirva and providing an opportunity to the devotees to venerate it. He also offered mementos to the Bishop and Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro as a mark of gratitude.
 
There was big rush  of the devotees to pay respect and venerate the Relic of Don Bosco. The volunteers made good arrangement to maintain discipline. Throughout the day around ten to fifteen thousand devotees are expected to venerate the relic.
 
On Friday, August 26. 2011, after the 6.30 am Mass, the relic of Don Bosco will leave Shirva and will be on its way to Bangalore.

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