Alfonso Domenech SDB

This reliquary is special and unique, not only because of the date, but for its symbolic value. It was donated to Pope Pius XI by the Rector Major Fr Philip Rinaldi, on the occasion of the beatification of Don Bosco in 1929.

The Salesian Bulletin of July 1929 narrates the event of the presentation and describes the details and symbols of this work of art of jewellery.

"The reliquary is a skilful work done by Professor Galli. At the top of the upper part there is a reproduction of the monument to Don Bosco, located in Turin in front of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.  It measures 47 cm in height. It is of silver, and the ornamental parts are gold-plated metal. The group rests on a double stand. The base is square in plan; the sides have elegant designs forming rectangles, where there are silver plates depicting the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Castro Pretorio in Rome.  At the sides, there are two groups representing young people of Don Bosco. One represents a group of boys with a Salesian, the other a group of girls with a sister of Mary Help of Christians.

The second level of the base, which is of a truncated pyramid shape, depicts the coat of arms of Pope Pius XI and of the Salesian Society in the midst of angels surrounded by lilies and roses, symbols of purity and charity, and oak trees symbolizing strength.

Then there is an image of Don Bosco’s house and of his first dream. Angels with censers complement the beautiful ornamentation. There is also an inscription that recalls the event of the beatification. In the front, under the group there is a small oval room, which houses the shrine, where the relic is enclosed."

"It was a great joy for the Salesians of the community and all the employees of the Vatican Press,” said one of the workers, “and a pleasant surprise, because usually this relic is kept in the sacristy of the Chapel of Mercy as part of the, collection of the Pope’s reliquaries."

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