Kenya – The installation of Don Bosco’s Relic at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Upper Hill

31 January 2017

(ANS – Nairobi) – On 28th January over 800 young people came to spend the night with the first class Relic of Don Bosco at Don Bosco Utume, where the relic was resting for the last 4 months. They prayed, made confession, sang and danced around their Father and friend whole night. It was truly a touching moment.

by Fr Sebastian Koladiyil SDB

After the whole night together, with a group of people who came from Don Bosco Upper Hill, they went in a large convoy of busses, cars, pick-ups… with police escort to the final resting place of Don Bosco, to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. From the Nyao national stadium round about, together with thousands of Christians the relic was taken in procession accompanied by the police band. At the Shrine a solemn high Mass in typical African style followed.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, the Chairman of the Catholic bishops’ conference, many priests, Salesian and non-Salesian, religious brothers and sisters, over 5000 Christians and even leaders from other religions joined in this joyful celebrations. The regional Superior for Africa Madagascar, Fr Américo Chaquisse, represented the Rector Major.

During the Mass, ten Christians made promise as Salesian co-operators. At the end of the celebrations the relic was placed in its permanent resting place, inside the shrine of Mary help of Christians. Finally, there were few entertainments and lunch for all.

“May the presence of Don Bosco in our midst give us renewed enthusiasm for our mission and love for the poor youth” say the Salesians in East Africa Province.