The procession stopped at the Salesian houses of the city, in the parish of Don Bosco in Pedregal, and then at Don Bosco Technical Institute in via Israel, finally reaching its destination at the Minor Basilica of Don Bosco where Archbishop Ulloa presided at the Eucharist.
"Don Bosco has come to stay in Panama!" the people exclaimed with joy, as they watched the procession that accompanied the casket containing the relic of the Saint of Youth.
During the Eucharist, celebrated in the late afternoon in the presence of government authorities and representatives of the Salesian Family, the Archbishop of Panama said: "the presence of the Salesian charism has borne fruit in our Panamanian Church. Today Don Bosco becomes a Panamanian ... We hope that this relic will encourage us to look at the greatest treasure that we have as a country, namely our children and young people."
The relic will become part of the religious heritage of the Catholic Church in Panama. It is contained in a full-size replica of the body of St John Bosco whose remains are in Turin, Italy.
This event is of particular significance for the Panamanian people who look on Don Bosco as their patron saint. It should also be noted that the Archdiocese is planning a pilgrimage of the relic to the various dioceses of the country, so that devotees can venerate it. The dates of the pilgrimage will be announced shortly.
