Geraldine Rodrigues
BORIVALI, AUGUST 13, 2011: After our long wait for the visit of the Relic of Don Bosco to Borivali, it almost seemed like a dream come true, when, a little after midnight on August 12, the vehicle bearing the casket stopped at the gates of our parish Church! Despite the late hour, a large number of parishioners were present, with candles in their hand, to welcome the Relic to its first stop in the city of Mumbai.
On the morning of August 12, the celebrations for the day commenced with the Eucharist at 7.00 a.m., presided over by Fr. Barthol Barretto, Dean of the Borivali Deanery. In his homily, Fr. Barretto focused on the great love that Don Bosco had for young people. After the Mass, the casket was taken in procession from the Church to the School Hall. The procession was indeed a spectacular moment, extremely well organized by the school students and staff. After the casket was placed in the elegantly decorated hall, our Parish Priest Fr. Ronald Menezes said a short prayer. The veneration then began and streams of people kept coming all day long to pay their homage to Don Bosco. The devotees who came also had the opportunity to visit the exhibition on the life of this great saint.
At 7.00 p.m. we had the inaugural ceremony of the new statue of Don Bosco, which has been placed in front of the school. This occasion was graced by the presence of the Provincial Fr. Michael Fernandes and the local MLA Mr. Gopal Shetty.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration at 7.30 p.m. was presided over by the Provincial Fr. Fernandes. In his homily, the Provincial focused on Don Bosco’s mission among the young, and how this saint had given his entire life in the service of youth. “Giving is the highest form of living; Live to Give” exhorted Fr. Fernandes. After the Mass, came the sad moment when we had to bid farewell to Don Bosco. Having this holy Relic with us for a day had indeed been a rare privilege and a moment of grace. We are most grateful to Don Bosco for his visit and for showering his blessings on our parish.
BORIVALI, AUGUST 13, 2011: After our long wait for the visit of the Relic of Don Bosco to Borivali, it almost seemed like a dream come true, when, a little after midnight on August 12, the vehicle bearing the casket stopped at the gates of our parish Church! Despite the late hour, a large number of parishioners were present, with candles in their hand, to welcome the Relic to its first stop in the city of Mumbai.
On the morning of August 12, the celebrations for the day commenced with the Eucharist at 7.00 a.m., presided over by Fr. Barthol Barretto, Dean of the Borivali Deanery. In his homily, Fr. Barretto focused on the great love that Don Bosco had for young people. After the Mass, the casket was taken in procession from the Church to the School Hall. The procession was indeed a spectacular moment, extremely well organized by the school students and staff. After the casket was placed in the elegantly decorated hall, our Parish Priest Fr. Ronald Menezes said a short prayer. The veneration then began and streams of people kept coming all day long to pay their homage to Don Bosco. The devotees who came also had the opportunity to visit the exhibition on the life of this great saint.
At 7.00 p.m. we had the inaugural ceremony of the new statue of Don Bosco, which has been placed in front of the school. This occasion was graced by the presence of the Provincial Fr. Michael Fernandes and the local MLA Mr. Gopal Shetty.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration at 7.30 p.m. was presided over by the Provincial Fr. Fernandes. In his homily, the Provincial focused on Don Bosco’s mission among the young, and how this saint had given his entire life in the service of youth. “Giving is the highest form of living; Live to Give” exhorted Fr. Fernandes. After the Mass, came the sad moment when we had to bid farewell to Don Bosco. Having this holy Relic with us for a day had indeed been a rare privilege and a moment of grace. We are most grateful to Don Bosco for his visit and for showering his blessings on our parish.