(ANS – Kochi) – After visiting various cities and Salesian houses in the Indian Province of Hyderabad, Don Bosco’s casket returned to the “Sacred Heart” Province of Bangalore to complete its pilgrimage. In this second stage during which they visited the State of Kerala, the relics of the saint were given great signs of veneration and honours.

The 21-day pilgrimage of Don Bosco Relics in Kerala (a part of the Bangalore Karnataka Province) seems to have created records in the number of stops made for veneration of the  relics in any Indian Province to date, as well as the number of parishes and dioceses visited. Starting in north Kerala on 23rd September it concluded at the southern tip of Kerala today (13 October) when the relics were handed over to the Tiruchy Province of Tamilnadu.

During this time Don Bosco’s relics stopped for veneration in 82 places in Kerala covering 12 districts and 34 dioceses including Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rite dioceses, mostly where there are no Salesian presences at all. There are not a large numbers of Christians, but  people turned up in huge numbers far beyond the calculations of the organizers. The cooperation of local clergy and bishops was more than any one could ask for.

Media coverage in general and that of the Salesians was impressive. The local news papers, especially the district editions and television channels gave extensive news coverage of Don Bosco Relics pilgrimage.

“We made a video for every place Don Bosco Relics visited and it comes  to more than 130 videos,” says the director of Don Bosco Image Kochi Fr Jiji Kalavanal who dispatched two VJs along with the casket to film every stop of the relics.

“When we worked on the project we had one aim in mind,” notes Fr Jiji, “to give visibility to the different kind of works of the Province and tell the viewers the activity of the house where Don Bosco visited.”

Although severely edited to fit the YouTube and deadline requirements, videos are available on the channel of the Bangalore Province.

Published 14/10/2011