Dumaguete Catholics prepare for visit of relic of St. John Bosco

Catholics in Negros Oriental are preparing the red carpet for the visit of the relic of St. John Bosco, due to arrive there on December 9. The relic will arrive in Dumaguete City from Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, the news site Visayan Daily Star reported. The relic’s convoy will start from Sibulan and proceed to the cathedral for a Mass at 10:00 a.m. on December 9. The public viewing will start at 1 p.m. A grand candlelight procession will be held to bring the relic to the St. Louis School-Don Bosco (SLS-Don Bosco) Chapel at 6:00 p.m. The Educative Pastoral Community of SLS-Don Bosco will hold a grand welcome for the relic upon its arrival. Public viewing for pilgrims and special activities dedicated to St. John Bosco’s relic will continue on December 10 to 11 at SLS-Don Bosco Chapel and school complex. The arrival of the relic in the city is part of its world tour that kicked off from Valdocco, Italy on April 25, 2009. Saint John Bosco St. John Bosco is the patron saint of editors, youths, school children, students, magicians, apprentices and young workers, the St. Paul University Dumaguete said. The relic includes St. John Bosco’s right hand carefully preserved inside a special case, and placed in a lifelike wax replica of the saint. The relic is transported in a light truck customized to carry the it to the host countries. The Italian chauffeurs who drive the truck have vowed never to leave the wheel and remain near the sacred relic during its worldwide journey. The relic is scheduled to visit five continents starting in South America, and following the route of the Salesian regions in the world. – VVP, GMANews.TV