Crossing into California

The morning activities in Tijuana included a procession, a final mass, and a visit to a Breakfast House for the homeless. Then the relics were transferred to Fr Tim Ploch and to myself, to be brought into California. All we had to do was to cross the boarder.

Children of Proyecto Don Bosco in Tijuana venerate the relics

Final blessing at the final mass in Mexico, after 40 days of pilgrimage

 Everyone told me that I should not be concerned, and that we would cross with no problems. But there were a few hitches.

Border crossing at Otay

 After a four hour process to cross in from Tijuana, I arrived with the truck carrying the relics. The drivers are Mauro and Tino.

Cleofás Murgüia, provincial of Guadalajara, and Tim Ploch, provincial of California, talk on cellphones while we are held up in the noman's land between Mexican and USA customs.

A group of young people from Rosemead and Orange County met us at the Chevron gas station on Medina Avenue in Otay Mesa. After filling up with diesel, Mauro and Tino brought the relics out on to the parking lot there: Don Bosco's first glimpse of California -- land that developed the freeway and non-leaded gasoline -- was a refueling station. Very appropriate.

Tino and Mauro lower Don Bosco's relics on to California soil for the first time at the Chevron Station in Otay Mesa

The boys were dressed in the bright colors of the Don Bosco Relics Tshirts that Duoc Le had designed…

Fr Tim Ploch speaks enthusiastically of the meaning of Don Bosco's arrival in USA

The boys sang a couple of welcome songs, including one which they had composed.

Southern California youths sing a song that they composed for Don Bosco

California sun touches Don Bosco for the first time

Following this little reception, the boys and the photography crew got into their vans to drive to San Francisco to meet us there. I got lunch for Mauro and Tino, who had not eaten since 6:00 this morning. The journey will continue after we finish our submarine sandwiches.