Symposium, Mindfulness and Visitations

Today I attended a symposium on Indian philosophy and spirituality - and I was asked to give some feedback from a North American perspective. The symposium was very interesting, with the interventions of Francis Vincent Anthony and Cyril D'Souza. Fr Luiz d'Lima from Brazil gave the feedback from the Latin American perspective. A good number were in attendance.

Professors Luiz d'Lima, Francis Anthony, Joe Boenzi, Cyril D'Souza

As I listened to the usual observations and complaints about pragmatic western culture, I thought that I have been graced to know a contemplative way in the West that is as deep as any in Asian quarters.  Asian mindfulness can learn a thing or too from the Visitation Nuns, and particularly from the "Nunz of the Hood," that is the Visitation community in Northeast Minneapolis.

Visitandine Monastery in NE Minneapolis

Twenty years ago a group of Visitandines from St Louis and St Paul formed a community in the poorest district of Minneapolis. They bought an old house and moved into the neighborhood. They kept up their schedule of prayer but also in their work, they invited their neighbors over for prayer and meals, taught some recipes and gardening. They say that the monastery wall is the wall of fear that surrounds the inner city neighborhood. While they open their house, they also have their time of seclusion and contemplative prayer. When they are ready to welcome guests (particularly the children), the put a windsock on the porch. This is why the Visitandines in Northeast Minneapolis are called the Sisters of the Windsock.

May the house of the Sisters of the Windsock be filled with the breath of the Holy Spirit, so that their hearts and those of their neighbors may overflow with beatitudes and blessings.

Remembering our dead at Genzano

As we have done in previous years, the combined communities of professors from the UPS has gone to the "holy ground" (which is what Italians call the cemetery) in Genzano where the dead of our University have been buried.

Mass for the dead in the cemetery chapel of Genzano

Last year we had a lot of fun with Signor Pio dal Pozzolo, but he kept saying that we would be visiting him this year. In fact, he died on 15 April, and we did in fact remember him today during the mass of suffrage and in visiting the tomb. Signor Pio, ever witting and pragmatic, was Piedmontese. He was born on 27 February 1925 and was a lay Salesian (in English countries he would be called a "Brother", but Salesians in Italy do not use that title).

Signor Pio dal Pozzolo, one year ago, at Genzano

Also, Don Roberto Iaconangeli died in the past year, last 27 December 2009, and therefore since our visit to Genzano. Don Iaconangeli was born in Genzano on 20 April 1916. He was professor of classical languages at the UPS from the beginning of the University, but in the last years had stayed in the Infirmary. It was his family that donated the tomb to the Salesians of the UPS so that we could bury our dead in one area. Tributes were paid to him today in both Italian and Latin.

Mausoleum where University Salesians and Iacoangeli family members are buried in Genzano

Following the blessing, we all went to a pizzeria in town that is owned by a Salesian alum for a bit of a "merenda". I used to think that "merenda" could be translated as "snack", but since our merenda lasted nearly two hours, I am looking for a different term to translate this word. In any case, it was another wonderful occasion to spend time together, tell stories, hear some songs and poetry from those at table, laugh and plot and plan. On the way home on the bus, we prayed the rosary again for the deceased members of our university community and for those of our provinces. 

Reflections on the Rua Congress 1910-2010

John Itzaina will be giving a report to the Salesian Family in California on the Rua Congress, held here in Rome from 28 to 31 October. I've send some photos to Ralph Murphy, and I'll send more, but let me put down a couple of reflections now.

Don Rua nella Storia - 1910-2010: Congresso Internazionale

My first sense is that this is a historiographer's conference, but that the Rector Major wanted this extended to the whole congregation. He put this proposal to Francesco Motto (director of the Institute of Salesian History in Rome) as early as 2005, and since 2006 preparations for this congress have been underway. The historians were a bit miffed, but the majority of delegates were formation counselors or those working in Salesian spirituality and formation.

Over 20 of my students from Rome (from 2005 to 2008) were taking part in this congress, as well as two from the ISS (Yarat and Paul Felix Vernal).

Yarat from Thailand and I talked a lot about Berkeley and Arthur's great breakfasts

Actually, I knew a lot of people present for this congress, and it was good to see old friends and colleagues from past projects.

As I said, the Rector Major really wanted this congress. His concluding conference says it all. He wants Salesians to get away from the clichés about Don Rua that are more dismissive than helpful. Rua is the one who institutionalized the charism and therefore is the one who brought Don Bosco and the Salesians out of the confines of the back alleys of Valdocco and into the forefront of the world…

Well, not all the world… our world has barely heard of Salesian… but this may be the point. As Don Rua found ways to invoke Don Bosco's spirit in new situations and unexperimented venues, so we have the same task today as the world moves into a major culture shift unknown since the defeat of Napoleon. In that sense, we are not too late. If Don Bosco has been "on hold" in English-speaking countries until now, we have the chance to introduce him to a new world, much as Don Rua did as he grew the congregation of 700 Salesians to over 4000 during his two decades of service.

But the Rector Major says it better than I can.

Spoleto

Today a group of professors from the UPS went on an outing to Spoleto…

Streets of Spoleto, where automobile traffic is restricted to residents only

The city is older than Rome… Overlooking the city is a fortress constructed in the 1300s, at the command of Innocent VI. Heading the construction was the Spanish cardinal Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Alboroz, who was papal legate to the Papal States in a campaign to pacify the area and pave the way for the return of the pope to Rome. The fortress, called La Rocca (the Rock) overlooks the city and has a commanding view of the mountain passes.

La Rocca (the Rock) is the Fortress of Spoleto

The Rock was never conquered in six centuries that it served as a military fortress. In 1815 it was converted into a penitentiary, and remained as such until 1982. Since that time the Rock has been restored, although much of the original art and frescoes had been destroyed during the long period that it served as a prison. Now it is a cultural center for Spoleto and Umbria.

The city is surrounded by forest land - and is perched on a mountain top. It was once surrounded by a double wall.

View of Spoleto from the mountain forests surrounding the city

… and there are many interesting historical and geographical features to Spoleto, which is located precisely in the geographical center of Italy.

View of Piazza Duomo from the entrance of the cathedral - at the opposite end of the piazza are the Steps of the Discourse, and at the top of the steps is the City Hall

Two popes came from this city. Neither was a native, but both served as archbishop here before his election. The first was Urban VIII. The second was Pius IX.

Bronze bust of Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini) originally located in the cathedral now in the Museum of the Diocese

Besides sight-seeing, we had the chance to mix and talk and enjoy each other's company.

José Ramón Uria, Associate professor of canon law (L), discusses chestnuts and new wine with Cosimo Semeraro, professor of Church History (C) and Antonio Arto, professor of psychology, at the end of the afternoon. 

Reflecting back on the relics pilgrimage

Three weeks ago today I woke up in Tijuana… nervous about bringing the relics of Don Bosco across the border into the USA to begin our phase of the pilgrimage… After the final mass in the Oratory in Castillo area of Tijuana (Fr Tim Ploch, provincial of California, concelebrated with Padre Cleofás Murgüia, provincial of Guadalajara), and a brief visit to the breakfast kitchen, Mexico Guadalajara's latest work in TJ, still under construction but fabulously operative, we boarded the vans and the trucks to cross into the USA. 

Final blessing at final mass in Mexico (Castillo, Tijuana)

Breakfast Kitchen for TJ's poor celebrates Don Bosco's coming

Three weeks ago today… we reached the Mexico-USA border crossing at Otai. It seems that the agent from Argentina that was supposed to clear the exit from Mexico had not fully understood one of the Mexican protocols. In spite of this problem, the border authorities on the Mexican side did all to see us through. Then there was the difficulty with the American side: the drivers did not have the proper entry visas. Again, the American officials were very good to us and did everything to speed our crossing. All in all, it took us four hours to cross the border at Otai. 

Provincials Cleofás and Tim on the phone in no-mans land

Once we had crossed from Baja into Alta California, we a quick stop for fuel at the Otai Mesa Chevron, where a delegation of young people gave us a colorful welcome and greeting Don Bosco on his first stop in the United States. 

Province youth meet  us at the Chevron station

From Otai, it took us eight hours to drive from to San Francisco and SS Peter and Paul. With our arrival at 2:00 am, three weeks ago today, after 14 months of preparation that involved so many people in very strenuous ways, our journey began. 

Fr Tim Ploch at the festive Sunday mass in SS Peter and Paul Church when Salesian Jubilarians renewed their vows

Two weeks ago today, I woke up in Bellflower, not know what to expect on the final two days in California with Don Bosco… Savio had organized so many possibilities, and the people of the parish and beyond responded. An estimated 8,000 people took part in the prayers and festivities of that Saturday, when we also stood by our brother Steve Standard making his perpetual profession. 

Families at St Dominic Savio venerate Don Bosco's relics

Don Bosco's Relics in Savio in preparation for evening mass

The next morning, a church-full of parishioners and pilgrims at St Dominic Savio accompanied us as we loaded the relics on the truck for the last time. A few minutes later our little committee headed for Long Beach Airport … only to be redirected to the Ontario Airport because a heavy fog had settled in at Long Beach. Ontario Airport was ready to welcome us, but they did not have the proper equipment and so loading the relics on the cargo jet became a major task that took almost two hours to accomplish. 

  

Loading our precious cargo on tarmac at Ontario California airport

Here I am, flying with Don Bosco's relics from Southern California to Louisiana

The flight took nearly 4 hours from Ontario to New Orleans, but we arrived to officially hand over the relics to the Salesians in Louisiana and the New Rochelle Province. The journey was finally over for us.

Meeting the Salesian Sisters from Texas upon my arrival in New Orleans

One week ago today, I arrived in Rome for the new semester… with the experiences of the relics of Don Bosco still very front and center in my mind and heart. Every night this week I have dreamed about the relics-journey: reliving the joy and also the anxieties (like, will we find diesel at the next stop? will we be able to get up those steps? will we be able to load this tiny cargo jet?)

In just two days, Don Bosco in his relics will complete his journey in the United States. The last stop is Chicago, on 4 October, and from there the crossing will be made into Canada. 

Statistics and character traits

So here I am, back in Rome… for another semester. I arrived on Saturday, the 25th… and the jet lag continues, which is why I am awake so early today, showered, dressed and at my keyboard before the rest of the house comes to life.

Roman dawn

As I have done in previous years, I am living at the Salesian University, where I will be teaching during the Autumn Semester that will begin next week. Actually, ours is a pontifical university, but we are off the beaten track from historic, imperial, medieval, renaissance, risorgimental, and art deco Rome. We are in the northern sector, in district 4, which is totally blue collar (or proletarian, as it is said here). The advantage is that we are situated among the real folks, the immigrants, the workers, families with children, the workshops. Our university is open to the people of our district and the three that surround ours, in the sense that they can access our university library and make use of services that we offer.

Our student body is over 70% laity (which is by far the largest ratio of any of the pontifical universities and academies), and 95% of these are Romans (who are among the most pragmatic, blunt, down-to-earth, no-nonsense, life-loving people on the planet). The 30% religious come from 83 different nations, from every continent (oh yes! Italians count the continents as five: Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Oceania), and from at least 100 different religious communities.

There are some here who are aware of the politics (ecclesial and civil). In fact, one of the professors here has just been named bishop (and he's not the first of our faculty). Yet, most of the people that I know here follow the lead of the true Romans who are never too impressed by a show of power or brilliance. "What do you expect?" one Roman friend likes to tell me. "We've seen it all: Hannibal and his elephants, the Caesars, the lions, the barbarians, the Normans and the Saracens, the French and the Austrians, the Nazis and the Americans, the popes and the pagans. They all came, they all left, and we go onward."

The bulk of our students and instructors take care of cultivating relationships while working hard in the business of studies, out of the limelight but building for the future. And I must say that I appreciate this approach more than any other.

The sun is up and I need to get moving if I'm to join the community for morning prayers and mass.

Don Bosco at Corpus Christi Parish

Fr Tim Ploch celebrates Eucharist at Corpus Christi Parish

The move from SS Peter and Paul to Corpus Christi was both nerve-wracking and moving. Nerve-wracking because we did not have the proper equipment that would allow us to take the huge and heavy urn out of the church. Moving and inspiring because many many took the morning off work to help us with the job, and the police officers who accompanied us in that work and then led the motorcade across the city of San Francisco were past pupils of the Club, and fiercely loyal to Don Bosco.

We arrived in the late morning at Corpus Christi. The children of the school were all dressed in their red-sweaters of the uniforms and lined the street with color and enthusiasm. The parish jumped into gear: music, singing, drums, movement and they welcomed Don Bosco. All we had to do was to roll the urn into the church and into position, and then get out of their way.

Parishioners at Corpus Christi venerate the relics of the saint

People had told me to expect that the Californians would not really be too impressed by the relics. This is not Latin America, they told me. Yet, I have to say that the devotion of the people, young and old, both at SS Peter and Paul and at Corpus Christi, was intense. We are well on our way in this pilgrimage with Don Bosco!

Twelve strong men needed

At 2:00am Sunday morning we arrived in San Francisco - what we learned is that there are too many steps. Only with the help of twelve big men were we able to get the Urn into the church by lifting and pushing up the last five steps that the ramp could not cover. At this point I do not know how we will manage to get the urn out of the church on Monday: we will need 12 to 16 men to help us: strong guys. Also, it is possible to turn the cart, but very difficult if the space allowed is small. It took us a long time to get the urn in place on the sanctuary of SS Peter and Paul’s because there is too little space due to the remnants of an altar rail and steps in front of the lectern.

Don Bosco's relics are in place, with honor guard of Knights of Columbus

Sunday morning gleam at SS Peter and Paul on Relics Day! 

Our drivers Mauro and Tino managed, but it was very difficult to complete that task. Six strong men were needed to help them to move the urn into that tight spot. Help will be needed to get the relics out of that position on Monday. This is not to complain about SS Peter and Paul’s. The committee at SS. Peter and Paul has been meticulous in its planning. Furthermore, the information that we received last March was that the spaces were correct and the steps were doable. But the reality is different from the projection.

Since I have seen how the urn can be moved, I just want to ask everyone  who will receive the relics to check for the space, entrance and exit. If you have steps (read, more than one), it would be helpful for us if you had some sort of ramp built that can take the weight of the urn on its cart (total 800 kilos). If you are in doubt, please contact me. Thanks so much… our problems so far are only technical ones.

Everyone has been more than supportive, including the customs officials of both Mexico and USA through our four-hour border crossing. They too did everything that they could to help us. I know that all are trying their best to foresee all the circumstances, and am very grateful. I will continue to speak of dificulties as I see them arise to help us all to resolve them better.

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.

With Don Bosco in Tijuana

This morning I arrived in Tijuana together with Fr Tim Ploch, provincial of the USA-West province, Roberto Bertoli, who works on the Don Bosco pilgrimage from Torino, and Fr Bruce Craig of Miami. We went to the Salesian volunteer house in Castillo, and later to participate in a celebration of the relics in the zone of Sanchez Tavara.

The experience was very moving and very enthusiastic as Don Bosco visited the neighborhood and the Oratorio San Domingo Savio.

 Truck to transport relics

Rather than talk about it, I include some photos that I took of the relics being unloaded from the truck and mounted for a procession through the neighborhood.

Men guide the urn out of the truck and ready it for the procession

All through the procession people shouted cheers and sang. It was a festive demonstration. In no way was it solemn, but it was very reverent.

There were women in colorful indigenous dress who danced ahead of the urn… youth in Don Bosco Tshirts, children in school uniforms.

There was even a mother and child dressed up like Mamma Margherita and Don Bosco. The poor boy did not smile much, but his mother smiled the entire time.

And in the Oratory church, after a short prayer service and a lot of songs, first the children and then the people were able to venerate the relics of Don Bosco. Many were moved to tears. All were joyful. At the end there was a lunch provided in the oratory playground… and more music and time for visiting quietly with Don Bosco.

On of the cheers that took over all of Mexico and was repeated many times this morning sums up the whole experience "¡Si, si, si! Don Bosco es aquí! -- Yay, yay, yay! Don Bosco came today!"

Don Bosco's relics in California - Otay is the port of entry

Yesterday I had contact with the Mexican authorities through Cleofás Murgüia, provincial of Guadalajara… and today, with our agent Milo Ott, of Mid-America Overseas, spoke with Officer Roble of US Customs and Immigration at Otay

WE HAVE PRE-CLEARANCE! 

Now we must simple attend to the last details.

Last Monday Duoc Le designed some prayer cards. Duoc worked on the graphics and asked me to prepare a prayer, which I did. We worked by telephone and internet and then Duoc placed an order immediately with a firm in nearby Emeryville. The prayer cards arrived on Friday. Between yesterday and today I have already distributed 5,000 prayer cards with the image of Don Bosco to houses in the Bay Areas. That has exhausted my supply, but I called Duoc and have ordered a further 30,000 cards.  My plan is to bring the cards around to all the places that Don Bosco will visit.

The above is the image of Don Bosco on the prayer cards designed by Duoc Le.

Don Bosco's relics in California - One week to go

At noon I could hear the Campanile of Berkeley chiming the mid-day hour as I hurried back on foot from Shattuck to make sure my cell phone account can take international calls in view of the relics arriving…

One week from now, Don Bosco's relics will be at the gate at Tijuana, seeking to enter the USA. Some of us know that experience, on a busy Saturday at mid-day, but also on a date that raises borders from code Orange to code Red...

Duoc Le and I have designed some prayer cards and I will bring a lot with me to every place as freebies. I'm very happy with the results, and thank Duoc Le with all my heart for the energy that he has put into this project of the relics, not just with the cards, but from the beginning. We have posters with the same image, and I'll bring those around with us as well. I encourage those who are looking for TShirts or kerchiefs to get in touch with Al Vu at St Joseph's Salesian Center in Rosemead and see what's available.

Province Poster with Itinerary

One week from now, it all begins.

A group is planning to meet the relics on the American side of the border crossing. I have to say that Friday the question of the port of entry was brought up by the American consul general in Milano: Main Gate or Otay. This is a new twist which has to be resolved.

Don Bosco Relics - What we are seeing

Following up on what was said yesterday, here are photos of the box that contains the relics of Don Bosco, which is placed within the chest cavity of the statue of Saint John Bosco.

This box contains the relics of Don Bosco's right hand. It is sealed and labeled with an official notice by the Archbishop of Torino.

This photo documents the sealing of the relics in the silver box, with the official seals of the Archdiocese of Torino.

Don Bosco Relics - What we are seeing

Pilgrim relics of St John Bosco venerated by the faithful

The word has been out for a long time, and published in many devotional magazines and websites, that Don Bosco is one of the "incorruptibles". This report is not entirely accurate. We can say that Don Bosco was one of the incorruptibles - but science made a few mistakes. 

When the tomb of Don Bosco was opened in 1929 just before the beatification, according to the prescribed procedures of canon law for the beatification process, the body was found to be intact. However, 41 years after the servant of God's death, the skin had darkened somewhat. The plan was to bring the body of the Blessed, carried in a glass urn from Valsalice to Valdocco, for the festivities at the time of the beatification.

At the time, scientists and doctors discussed doing something to lighten the skin. When they applied the chemical formula that they had devised, there was a reaction that they did not anticipate. The body corrupted almost before their eyes. 

The body was then covered with a wax image so that the festivities might take place, and the Blessed's remains could be placed within the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin (Maria Ausliatrice).

The image was cracked open again at the time of the canonization in 1934, and the corruption was considerable. A new casing was created, and the remains were encased within them.

In 2006 a major renovation project took place on the Basilica. Don Bosco's altar was dismantled for the renovations. This time two identical replicas of the saint's body were made in fiberglass. Each item of bone and tissue was identified and placed within the first replica, that was placed within the glass urn above Don Bosco's altar. It was determined that inside the second replica, the right hand and arm should be placed for the pilgrim journey. However, very quickly it became obvious that in some countries (notably India), the depiction of a saint in death would create more consternation than devotion. Thus, a third reliquary was designed. This is an image of Don Bosco who is standing and surrounded by young people. 

Reliquary of Don Bosco prepared for the pilgrimage in the West

With these reliquaries complete, the relics of the right hand and right forearm were identified, certified, and put inside two silver plated boxes that were in turn sealed according to the norms of the Church regarding relics. This sealed box with the hand was placed inside the chest cavity of the fiberglass statue of the saint in repose; the sealed box with the right forearm was placed with the statue of Don Bosco standing among his boys. The latter image and relics are bound for India and Australia; the former image and relics have already begun the journey in the West. 

The statue of Don Bosco in repose, then, is itself a reliquary. This is the image that concerns us because this is the reliquary that will soon arrive in California. It is dressed in authentic vestments, with a chasuble of the era. The cassock shoes and other garments were newly made, but according to the patterns that were in use at the time of Don Bosco's death. 

There have been some talk in the Catholic Press in the USA that what is coming is a wax replica of Don Bosco’s relics. This information is not correct. The relics are actually being brought and they are within the statue… again, the right hand and arm were designated for the pilgrim journey, since this is the hand of blessing, the hand of baptizing, the hand of absolution, the hand of giving communion… and the hand that Don Bosco favored when he wrote, when he taught tailoring, and carpentry, and shoemaking and bricklaying. 

All the rest of the remains of the saint are encased within the first statue, in a glass urn above the altar of Don Bosco in the basilica of Maria Ausiliatrice, as they have been since 1934 - but carefully catalogued in a reliquary that is refurbished, in a church that is restored. 

Hopefully this clarifies some of the issues surround this event. God willing I shall accompany the relics throughout the journey in California. I will be very glad to meet with anyone who may have questions in any of the places where the celebrations for the youth and for Don Bosco will be held.

Don Bosco's Relics in California - Itinerary

• Saturday, 11 September 2010 – San Francisco: The relics cross the border into the USA and California from Baja California in Mexico, leaving the Salesian Center at 12:00 noon.

A delegation that will meet the relics and accompany them on the road, from Tijuana to San Francisco. 


Projected arrival time for the relics at SS Peter & Paul is for between midnight on Saturday and 2:00 am on the following morning. Parish youth are planning to spend the night for the eventuality of a late arrival.

• Saturday, 11 September 2010 – San Francisco: SS Peter & Paul hosts a reception celebration for St John Bosco. This culminates a triduum of parish celebrations that include invitations to religious and parish priests of San Francisco, Marian societies and cultural communities of North Beach. The triduum will feature ecumenical and youth celebrations. Archbishop George Niederauer will profile Don Bosco in celebrations on Thursday, 9 September; other speakers include Russ Gumina and Fr John Itzaina. Today’s celebrations will have a strong youth dimension, leading up to the welcome of the relics at midnight (or at the moment that they will arrive).

• Sunday, 12 September 2010 – San Francisco: SS Peter & Paul hosts veneration of the relics through the night and early morning hours with six honor guards (SFPD, SFFD, Knights of Columbus, Knight of Malta, Knights of the Holy Sepulcher) and the participation of the youth and young adults, Chinese community, Italian community and Marian societies. Regular parish masses all take a theme: Community Service (7:30), Don Bosco, Apostle of the Young (8:45), Don Bosco, Missionary to the World (10:15), Don Bosco, Model of Holiness (12:00). Bishop Ignatius Wang, Auxiliary of San Francisco, will celebrate the 10:15 mass. The evening celebration (5:00 pm), with the theme Don Bosco, Faithful for the Kingdom, will honor Salesians who celebrate Jubilees and Anniversaries during 2010.

• Monday, 13 September 2010 – San Francisco: SS Peter & Paul celebrations for the children of the school, with a festive assembly and mass of Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians (9:00 am). Send-off of relics from SSPP at 10:30 am, arriving at Corpus Christi at 12:00 noon. Afternoon functions with school children of Corpus Christi. Evening vigil at Corpus Christi with parishioners and Salesian Family, with prayer and celebrative functions. Relics repose at Corpus Christi over night.

• Tuesday, 14 September 2010 – Richmond/Berkeley/Watsonville: Journey from San Francisco to East Bay: depart Corpus Christi at 6:30 am, arrive Richmond Salesian High School at 8:00 am. Student delegations receive the relics at gate and accompany them into Salesian campus as part of Triduum celebration and school picnic. Journey to Berkeley: depart Salesian High at 11:30 am, arrive Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at 12:15. Journey to Watsonville: depart Berkeley at 2:15 pm, arrive by solemn procession through Watsonville at Our Lady Help of Christians Valley Church towards 5:30 pm.

• Wednesday, 15 September 2010 – Watsonville/Los Angeles: St Francis School, Watsonville (mass and reception for students of St Francis, Salesian Sisters, friends of St Francis); departure (11:30) from Watsonville for Los Angeles (St Mary’s Parish, Boyle Heights); estimated travel time: 7 hours. Evening vigil services with parishioners and Salesian Family and alum at St Mary’s Church.

• Thursday, 16 September 2010 – Los Angeles/Rosemead: St Mary’s Church: following early morning mass, relics are brought to Salesian High School for student rally and prayer service for the students of Salesian High and their feeder school (6:30 am); journey from Boyle Heights to St Brigit’s Chinese: receiving relics and veneration by Chinese community (11:00), with particular participation of the elders of the Chinese Catholic community; journey from Los Angeles to Rosemead: receiving of relics and veneration at Don Bosco Tech (1:00 pm) as part of the student triduum, with student and alum participation; celebrations at Bosco Tech conclude with a procession of the relics, from the school to St Joseph Salesian Center.

• Thursday, 16 September 2010 – St Joseph Salesian Youth Renewal Center: receiving the relics that arrive from Bosco Tech in procession (5:00 pm), veneration with religious and socio-cultural celebrations by a succession of groups. These celebrations include: a children’s program with catechesis, cultural dance, games, exhibits, youth performances, clowns, jugglers, live music (5:45-7:45); Family Rally (8:00); Night Prayer and Good Night (8:30); All Night Vigil (beginning at 9:30 pm) that includes storytelling, labyrinth walk, Taizé Prayer, Rosary, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Film Festival, praise and worship.

• Friday, 17 September 2010 – Rosemead/Bellflower: All night vigil at St Joseph Salesian Center ends with mañanitas and Morning Prayer (6:30), Eucharist (7:00), and a Farewell gesture to Don Bosco with the departure of the Relics for Bellflower (8:00). The journey continues by road from Rosemead to Bellflower. Receiving the relics and veneration at St John Bosco High School (9:30 am) becomes the concluding exercises of a student triduum, with mass, artistic and athletic celebrations. The students of St John Bosco accompany the relics to St Dominic Savio School with a procession along Bellflower Boulevard. The children at St Dominic Savio School receive the relics (1:30 pm) and accompany then into the parish church for veneration. After school, there are parish and Salesian Family observances that will include evening and night vigil services.

• Saturday, 18 September 2010 – Bellflower: St Dominic Savio, Bellflower: religious services, literary-musical events, educational contests and socio-cultural celebrations by a succession of groups: Religious Education, Damas Salesianas, Adma, Alum (Filipino Bosconians; Vietnamese Past Pupils; Ex-alumnas latinoamericanas; Ex-alumnos de Don Bosco; alum of St Dominic Savio; Awakening 68 Don Bosco Makati), ADMA, Don Bosco Volunteers; Young Adult Volunteers; SYLC – Salesian Youth Movement, parishioners, Cooperator Salesians, FMA, SDB. In the evening Liturgy (5:30 pm), the Mass of Perpetual Profession.

• Sunday, 19 September 2010 – departure: travel from Bellflower to Long Beach Airport (LGB) for transport by cargo plane to New Orleans.

Don Bosco’s relics arrive first in San Francisco – the city where Don Bosco’s sons began their first work in the United States in 1897. From San Francisco, the relics will be transported gradually through the state, arriving in Los Angeles County, where the Salesian presence is particularly significant. Local committees will coordinate celebrations.

Central committee: Joseph Lockwood, Elisabeth Gamarra, Duoc Le, Frank Lavin, Marc Rougeau, Joe Boenzi.