austraLasia #2815 Don Bosco conquers the hearts of thousands of young
people in Timor Leste
by Fr Joao Aparicio
DILI: 6 March 2011 -- Salesian Family Day,
March 4 was a day to honour Don Bosco in Fatumaca, the
'Valdocco' of the Salesians in Timor. Conferences were given
by Sr Lucy Rose the FMA Delegate and Sr Paula Battagliola,
the FMA Provincial. This was followed by the Mass celebrated
by the Superior of the Vice Province and concelebrated by
the Rectors of the houses and many confreres.
On 5 March, Mass was celebrated in the
early morning followed by a farewell ceremony by the local
community. Then DB's Relic began its pilgrimage towards Dili
passing through Baucau district. Reaching the town there
were hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles loaded with young
people ready to accompany DB's relic to Dili. We had to stop
in many places because many people wanted to honour the
Relic and pray beside it.
Before reaching Dili, at the request of
the Brigadier General of the F-FDTL (Timor Leste Armed
forces) the relic was solemnly received with military
honours, a parade by young soldiers, and brought into the
military compound to the military Chapel. Fr Joao officiated
at the ceremony with prayers and a solemn benediction.
General Lere Anan (an alumni of Fatumaca and Fuiloro)
expressed appreciation and contentment on behalf of the
National Army for Don Bosco and for the education received,
as well as the support given by the Salesians in defending
the rights of the Timorese people during the war.
Accompanied by thousands, mostly young
people, DB's Relic finally reach Dili. Along the road in
Dili, people formed a long line for some 10kms, throwing
flowers and chanting “Viva Dom Bosco”. Before reaching Don
Bosco Comoro, the Salesian headquarters, many children and
older youth were already in the Church at Aimutin, ready to
receive the Relic. The Superior of the Vice Province
imparted a blessing, and the procession went on to the
parish of Mary Help of Christians at Comoro.
Here we were forced to extend the
procession by a further 2kms, since some 200,000 people were
gathered in the area. The Traditional reception took place
and then the Sao Pedro School Drum Band, acolytes, boy
scouts, martial arts group and the people in general joined
in. Again “Viva DB” heard everywhere. Don Bosco had
conquered the hearts of the young people. There was a banner
written by young people in Tetum: “Isin Bandido, maibe Fuan
Dom Bosco”, which could be translated as: “my body might be
a bandit, but my heart is Don Bosco's”. _________________
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