(May 28, 2011) The India-leg of the journey of St John Bosco’s relics, concluded
Tuesday, after stopping in four states and six dioceses. The 26-day pilgrimage which
began on April 29 included 89 venues.Alumni of Salesian schools ensured the success
of the St. John Bosco relics pilgrimage through northeast India, obtaining necessary
permits despite laws preventing Christian activities. St. John Bosco's relics are
on a 130-nation pilgrimage that began Jan. 31, 2009, to commemorate the 150th anniversary
of the founding of the Salesians of Don Bosco, an order dedicated to education. "The
alumni, well placed in all walks of life, together with Don Bosco Schools did an immense
work to mobilize the entire district administration, wherever the relics visited,"
tour coordinator Father Jose Palely told UCANews. "If it was not for them, Don Bosco
Relics would not have reached places like Ziro, Doimukh, Borduria and Khonsa in Arunachal
Pradesh where foreigners are not allowed." He noted the difficulties in getting travel
permits for three Italian escorts into Arunachal Pradesh, which has legislation restricting
Christian activities in the state. The alumni, the priest added, are a "mixed group
of Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jain and Animists." The former Salesian students got
police escorts and secured media coverage, as well as getting permission for processions
and rallies. Alumni also obtained government approval for a life-size statue of St.
John Bosco in Dimapur, where the Salesian headquarters of the province are located.
Francis Solo, the alumni federation president who has a government role in education,
noted that they presented the saint "not only as a holy man, but also as a courageous
young boy who took on the challenges of growing up as a fatherless child." "More
importantly," Solo added, "how he evolved through those challenges to dedicate his
life for the young, the marginalized, the street urchin, the vagabonds and juvenile
delinquents." Solo noted that many alumni have spent sizable sums to visit the relics
in Turin and now, countless people "have seen and benefited by the visit of the relics
to their home town."