BELLARY, SEP 01: The relic of St. John Bosco (Don Bosco), which is on a worldwide pilgrimage that began in 2009 as part of the bicentenary birthday celebrations of the Italian priest, arrived in Bellary to huge reception by a large gathering, Sep. 1.
The relic of Don Bosco, sealed in a casket, arrived by a motorcade from Hospet to the Bellary city. It was received with fervor by the faithful at the local Christ the King Church and was taken in a procession to the popular Bellary Mathe Shrine.
Large number of people, from different faiths venerated the relic.
Earlier, the relic was taken to the Tonangallu church while proceeding from Hospet to Bellary.
Bosco was born August 16, 1815. He was an educator and writer of the 19th century, who put into practice the convictions of his religion, dedicating his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He employed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method known as the preventive system.
He founded the Salesian Society that set up works in 131 countries. As in most countries, the Salesians in India work with the underprivileged and run hundreds of educational institutions.
“Don Bosco’s presence will warm our hearts and lead us to renew our lives. If it is God’s will, he will grant us some favours and miracles through the veneration,” said the superior of the Hospet Don Bosco Centre Fr. K. D. Varghese.
The Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe was blessed and dedicated on 8th September 2000 on the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in memory of the great jubilee 2000 and the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary