DonBoscoASIA

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”.