In the tradition of pilgrimage, the relics of St John Bosco are being carried into the towns and villages, neighborhoods and centers where the Gospel is announced among the young today. This pilgrim journey through 130 nations prepares for the 200th anniversary of the saint’s birth near Turin on 16 August 1815.
The pilgrim journey began last 31 January and in September 2010, Don Bosco’s relics will journey through several U.S. cities. The proposed itinerary for the journey through California follows.
· Saturday, 11 September 2010: arrival of the relics at SFO from Tijuana, with transport to Corpus Christi Parish (2 hour reception and veneration), continuing on to SS. Peter and Paul, North Beach (reception, veneration, groups)
· Sunday, 12 September 2010: SS Peter & Paul (veneration, parish celebrations, invitation to religious and parish priests of San Francisco; ecumenical celebration; participation of Archbishop George Niederauer; youth celebration; Chinese community; Italian community; Marian societies; cultural communities of North Beach).
· Monday, 13 September 2010: SS Peter & Paul school (morning); journey from San Francisco to East Bay – Richmond, departure SSPP at 2:00 pm; arrival Salesian High School Richmond, evening (receiving the relics)
· Tuesday, 14 September 2010: Salesian High School, Richmond: triduum celebration (early morning); journey to Berkeley (DSPT) arriving 11:30; journey to Watsonville (Our Lady Help of Christians Church), arriving 4:30 pm.
· Wednesday, 15 September 2010: St Francis School, Watsonville (mass and reception for students of St Francis, Salesian Sisters, friends of St Francis); departure (11:30) from Watsonville to Los Angeles (St Mary’s Parish, Boyle Heights).
· Thursday, 16 September 2010: St Mary’s Church: mass for students of Salesian High School and volunteers from Salesian Boys and Girls Club/Salesian Family Youth Center; journey from Los Angeles to Rosemead: receiving of relics and veneration at St Brigit’s Church (11:00 pm); receiving of relics and veneration at Don Bosco Tech (1:00 pm); receiving of relics and veneration at St Joseph Youth Renewal Center (4:00 pm) with religious services and socio-cultural celebrations by a succession of groups (Search Community; Cooperators; Don Bosco Tech alumni group…).
· Friday, 17 September 2010: journey from Rosemead to Bellflower. Receiving the relics and veneration at St John Bosco High School (9:30 am); receiving the relics at St Dominic Savio School (1:30 pm), and veneration in St Dominic Savio Parish Church. Evening and night vigil services.
· Saturday, 18 September 2010: St Dominic Savio, Bellflower: religious services 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), ADMA, Don Bosco Volunteers; Young Adult Volunteers; SYLC – Salesian Youth Movement, parishioners, Cooperator Salesians, FMA, SDB.
· Sunday, 19 September 2010: transport by air to New Orleans.
Don Bosco’s relics arrive first in San Francisco – port of arrival of Don Bosco’s sons in the United Sates in 1897 – then gradually travel to Los Angeles. Local committees will coordinate celebrations.
