Don Bosco Didia

DON BOSCO VISITING HIS CHILDREN

Finally the long awaited day arrived! The day we have been looking forward to for several months. 15th December 2011. The day when our Father, Don Bosco was making his first trip to Don Bosco Didia. The relic of Don Bosco which is on a world pilgrimage for over two years came to the diocese of Shinyanga and to Don Bosco Didia on Thursday, 15th December 2011.

The students who were around in the school as the others were at home for their annual holidays had the privilege of meeting their father, Don Bosco and welcoming him here on that day. The plane carrying Don Bosco was to arrive at Shinyanga Airport at 8 AM however, the plane landed only at 9.30AM. After a short welcome and prayers at the airport, the relic was officially handed over to Fr. Babu Augustine, the Rector of Don Bosco Didia by Fr. Simon Asira, the Vice-Provincial of Eastern Africa.  The relic was then taken to Don Bosco Didia in a solemn procession from Bugisi junction led by bicycles, motorbikes and donkey carts.

Fr. Melchades Lukanyanga,  the headmaster, Bro. Kenneth Omondi, the Francilians. the SND Sisters, the OLA Sisters and several people of the neighbouring villages besides our staff and students welcomed Don Bosco at the school. At school everyone present had the opportunity to pay homage to Don Bosco.

The Holy Eucharist at Bugisi parish could begin only at 12 noon instead of 11 AM. The relic was welcomed at the parish by Rev. Fr. Janusz, the parish parish priest and hundreds of parishners. The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Rev. Fr. Simon Asira, the Vice-Provincial.

Immediately after the Holy Eucharist, all those present had the opportunity to pay homage to Don Bosco and to pray before him. Lunch too was served for all. Though we had expected about 500 people we had to serve lunch for 1200! Yet another miracle of Don Bosco. 

The relic was then hurriedly taken to the cathedral of Shinyanga and the Holy Eucharist began immediately on arrival at 4 PM. It was presided over by Rev. Fr. Sospeter Shole, the Vicar General of the diocese as Bishop Aloysius Balina was sick. Several priests of the diocese concelebrated besides the Salesian priests.  The crowd at the cathedral was really huge and we had to really make way for Don Bosco to come out of the church to rush him to the airport. 

Don Bosco left us by plane at about 6.15 PM. The scene at the airport was really touching as one got the feeling that it was like the departure of someone whom we all love who is not going to return at all physically! Thank you our Beloved Father for your only visit to us.   

 The community of Don Bosco Didia expresses its gratitude to Rt. Rev. Aloysius Balina, the bishop of Shinyanga who whole-heatedly supported this pilgrimage, Rev. Fr. Sospeter Shole who made all the arrangements and in the diocese, the diocesan clergy who spoke to the faithful about Don Bosco, the parish communities of Shinyanga Town, Cathedral and  Buhangija for the welcome given to Don Bosco at the Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Janusz, the parish priest of Bugisi parish, the OLA Sisters, the SND Sisters and the Francilians who worked in hand in hand with us this great event.