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St John Bosco relics coming to SD

26/05/2012 00:00:00 ZWELAKHE MOAHLOLI

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MANZINI – The relics of the founder of Salesian schools St John Bosco will be coming to Swaziland in July.

The relics of St John Bosco as seen in the picture are expected to arrive in the country on July 4 through the Oshoek\Ngwenya border post.

Father Bonginkosi Nhleko, who has been tasked by the Roman Catholic Church to co-ordinate the event, said relics were mortal remains of a saint.

"The remains were exhumed, then preserved and waxed. In fact, the relics are a life size image kept in a glass casket," he added.

He said people would be able to view the body of the founder of the Salesian schools.

Welcoming

Highlighting the proceeding on July 4, Nhleko said there would be a welcoming ceremony at the border post.

"The relics will then be moved to St John Bosco School at Malkerns where there will be different services organised for the youth, pupils and parish. There will also be a youth vigil.

"The next day, July 5 – the relics will be moved to the Salesian schools in Manzini," he said.

He added that they were currently engaged in discussions with the Municipal Council of Manzini.

Nhleko said they were planning to have the procession start next to Tinker’s night club and move around the city centre before going to Salesian.

At the school there will be a welcoming ceremony, which will include the veneration of the relics.

Celebrating

"After that, there will be a big mass at the Cathedral, celebrating the life of Saint John Bosco," said Nhleko.

On the Friday of July 6, there will be a mass at the Cathedral for the provincial Salesian students.

Later on the day, Nhleko said the relics would move to Mater Dolorosa School (MDS).

In the evening, the founder of approximately 16 000 Salesian schools in 132 countries will leave Swaziland for Lesotho.

Saint

Nhleko said the journey of the relics started in 2009 in Italy and is expected to be concluded in 2015.

He said St John Bosco, who he described as the saint of the youth would visit all 132 countries where Salesians schools are situated.

Besides the thousands Catholics, former and current students of the school are expected to attend this event.

Expect miracles

MANZINI – During the historic tour of the relics of Saint John Bosco, miracles are expected to be witnessed.

Father Bonginkosi Nhleko said many miracles have happened during the tour of the relics.

"The recent one occurred in India. A little girl who had been bedridden for about four years after being crippled in a car accident was healed after she touched the casket.

"She was able to walk a few days after touching the casket," Nhleko giving a testimony said.

Interestingly, Nhleko said the girl was not a Christian but was from the Hindu religion.

However, he was quick to state that the girl and her family had since converted to Christianity.

Nhleko noted that people would ask ‘why the relics?’

Impact

He said the church had a tradition to venerate people who had an impact on others.

Nhleko said this was also in the bible, referring to 2 Kings Chapter 13 verses 20 to 21, where he illustrated how a corpse after being in contact with the remains of Prophet Elisha who had died a long time ago came to life.

DPM expected at event

MANZINI – The Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku is one of the past pupils expected to grace the occasions.

This was revealed by Father Bonginkosi Nhleko.

Nhleko said they were still to send out invitations to the DPM, former students and other dignitaries such as the Manzini Regional Administrator Prince Masitsela and the Manzini Mayor Alberto Samuels.

He then appealed for any kind of assistance that would make the event a great success.

As part of a fundraising campaign, Nhleko invited all past students to a cheese and wine function to be held at the school on June 7.

The function which he described as a Salesian past students’ night be would be held at Somers Hall.

Nhleko said there would be a live performance by the Club 24 band.

In addition, he said he was still talking to jazz maestro Itallo Dlamini, who is a former pupil and teacher.

He said those willing to make contributions could contact him at 2505 2020.