Times Of Swaziland: St John Bosco relics coming to SD

St John Bosco relics coming to SD
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 ZWELAKHE MOAHLOLI on 26/05/2012 00:00:00


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 OshoekNgwenya 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.