St. John Bosco's Relic in Alabang

Yesterday, Feast of the Holy Family, our family went to  the 6:30 p.m. mass at the Chapel of the Forgiving Lord  located inside the compound of  Tuloy Foundation in Alabang,  near the gate of San Jose Village.

We were able to meet Fr. Beng Molavin , SDB, Spiritual Affairs Director of the Tuloy Foundation Inc., before the mass and he informed us that Tuloy Foundation houses  boys and girls, aged 9 to 18, who are former  street children. Aside from  the  well groomed  and behaved young  residents of Tuloy Foundation, there  were "outsiders" like us  during the mass.  The Chapel of the  Forgiving Lord is actually open to the public.  Daily mass is at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday mass is at 10:30 a.m.

Photo from Veritatem Facientes in Caritate

Fr. Beng was the mass  celebrant, and before the  rites started he approached us "outsiders" to give copies of the latest Salesian Bulletin.   During the homily, he highlighted St. John Bosco's work among the youth, how he cared for those who like the residents of Tuloy Foundation, needed guidance and education.  Fr. Beng also announced that a relic of St. John Bosco will be displayed at the Chapel of the Forgiving Lord on  December 30, from 10:30 a.m.  to December 31, 8:30 a.m.

Excerpts from the Salesian Bulletin:

 "St. John Bosco was born in a small hamlet in the old Kingdom of Piedmont, north of Italy. He is known as Saint of the Young because of his dedication to them, specially the poorest.  He labored all his life for their education and evangelization."

"The Catholic Church calls as relics the remains of the saints after their death. Relics can be either the entire body or just a part of it.  In the case of St. John Bosco, it is the right hand carefully preserved and placed inside a special case." 

" The urn  contains a replica of St. John Bosco's remains as displayed for veneration in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, Turin.... It is made of aluminum, bronze and glass." 

"The world tour of the relic started from Valdocco, Turin on April 25, 2009. From Italy, the urn departed  in June 2009  for a visit to the five continents beginning with South America (and will return to Italy in January 2014.)"

Fr. Beng during the closing of the mass, reminded parents that the "heart of education is the education of the heart."  That line means  a lot to me as a father to my children.

P.S.  For those who will not be able to catch St. John Bosco's relic in Alabang, below is  the schedule thereafter:

• Dec 31:  St. John Bosco, Sta. Rosa
• Jan 2   :  Mary Help of Christians,  Mayapa
• Jan 3   :  Don Bosco, Canlubang
• Jan 5   :  Don Bosco Makati
• Jan 6   :  Don Bosco, Mandaluyong
• Jan 8   :  Don Bosco, San Jose
• Jan 10 :  Don Bosco, Tarlac
• Jan 12 :  Don Bosco Mabalacat
• Jan 14 :  Mary Help of Christians Shrine, Paranaque
• Jan 15 :   Departure