The Visit of the Relic of St. Diocese of St. Petersburg - September 22-23, 2010 Frequently Asked Questions

Who is St. John Bosco? St John Bosco was born in Becchi, on August 16, 1815. From a young age John Bosco was filled with a strong desire to help the poor and the young. In 1835, John Bosco entered the seminary, learning to work as a tailor, blacksmith, shoe maker, carpenter, violinist, acrobat, and magician, all of which became useful in his future works. In 1841, he was ordained a priest and subsequently became known as “Don” Bosco (which is how diocesan priests in northern Italy were commonly addressed) and went to work in . In his visits to prisons, John Bosco witnessed abandoned youth with bad influences and no direction toward a positive and fulfilling future. The misfortune of so many youth at the time of the industrial revolution inspired John Bosco to dedicate his life to the young. He began youth clubs, hostels, and boarding schools and opened an oratory in which he taught them trades. He established the Salesian Society for men and, with the help of St. Mary Mazarello, an order for women: the Daughters of . A man of dreams with great vision, Don Bosco was known for his personal holiness, kindness, and charity towards all, which he lived out in a most active way. Don Bosco died on January 31, 1888 and was canonized a in 1934.

Who are the Salesians? In 1859, Don Bosco gathered several young men and suggested the idea of a religious society. He founded the Salesian Society with the mission to be a friend to poor, abandoned, and at risk children and thus to be a friend of Christ. The Salesian Society was named after St. Frances de Sales because Don Bosco wanted his Salesians to follow St. Frances’ kind and gentle ways. His educational philosophy, promoted and used by Salesians worldwide today, consists of reason, religion, and kindness. The basic principle for this system remains a deep understanding and love for young people and their problems. In 1875, he sent the first Salesian missionaries to . His work then spread throughout the world. Today the Salesian Society ministers in 134 countries, and more than half of the over 17,278 members work in mission lands.

Why are his remains on tour and why are they coming here? This pilgrimage of his relics was conceived as a way of celebrating the 150 th Anniversary of the founding of the Salesian Congregation and in anticipation of the of the 200th Anniversary of Don Bosco’s birth in 1815. Unlike most pilgrimages, which usually involve an individual going to a sanctuary to venerate a saint, the pilgrimage of Don Bosco’s relic is actually one of bringing his relic to the people especially in those areas where the Salesians are at work among the young. It is a way of fostering holiness by remembering the example and life of someone who made such a profound impact on those around him. This is part of a worldwide tour which will encompass 130 nations. The and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians have been serving locally since the 1920’s. Presently they can found at St. Petersburg Catholic High School, Villa Madonna School (Tampa), St. Joseph’s Catholic School (Tampa), and Mary Help of Christians (Tampa). We will be one of only eight US stops on an international pilgrimage of the relics of St. John Bosco. The relic will be at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle (5815 5 th Avenue N. St. Petersburg) during the entire visit.

Why do we honor and ask for their prayers? It is important to respect and honor saints for they are role models whom all Christians should strive to imitate. All people are called to become saints. Saints were real human beings who experienced the same weaknesses and temptations common to humanity. They became saints because they were able to overcome their weaknesses with the grace of God, the same graces God offers to every individual. The lives of the saints are examples for us to follow so we may join the saints and enter into the kingdom of heaven. As saints now share in the heavenly glory in God’s presence, it is altogether fitting that we ask for their prayers of intercession knowing that they will not forget or neglect such requests. Overall, devotion to a saint provides hope and encourages individuals amidst the challenges and struggles of this life.

What are relics of saints? As a sacramental church, we are accustomed to physical signs pointing to a religious value. A relic of a saint indeed points to that deeper reality of heaven and as such is an object of religious veneration. It can be anything from the bones of a saint to an object which touched a saint during his or her lifetime. The relics of Don Bosco were obtained from his remains after they were exhumed in 1929 as part of the process of . These particular relics are from his right hand and arm. In order that they might be more suitable for presentation to the faithful they have been placed within a wax replica of St. John Bosco's body, which in turn is enclosed in a large glass casket which was constructed specifically for this pilgrimage.

Why do we venerate the relics of saints? The veneration of relics is as old as the church itself (Acts 19:11-12) and even dates back to Old Testament times (2 Kings 13:20-21). During the years of persecution, early Christians often gathered and prayed at the tombs of martyrs. Relics do not contain magical powers but they symbolize how God works through the saints even after they have died. As important members of the family of the Church, it is fitting that we remember their legacy and honor their remains and the things they used in this life. The saints helped draw people closer to God, and after they ceased, the relics continued to inspire individuals to become more devoted to God. The Church honors God through the relics of the bodies of the saints, the things they used, and the lives they touched. The relic of Don Bosco is being brought to the United States so Christians may honor him as a servant of God and view him as a source of inspiration for those still living.

How do I get more information? For more information, please contact Fr. Michael Conway, SDB at St. Petersburg Catholic High School (727) 344-4065.

Schedule (all are welcome) Wednesday, September 22, 2010 • Arrival of relic/opening prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle 7:00 p.m. [estimated] • Following the opening prayer service, there will be an all-night prayer vigil with music and readings Thursday, September 23, 2010 • A special mass in honor of St. John Bosco will be celebrated by Bishop Lynch at 8:15 a.m. • Cathedral open for private visits, prayer, and public veneration (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.) • Youth Rally at St. Petersburg Catholic High School (9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) [registration required] • Youth procession to cathedral and youth prayer service (12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.) • Closing multi-cultural prayer service at 7:00 p.m