SHILLONG: It was a red letter day for Meghalaya and entire Asia as the relic containing the right hand of Don Bosco was enthroned at the shrine of Don Bosco at Sohra (Cherrapunjee) forever on Sunday.
The only relic given by Salesian superiors from Rome for the whole of Asia arrived in the city on February 26 and on Sunday it was taken to the Shrine of Don Bosco at Cherrapunjee amidst a large gathering of faithful leading forward accompanied by 30 bikers and escorted by hundreds of vehicles.
The convoy left Don Bosco Technical School Shillong at 6:00 am and made a stop at Mawjrong for veneration of the relic by the faithful and friends of Don Bosco. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr. James Thyrniang.
The relic made another stopover at Laitryngew for public veneration. It finally reached Cherrapunjee amidst faithful and lovers of the saint chanting praises with drums and cymbals echoing the ‘Hoi Kiew’ of the Khasi ‘Phawar’ led by Fr. Patrick Nongrang and the organizers.
The relic finally arrived at the shrine where it was officially welcomed by Fr. Roy Anthony the Parish Priest.
This was then followed by the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Gervasis K, the former Parish priest of the shrine, who was instrumental in bringing the relic of Don Bosco to Meghalya, concelebrated by a dozen of Salesian priests from the city.
The Vice Provincial Fr. Paul Olphindro Lyngkot gave the homily and advised the faithful to imitate Don Bosco who was forgiving and available to those in need.
Tears of joy
After the solemn Holy Eucharist, Banisha Khongsngi came to the dais to testify that she had received a miracle through the intercession of Don Bosco.
“I was married for ten years and was unable to bear children. I went to consult the doctors and they advised me that it will not be possible for me to have children. In that sad moment, the youth who came for the ICYM meeting stayed in our house and when the meeting got over, they handed me the picture of Don Bosco and Mother Teresa and asked me to pray for my intention through the intercessions of these saints. I did pray and it was in 2011, that the relic of Don Bosco came to Pynthorumkhrah Parish, and I made my way through the crowd and touched the relic though the security was tight. Ten days later, when I went to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor told me that I was pregnant. I broke down and now with the blessing of God and through the intercession of Don Bosco I have four children,” said Banisha as she burst into tears accompanied by her husband and children.
This was the second miracle that Don Bosco had performed in the city.
After this testimony, Fr. Michael Makri, who was the media coordinator for the event, interviewed Larisa Khongsit who was also miraculously healed by Don Bosco in 2011.
Answering the questions raised by Fr. Makri, Larisa, in tears, said, “I can’t hide it anymore, my dream since the time I was healed by him (Don Bosco) was to meet him once more face to face. This dream is fulfilled now, my father (Don Bosco) is with us forever. I am overjoyed. I want to see him living with us through his right hand (relic).”
Shortly after the public paid their respects, the relic was then taken inside the shrine where it will “remain forever”.
