Fr Leonard E Dollentas
One of seven containers containing relics of St. John Bosco is to remain in Macau permanently. The relics was part of a six-year world tour from 2009-2015 to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Don Bosco, founder of the Salesians. In 2011, a casket containing relics from Don Bosco’s holy body was displayed in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as part of the tour. Fr. Pascual Chavez, the then Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco had directed the worldwide pilgrimage “to renew the desire to know and love the Father and Teacher of Youth and reignite the passion and mission for the young.”
On February 13, 2026, marking the 120th anniversary of Bishop Luigi Versiglia leading the first group of Salesian missionaries to China, the relics was returned to Macau and to stay there permanently. The relics was carefully preserved inside a sealed case and inserted at the chest of lifelike wax replica of Don Bosco. It is to be enshrined together with the sacred chalice of Bishop Luigi Versiglia at the Chapel of Instituto Salesiano, a Salesian-run school founded by Bishop Luigi Versiglia (become a saint on 1 October 2000).
The relics was welcomed by the Salesian family in Macau together with Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai, Bishop Stephen Lee, the bishop of Macao, students and the faithful. Fr Domingos Leong Teng Kok, SDB, the provincial superior of the Salesians in China was also present during the grace filled event.
The relics, which is a small piece Don Bosco’s brain is considered First-class relics. Recalling Don Bosco’s life, he always used his brain power and cleverness to take care, protect, and bless numerous young people, especially those who were helpless, and guided them from going astray. With Don Bosco’s relics enshrined in Macau, we hope that the Macau youth can spiritually hold his guiding presence in their hearts tightly and joyfully receive his blessings and guidance. The veneration of relics is a Catholic practice of honoring the extraordinary work God did in a person’s life — a person who has achieved the highest level of holiness in the Catholic Church.
Original source of the article: O Clarim