1. Don Bosco's Pilgrimage to the Americas

The Casket containing Don Bosco's relics has been on pilgrimage now for some months through the countries of the South American continent: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, EcuadorÂ…. and will be in Colombia as this FOCUS goes online.

It would not be possible to photographically document all these steps in a single FOCUS, so we have chosen a single slice to do so, as the Casket was handed over near the border between Peru and Ecuador to enter this latter nation as triumphantly as it has entered each of the nations so far.

2. The farewell to Peru

The solemn handing over of Don Bosco to Ecuador took place in Tumbez, a city on the northern frontier of Peru with Ecuador. Fr Vicente Santinelli, Salesian Provincial in Peru thanked the Salesians, lay people, children, youth and many devotees who had accompanied their Father and Teacher from 17 March from when he had left Copacabana in Bolivia. The Casket had passed through Arequipa, Ayacucho, Lima, Piura and Túmbez, to tumultuous welcome in each place. Fr Santinelli thanked the National Police of Peru, his Salesian confreres, those who had driven the truck carrying the Casket. Then came the moment for officially handing over the Casket to Fr Alfredo Espinoza, Provincial Economer of Ecuador, whose task it was to accompany Don Bosco across the border.

3. Huaquillas, the city of Ecuador which first received Don Bosco

From Aguas Verdes (Peru)the Casket arrived in Huaquillas (Ecuador)on the other side of the bridge crossing the Zarumilla River. On his arrival, Don Bosco was proclaimed 'guest of honour' in the city in the presence of civic and Salesian authorities. But the official beginning of the visit, at least in Salesian terms, was some two hours later as the Casket entered the cathedral at Machala where more than a thousand people awaited the 'Saint of the Young'.

4. Machala to Cuenca

An all night vigil on 8 April saw an endless line of people pass by the Casket, then early on the morning of 9 April, the six vehicle convoy accompanying the Casket left for Cuenca. The journey was accompanied by Past Pupils from the Salesian Instituto Técnico Superior.

5. And on from there to Quito

The photos in this FOCUS do not take into account the rest of the journey, but from the Casket moved on from Cuenca to various locations on the way to Quito, finally arriving in the capital city on 14 April.