I was just finishing lunch on Saturday when I heard drums beating in the street in from of Macondo. In the past this has been a sign that there was some sort of a parade going by. Since this weekend was “Cuenca Days” (A celebration of the founding of Cuenca somewhat similar to our 4th of July), I grabbed my camera and ran out front to see what was going on. To my surprise, it wasn’t a parade in celebration of Cuenca Days. When I got out front I saw a group of m en offloading a glass sarcophagus containing the remains of Saint John Bosco!
Don Bosco was an Italian priest who dedicated his life to improving the lives and education of children. His teaching methods were based on love instead of punishment. He was the founder of what has come to be known as the “Salesian Society” which attempted through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution. The society grew rapidly and within ten years had chapters in several countries around the world. Today the society continues to operate worldwide; in 2000, it counted more than 20,000 members in 2,711 houses. It is the third largest missionary organization in the world. A little more than 40 years after his death, Pope Pius XI canonized Don Bosco.
Apparently what I saw Saturday was part of what I am calling the “Don Bosco World Tour.” His remains are being taken throughout Latin America where loyal followers are being given a chance to pay their respects. Saturday morning was just part of a several day “visit” to Cuenca. There was a large crowd gathered that included a band and several hundred followers carrying signs and banners. It caused me to wonder if there would have been similar turnouts in the States. My “gut” tells me that there would not. I guess it is just another difference in our cultures.
