By Blanca Morales - Florida Catholic

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Visitors crowd around the life-size wax figure of St. John Bosco to venerate his relics.

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

David Mora Arriaga, 7, of the Mora Arriage mariachi troupe, sings for St. John Bosco as the relics arrive at the church.

MIAMI � St. John Bosco was never able to visit his missionaries in Latin America.

In a way, his wish was fulfilled when he came to Miami, a Salesian bishop told parishioners and visitors to St. John Bosco Parish in Little Havana, where the relics of the founder of the Salesian order were venerated Sept. 26 and into the morning of Sept. 27.

Since Miami is home to many people of Latin American background, Don Bosco was �in a very real sense, at home in Miami,� said Salesian Bishop Mario Fiandri of Guatemala, who joined Miami�s retired Auxiliary Bishop Agust�n Rom�n for a Mass at the church after the relics� arrival Sunday morning.

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Devotees of St. John Bosco wave flags welcoming the saint's relics to Miami's St. John Bosco Church.

After traveling from New Orleans Sept. 25, the relics had spent the night at Immaculata La Salle High School. Upon their arrival at the parish named after the saint, a mariachi band began playing traditional and well-known tunes to which the congregation sang along with much energy and enthusiasm.

The relics were received with delight by parishioners donning Don Bosco t-shirts, singing and waving flags as the wax figure of the saint moved past them and was placed facing the altar.

�This is an electric moment � especially for Saint John Bosco,� said Bishop Fiandri, who preached at all of that Sunday�s standing-room-only Masses at St. John Bosco.

The visit of the relic reminded Catholics not only of the Don Bosco�s holiness but of how God touched many lives through him.

John Bosco�s �raison d��tre� was Jesus, therefore Bishop Fiandri emphasized that with the relics� visit, Don Bosco tells us �it�s worthwhile to be Christian.�

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Father Juan Carlos Paguaga, pastor of St. John Bosco Church, leads a rosary in preparation for the arrival of the saint's relics.

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Heart-shaped decorations featuring St. John Bosco's words and image hang from the ceiling of St. John Bosco Church.

As Miami Mayor Tom�s Regalado had said the night before while proclaiming �St. John Bosco Weekend� throughout the city, �You have brought blessings to a half million residents of the City of Miami.�

Photographer: BLANCA MORALES | FC

Salesian Cooperators help bring the relics of St. John Bosco onto the grounds of St. John Bosco Parish in Miami.