Arthur Lenti – “The most wonderful day of my life”-The sesquicentennial of Don Bosco’ s ordination remembered

This paper will survey that period in Don Bosco’s life that saw him ordained a priest. It will not be a study of Don Bosco the priest.

At the risk of turning into an archaeological exercise, or of sounding like a travelogue cum calendar combined, it will only attempt to assemble facts and dates relating to the historical circumstances of Don Bosco’s ordination.

True, it will also ‘indulge’ in some reflection on the spiritual values arising out of Don Bosco’s recollections of that momentous occasion. The aim of this study, however, is modest enough-it is simply that of remembering an anniversary.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Part I : The Preparation

1. 1. The Seminary
   2. Framework and Highlights of the Seminary Period

• Part II: Priesthood

1. 1. The Spiritual Retreat, the Keepsake and the Nine Resolutions
   2. Don Bosco’s First Masses
   3. Margaret Bosco’s Presence

• Conclusion

Reference time period: 1841 – 1991

Reference institution:
Institute of Salesian Studies