Mary Treacy – Mother Marie-Louise-Angelique Clarac and Don Bosco – an idea matures

In the first part of his study on the “Bosco-Gastaldi conflict”, Arthur Lenti drew attention to another figure similarly involved in a painful controversy with the Archbishop of Turin, namely Sr. Marie-Louise-Angelique Clarac, foundress of the Sisters of Charity of St. Mary, also known as the Sisters of Charity of Good Counsel.

Until recently this complex and dynamic woman was little known in Salesian circles and even now few people in the English-speaking world are conversant with the details of her life and work.

Yet she is not without significance in the steps leading to the foundation of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and it is in this respect that she takes her place in Salesian studies.

Contents:

• PART I Who Was Mother Marie-Louise-Angelique Clarac?
  • Early Life 1817 – 1841
  • 1841-1848: Apostolate in France
  • Algeria 1848-1851
  • Apostolate in Turin (1853-1887)
  • Girls at Risk in Turin
  • St. Maximus
  • Sardinia
  • Viale del Re – Via S. Pio V
  • Dispute About Sr. Clarac’s Testament
  • Bishop Moreno’s Advice
  • Separation
• PART II Mother Clarac and Don Bosco
  • Style of Education
  • Mother Clarac – the Foundation Stone of Don Bosco’s New Congregation?
  • April 1871
  • Why Did Don Bosco Look Elsewhere?

Reference time period: 1817 – 1887

Reference institution:
Institute of Salesian Studies