Pietro Braido – “Prospects for future research on Don Bosco” in “Don Bosco’s place in history”

Pietro Braido in his essay (final contribution of the Congress) retraces the central points treated by the various scholars and lists some themes to be explored for future research such as, for example, reflections related to theology or historical events made by the Saint at the “beginnings” of his life, Don Bosco writer and editor for the masses, major publication of critical texts of the sources.

Pietro Braido nel suo saggio (contributo conclusivo del Congresso) ripercorre i punti centrali trattati dai vari studiosi ed elenca alcune tematiche da approfondire per future ricerche come, ad esempio, riflessioni legate alla teologia o a eventi storici fatte dal Santo agli «inizi» della sua vita, Don Bosco scrittore ed editore per le masse, maggiore pubblicazione di testi critici delle fonti. 

Summery:

• 1. Checking scientifically the use of the literature we have inherited
  • 1.1 Getting beyond «idols»: critical vigilance and a sense of proportion 
  • 1.2 Relevance of tradition for the historian
  • 1.3 The value of Don Bosco’s published and unpublished writings, and problems connected with them 
• 2. Making the documents of scientific value available 
  • 2.1 Don Bosco’s unpublished writings 
  • 2.2 The published writings 
  • 2.3 The «Memoirs of the Oratory of St. Francis the Sales» 
  • 2.4 The «Epistolario»
  •  2.5 Salesian documents that carry the imprint of Don Bosco
  • 2.6 Contemporary testimonies: chronicles, memoirs, annals
  • 2.7 The canonical processes for Don Bosco’s beatification and canonization 
  • 2.8 Chronicles and letters of Salesians with special link with Don Bosco
• 3. A major problem: a «history» of Don Bosco
  • 3.1 A complete biography 
  • 3.2 Don Bosco’s evolution 
  • 3.3 The context of this evolution 
• 4. Examples of possible themes
  • 4.1 Don Bosco’s beginnings 
  • 4.2 Don Bosco and the Church, local and universal 
  • 4.3 Relations with civil society and the «other culture»
  • 4.4 Don Bosco and popular culture 
  • 4.5 Don Bosco and the problems of emigrants and the missions 
  • 4.6 Don Bosco founder of the Salesians 
  • 4.7 Don Bosco’s part in the founding of the Institute of the DMHC 
  • 4.8 The «extraordinary» in Don Bosco the «dreamer» and «wonder-worker»

Reference time period: 1840 – 1982

Reference institution:
Centro Studi Don Bosco