Arthur Lenti – Key-concepts, concerns and fears of a Founder-Don Bosco in his declining years Part II

In an article which appeared in an earlier issue of this Journal, I described some of Don Bosco’s concerns, as he expressed them in meetings of his council and in sessions of General Chapters held during the last decade of his life.

That article, based almost entirely on unpublished minutes held in the Central Salesian Archive, dealt chiefly with one area of concern, namely, the admission of candidates to the Salesian Society and to Holy Orders and problems relating thereto.

In the present essay, drawing on, and quoting liberally from the same sources, I will try to describe, as will be detailed below, other important areas of Don Bosco’s concern.

Contents:

• Introduction and Description of Archival Source Material
  • I. The Minutes of the Superior Chapter from 1875 to 1888
  • II. Minutes of the Alassio General Conference and of General Chapters II and III
• Part I. Don Bosco’s Concern for the Religious and Salesian Spirit of the Congregation
  • 1. Don Bosco’s Statements on Religious and Salesian Life in the “Keynote Address” of General Chapter II, Session 2.
  • 2. Don Rosco’s Words on Unsuitable and “Forbidden” Books at General Chapter II, Session 2
• Part II. Problems with the Life and Discipline of the Communities of the Oratory
  • 1. Order, Discipline and Moral Conduct in the House of the Oratory, and the Problem of the Director
  • 2. The Bad Spirit in the Upper Grades of the Oratory School and the Problem of Vocations
• Conclusion
• Appendix I
• Appendix II
• Appendix III
• Appendix IV
• Appendix V

Reference time period: 1875 – 1888

Reference institution:
Institute of Salesian Studies