Philomena D’Souza – “The presence of don Bosco in the undivided diocese of Mangalore before the arrival of the Salesians” in “Percezione della figura di don Bosco all’esterno dell’Opera Salesiana dal 1879 al 1965”

In this context, it is indeed pertinent to explore the interest Don Bosco evinced in sending his missionaries to Mangalore as early as 1876 while it was still a Vicariate Apostolic.

His dream did not materialise in his lifetime and the Salesians set foot in Mangalore Diocese only as recently as 1997 although the FMA had reached there already in 1985. However, it is amazing to come across a number of institutions and organizations – both religious, educational and cultural – named after Don Bosco. In fact, Don Bosco was already well-known in Mangalore as the Saint of Youth, decades before the the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians or the Salesians set foot in the area.

In questo contesto, è infatti pertinente approfondire l’interesse che Don Bosco manifestò nell’inviare i suoi missionari a Mangalore già nel 1876, quando era ancora un Vicariato Apostolico. Il suo sogno non si è concretizzato durante la sua vita e i Salesiani hanno messo piede nella diocesi di Mangalore solo nel 1997, anche se le FMA vi erano arrivate già nel 1985. Tuttavia, è sorprendente imbattersi in una serie di istituzioni e organizzazioni – sia religiose, sia educative e culturale – intitolato a Don Bosco. Don Bosco, infatti, era già noto a Mangalore come il Santo della Gioventù, decenni prima che le Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice o i Salesiani mettessero piede nella zona.

Index:

• 1. Don Bosco’s interest in Mangalore as seen in the BM
• 2. Institutions and Organisations named after Don Bosco before the arrival of the Salesians
  • 2.1 The Don Bosco Higher Primary School, Shirva, 1934
    • 2.1.1 The background history of Church Primary School Shirva 1898
    • 2.1.2 The transformation of the Church Primary School, Shirva, into Don Bosco Higher Primary School in 1934
    • 2.1.3 The Growth and Impact of Don Bosco Higher Primary School, Shirva
  • 2.2 Don Bosco Aided Upper Primary School, Kayyar, 1935
  • 2.3 St. John Bosco Church, Kelmbet, 1959
    • 2.3.1 The role of Fr. Gregory D’Souza in the growth of St. John Bosco Parish Kelmbet
    • 2.3.2 The handing over of the Kelmbet parish to the Salesians
  • 2.4 Konkani Natak Sabha and the Don Bosco Hall, Mangalore, 1943
    • 2.4.1 The development of Konkani Natak Sabha and the founding of the Don Bosco Hall
    • 2.4.2 The contribution of KNS to Konkani language and culture
  • 2.5 Don Bosco Club and Don Bosco Hall, Udupi, 1958
    • 2.5.1 The Don Bosco Hall, Udupi
    • 2.5.2 The Closure of the Club and the Hall
  • 2.6 Don Bosco Club Puttur, 1967
    • 2.6.1 The Beginnings and the Vision of Don Bosco Club, Puttur
    • 2.6.2 The Structure and functioning of Don Bosco Club, Puttur
  • 2.7 Don Bosco Youth Association, Agrar, 1983
    • 2.7.1 The beginnings of Don Bosco Youth Association, Agrar
    • 2.7.2 Programmes and Activities of Don Bosco Youth Association, Agrar
• 3. Conclusion

Reference time period: 1898 – 1997

Reference institution:
ACSSA