Giovanni Bosco – Guidelines for running salesian houses (1863-1887)

The origin of this authoritative document, the Confidential Reminders, is a letter written to Fr Michael Rua whom Don Bosco called on to take up the running of the first Salesian house outside Turin in autumn 1863: the college or junior seminary of St Charles in Mirabello Monferrato. In a letter sent to the young Rector/Director, Don Bosco wanted to pass on pedagogical and spiritual guidelines which had already been in practice at Valdocco. These were to also characterise the apostolic and educational work in the new foundation.

Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – Guidelines for running salesian houses (1863-1887)”

Giovanni Bosco – Recourse to public charity

As we have just said, for the financial resources needed to supply the everincreasing costs of his work, Don Bosco appealed to institutions: the Royal family, Government authorities, public officials (local council, provincial, state …), existing charitable organisations locally, the National Bank, parishes, dioceses, the Holy See itself through his best supporters, including the Pope.

Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – Recourse to public charity”

Giovanni Bosco – Appeals to private charity

The financial contributions asked for and obtained from public authorities and institutions were certainly not enough to help him confront the huge expenses of the Salesian Work. It was necessary to appeal to private charity. Logically, Don Bosco turned especially to families and individuals who had financial possibilities, meaning those belonging to the nobility, mostly large property owners, and the upper and middle class of the time who were notably ready to dispense charity. Some of these, albeit modest in their private savings, could actually find an outlet in educational and charitable works such as those of Don Bosco.

Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – Appeals to private charity”

Giovanni Bosco – Difficult relationships with the Archbishop of Turin

Relationships between Don Bosco and Archbishop Gastaldi went through two different stages, one of great understanding and cooperation, and another of notable difficulties and conflicts. The watershed could be considered to be Gastaldi’s transferral from the Episcopal See of Saluzzo to being Archbishop of Turin in 1871.

Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – Difficult relationships with the Archbishop of Turin”

Giovanni Bosco – The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of christians

In the early 1870s, when the Salesian Society was going through a happy time of expansion beyond the borders of Piedmont, thanks also to the many vocations flowing in, Don Bosco, with a group of Daughters of Mary Immaculate at Mornese who were gathered around Mary Domenica Mazzarello (1837-1881), gave life to the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In a very short time it was approved by the Diocesan Ordinary and aggregated to the Salesian society, then spread throughout Italy and overseas. We publish here five documents on this women’s foundation.

Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of christians”

Giovanni Bosco – National and international geographic expansion of salesian work

From 1863 onwards the Salesian work which arose at Valdocco and through other oratories in Turin began to expand rapidly, as already indicated, through numerous foundations first in Italy—Piedmont, Liguria (no. 18) and then in other regions—and finally in France and Latin America (nos. 21, 24, 25, 27).

Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – National and international geographic expansion of salesian work”

John Rasor – Early salesian regulations: formation in the Preventive System

The first part of this study, however, will examine that other body of Salesian particular law, the Regulations. It will trace their development from their earliest beginnings around 1850, the era of Father Rosmini’s and Father De Guadenzi’s Sunday afternoon visit, up to 1967.

Continue reading “John Rasor – Early salesian regulations: formation in the Preventive System”

Juan Edmundo Vecchi – Centennial celebration of the salesian presence in the United States of America. Homily in San Francisco, February 2, 1997

For the beginning of our centennial celebration we are gathered together here as a family in the place where the Salesians established their first presence in the United States of America. When we compare our present- day situation with that at the moment of our arrival we find much for which we must be grateful to God.

Continue reading “Juan Edmundo Vecchi – Centennial celebration of the salesian presence in the United States of America. Homily in San Francisco, February 2, 1997”

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren.

Up ↑