The present study aims, not at any new interpretation, but simply at describing some aspects of the actual circumstances of the origins on the basis of fresh documentation now available. In particular, restricting the field of inquiry, I will focus on the young people who were protagonists in Don Bosco’s work at its origin.
But if Marseilles was so close, why did “Paolino” Albera not come to Turin during those final days of January 1888? Why was he not at Don Bosco’s bedside? How did the death of his spiritual father and mentor impact on him?
Continue reading “Joseph Boenzi – Paolo Albera’s visits during Don Bosco’s last illness”
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.
Turin’s EXPO ’84 was to become the bittersweet culmination of Don Bosco’s remarkable and varied career as publisher, author, and printer.
For almost 40 years he had been active in the cause of the Catholic press and as editor of educational publications.
Don Bosco’s biographer, Father John Baptist Lemoyne, notes that most of the boys who attended Don Bosco’s evening classes were hard-working young apprentices or youths who worked wherever they could find a job.
Included in the copious documentation that comprises the chronicles and annals of the early history of the Salesian Society in the Salesian archives in Rome, there is a treasure trove of diaries, journals, memoirs, and daybooks which chart the ebb and flow of the early years of the Oratory of Saint Francis of Sales.
Don Bosco then goes on to describe the nature and purpose of the Convitto. It was a kind of ‘ finishing school’ where (he says) “one learnt to be a priest.”
Continue reading “Arthur Lenti – The Convitto Ecclesiastico – “Where one learnt to be a priest””
In carrying out his humble apostolate on behalf of poor and abandoned boys, Saint John Bosco (1815-1888) came into frequent contact with the wealthy and the powerful of Piedmontese society.
Continue reading “Michael Mendl – St. John Bosco’s dealings with the Cavour family”
This paper will survey that period in Don Bosco’s life that saw him ordained a priest. It will not be a study of Don Bosco the priest.
in this article M. Ribotta explains Don Bosco’s commitment to promoting education in Turin.
Continue reading “Michael Ribotta – Don Bosco’s battle against illiteracy”
Tornò dolce il vedere che il Congresso trasse a Torino il fior fiore dei Cooperatori e delle pie Cooperatrici! Essi vennero da lontani paesi, portati unicamente dal desiderio di stringere sempre più i vincoli di carità che li uniscono all’umile Società Salesiana, sempre meglio intendersi sul modo di aiutare le Opere che si hanno tra mano e renderle ognor più feconde per la salvezza delle anime. Onorarono il Congresso collo splendore della loro altissima dignità tre Eminentissimi Cardinali di S. Chiesa e oltre a trenta Eccellentissimi Arcivescovi e Vescovi, i quali accesero tutti i cuori d’un santo entusiasmo colla loro autorevole ed eloquentissima parola. Continue reading “Michele Rua – Congresso Salesiano – Incoronazione di Maria Ausiliatrice – Il Card. Protettore.”
Nell’anniversario della morte del Venerabile Fondatore e Padre, don Rua sente irresistibile bisogno di rivolgere di nuovo qualche parola e alcune riflessioni sullo stato della cara Congregazione e sopra loro stessi. In questa giornata, dovrebbe essere naturale immaginare che D. Bosco dal cielo, ove per giudizio infallibile della Chiesa si trova, ripeta, con un’efficacia senza pari, alcuni insegnamenti e varie utilissime raccomandazioni, che si udivano dalle sue labbra durante la sua carriera mortale. Continue reading “Michele Rua – La consacrazione del tempio di Maria Liberatrice.”
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