The question of the circumstances in which Don Bosco became the champion of the Virgin Mary under the specific titles of Immaculate Conception and Help of Christians is no longer a matter of debate. These titles, in so far as their revival in the second half of the nineteenth century is concerned, are tied to specific and well-known political events.
Continue reading “Arthur Lenti – Madonnas for times of trouble”
Sr. Mary Greenan, FMA presents the theme of collaboration in a commentary on the recent letter of Fr. Juan Edmundo Vecchi, rector major of the Salesian Society, and Mother Antonia Colombo, superior general of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
Continue reading “Mary Greenan – Towards intimacy: beyond power games and control needs”
This article furthers the theme of collaboration between women and men, showing this as central to Salesian history and spirit. Dr. Nancy J. Bowden brings us back to Francis de Sales and Jane-Frances de Chantal in the founding of the Visitation-the first Salesian community.
The word “Aesthetics” sounds somewhat abstract in English, but it represents a theme that has been explored in European formation and educational circles. Fr. Biesmans uses the term to include education in music, drama and fine arts, as well as physical education through recreation, gymnastics and sport.
Continue reading “Rik Biesmans – Aesthetics in Don Bosco’s educational system”
This article is written by our own Arthur J. Lenti, of the Institute of Salesian Spirituality in Berkeley. The article studies “Don Bosco’ s Beatification and Canonization Story: Highlights and Sidelights,” and incorporates material that Fr. Lenti has developed for classes and retreats over the course of the last year.
Continue reading “Arthur Lenti – Don Bosco’s beatification and canonization”
Fr. Arthur J. Lenti tells the story of Don Bosco’ s efforts to mediate between the Holy See and the Italian government during the tense years of Italian unification. Of special importance was the appointment of bishops. After offering background on the historical events leading to the estrangement between the Church and state in Italy, the author goes to the sources in an effort to answer the question why someone so politically unimportant as Don Bosco, should become involved in a capacity of “negotiator.”
A noted Salesian scholar and author, Fr. Desramaut has recently undertaken a work of major proportions, a dictionary of Salesian spirituality. The title of the work is: Les cent mots-clefs de la spiritualite salesienne (One Hundred Keywords in Salesian Spirituality). It is being published in installments in Cahiers Salesiens, the journal of the Center of Salesian Studies in Lyons (France), over which Fr. Desramaut presides. The first installment of the work (containing entries from A to C) is prefaced by an introductory essay on Salesian spirituality. This is the essay which is given here in English as meticulously translated by Fr. Arthur J. Lenti.
Continue reading “Francis Desramaut – Contemporary spirituality of the salesian family”
Si offre l’edizione critica di sette schemi autografi di predicazione di don Bosco conservati nell’ASC e composti in occasione di alcune feste mariane. Solo due di essi sono datati (3 giugno 1842 e 11 settembre 1864). Altri due, in base alla grafia, possono essere attribuiti ai primi anni di ministero sacerdotale, mentre i restanti appartengono certamente agli anni della maturità. Nonostante la concisione, questi manoscritti contengono alcuni dei punti che caratterizzano il magistero mariano di don Bosco, Continue reading “Aldo Giraudo – Gli appunti di predicazione mariana di don Bosco. Edizione critica”
In the article, Fr. Frank looks at the images of God and Community and poses questions that young people in Western Societies are facing on the threshold of the Third Millennium. He moves from the contemporary to the scriptural, and looks at the figure of Jesus and questions of discipleship as posed in the New Testament. What is the significance of discipleship in the Gospels? How does this significance speak to our reality? to our vocation as Christians, and as Salesians? These are the questions of the middle portion of Fr. Moloney’ s reflections.
Continue reading “Francis J. Moloney – Salesians beyond 2000”
Nella concezione educativa di Don Bosco il principio metodologico di base è stato il principio dell’amorevolezza: costruire fiducia, confidenza e amicizia attraverso un atteggiamento non facile di farsi prossimo ai giovani rispetto a tutta la loro vita. L’amorevolezza è quella bontà simpatica, quotidiana, affettiva ed effettiva nel desiderare il bene per la persona del giovane. Don Bosco raccomanda che gli educatori “come padri amorosi parlino, servano di guida ad ogni evenienza, diano consigli ed amorevolmente correggano”.
The biographical profiles of Louis Comollo (in the 1854 edition), Dominic Savio, Michael Magone and Francis Besucco are among the spiritual and pedagogical documents which are most representative of Don Bosco’s outlook. From these stories comes a horizon of meaning, a way of thinking and acting thoroughly rooted in his cultural context. At the same time however, beyond historical contingencies, they highlight a range of elements which better illustrate the characteristic features of the saint’s spiritual pedagogy.
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