Contents:
- The reason
- Rejuvenating the Church: a gift and a task
- A testimony, a model, an image
Pascual Chavez Villanueva – “But who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8,28). Looking at Christ through the eyes of Don Bosco
Contents:
- 1. Contemplating Jesus Christ from a salesian standpoint
- 2. Jesus Christ in the life of Don Bosco
- 2.1. The Christ of the Gospel
- 2.2. Conformed to the image of Christ
Egidio Viganò – “Be on the watch with your robes hitched up and your lamps alight”
Contents:
- “Religious life and discipline”
- Aversion to the concept of “discipline”
- Spiritual significance of the “Rule of life”
Egidio Viganò – Martyrdom and suffering in the Apostolic Spirit of Don Bosco
Contents:
- New Economer General
- Beatification of Bishop Luigi Versiglia and Father Callisto Caravario
- Importance of suffering in a spirituality of the active life
Continue reading “Egidio Viganò – Martyrdom and suffering in the Apostolic Spirit of Don Bosco”
Joseph Boenzi – What is salesian in Don Bosco?
Joseph Boenzi writes of the many times that the figure of St. Francis de Sales enters into the life and ministry of Don Bosco. The final word may never be written on why Don Bosco chose Francis de Sales as the patron of his Congregation but What is Salesian in Don Bosco? throws light on the subject.
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Nancy J. Bowden – Unwrapping the gifts: Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal and the salesian vision of women
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.
Giovanni Bosco – Zeal for the salvation of souls Don Bosco’s models
Efforts to reform society along Christian lines, undertaken in the Turin diocese after the fall of Napoleon’s Empire, in addition to taking up systematic parish catechesis once more, fostering popular missions, the Forty Hours and retreats for all kinds of groups, focused above all on reform of the clergy, beginning with more careful selection of candidates for the priesthood and diligent care in their preparation. With this in mind diocesan authorities first reorganised the seminary in the capital (1819), strengthening disciplinary and spiritual aspects, and encouraged the initiatives of Fr Luigi Guala, approving the Rule for the Pastoral Institute [Convitto ecclesiastico] (1821), then extended the seminary at Bra (1824-1825), and finally set up a new seminary in Chieri (1829) in the old house which belonged to the Oratorians (St Philip Neri’s priests), putting trusted formators in charge. The model of formation espoused by the archbishop, the Camaldolese Colombano Chiaveroti (1754-1831), drew its inspiration from priestly ideals belonging to post-Tridentine Catholic tradition, with a strong emphasis on apostolic charity and pastoral sacrifice (the priest had to be a “victima charitatis”). Meanwhile groups of generous clergy, supporting his reform efforts, made themselves available for preaching to the people, the ministry of confessions and spiritual direction, along with some orders and congregations that had been set up once more after the suppression in the French era.
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Giovanni Bosco – Don Bosco’s educational method in confidential discussions with a politician (1854) and an elementary school teacher (1864)
“Even though these were written down later (1881-1882), two presentations which Don Bosco made regarding his educational system are trustworthy. They were conversations that took place in 1854 and 1864. The first was with a Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Urban Rattazzi; the other with an elementary teacher, Francis Bodrato.”
Giovanni Bosco – Saint Dominique Savio 1842-1857
Dominique est entré dans la vie de Don Bosco durant l’automne 1854. L’apôtre turinois avait alors trente-neuf ans. D’emblée, l’enfant et le prêtre s’étaient compris: Don Bosco put former Dominique selon l’idéal de sainteté qu’il portait en lui. Pendant vingt-huit mois, il veilla sur son âme. Toute son œuvre en bénéficia, car il semble bien que la température spirituelle de la «maison» du Valdocco monta en flèche de 1854 à 1857.
La fragilité naturelle de Dominique s’accrut malheureusement très vite et, le 9 mars 1857, il fut emporté par une maladie de poitrine, à quinze ans moins vingt-quatre jours.
Ce jeune garçon avait produit une telle impression que ses nombreux amis et, moins encore, le directeur de son âme ne purent se résoudre à le laisser oublier. Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – Saint Dominique Savio 1842-1857”
Paolo Albera – D. Bosco modello del Sacerdote Salesiano
In questa lettera, il Rettor Maggiore Paolo Albera scrive a riguardo del modello di Don Bosco per i sacerdoti salesiani, della formazione e della spiritualità salesiana.
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Paolo Albera – Norme per la Direzione spirituale dell’Istituto delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice
In questa lettera, il Rettor Maggiore Paolo Albera scrive a riguardo del delegato apostolico, della direzione paterna e come esercitarla e dei modelli di Don Bosco e Madre Mazzarello.
Paolo Albera – Don Bosco nostro modello nell’acquisto della perfezione religiosa
In questa lettera, il Rettor Maggiore Paolo Albera scrive a riguardo di Don Bosco, della genesi della Regola dei Salesiani, dell’apostolato e del carisma verso i giovani.
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