Pascual Chavez Villanueva – «Da mihi animas, cetera tolle». Let us draw upon the spiritual experience of Don Bosco, in order to walk in holiness according to our specific vocation. «The glory of God and the salvation of souls». Third year of preparation for the Bicentenary of his birth

Contents:

  • Premise: A reflection on the inescapable task of evangelisation, in reference to the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium of Pope Francis.
  • Commentary on the Strenna for 2014.
  • Features of Don Bosco’s spirituality.

Continue reading “Pascual Chavez Villanueva – «Da mihi animas, cetera tolle». Let us draw upon the spiritual experience of Don Bosco, in order to walk in holiness according to our specific vocation. «The glory of God and the salvation of souls». Third year of preparation for the Bicentenary of his birth”

Pascual Chavez Villanueva – Inculturation of the salesian charism “So though I am not a slave of any man I have made myself the slave of everyone so as to win as many as I could” (1Cor 9,19)

Contents:

  • “The Law of all evangelisation”
  • Changing cultural paradigms
    • Globalisation
    • Interreligious dialogue
    • The youth situation
    • The digital world, a continent to be leavened

Continue reading “Pascual Chavez Villanueva – Inculturation of the salesian charism “So though I am not a slave of any man I have made myself the slave of everyone so as to win as many as I could” (1Cor 9,19)”

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.

Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – Zeal for the salvation of souls Don Bosco’s models”

Emmanuel Camilleri – Don Bosco’s writings. A theological perspective & means for accompaniment

Don Bosco’s writings are diverse, and yet they had one particular aim: educating the young to religion and life in general. Through the medium of writing, he managed to direct and accompany the young on a journey that would lead them to achieve Christian perfection and personal holiness.

Continue reading “Emmanuel Camilleri – Don Bosco’s writings. A theological perspective & means for accompaniment”

Aldo Giraudo – Le “Vite” di giovani scritte da don Bosco

La vita di Domenico Savio (1859) e i profili biografici di Michele Magone (1861) e Francesco Besucco (1864) sono tra i documenti pedagogici più significativi di don Bosco, efficaci rappresentazioni narrative delle convinzioni e della pratica formativa del santo, nel primo ventennio di attività nell’Oratorio di Torino. Offrono gli elementi essenziali per comprenderne il messaggio educativo: la religiosità come centro unificante e vitalizzante; la comunanza paterna e fraterna di vita dell’educatore con gli allievi; l’intreccio dinamico di amore, letizia e impegno; l’efficacia del coinvolgimento attivo dei giovani nella comunità. Continue reading “Aldo Giraudo – Le “Vite” di giovani scritte da don Bosco”

Michele Rua – La Povertà.

La povertà in se stessa non è una virtù; essa una legittima conseguenza della colpa originale, destinata da Dio all’espiazione dei peccati ed alla santificazione delle anime. E’ quindi naturale che l’uomo ne abbia orrore, la consideri come una sciagura, e faccia quanto sta in lui per evitarla. La povertà diventa una virtù solo quando è volontariamente abbracciata per amor di Dio, come fanno coloro che si dànno alla vita religiosa. Continue reading “Michele Rua – La Povertà.”

Michele Rua – Visita straordinaria a tutte le case della Pia Società Salesiana.

Don Bosco scrisse all’art. 79 delle Costituzioni: “II Rettor Maggiore visiterà ciascuna casa almeno una volta l’anno o in persona o per mezzo del Visitatore, per esantinare diligentemente se si compiono i doveri imposti dalle Costituzioni della Società: e nello stesso tempo osservi se l’amministrazione delle cose spirituali e temporali tenda realmente allo scopo proposto, il quale si è di promuovere la gloria di Dio e la salvezza delle anime.” Continue reading “Michele Rua – Visita straordinaria a tutte le case della Pia Società Salesiana.”

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