Arthur Lenti – “Key-concepts, concerns and fears of a founder – Don Bosco in his declining years” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”

My article on Don Bosco’s last years, which saw the light of day in this Journal, was based on chronicles and memoirs held in the Central Salesian Archive. Besides these chronicles and memoirs, there are other important documents to be found in the archive relating to Don Bosco’s last years.

I am referring chiefly and specifically to the minutes of the meetings of the general council of the Salesian Society (called “superior chapter” in those days), and to the minutes of the general chapters held during the 1880s under Don Bosco’s chairmanship. These official documents contain abundant reports of Don Bosco’s words on a great variety of topics. They are, therefore, among the best sources available to us for an understanding of his thought regarding the life of the Society.

INDEX

• Introduction
• Part I. Review and Description of the Documents
  • I. The Minutes of the Superior Chapter from 1875 to 1888
  • II. Minutes of the Alassio General Conference and of General Chapters II, III, and IV
• Part II. Don Bosco’s Ideas and Concerns on Salient Issues
  • I. Admission of Candidates to the Salesian Society
• Part III. Attendant Problems
• Preliminary Conclusion
• Appendix I
• Appendix II
• Appendix III
• Appendix IV
• Appendix V
• Appendix VI

Reference time period: 1875 – 1888

Reference institution:
Institute of Salesian Studies