This letter announces the upcoming Beatification of Father Michael Rua, Don Bosco’s first successor, on October 29th in St. Peter’s, Rome. It emphasizes the significance of this event for the Salesian family, urging a deeper reflection beyond mere celebration to inspire renewed commitment to Don Rua’s holiness and the mission of Don Bosco. The Beatification serves as a practical model of sanctity and validates the authenticity of the Salesian vocation as rooted in the Gospel, encouraging all to embody the spirit of a true Salesian of Don Bosco.
Summary:
- Don Rua: the faithful servant
- Belief in Don Bosco’s sanctity
- lf he were at the helm today
- Fidelity is relevant
- He belonged completely to Don Bosco
- Pastoral love
- Work and temperance
- A worker saint
- Gentleness
- Kindliness
- Two predilections
- Youth first
- An oratory in every Salesian House
- A “missionary” Congregation
- Solicitude for the Co-operators
- Love for past pupils
- Don Rua’s message for the seventies
- lf I had ten Don Ruas!
- The working classes
- An Invitation in the name of Don Rua
Reference time period: 1972
L. Ricceri, Letter of the Rector Major., in «Acts of the Superior Counsil of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco» 53 (1972) 268, 3-26.
Reference institution:
Direzione Generale SDB