Bosco Hai,Carlo Socol,Carlos Cheung,Joseph Phung,Rhomel Mendoza – “One hundred years of salesian historiography in China” in “La storiografia salesiana tra studi e documentazione nella stagione postconciliare”

The paper discusses the historical documentation and publications related to the Salesians in China. The text highlights the diversity of approaches to preserving historical records within the Salesian institution and emphasizes the concept of “institutional historiography.”

It underscores the dual purpose of historical accounts: to contribute to the institution’s development and to aid its members in understanding their history and mission. The paper also acknowledges the challenges of writing objective history, particularly within an institution, and how the institution’s development shapes the type of historical publications produced. Furthermore, it outlines the historical journey of the Salesians in China, from their early beginnings in Macao to their expansion across various regions and their role in the development of Salesian work in neighboring countries. 

Reference time period: 1900 – 2012

Reference institution:
ACSSA