Contents:
- 1. The new series of the “Acts of the Superior Council”
- 2. Consoling union of minds and hearts
- 3. Our responsibility in the light of the Acts of the XIXth General Chapter
John Rasor – “The salesian brother’s spiritual identity” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
This study will look at how the Salesian brother’s vocation appears in official Salesian writings while Don Bosco was founding the Salesian Congregation, and at how the Congregation has theologically reflected on that vocation as part of its renewal of its Constitutions. It will then examine how this identity has been applied.
Michael Mendl – “New information on the salesians’coming to New York” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
Fr. Michael Mendl, in his research has discovered “a long missing letter” that states Don Bosco’s refusal to send Salesians to New York in 1848. This letter completes Michael Mendl ‘s article in the Journal on founding Salesian work in New York. (Vol. XI, No. I, Spring 2000).
Charles N. Bransom – “Sons of Don Bosco, successors of the apostles, salesian bishops” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
Charles N. Bransom, Jr. has graciously offered his study of Salesian Bishops for our publication. This study of 196 Salesian bishops stands as a historical record of Salesian presence in the hierarchical Church.
Nicola Palmisano – Anche il fragno fiorisce. Don Francesco Convertini missionario salesiano
Lo studio presenta la biografia di Don Francesco Convertini, un sacerdote salesiano missionario che ha trascorso oltre quaranta anni in India al servizio degli umili in nome di Cristo. Scritta con passione e impegno dall’autore, l’opera si concentra sulla vita straordinaria di Don Convertini, svelando la sua umanità, la sua fede incrollabile e il suo impegno per i più bisognosi. Continue reading “Nicola Palmisano – Anche il fragno fiorisce. Don Francesco Convertini missionario salesiano”
Arthur Lenti – “Key-concepts, concerns and fears of a Founder-Don Bosco in his declining years Part II” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
In an article which appeared in an earlier issue of this Journal, I described some of Don Bosco’s concerns, as he expressed them in meetings of his council and in sessions of General Chapters held during the last decade of his life.
Michael Ribotta – “Discovering America: Father Raphael Pipemi and the first salesian missionaries in North America” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
A young Italian immigrant, Angelo Petazzi, watched anxiously as the English steamship, the Werra, approached New York harbor. Clutched in his hand was a letter from the then Salesian superior general, Father Michael Rua, which informed him of the impending arrival of a group of four Salesians in New York. At their head was Father Raphael Piperni.
Arthur Lenti – “The Bosco-Gastaldi Conflict (1872-82), Part I” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
The conflict between Archbishop Lawrence Gastaldi and Don Bosco may at first sight appear to have been, to put a facile contemporary label on it, a typical confrontation between institution and charism.
Michael Ribotta,Natale Cerrato – “EXPO’ 84 and Don Bosco’s peerless-to- paper-to-print presentation” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
Turin’s EXPO ’84 was to become the bittersweet culmination of Don Bosco’s remarkable and varied career as publisher, author, and printer. For almost 40 years he had been active in the cause of the Catholic press and as editor of educational publications.
Eugenio Ceria – Don Bosco with God
After Don Bosco’s death, the main concern of his sons and all those who felt called to continue his spirit was to faithfully preserve and develop his charism without any deviation or loss. This precious task gave rise to an impressive collection of writings, including more than a thousand biographies of the saint and over thirty thousand publications about him, including works of documentation, serious studies and popular works. Continue reading “Eugenio Ceria – Don Bosco with God”
Michael Mendl – “The zeal of the salesians is just the thing. Founding of the salesian work in New York” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
Over one hundred years ago, on November 28, 1898, three Salesians arrived in New York to initiate a Salesian apostolate among the Italian immigrants of that metropolis. In March of the previous year four of their confreres had undertaken a similar mission in San Francisco.
John Dickson – “An introduction to Don Rua’s letters to England” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
Michael Rua (1837-1910) was a pupil, then the lifetime collaborator and finally, the first successor of St. John Bosco as Rector Major of the Salesian Society (1888-1910). During his Rectorate the Salesians grew from 1030 members in 64 houses to 4420 confreres scattered across the globe. Don Rua’s letters to England offer the reader a glimpse of the character of their writer and of the pastoral care he took of a small group of relatively insignificant Salesians in what was very often the inhospitable atmosphere of the British empire at the height of its power.
Arthur Lenti – “Don Bosco’s missionary dreams (Part I)” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
Because of the vastness of the subject and of the amount of material involved, this essay will be presented in two installments.
Michael Ribotta – “Hero or villain: Don Bosco as seen in the press of his time” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
One spring day in 1860 Don Bosco was startled by a newsvendor’s cry. “Read all about it! Don Bosco in jail!” He was both amused and bemused.
Arthur Lenti – “The Convitto Ecclesiastico – «Where one learnt to be a priest»” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
Don Bosco then goes on to describe the nature and purpose of the Convitto. It was a kind of ‘ finishing school’ where (he says) “one learnt to be a priest.”