Recalling the fiftieth anniversary of the beatification of St. Dominic Savio, Arthur Lenti reflects on Don Bosco’s Life of Savio. Modern Salesian youth spirituality traces back to this Life that Don Bosco proposed as a model for young people.
Anita Deleidi – “La dimensione mariana della vocazione della Figlia di Maria Ausiliatrice alle origini dell’Istituto” in “Madre ed educatrice. Contributi sull’identità mariana dell’Istituto delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice”
La riflessione di Anita Deleidi si concentra sul senso e sulla modalità di attuazione della devozione mariana alle origini dell’istituto delle FMA. Ci permette così di conoscere con precisione e con ricchezza di dati quali siano state l ’intenzionalità e le caratteristiche volute da don Bosco nel delineare l’identità mariana dell’istituto nella sua peculiare missione educativa. Inoltre, ci consente di cogliere quale sia stato l ’apporto originale di S. Maria Domenica Mazzarello nella realizzazione di quella spiritualità mariana mornesina, destinata a superare i limiti del tempo e delle frontiere.
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 – “Madonnas for times of trouble” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
The question of the circumstances in which Don Bosco became the champion of the Virgin Mary under the specific titles of Immaculate Conception and Help of Christians is no longer a matter of debate. These titles, in so far as their revival in the second half of the nineteenth century is concerned, are tied to specific and well-known political events.
Continue reading “Arthur Lenti – “Madonnas for times of trouble” in “Journal of Salesian studies””
Nancy J. Bowden – “Unwrapping the gifts: Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal and the salesian vision of women” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
This article furthers the theme of collaboration between women and men, showing this as central to Salesian history and spirit. Dr. Nancy J. Bowden brings us back to Francis de Sales and Jane-Frances de Chantal in the founding of the Visitation-the first Salesian community.
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.
Jack Ayers – “The «Salesianity» that wins all hearts” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
The reader may be surprised to learn that at the first canonical assembly of Salesians, Don Bosco was equating fidelity to our Society with the broad road of “Salesianity” mapped out in such a human and holy way by Saint Francis of Sales himself.
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.”
Peter Rinaldi – “Blessed Philip Rinaldi as I knew him” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
Father Philip Rinaldi was my granduncle on myfather’s side. For us youngsters he was the tall, smiling priest who, when visiting our home, would dig into his pockets and invariably come up with all sorts of goodies.
María Esther Posada – “Il carisma della direzione spirituale personale in S. Maria Domenica Mazzarello” in “La direzione spirituale nella Famiglia Salesiana. Atti della X Settimana di spiritualità della Famiglia Salesiana. Roma 23-29 gennaio 1983”
Una prima formulazione del presente argomento delimitava la direzione spirituale di S. M. Domenica Mazzarello all’ambito delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice: « Il carisma di Maria Mazzarello nella direzione spirituale delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice ». L’attuale formulazione estende l’ambito di tale direzione a tutto l ’arco cronologico in cui M. D. Mazzarello svolge una particolare azione educativa orientata ad aiutare diverse categorie di persone nella loro crescita umana e cristiane, il quale precede il periodo della sua vita religiosa.
Philip J. Pascucci – “Once upon a time in old New York” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
During the years following the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the Italian immigrant made his way, educated his children, and contributed his many talents to the great melting pot, not only in New York City, but in the whole of the United States.
Arthur Lenti – “Politics of the “Our Father” and the holy father: Don Bosco’s mediation in Church-State affairs” in “Journal of Salesians studies”
Fr. Arthur J. Lenti tells the story of Don Bosco’ s efforts to mediate between the Holy See and the Italian government during the tense years of Italian unification. Of special importance was the appointment of bishops. After offering background on the historical events leading to the estrangement between the Church and state in Italy, the author goes to the sources in an effort to answer the question why someone so politically unimportant as Don Bosco, should become involved in a capacity of “negotiator.”
Mary Greenan – “Towards intimacy: beyond power games and control needs. A salesian reflection on Collaborative Ministry” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
Sr. Mary Greenan, FMA presents the theme of collaboration in a commentary on the recent letter of Fr. Juan Edmundo Vecchi, rector major of the Salesian Society, and Mother Antonia Colombo, superior general of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.