SALESIAN LITERATURE

SFS, Don Bosco’s Patron:

SFS in the Times, Life and Thought of St. John Bosco

By Rev. Amaldo Pedrini, SDB

Compiled and edited by Francis J. Klauder, SDB

Don Bosco Publications, New Rochelle, New York (1988)


From the Foreword: The volume of published works on Saint Francis de Sales is impressive and is continually expanding. The author of the present book is a Salesian of Don Bosco, the great friend of young people who took much of his inspiration from Saint Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Divine Love. The author describes the growing influence of Salesian spirituality in the Church and tells in particular the story of Don Bosco’s love for the saint whom he chose as patron of his multiple enterprises.

I am very happy that this work is now being made available to an English-speaking audience. The Salesian Congregation, in its many-faceted apostolate among young people throughout the world, strives to educate along the paths of the heart, in the belief, with Don Bosco, that education is first and last “a question of the heart.” These words echo those of our patron, “... only the language of the heart can ever touch another heart.” (0 XII, 321)

It is good to see how Saint Francis de Sales, who so inspired Don Bosco, has given rise to other splendid manifestations of devotion and holiness in the Church and in the world. May this influence continue to grow, for God’s greater glory.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Editor’s Preface

Acknowledgements

List of Abbreviations

PART I: The Early Years: A Patron is Found

1 Saint Francis de Sales

  • Don Bosco’s Profile of Saint Francis de Sales

  • A Saint Recommended by a Saint

  • A Common Motto

2 The Name Salesian

  • A Name Dear to All

  • More Inspiration than Dependence

  • Many Differences but One and the Same Spirit

3 The Saint from Savoy

  • Events in the Light of Providence

  • A Saint from Savoy

  • A Renowned Author

  • In the Chieri Seminary and at the Convitto

4 Saint Francis de Sales, Don Bosco’s Personal Choice of Patron

  • Divine Finesse

  • The First Dream

  • The "Meeting” with Saint Francis de Sales in the Seminary at Chieri (1835*1841)

  • Don Bosco’s Resolution at the Time of his Priestly Ordination (1S41)

  • Patron and Personal Model

5 Saint Francis de Sales, Patron of Don Bosco’s Works

  • The First Oratory Named After Saint Francis de Sales (1844)

  • The Pinardi Shed and the First Church in Honor of Saint Francis de Sales (1846-1852)

  • A Foreshadowing of Future Projects (1850)

  • The Apostolate of the Press and the Salesian Bulletin (1852-1877)

6 Saint Francis de Sales, Patron of Don Bosco’s Followers

  • The First Promoters or Collaborators (1845-1852)

  • The First Salesians Are Bom (1854)

  • The Society of Saint Francis de Sales

  • The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters)

  • The Association of Salesian Cooperators

  • Part I in Retrospect

PART II: Years of Maturity: A Spirit Emerges

7 Comparison between the Two Saints

  • Convergence in Ideals

  • A Devout and Optimistic Humanism

  • A Universal Call to Holiness

  • Ecstasy of Life—Union with God

  • Convergence in Practice

  • Similarities in their Pastoral-Educative Approaches

8 The Salesian Spirit

  • Walking in the Same Spirit

  • Tireless Work in the Service of the Church and the Pope

  • Renewal in the Salesian Spirit

  • 9 The Salesianity of Don Bosco

  • Flexibility

  • Spirituality in Action

  • Signs of Don Bosco’s Spirit

PART III: The Final Years and Aftermath: Patterns are Integrated

10 Chief Expressions of Don Boscos Devotion to Saint Francis de Sales

  • Imitation to Devotion

  • Annual Celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales

  • Annual Meeting of Rectors on the Occasion of the Feast

  • Annual Conferences of Salesian Cooperators

  • The Salesian Cooperators Today

  • Circulation of the Writings of Saint Francis de Sales

11 Don Bosco’s Projects in Honor of Saint Francis de Sales Declaration of Saint Francis de Sales as Doctor of the Church

  • Erection of an Altar at Annecy

  • Pilgrimage in Honor of the Saint

  • At the Sacred Heart Basilica in Rome

12 Patron in Death

  • Preparation for Death

  • After Death: the Two Saints United in Glory

13 Devotion of Don Bosco’s Successors to Saint Francis de Sales

  • Don Michael Rua

  • Don Paul Albera

  • Don Philip Rinaldi

  • Father Peter Ricaldone

  • Father Aloysius Ricceri

  • Father Egidio Vigand


Parts II and III in Retrospect

PART IV: The Cosmopolitan Spirit of Saint Francis de Sales

14 The Nineteenth Century: the Salesian Century Salesian Families

  • Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales

  • Visitation Sisters and Other Related Groups

  • Saint Francis de Sales and Other Religious Founders

  • The English-Speaking World

  • The Dispersion of the Salesian Spirit

15 The Esteem of Twentieth-Century Popes for Saint Francis de Sales

  • Pius XI and Paul VI

  • Good Pope John

  • The Smiling Pope

  • John Paul II

16 Epilogue

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Notes

Bibliography

Index