Extrait de la publication...Don Bosco’s First Triennial Report to the Holy See on the State of the...

Extrait de la publication


DON BOSCO

History and Spirit - 7



ARTHUR J. LENTI

DON BOSCO:HISTORy AND SpIRITVol. 7DON BOSCO’S GOLDEN yEARSWITH GENERAL INDEXES FOR THE SERIES

(Edited by Aldo Giraudo)

LAS - ROME

© 2010 by LAS - Libreria Ateneo Salesianopiazza del l’Ateneo Salesiano, 1 - 00139 ROMATel. 06 87290626 - Fax 06 87290629 - e-mail: [email protected] - http://las.unisal.it

ISBN 978-88-213-0746-1——————————Elaborazione elettronica: LAS □ Stampa: Tip. Abilgraph - Via p. Ottoboni 11 - Roma


CONTENTS

A Survey of the Life and Work of Saint John Bosco (1815-1888) 19A Word to the Reader 19Acknowledgments 19

Chapter 1Institutional Organization of the Salesian Society 23

Summary 23Bibliographical Note 23provinces (ispettorie, inspectorates) 23Report of 1879 24

I. Establishment and Early Development of Inspectorates or Provinces (Ispettorie) of the Salesian Society (1877-1888) 241. Constitutional Basis for the provinces (Inspectorates) 242. Don Bosco’s Idea on the Name: the Terms “Inspector”, “Inspectorate” 253. Don Bosco’s Ideas on the Nature of the provincial (Inspector): Centralized

Government and Administration of the Society 264. Division and Organization of the Salesian Society into Inspectorates-prov-

inces (Ispettorie) 27The Inspectorates-provinces at General Chapter I (1877) 27First Unofficial List of Four provinces (1878) 28Three provinces Established at the Alassio Conference of 1879 28Four provinces in Don Bosco’s Triennial Report to the Holy See (March 1879) 30Letter Notifying the Confreres of the Creation of Four provinces (March 10, 1879) 31Further Development of the System of provinces in Don Bosco Lifetime 32piemontese Inspectorate (1878) 33Ligurian Inspectorate (1878) 33Roman Inspectorate (1877) 33French Inspectorate (1881) 33Argentine Inspectorate (1877) 33Uruguayan Inspectorate (1881) 33Note: Separation of the “Central” Houses of Formation 34

II. Don Bosco’s First Triennial Report to the Holy See on the State of the Congregation (March 1879) 341. presentation to the Holy See of the Moral and Material State of the pious

Society of St. Francis De Sales as of March 1879 35[Introductory presentation of the Report] 35[Historical Summary] 35


6 Contents

[part I] Material State of the pious Salesian Society As of March 1879 37piedmontese Inspectorate 37Ligurian Inspectorate 39Roman Inspectorate 40Addendum to the piedmontese Inspectorate 40Addendum to the Ligurian Inspectorate, Concerning Houses in France 41[South] American Inspectorate 41Republic of Uruguay 42prospective Salesian Foundations under Negotiation 43General Remarks 43The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians 43[part II] Moral State of the Salesian Congregation 46

2. Critical Observations Made to Don Bosco’s 1879 Report by the Congrega-tion of Bishops and Regulars (Card. Innocenzo Ferrieri) 47First Set of Critical Observations with Don Bosco’s Response 48Second Set of Critical Observations With Don Bosco’s Response 52

3. Closing Comments on Don Bosco’s Report of 1879 and on His Responses to the Critical Observations Made by Rome 58

Chapter 2General Conferences (1865-1879) and General Regulations 59

Summary 59I. Conferences of St. Francis de Sales and Other General Conferences (1865-1879) 59

1. General presentation: Conferences—Term, Frequency and Nature 592. Sources and Bibliography 61

Archival Record of Conferences 61References to the Biographical Memoirs (and Reading List) 61

II. Regulations for the Houses of 1877 621. Chapter Headings Structure and Contents 632. Excerpts from the Regulations 64

The Nine (Ten) General Articles 64From part II, Chapter 1 [Introductory] 66purpose of the Houses of the Congregation of St. Francis de Sales 66From part II, Chapter 10 66On Modesty [Don Bosco addresses the young people directly] 66From part II, Chapter 16 68Things Absolutely Forbidden in a Salesian House 68By Way of Conclusion—from part II 68Three Evil Things above All to Be Avoided 68

Chapter 3First Four General Chapters: Bosco Chapters (1877, 1880, 1883, 1886) 69

Summary 69


Contents 7

I. General Introductory Questions on GCS I-IV in Particular 701. The General Chapter and its Membership in the Constitutions of 1874-75

and in General Chapters I & II 70Chapter 6: Religious Government of the Society 70Chapter 8: Election of the Rector Major 71Chapter 9: The Other Superiors 71Comments on the Election of “Other Superiors” 72Regulations for the General Chapter 72Foreword to the Deliberations 72

2. General Chapters of the Salesian Society I-XXVI: Sequence and Basic Data 73Bosco GC 1-4 73Rua GC 5-10 74Albera GC 11 75Rinaldi GC 12 & 13 75Ricaldone GC 14-16 76Ziggiotti GC 17 &18 76Ricceri GC 19 & 20 77Viganò GC 21-23 77Vecchi GC 24 78Chávez Villanueva GC 25-26 78

3. General Chapters I-IV (Bosco Chapters) in the History of the Salesian So-ciety — General Interpretation 79Introduction: Developments in the Salesian Society and Its Structures 79Social processes and Attitude of participants in the General Chapters 81The work of the Bosco General Chapters I-IV (with a Note on the Rua GCs V-X) 82General Chapters I and II (Bosco 1 & 2) 82General Chapters III and IV (Bosco 3 & 4) 83Note on General Chapters V-X (Rua 1-6) 83

II. Survey, Achievement, Problems, Interpretation of General Chapters I-IV (Bosco Chap-ters) 841. General Chapter I (1877) 84

Don Bosco’s Convocation and pre-capitular Schemata 84General Chapter I: Overview of process and Contents 92Archival Sources and Bibliography 92Historical Context of GC I (See also earlier Note) 92Date, Membership, purpose and other Statistical Details 93preparation and progress of GC I 93preparation 93Working Method 94Three Stages 94Most pressing Concerns 95Five Original Commissions Appointed in First Session 95

8 Contents

Three Additional Commissions Chosen to Report on Special Topics 96Results 96

2. General Chapter II (1880) 97Bibliographical Note 97Brief Overview or General Chapter II 98Chapter’s progress 100Results 102Fr. Ceria’s presentation and Evaluation of GC II 102Don Bosco’s Letter to the Directors of Salesian Communities Following GC II 104Don Bosco’s Foreword to the Deliberations of the Second General Chap-ter published in 1882 105Father Angelo Maria Rocca’s Letter to Father Eugenio Ceria 107

3. General Chapter III (1883) 109GC III in Salesian History 109Date, Attendance 110preparation— Convocation, purpose and Themes 110Chapter’s progress 111Some Details 112Commissions 112Lay Salesians 112Novitiate and Novices 112Salesian Bulletin and Cooperators 113“Morality” among Salesians 113“Dismissal of Canditates” 113Closing session: Don Bosco’s Closing Address 113Results 114

4. General Chapter IV (1886) 114GC IV in Salesian History 114Date, Attendance 116preparation: purpose and Themes 117Chapter’s progress 118September 2, Morning session 118September 2, Afternoon session 118September 3: Morning session 118September 3: Afternoon session 118September 4, Morning and Afternoon sessions 119September 5, Sunday, evening only (many out for parish ministry) 119September 6 119September 7, Morning only 119Results 120

5. General Chapters I-IV Comparative Table of Regulations 121Appendix 122

The Salesian Coat of Arms 122


Contents 9

I. Brief History and Contents of the Salesian Coat of Arms 1221. The Seal 1222. The Coat of Arms—First Design 1223. The Coat of Arms—Don Bosco’s Modifications 1244. The Modifications of 1934 124

II. The Spiritual Significance of the Salesian Coat of Arms: Motto and Symbols 1251. The Motto 1252. The Symbols and Their Meaning 126

Chapter 4Concepts, Concerns and Fears of a Founder 129

Summary 129Introduction: purpose and Sources 129

1. Father Giulio Barberis’ Minutes of the Superior Chapter (1875-1879) 1312. Father Giovanni Battista Lemoyne’s Minutes of the Meetings of the Supe-

rior Chapter (1883-1888) 1323. Minutes of the Alassio General Conference (1879) 1324. Minutes of General Chapter II 1335. Minutes of General Chapter III 133

I. Don Bosco’s Ideas and Concerns regarding Admission of Candidates and Related Ques-tions 1351. Admission of Candidates to the Novitiate and Related Questions 1362. Admission of Candidates to Religious profession and to Holy Orders and

Related Questions 145Admission to Vows 145Admission to Holy Orders 149Defections and Other Lamentable Occurrences 153

II. Don Bosco’s Concerns and Fears for the Religious and Salesian Spirit of the Congregation 1581. Don Bosco’s Statements on Religious Obedience and Related Matters 160

Religious Obedience in General Chapter II, Session 2 (Keynote Address) 160Additional Utterances from Don Bosco on Obedience and Related Matters with Comments 161

2. Charity and Gentleness toward the pupils, Soul of the Salesian Educational Method 167Don Bosco’s Words at General Chapter II, Session 2 (Keynote Address) 167Don Bosco’s Further Utterances with Comments 168

3. Fostering Vocations through Charity, Good Morals and Other Means 170Don Bosco’s Words in the “Keynote Address” of General Chapter II 170Additional Utterances from Don Bosco on Cultivating Vocations, with Comments 174


10 Contents

4. Working Tirelessly for young people in Need, Both a Way of Spirituality and a Means of Survival for the Congregation 175Don Bosco’s Words in the “Keynote Address” of General Chapter II 175Additional Utterances from Don Bosco with Comments 177

5. Don Bosco’s Views on Unsuitable and “Forbidden” Books expressed at General Chapter II, Session 2 179The problem of Unsuitable and “Forbidden” Books for Salesians 179The problem of Books Unsuitable or Harmful to the young 181

Appendix 185Don Bosco’s Circular Letter of 1884 on Controlling Students’ Reading in Salesian Schools 185

Chapter 5Don Bosco’s Concerns with the Life and Discipline of the Oratory Commu-

nities (1884-1885) 191Summary 191

I. Problems Relating to the Life and Discipline of the Communities of the Oratory of Val-docco 1911. Introductory Comment 1912. Note on Sources and Literature 1923. Order, Discipline and Moral Conduct in the House of the Oratory and the

problem of the Director 193The House of the Oratory and Its problems 193Unity of Direction Sought for the House of the Oratory 194Growing Complexity of the House of the Oratory — Summary Note 196To Restore Discipline and Morality in the House: Looking for a Solution 200Don Bosco in France and Rome (March 3 — May 14, 1884) 200Meeting of June 5, 1884: The Bonetti Committee and Report 200Debates on the Oratory Situation in Subsequent Meetings 204Debate on the Appointment of a New Director for the Oratory 206The Idea of Two Directors for Separate Communities in the House of the Oratory 207Don Bosco position Unchanged: Fr. Francesia as new Director 207Don Bosco New position: Two Directors (Fr. Francesia and Fr. Lazzero) 208Fr. Barberis’s Compromise Solution Rejected 209Subsequent Meetings Chaired by Fr. Rua: “Two Directors” Critiqued and Alternatives Debated 210Father Lazzero’s Status 211Don Bosco’s Will prevails: Two Directors (Fr. Francesia and Fr. Lazzero) 211

II. The Bad Spirit in the Upper Grades of the Oratory School and the Problem of Vocations 212


Contents 11

1. The Oratory School and Its Character 213Don Bosco’s Concern for the Situation with the Oratory School—General Statement 213The Special Character of the Oratory School 214

2. proposals of Reform 215Initial Suggestions and Exchanges by Don Bosco and Others 215Continued Discussion and Don Bosco’s Guidelines 217Don Bosco in the year, July 1884 — August 1885 219Resumption of the Question of the Oratory School 220

3. Closing Comments 223Don Bosco’s Obsessive Fears for the Society’s Religious Life and Discipline 224Don Bosco’s Dissatisfaction with the Oratory School and Decision to Eliminate the Fifth year of Ginnasio 226Debates and Decisions of the Superior Chapter 228

Chapter 6Don Bosco’s Writings and Publishing Activity in His Latter Years 231

Summary 231Bibliographical Note 231

I. Don Bosco’s Systematic-Reflective Writings 2321. Rules and Regulations 2322. Other Reflective and Systematic Writings 2333. Don Bosco’s Letters 234

II. Don Bosco’s Publishing and Editorial Activity in His Later Years 2351. Overview 2352. Classics Series for Use in Schools 237

Library of Italian Classics for the young (Biblioteca della Gioventù Italia-na) 237Library of Select Latin Classics (Selecta ex Latinis Scriptoribus) 238Ancient Christian Writers, Latin 238

3. Later Series Intended for General Readership 238Ascetical Readings (Letture Ascetiche) 239plays for Reading (Letture Drammatiche) 239Entertaining Readings (Letture Amene) 239Workers’ Little Library (piccola Biblioteca dell’Operaio) 239Closing Comment 239

Appendices 2411. Don Bosco’s Letter on the Apostolate of the press: “Spreading Good

Books” (March 19, 1885) 241[Theological Rationale] 241[The power of the Book] 242[Don Bosco’s and the Salesians’ Commitment to the Apostolate of the press 243


12 Contents

[Books for the young Singled out for Special praise] 244[Recruitment of young people through and for this Apostolate] 245[Concluding Exhortation] 2462. Don Bosco’s “Spiritual Testament” 246

Origin, Editorial History of the Text and Literature 246Contents of the Spiritual Testament 247Souvenirs of My First years of priestly Life 247Our Benefactors 247After My Death 247Advice for the Vocations Recruiting Ministry (and other matters) 247Advice to Salesian communities 248Advice for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians 248Various Recommendations 248

Conclusion 248

Chapter 7Don Bosco’s Physical Decline and Quasi-Retirement (1884-1887) 249

Summary 249Introductory Matters 2491. Archival Sources and Literature 2492. Additional Literature 2492. Introductory Comments and Methodological Note 251

Aims of the Survey 251Division 252

I. Chronicles, Memoirs and Other Relevant Archival Documents 2531. Carlo Maria Viglietti: His Chronicles and Memoirs 255

Viglietti, Don Bosco’s Secretary: Biographical Sketch 255Viglietti’s Chronicles and Memoirs 259Original Chronicle 1884-1888 259Transcribed and Edited Chronicle 1884-1888 261Short Autobiographical Memoir 263Diary 263Additional Chronicle 1884-85 264Scrapbook-Style Collection 1886-1896 264partial Calligraphic Chronicle 1884-1885 265

2. pietro Giuseppe Enria and His Memoir 266Enria, Don Bosco’s Sickroom Attendant: Biographical Sketch 266Enria’s Memoir 268

3. Antonio Sala and His Memoir 269A Word about the Man 269Sala’s Memoir 270

4. Francesco Cerruti and His Memoir 2725. Father Michele Rua’s Reports 272


Contents 13

6. Dr. Giovanni Albertotti and His Biography of Don Bosco 273II. Don Bosco’s Bouts With Illness and the Years of His Decline 275

1. Antecedent Medical History 2752. The Crises of 1884 276

The Illness of February 1884 276Journey to France and Dr. p.-M. Combal’s Diagnosis 277Illness of September 1884 278

3. The period of Quasi-Retirement and Decline (1885-1887) 280The Trip to Southern France in Early 1885 281Summer and Autumn of 1885 282Don Bosco’s Trip to Spain (Barcelona) in Early 1886 286passing through Southern France 286Barcelona 288Back in Turin in the Latter Half of 1886 292Don Bosco in Early 1887 295The Last Journey—to Rome 296Summer and Autumn of 1887 299Foreboding of the End: December 1-20, 1887 303

Chapter 8Don Bosco’s Last Illness and Saintly Death — Fr. Michael Rua’s Succession 309

Summary 309I. Don Bosco’s Last Illness an Saitly Death 309

1. Introductory Comment of the Nature of Don Bosco’s Last Illness 3092. The First Crisis: December 20-31 314

Attendants Enria and Viglietti 314Medical Examinations (Drs. Vignolo and Fissore) and Don Bosco’s Re-quest for Readiness 315Holy Viaticum and Anointing (Day before Christmas)—the Spiritual Testa-ment 318Father Rua’s Bulletins to the Salesians 319

2. period of Illusory Recovery: January 1-20 323Medical Consultation (by the Four physicians) and Optimistic Reports by Frs. Rua and Viglietti 323Important Visitors, among Whom the Duke of Norfolk 324

3. The Final Crisis and Don Bosco’s Saintly Death: January 21-31 325Surgical procedure and Sudden Inexorable Relapse: January 21-28 325Delirium 328Hope No More, Last Holy Communion (January 29, 1888) 330Viglietti Out with Illness 332Don Bosco Saintly Death 332Closing Comments 335

II. Father Michel Rua’s Succession 336


14 Contents

1. Father Michael Rua Appointed Vicar with Right of Succession by pope Leo XIII (November 7, 1884) 336Meeting of the Superior Chapter (September 19, 1884) 336pope Leo XIII’s Initiative to Give Don Bosco a Vicar 337Meetings of the Superior Chapter (October 24 and 28, 1884) 338Don Bosco’s Letter through Card. Alimonda to Card. Nina for pope Leo XIII—Decree of Appointment? 340Don Bosco’s Announcement Delayed and Why 341Don Bosco’s Official Announcement that Fr. Rua Had Been Appointed Vicar 342Comments 344

2. Father Michael Rua’s Succession at Don Bosco’s Death 345Difficulties in Rome 345Difficulties in Turin 346Father Rua’s Confirmation and First Steps 347

Appendix 349Father Michael Rua (1837-1910) Don Bosco’s First Successor 349Selected Biographical Literature on Fr. Michael Rua 349English-Language 349Languages Other than English 349

1. Michel Rua’s Early years and Salesian Career up to the Succession 350Family and Early Education and First Contacts with Don Bosco 350Michael Rua a Boarder at the Oratory and a Salesian 352priestly Ordination and First Appointments 353prefect General of the Society and Director-Administrator of the Oratory of Valdocco 353Full-Time prefect General of the Society 354Father Michael Rua Don Bosco’s Vicar with Right of Succession 354

2. Father Rua as Rector Major (1888-1910) 355Father Rua’s General program 355Father Rua’s Men: Council, provincials and Other Important persons 356Financial State of the Congregation 357Religious and Institutional Condition of the Congregation and the Task Facing Father Rua and the Salesians 357Father Rua’s Writings 359Comment on the Cultural Context of Fr. Rua’s Rectorate: The Church and Society in the Times of popes Leo XIII (1878-1903) and pius X (1903-1914) 360

Chapter 9Don Bosco’s Beatification and Canonization: Story, Highlights and Side-

lights 363Summary 363

I. Introductory Matters 363


Contents 15

1. Sources and Literature 363Archival Sources 363Story of the Beatification and Canonization 364Studies 364

2. Methodological Note 3653. Schematic preview of the processes of Beatification And Canonization

(1890-1934) 365Ecclesiastical Context 365Basic Structure of the processes of Beatification (in Don Bosco’s Case) 366Basic Structure of the process of Canonization (in Don Bosco’s Case) 367

II. process of Don Bosco’s Beatification 3681. process of Beatification: Ordinary, or Diocesan, Informative process (June

4, 1890-April 1, 1897) 369Diocesan Court in Turin 369Sessions and Witnesses in the Ordinary (Diocesan) Informative process (1890-1896) 370primary Witnesses Called by the Salesian postulator 371Ex Officio Witnesses Called by the promoter 371Nature and Sampler of Depositions 372Types of Witnesses 372Don Bosco’s Conduct with Archbishop Gastaldi: Don Bosco’s Holiness and Extraordinary Gifts 373Testimony of the primary Witnesses 373Testimony of the Three Ex Officio Witnesses 375Special problem of Miraculous Cures Ascribed to Don Bosco 376The case of Mrs. Marina Cappa Della Valle 376The Case of Luigia Fagiano piovano 377Other Miraculous Cures 378Final Expert Opinion Sought 379Conclusion of the Ordinary (Diocesan) process: preparation of the pro-tocols 379

2. process of Don Bosco’s Beatification: Apostolic process by the Sacred Congregation of Rites (1907-1929) 380Initial Considerations and Introduction of the Cause in Rome 380people and Roles 380preliminaries to the Introduction of the Cause in Rome 381Initial Docket (positio) for the Introduction of the Cause 381Examination of Don Bosco’s Writings and “Little process” 382Critical Observations and Response 382Second docket (positio) and Introduction of the Cause for the Apostolic process (July 24, 1907) 384Apostolic process on Virtues, Holiness, Supernatural Gifts (1907-1927) 385Apostolic process on Virtues in Turin (1908-1917) 385

16 Contents

The Secret Little process (Processiculus) to Investigate Don Bosco’s Conduct in His dispute with Archbishop Gastaldi (1915-1922) 387Apostolic process on Virtues in Rome (1922-1927) 390Apostolic process on Miracles (1927-1929) 395Format of the Investigation 395Diocesan Stage (Turin and piacenza) of the Apostolic process and the Two Miracles 395process on Dominic Savio’s Heroic practice of Virtue and Don Bosco’s Savio Biography 396

3. Conclusion 397III. Process of Don Bosco’s Canonization 398

1. Causes of Dominic Savio’s Beatification and of Don Bosco’s Canonization 398Early progress of Dominic Savio’s Cause 398process on Dominic Savio’s Heroic practice of Virtue and Don Bosco’s Savio Biography 399Ante-preparatory Congregation 399[First] preparatory Congregation 399[Second] preparatory Congregation and General Congregation 400

2. New Miracles for Don Bosco’s Canonization 401Two Miracles Described and presented 401Congregations on Don Bosco’s Miracles 402Ante-preparatory Congregation 402Ante-preparatory and preparatory Congregations 402[Second] preparatory Congregation 403General Congregation with the Holy Father (Coram Sanctissimo) 403

3. Consistories and Canonization 403Appendices 405

I. Confidential Memoir by Father Francesco Tomasetti, SDB 4051. Don Bosco’s Beatification 405

[Ordinary process Begun and Lines Drawn] 405[Apostolic process Begun in Rome] 406[The Varazze “Scandal” and Its Repercussions] 406[First Stage of the Apostolic process] 408[Attack by Colomiatti and Consequent “Little process”] 408[Franchetti papers] 409[Second Section of the Apostolic process on Virtues and Monsignor Salot-ti’s Role] 410[Ante-preparatory and (First) preparatory Congregations] 411[Awaiting the Second preparatory Congregation] 414[The second preparatory congregation] 415[The Salesians and Archbishop Salotti] 416[General Congregation and the Decree on virtues] 416[Don Bosco’s Beatification and the Lateran Treaty] 417


Contents 17

[Beatification Celebrated: Lights and Shadows] 4172. Dominic Savio’s Cause of Beatification and Don Bosco’s Canonization 419

[Sidelights from the process of Savio’s Heroic practice of Virtue] 419[Sidelights from Don Bosco’s process on Miracles for Canonization] 424[Tomasetti’s Closing Comments] 425

II. Don Bosco: Italian Saint or Catholic Saint? Aspects of Don Bosco’s Canoni-zation and Its Celebrations by peter Stella 4251. Father Francesco Tomasetti’s personal Notebooks (Confidential “Diaries”)

4262. Don Bosco’s Beatification: planning and Reflections in Fr. Tomasetti’s

words (Notebook 1926) 4263. Don Bosco’s Canonization: planning and Reflections in Fr. Tomasetti’s

Words (Notebook of 1934) 4284. participation of Royalty and of the Fascist Leadership in the Celebration of

Don Bosco’s Canonization 4305. Don Bosco and the House of Savoy: A Tradition 4316. Working Relationship with the Ruling Classes Also a Tradition 4317. Don Bosco, an Italian Saint? 4328. A Working Relationship with Industrial Capitalism 4339. Catholic Aspects of Don Bosco’s Canonization 43510. Conclusion: Don Bosco’s Canonization a Complex Event 436

General Indexes of the Series 439


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