Don Bosco, fondatore RA1003

In this course, the confreres-students will reflect on the meaning of founding Charisms in the Church. They will deepen their understanding of Don Bosco’s founding charism. They will gain a detailed historical knowledge of the sequence of events leading to the foundations of the three branches of the Salesian Family, viz. the Society of St. Francis of Sales, the Association of Salesian Co-operators, and the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

Course Outline: 1. Founding charisms in the Church. 2. Don Bosco’s founding charism. 3. Don Bosco and the founding of the Association of Salesian Co-operators. 4. Don Bosco’s role in the founding of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. 5. The role of Mary in the founding of the three branches of the Salesian Family. Learning Outcomes: - Students will demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of founding Charisms in the Church. - Students will be able to explain the founding charism of Don Bosco. - Students will be able to explain Don Bosco’s role in the foundation of the three branches of the Salesian Family.

Textbook: Notes composed by FRANCIS PRESTON-IVO COELHO-ANDREW WONG. Bibliography: AUBRY J., The Renewal of Our Salesian Life, Vol 2: The Salesian Community and Family (New Rochelle, Don Bosco Publications 1984); BONNETTI G., St John Bosco’s Early Apostolate (London, Burns Oates & Washbourne 1934); BOSCO G., Ai Soci Salesiani (1875-1885) (Edited by P. Braido, Rome, LAS 1995); BOSCO G., Memoirs of the Oratory of Saint Francis de Sales from 1815 to 1855: The Autobiography of Saint John Bosco (New Rochelle, Don Bosco Publications 1989); BRAIDO P., Don Bosco prete dei giovani nel secolo delle liberta (Rome, LAS 2003); BUCCELLATO G., Appunti per una ‘storia spirituale’ del sacerdote Giò Bosco (Leumann, LDC 2008); CHAVEZ VILLANUEVA P., “Da mihi animas, cetera tolle”: charismatic identity and apostolic zeal (Rome, LAS 2006); JOHN PAUL II, Vita Consecrata: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Consecrated Life and Its Mission in the Church and in the World (London, Catholic Truth Society 1996); LENTI A.J., Don Bosco: History and Spirit., Vol. 1: John Bosco’s Formative Years in Historical Context. Vol. 2: Birth and Early Development of Don Bosco’s Oratory. Vol. 3: Don Bosco Educator, Spiritual Master Writer and Founder of the Salesian Society (Edited by A. Giraudo. Rome, LAS 2007-2008); MIDALI M. (Ed.), Don Bosco Fondatore della Famiglia Salesiana (Rome, LAS 1989); ROCCA G., Il carisma del fondatore (Milan, Ancora 1998); STELLA P., Don Bosco: Religious Outlook and Spirituality (New Rochelle, Salesiana Publishers 21996); VIGANÒ E., Reading the Founder’s Charism Again at the Present Day (Rome, LAS 1995); WIRTH M.,Don Bosco and the Salesians (New Rochelle, Don Bosco Publications 1982).