Salesians

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Salesians in the world
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West Africa
150th Anniversary of the foundation of the
Salesian Congregation
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On the evening of 18 December 1859 at the Oratory
of Saint Francis in Don Boscos room a group were
gathered together, their intention to promote
and maintain the true charity that is needed in
the work of the festive Oratories for youth
abandoned and in danger
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Focus on Don Rua
Successor of Don Bosco Son, disciple and apostle
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Truly, nothing is more beautiful than To know
Christ and to make him known to others
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Born in Turin on June 9, 1837, the youngest of
nine Children, Michael came to the Oratory in
1852. One day Don Bosco told him "We will go
halves in everything". He was among the first
group to whom Don Bosco suggested the formation
of the Salesian Society.
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For 36 years he was his closest collaborator in
all stages of the development of the
Congregation. He was professed in 1835, was first
spiritual director of the Congregation at 22
(1859) and was ordained in 1860.
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He became the first director of the Mirabello
College at 26 (1863-1865) and, later, was Vicar
of Valdocco, with its 700 pupils and of the
Society. He was administrator of the Letture
Cattoliche (Catholic Readings), responsible for
formation (1869) and for personnel. In 1875 he
became Director General of the Salesian Sisters
and he accompanied Don Bosco on his journeys.
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On the explicit request of the Founder, in 1884,
Pope Leo XIII named him to succeed Don Bosco and
he confirmed him as Rector Major in 1888.
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Fr. Rua was seen as the 'living Rule' because of
his austere fidelity, yet he also displayed a
fatherly spirit that was capable of great
thoughtfulness, so much so that he was known as
'a king of kindness'.
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1899. Spain (2nd visit). Don Rua seated between
Fr Marengo (left) and Fr Rinaldi, then
provincial on the Iberian peninsula (right)
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With the growth in the numbers of confreres and
the development of the works, he sent Salesians
all over the world, giving special attention to
missionary expeditions.
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Don Rua with Salesian missionaries for the USA
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1899. Don Rua in Barcelona (Spain), in the garden
at Villa Martí-Codolar. Between him and Fr
Marengo (seated), Blessed martyr Fr Calasanz, and
behind, Blessed Fr Rinaldi.
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In his long journeys in Europe and the Middle
East, he consoled and encouraged, always looking
to the Founder "Don Bosco saidDon Bosco did
Don Bosco wanted". When he died, on April 6
1910, at 73, the Society had grown from 773
Salesians to 4000, from 57 houses to 345, from 6
provinces to 34, in 33 countries.
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1908. Don Rua in the Holy Land. Second visit.
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Don Rua giving a blessing.
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19 October 1892. 22nd missionary expedition to
Mexico. To left of Don Rua, Fr A. Piccono, to
right Fr R. Piperni, behind Fr S. Visentainer,
Bro. P. Tagliaferro and cleric A. Osella.
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Don Rua in Nice, February 1901. With Co-operators
for 25th anniversary of first Salesian House in
France.
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1899. In Montilla in Spain. Don Rua with two
successors Fr Philip Rinaldi (seated at right)
and Fr Peter Ricaldone (standing at right)
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28 March 1900. Don Rua visiting Salesian
missionaries in Tunisia (Africa).
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1902. Don Rua at Battersea, London, in the first
Salesian House opened by Don Bosco in England
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When beatifying him, Pope Paul VI stated "The
Salesian Family owes its origin to Don Bosco, to
Fr. Rua its continuation he developed the
Saint's example into a School, his Rule into a
spirit, his holiness into a model. He turned the
spring into a river". His remains are venerated
in the crypt of the Basilica of Mary Our Help.
His memorial is celebrated on October 29..
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Portrait by Enrico Reffo, at the SDB General
House (Rome),
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Portrait by the Kruczek brothers, both Polish
Salesians, SDB General House (Rome),
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Bust of Don Rua in the Salesian Mother House
in Valdocco, Turin.
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26/1/1854 Don Rua commits himself as a
Salesian - to a trial period in the exercise
of charity towards ones neighbour.
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AFW Publication. Salesians of Don Bosco
Anglophone West Africa Ashaiman- Tema, Ghana
Created by Brother Philip Bua SDB
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The End