The STUDIES (Studi) section has the following contributions:
“Understanding the mission of the Church in the letters of Bishop Giuseppe Fagnano”, by Antonio Scudero. This essay analyses Fr Fagnano’s correspondence with Don Bosco, Fr Rua, Bishop Cagliero and other Salesians. The letters show the development and crises in Fr Fagnano’s missionary activity, as well as the maturing of pastoral awareness that lay behind an extraordinary activity due to his dedication, spirit of sacrifice and understanding of the circumstances of the indigenous peoples.
“Salesians in Italy during the First World War” is a study by Francesco Motto. This conflict, which disrupted the daily lives of millions of European families, had a very strong impact also on the 2,000 or more Salesians in Italy, who at a time of serious emergency remained faithful to their charism as educators and at the same time did not fail to show that they were religious, citizens, Christians and patriots.
The third contribution is by Thomas Anchunkandam on the subject of “Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore: history and significance of the opening of the first Salesian Institute in the Archdiocese of Bangalore.” This number of the RSS offers the first of three parts to this study and examines both the reason for the enthusiasm of the Salesians in having a presence in Bangalore, and the reasons for the failure of earlier attempts.
The SOURCES (Fonti) section presents the text:
“Regulations for the Immaculate Conception Sodality approved by Don Bosco on 9 June 1856”, a critical edition of one of the most important sources, edited by Rodolfo Bogotto. The Immaculate Conception Sodality came into being on 8 June 1856 at Valdocco, due to the initiative of a number of boys, including Dominic Savio, who came together and placed themselves under the protection of Mary Immaculate. They drew up some regulations offering indications for a simple path to formation, but at a high level. They committed themselves to accompanying new members, the “more unruly ones” and the “more ignorant”. A good number of these members later formed the original core group of the Salesian Congregation.
The edition is completed by items offered in the “Notes” (Note) section – “Filling the space: Don Bosco’s letters to missionaries” by Nicola Bottiglieri; and “Cardinal August Hlond: the weight of responsibility and courage in decision-making” by Zygmunt Zieliński – the Reviews (Recensioni) of a number of publications on Salesian activities and personalities, and one contribution in the Notifications (Segnalazioni) section.
