The contents of the Exhibition and of the booklet are the work of Salesian Brother Paolo Vaschetto, in collaboration with Aldo Giraudo of the UPS, and Fr Silvio Roggia of the Formation sector of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
A word of thanks also to all those who have contributed to translating and editing the booklet, which can be freely printed by the provinces if they wish to, without any need for further permissions.
The booklet is being released on 29 October 2021, the centenary of the death of the second successor of Don Bosco. The PDF can be permanently accessed in the Salesian Digital Library.
It can be downloaded right away by clicking on the following hyperlink: The world through the eyes of Paul Albera.
A black and white version is also available.
Fr. Paul Albera (None, June 6, 1845 – Turin, October 29, 1921) was among the Salesians on the frontline who were privileged to witness Don Bosco in action. He breathed the family spirit of Valdocco and with Fr. Michael Rua and other Salesians, brought it to Mirabello, the first Salesian work outside of Valdocco. Fr. Albera witnessed the expansion of the Salesian work beyond Piedmont, first in Liguria and then in France. He would become the Spiritual Director of the Congregation and eventually the second successor of Don Bosco as Rector Major of the Salesians.
Fr. Paul Albera was an eyewitness of the tumultuous transition from the 19th to the 20th century. It was a delicate time for the congregation, the Church and the whole world, culminating in one of the most devastating events in contemporary history: the Great War. This exhibit revisits the life journey of this humble Salesian through his own eyes. Let us enter the world of the “Little Don Bosco”, a silent pioneer whose probing insights and courageous actions shaped the Salesian Congregation as we know it today.
As already announced through ANS and several other channels on the afternoon of Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of October an International Convention on Fr. Paul Albera will take place in UPS – Rome (registration required).
