(ANS – Rome) – As already announced, today, 31 January, the  centenary year of the death of Blessed Michael Rua, Rector Major, first successor of Don Bosco opens.
To mark the opening the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez, has sent a letter to all the Salesians. The date chosen – 31 January – for the opening of this centenary recalls “the 31 January  1888, the day on which with the death of Don Bosco, Don Rua became de facto his first Successor.”

To know and to make known Blessed Michael Rua is the first task Fr Chávez gives his Salesians mentioning some aids. Among these the Letter of 8 september 2009 entitled “Successor of Don Bosco: son, disciple, apostle. The human and spiritual profile of Blessed Michael Rua”. (AGC 405)

He then mentions some special dates in the course of  2010 closely linked with the life of the first successor of Don Bosco: 6 April, the date of the death of Don Rua; 29 July, the date of his ordination as a priest and 29 October, the liturgical memorial of Blessed Michele Rua. For each date the Rector Major also suggests some things to do that can help the communities and the individual Salesian celebrate these occasions better.

The third point he makes regarding the centenary is  the International Congress on “Don Rua in history” to be held in Rome between 29 and 31 October at the Salesianum.
Finally in every Province, Vice Province and Delegation,  the centenary could be brought to an end with a Congress on Don Rua for the confreres and the Salesian Family. Those taking part in the International Congress could be responsible for leading these.

The full  text of the letter for the centenary is available on the sdb.org site and in the Service section of ANS.

Published 31/01/2010