The book brings together in the original languages the talks and the reports of the Congress held in Turin-Valdocco between 28 October and 1 November 2009. Edited by Sr. Grazia Loparco, FMA and Fr Stanislaw Zimniak,SDB, respectively the President and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Salesian Historical Association (ACSSA), the Acts, together with the recent biography by Fr Francis Desramaut, provide a new approach to a knowledge of Blessed Michael Rua.
The Acts represent one of the first attempts to analyse the image of the first successor of Don Bosco. His work is examined in the light of some fundamental questions relating to the conservation of the charismatic inheritance and to his relationships with individual Salesian houses and provinces at work in over thirty countries in political, cultural and religious contexts different from those of the origins.
The text is divided into three sections: one “biographical-hagiographical”, which traces the main features of his personality; a second dedicated to “general relationships”, aspects of his government, the works and the challenges; and, finally, the third on “regional relationships” with Salesians in various situations. There is an analysis of the close and very varied relationships Don Rua had within the Salesian world, with the Society of Saint Francis of Sales (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). From this point of view a Don Rua emerges noted for his discretion, kindness but also firmness in recalling the Founder.
In the Preface, Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva, the present Rector Major of the Salesians writes: “He certainly felt himself the father of the FMA as of the SDB. These studies show the fruitful interaction between Don Rua and the FMA at a time of institutional and social change; this is something quite unique in its style and manner which isn’t found even in Don Bosco, nor in the successive Rector Majors”.
“The Acts” – Fr Chávez continues, “give us a view of an activity which causes amazement at its extent, breadth and dynamism on behalf of the world of youth, thanks to a wide-spread network of structural links, characterised by a family atmosphere, that precisely of the Salesian charism. The clear and farsighted capacity for government of the Rector Major is expressed in a gospel spirit of humble and creative service, open to what was new. No less outstanding is his courage and apostolic zeal at a time in history of ideological changes of epic proportions which threatened the Church of Christ and her rights in the apostolate and education especially of working class youth”.
The centenary year of Don Rua will conclude with a second Congress. Between 29 October and 1 November 2010 at the “Salesianum” in Rome there will be the International Congress of the Salesian Congregation on “Don Michael Rua in history.”
Published 20/07/2010
