NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT · Issue 17 Past Pupils’ Newsletter December 2009 5 Father Sean Murray SDB, Blaisdon Association Chaplain. Lastly, renewed condolences to the family

Issue 17 Past Pupils’ Newsletter December 2009

1

This, our seventeenth issue of a National Newsletter, as usual, is a compilation of the Reports given by LocalAssociations and other officers on the National Council at our last meeting, which took place in Surrey House,Battersea, London, on 08 November. This enabled members of National Council to share in the Battersea Old Boys’Remembrance Mass in the School Chapel and thereafter to join with them at the Service in front of the War Memorialsituated under the Ambulacrum. Both of these services were celebrated by Father John Gilheney and Father DesO’Riordan. Thereafter we joined with the Battersea Old Boys for free tea and biscuits in Surrey House; a place whichhas so many fond memories for the Battersea Old Boys and which, sadly, will not be there for much longer. BothSurrey House and the old School Chapel will be demolished to allow for the construction of the new St John BoscoSchool.

NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT

National Appeal: National President discussed the Mission project reports, which had been pre-circulated tomembers of National Council. These gave details of the 147 West African pupil’s performance, showing names,photos, tuition fee and academic results for the three terms of the academic year. National President urged LocalAssociations to distribute these reports to their members, as evidence of successful application of their generousdonations.

For year two, of this education project, the appeal raised, including reserves left over from previous years, £10,768.13against a target of £16,500. The Battersea Association had raised 88% of the total donated in 2008/9. Fr. Joe BrownSDB will now transfer the funds to West Africa.

2009/10 Appeal: After discussion, it was agreed that we now should focus on a domestic, rather than an overseasproject. A meeting was scheduled for 11th November 2009 with Fr Hugh Preston SDB, as Animator of SalesianSchools, and recommendations on a specific project would be circulated, by National President, following thatmeeting.

National Don Bosco Cup—26th April 2009: National President reported that details of a very enjoyable day hadbeen distributed. Old Salesians Battersea won the Cup. However, the quality of the football by all the teams, fromBattersea (both an Old Boys team and a School team), Chertsey 6th Form and Farnborough Old Boys, had been veryhigh.

Consideration is being given to holding next year’s (2010) competition in the first week of September, i.e. a pre-season rather than an end of season tournament.

Meeting with Fr Fabbio Attard SDB: During Fr Attard’s formal visitation to the GB Province National Presidentgave Fr Attard a brief review of the GB Past Pupil Federation’s status and major activities. Fr Attard’s FinalReporthad recommended that the SDB Provincial Council devote some time to seeing how the Past Pupils might moreeffectively share responsibility within the Salesian Family.

National President: Patrick Morrissey

Tel: 020 8942 6179

Email: [email protected]


2

Letter to Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea FC): National President sent a letter to Mr. Ancelotti, (A Salesian Past Pupil),the new Chelsea Manager, welcoming him to England. At the time of the meeting no reply had yet been received.

Blueprint for Promotion and recruitment in Schools: National President had distributed suggestions on how thoseLocal Associations (with Schools), might encourage support from Staff and Chaplains, survey school leavers forpopular activities, sponsor an annual prize, elect Year Group Secretary and distribute a Salesian Worldwide Passportto all school leavers. The meeting welcomed the blueprint and agreed that:

(i) Local Associations with schools should test out the implementations of these proposals, as soon as possible andreport back to National Council on their experience

(ii) For schools without active Local Associations, National Council Officers would discuss with SDBProvincial Council, Head Teachers and Chaplains in schools how these suggestions could be progressed.

National Constitution: National President summarised the history of this project which has been underformulations for some time. The Shrigley Association had some difficulties, which Peter Hunter had been working onand had issued his suggested compromise text, but this had been issued only on the day before the meeting. Hence noone had the opportunity to consider it. The meeting was able to discuss the matter and some further proposals weremade and we wait to see how far we can progress. All National Council Members were requested to consider PeterHunters last offering, and let Peter and National President have their views by the end of November 2009.

Election of Officers:

Patrick Morrissey, having been National President for National President for 10 years agreed to remain so foranother year.

Pat Howes, was elected as National Treasurer and had visited Richard Blake to collect all the materials. Richardhad retired from this post due to poor health. Thanks, Richard, for your services as our National Treasurer.

John Clenshaw, was elected as National Secretary.

John Ward, National Vice President (Communications) accepted to continue in the role of CommunicationsOfficer.

NATIONAL DELEGATE’S REPORT

Fr Sean Murray was unable to attend the meeting as he had to relieve Fr Aidan in the Newent Parish.

National Delegate: Fr. Sean Murray SDB

Tel: 0151 944 1039 Extn. 26/23



3

NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

John Ward thanked National President for his recognition of all the work done in keeping the National Councilmembers informed via the Website and Emails. John confirmed that he was happy to continue with theCommunications work..

VOCATIONS TEAM REPRESENTATIVE REPORT

Peter was unable to attend the meeting due to family health problems

BATTERSEA ASSOCIATION

National Council Nov 8th 2009-Report from Battersea

We held a very successful AGM & Re-Union in March the most pleasing aspect of which was attendance bypast pupils from age groups right across the spectrum. The largest group being from boys who left in 2008-most encouraging. Readings at Mass were led by the school Captain David O'Neill. Lunch was enjoyed inthe Hall in the usual atmosphere of good fellowship and good cheer which for some members continued intothe evening as they found their way into The Woodman round the corner.

The most prominent item on our agenda at present is of course the closure of the College in August 2011 toherald the opening of the new St John Bosco school. This is a hugely exciting development which willtransform Battersea into an 11-18 mixed school with the return of a Sixth Form. With the intake from ourpartner school JP II the number on roll will rise to circa 1000. It will of course mean the loss of some muchloved buildings but the reality is that because of their poor state of repair and the high cost of maintenancesooner or later we would have to face the problem. The bonus will be of course a state of the art building inwhich Don Bosco's mission to the young can continue to thrive and flourish. It certainly bodes well for thefuture of the Association.

President: Nicholas Potter

Tel: 0208 679 0126


National Vice President; John Ward

Tel: 01895 257623


World Delegate: Peter Hunter

Tel: 01924 361212

Email: huntersjourney:hotmail.com


4

Our members have shown outstanding generosity in supporting the National Council appeals over the pastfew years and are to be congratulated.

Membership remains steady at around 200 and the finances are sound. We hope to re-launch our NewsletterMaroon & Gold by the end of the year. Remembrance Day Family Mass to take place at 11 am in theChapel. A warm welcome to Battersea to all fellow Salesians attending today

Nick Potter, Chairman

Salesian College Battersea has posted a new temporary start page indicating the exciting changes that will beoccurring over the next few years. http://www.salesiancollege.co.uk/ At present, the left hand badge takesyou to the website of the existing school and the right hand badge.

BLAISDON ASSOCIATION

Tony Brady was unable and was represented at the meeting by Wayne Howe, the new Blaisdon Secretary.BLAISDON ASSOCIATION REPORT

The most significant event of 2009 was the retirement of our President after 13 years service. Charles Springett(BH.1945-47) had lately coped with poor health and a sight-threatening condition. As a mark of thanks, the PastPupils who attended the Annual Reunion and AGM at Blaisdon in late August, voted to present Charles with acommemorative gift. This was made to Charles together with a Citation created by John Ward. The occasion wascombined with the celebration of the life of Bernard "Barney" Grace RIP (BH.1945-46) who was a continuouscontributing Association Member and annual attendee at Reunions since the 1950s.

At the Association's Annual General Meeting, Tony Brady (BH.1952-55) was elected President to serve for 3 years.He will continue to act as Treasurer, having taken up that position in September 2007. Wayne Howe (BH.1978-84)has volunteered his services as Secretary to take over in due course from John Ward (BH.1946-48) who was electedActing Secretary.

Tony's main objective is to consolidate and continue the work of Charles among the widely dispersed Membershipand maintain the warm affection and respect of the Blaisdon village community. These aspects are fostered in no smallmeasure by Father Aidan Murray SDB, Newent & Blaisdon Parish Priest.

The Association is in good heart with strong representation across the generations stretching from the 1930's to the1990's. Unlike our National Brotherhood, which welcomes yearly school leavers into its respective Associations,Blaisdon's declines each year. However, a strong tradition of reaching out to surviving relatives and maintainingSalesian links with them, ensures our family continues to be sustained.

The Association funds are healthy with a sound residuary base and a strength that is nurtured by a core of donors.They faithfully bolster the fluctuating flow of funds from a Membership that prefers to make voluntary contributionswhile always ready to respond to a cash call when appropriate.

In that regard, my Christmas Message will allude to the £5.000 shortfall in the National Federation's Target of £16.000

and attempt to rally support for the Salesian African Education Scholarship Appeal. My special thanks are extended toour Friends in Blaisdon, to John Ward for his enthusiastic work in running our blaisdonbrotherhood.info website and

President:Tony BradyTel: 0288 954 1928

[email protected]


5

Father Sean Murray SDB, Blaisdon Association Chaplain.

Lastly, renewed condolences to the family members and friends of Blaisdon, Salesian School Priests, lay-Brothers andPast Pupils who have died during the past year. In our hearts we cherish them. We recall their Blaisdon service andthose with whom we shared our youth. Each precious remembrance is the channel of our love.

"By Time Endeared the More."

Tony Brady - President October 2009

BOOTLE ASSOCIATIONAwaiting a volunteer to take up position vacated by Terry Rimmer

BURWASH ASSOCIATIONVacant

Still not yet established

CHERTSEY ASSOCIATIONNo report to National Council, but known to be one of the Associations that will take part in the next NationalFootball event. Indeed it did and made it to the Final with Battersea.

Salesian School Chertsey has also produced a completely redesigned site, using the 'Frog' learning platform.http://www.salesian.surrey.sch.uk/ The design was carried out by a business run from another Catholic secondaryschool in Surrey, St Paul's Sunbury.

SURREY HERALD : SEP 4 2009

Big break for aspiring actress

By Vicki Eltis

AN ASPIRING Walton actress has been awarded a full bursary from the BBC to cover her fees when she starts at a

London drama school in October.

Katriona Perrett, 19, of Cottimore Lane, will be attending the Central School of Speech and Drama, in London.

The BBC bursary offers funding to New Talent in Musical Theatre from a fund which was set up by Sir Andrew

Lloyd Webber with the income generated from the BBC shows such as ‘I’d Do Anything’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do.’

Katriona, a former pupil of Salesian's School, in Chertsey, and Esher College, has enjoyed acting since the age of 11

when she joined Song Time Theatre Arts, in Hampton, and since then has starred in school and college productions,

plus some main roles in Boogie Nights at Epsom Playhouse, Bat Boy, in Ealing, and she also played Gabriella Montez

in High School Musical.

Katriona said: "I really enjoy acting. It's fun playing someone else for a change and escaping from life. "She was told

she was accepted at the school in January this year but the bursary, of £3,500 will help her to fund her studies.


6

Katriona heard about the bursary on the internet and had to attend musical auditions. In the first round she chose

Gorgeous from musical The Apple Tree and through to the second round she sang Come To Your Senses from Tick

Tick Boom.

Katriona passed and then had to sit an interview. She said: "I didn't think I'd get through the second round because it

was daunting.

Gorgeous from musical The Apple Tree and through to the second round she sang Come To Your Senses from Tick

Tick Boom.

Katriona passed and then had to sit an interview. She said: "I didn't think I'd get through the second round because it

was daunting.

"I was like wow and they were really nice in the interview."

After three weeks Katriona was finally told she had been awarded the bursary. She said: "It was amazing. It's a weight

off my back having the money to pay for studying. It's so helpful."

One day she hopes to make it to the West End, "I prefer stage acting. You feel it more on the stage – the buzz. I like

the anticipation I get before I go on.

"My dream would be to one day star in Les Miserables in the West End," she added.

Katriona will be acting closer to home from Monday September 14, when she appears in Little Neck by the Goat and

Monkey Theatre Company at Hampton Court Palace.

And she is also appearing at the London Palladium on Sunday October 18 in a charity musical production of Crazy for

You, which was created in just 48 hours.

“Katriona. Congratulations to you from National Council”


7

COWLEY ASSOCIATION

COWLEY SALESIAN OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

National Council Meeting on 08 November 2009

Annual Meeting. The annual general meeting of the Association was held on the 11th of October at the MorneseCentre, The Convent, Elmthorpe, Cowley, where the Salesian sisters kindly accommodated us at short notice afterarrangements at the previously chosen venue fell through. There were 29 attendees, including 3 SDB’s , FatherPeter Quinn, Father Sean Murray and Father Joe Merriman, with apologies received from 22 members.Attendance was marginally lower than the previous year. After mass, a good lunch was enjoyed at a neighbouringhostelry, coincidentally, run by a former Cowley pupil.

Good Causes. It was agreed to disburse about £1500 to a number of good causes, in line with the previous year, allbut two of which are to support Salesian activities. The only disbursement to a ‘non active’ cause was to assistfunding of the re-instatement of two fine stained glass windows removed from the old school chapel of which it isplanned to make a feature in the new Mary Help Of Christians Parish Centre near to the Old School.

Committee. The officers of the committee were re-elected.

Other Activities. There have been no other activities.

Next Annual Meeting and Reunion. It is planned to be held on Sunday the 10th of October 2010, commencing at1000 at a venue to be confirmed but it will probably be the same as this year.

I regret that I am unable to attend the National Council meeting next Sunday due to a prior commitment, asstated at the last meeting, but hope to attend the next meeting.

Bill Harris, Chairman

President: Bill HarrisTel: 01926 812503



8

FARNBOROUGH ASSOCIATION

Old Salesians Association Farnborough – News update for National Council Meeting

Over the past year the OSA Farnborough has aimed to provide association activities for past pupils as well as

strengthen its connections with the current college students and recent college leavers.

The annual reunion and AGM, 2 weeks after Easter was well supported with a mass and buffet lunch accompanyingthe AGM at the college and an afternoon visit to the FAST museum.

This is probably most noticeable in the sporting arena. Through the development of the Old Salesians Football Clubthere is now a wave of younger past pupils becoming involved and representing the club.

The now annual match between the college 1st XI and an OSFC team was well supported by friends and family of thecollege, despite being a horribly wet and windy day in March. This again was used as an opportunity to increaseawareness of the OSA and attract new faces into the organisation.

The main summer OSA event, a 5-a-side football tournament was again held in mid June, coinciding with the collegefete day. This continues to attract well over 100 players with 19 teams of past pupils, staff and current students incompetition. The final saw a staff team narrowly beating the year of 1995 1-0 for their first victory.

It was very pleasing to continue the inter-Salesian football link between Farnborough and Battersea again this yearwith pre-season friendlies between the two clubs for both first and second teams.

Another sporting element to the OSA Farnborough is the golf society. Again both Summer and Winter events wereheld at Milford Golf Club with 30 players taking part.

Also, the now Annual 49ers reunion again took place recently, in October, and the new venue worked so well it hasbeen booked for next year.

It should be also noted the OSA’s presence at the college prize night, where Dr Brian Woods-Scarwen, a Past Pupil ofthe college (1955-64) who was recently awarded a CBE distributed the awards. At this event the OSA sponsor anumber of prizes and also personally hand out the cock-house shield awarded for all round proficiency in studies andgames and the sports awards.

Greg Sudell

President; Gregg SudellTel: 0125630189Email: [email protected]

:


9

SHRIGLEY ASSOCIATION

Shrigley Association Report to the National Council

The last report, attached, dated 2nd March 2009, covered the period from November 2008 to March 2009.

Since then the Shrigley Association has held two successful events. The first of these was on 1st April at Shrigley tomark the 75th Anniversary of the Cutting of the First Sod for the Church of St John Bosco. Twenty people, Salesians,members and wives attended.

My report to the Association, through Newsletter and Website read as follows:

Shrigley looked at its best in the warm sunshine as members gathered to celebrate this anniversary, an event mostremarkable because of the presence of Fr Albert Carette, who, as a young boy was present on Easter Sunday1934, the day of Don Bosco’s Canonisation in Rome.

The only blemish on that distant day was the enforced absence of Fr Franco, Rector of Shrigley, and many other staffand boys, because the College for weeks had been in the grip of a major ‘flu epidemic. Those who gathered then werebut a small minority of those who could have witnessed an eagerly awaited moment.

The 75th Anniversary was eagerly awaited too, not least by Fr Albert himself. With Bro Donald MacDonald and FrGeorge Robson, he was seated outside the hotel looking out over the two lakes well before the scheduled start of theday’s programme. They were joined early on by Tony McCarthy who had travelled all the way from Cardiff theprevious afternoon to stay at the hotel.

Coffee, tea and biscuits were served from 10.30a.m. in the Courtyard Bar, where members were greeted by JenniferSibbald-Wall, General Manager of the Shrigley Hall Hotel. At 11a.m. all moved into the Woodford Suite,remembered by all as the Parlour, where there was a display of pictures to mark the celebration.

Fr Albert welcomed everyone and led the opening prayer. Everyone moved outside to have pictures taken by aMacclesfield Express photographer.

There then followed a programme of readings, chosen by Peter Roebuck from the Salesian Archives and the ShrigleyHouse Chronicle of 1934. The readings were planned as part of a walk round the grounds, to significant locations.

Peter Roebuck’s reminiscence was delivered from the patio area outside the former church, Eric Baggaley’s in thecemetery. As time was pressing, the presentations by David Murphy, Mike Kilduff and Paul Barnes were delivered onthe former site of the May Sermonettes, where St Dominic Savio’s statue once stood.

From the same place, Fr Albert rounded off with his reminiscence, ‘I Was There’, ending in time for a buffet lunch.Louise Davenport, formerly PA at the hotel, a good friend to the association, was a guest. Fr Albert had provided asurprise item. This was a specially baked cake designed to replicate the grassy sod cut all those years ago. Cardboardcut-outs of John Hoey, who cut the sod, the Papal Flag that marked the spot, and of the young Albert himselfcompleted the illusion that indeed another sod was being cut.

President: Peter RoebuckTel:E-mail: [email protected]


10

This was cut, after lunch, back in the Woodford Suite. Everyone, including Jennifer, enjoyed a piece of the green-topped cake, which with the singing of ‘Ad Multos Annos’ and the school song brought the celebrations to an end.

The second event of the year was the Annual Reunion and AGM held at Shrigley and Savio House over the weekendof 18-20th September. This was another successful and enjoyable occasion.

The full report of this event is available on the Association Website at www.shrigleyassociation.org. My reportsummary reads as follows:

The Reunion this year was attended by over forty members, wives and guests and was made more pleasant by theglorious sunshine. Members came from South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales.

The Annual General Meeting took place in the Stafford Suite, a room previously known to many as Upper Elements,or the classroom at the bottom end of the Study Hall. Business was done expeditiously as lunch called. The meeting’spapers are available elsewhere.

A Buffet Lunch was taken in the main restaurant of the hotel, the Orchard Suite. Special Guest of the Association wasSue Lynch, grand-daughter of James Lynch, the Chief Mason for the building of the Shrigley Church. Her father, alsoJames Lynch, worked as an apprentice in the site. Sue had agreed to talk to the Association during the afternoonsession.

After lunch the taking of an official photograph, on the steps of the former church, was, as usual, a production of orderout of chaos.

The Service of Remembrance in the Cemetery followed, led this year by Fr George Robson. Though Marie Burke, theprovider of our flowers over many years was not able to attend, she did prepare tributes for each of the graves, andthese were laid by members as Fr George read the names of those who lie at Shrigley, and of some of those, boys andco-operators whose ashes are scattered there. As usual, the singing was impressive.

Back in the Stafford Suite, members gathered for the afternoon’s programme. First, our guest Sue Lynch spoke abouther father and grandfather, both of whom worked on the building of the Church of St John Bosco. Both were JamesLynch, the elder being Chief Mason on the site, the younger being the apprentice. Her talk was warmly received. Hertalk was warmly received. Her contribution was essential to the writing of ‘A Search for the Men Who Built theShrigley Church’ which can be found elsewhere on the website, in which her father’s account of his accident whileworking at Shrigley is quoted.

This was followed by the main event of the afternoon, on the subject of life at Shrigley in the 1960s. Tony Quinn andLouis Skehal had prepared a presentation of their collection of Shrigley photographs, with appropriate comments.

The premise on which Tony introduced the session was that the general perception held by the older members of theAssociation was that the tough regime endured at Shrigley had, by the middle years of the ‘60s, been so diluted that itturned a character-forming experience into a holiday-camp playground. This provided scope for both seriousness andhumour. An exhaustive listing of the features of the decade, political, cultural, sporting and religious, was followed byclaims that boys at Shrigley at the time either missed them, were deprived of knowledge of, or participation in them.This seemed to indicate that the strictness of the regime continued. But, to hear of Shrigley boys being allowed to gounsupervised to Bollington, to tidy up gardens, converse with house-bound elderly, in charitable works (which,occasionally were rewarded with boxes of chocolates!) and eventually to visit cinemas in Stockport, to compete inCounty Level Cross-Country Competitions in Lyme Park, to watch TV, left the ‘40s and 50’s veterans feeling ‘caseproved’. Anecdotes flowed from the two speakers and a few of their camp-followers among the audience.

All in all, an excellent session, one of the best presentations seen in recent reunions. Thank you, Tony and Louis, andthe cohorts from Scotland.

This brought to an end the Shrigley leg of the reunion and members retired to Savio House for dinner and eveningconcert.

During the period from April to the present, October, two newsletters appeared on the website and were posted bymail to those members not connected on the internet. The Committee met in June at Savio House.


11

The Treasurer reported to the Annual General Meeting that the financial position of the Association was good, thesurplus higher in 2009 than in 2008. This may be explained by the encouragement of members to move from’Entitled’ status to ’Enrolled’, i.e. those paying subscriptions, life or annual, being regarded as the true strength of theAssociation.

BOVA continues to be the main focus of the Association’s charitable donations.

Mike Kilduff, Secretary, 25th October 2009

THORNLEIGH ASSOCIATION

Thornleigh Salesian College Bolton has a new website implemented using Joomla, a Content Management Systemwhich is Free Open Source software. http://www.thornleigh.net/ You will find it a lot cleaner in design than theirprevious site with information, news, and a link to a 'Virtual Learning Environment'. Somesections are for pupils and staff only, but much is available to the public.

AFRICA UPDATEWe have received very detailed reports on the 147 students in the three West African Countries, as mentioned on thePresident’s Report. The final pages are a sample of one of the school’s attainments. Quite impressive they are, I amsure you will agree. We publish these to show just how well your generous contributions have been used. Wereceived 60 such sheets from four schools in three African countries.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

GREETINGS

All the members on the National Council of the GB Federation of Salesian Past Pupils wish a “Very HappyChristmas and a Peaceful New Year” to all Salesian Past Pupils, and to all our readers.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

EDITORIAL APPEAL

We are always looking to promote information of interest to Past Pupils. We just need you to send us articles forpublication. Just Email text and photos to [email protected] for inclusion in the National Newsletter.

Shrigley Association Christmas Meal

Savio House, 16th December 2009

3 Course Meal - £15.00 BYO

Pay on the day. Dine at 6.00p.m.

Bookings to Mike Kilduff a.s.a.p.

[email protected] 0161 881 6780

Vacant


12

For information about future Events and News of past events for all Local GB Associations; see our Website:

http//www.donbosco.co.uk/pp

Prepared by:John Ward, Vice President, Salesian Past Pupils Federation (GB)Tel: 01895 257623Email: [email protected] by: Fr Pat Sherlock SDB, Provincial Secretary, Salesian Provincial House_______________________________________________________________________________________________Miscellaneous

A gratifying message received from Africa.

Dear John,Joy in the Lord! Just a quickie to keep in touch and to say thanks for all the info, most of which I find interesting anda remedy for any homesickness! The article "Salesians" from the Catholic Herald (posted yesterday) is now on twonotice boards (staff and boys) in our school here. Hope to see you next time round. Very best wishes to you and all inyour info circle. God bless. Brian

Catholic Herald Friday 26 June 2009

The world's most powerful order THE SALESIANS

Can you name the most powerful religious order in the world today? Obviously it's a matter of opinion, but Iexpect most Church-watchers would say it is the Salesians.

This is curious when you consider that the order has existed for little more than a century. Salesians areprominent today in key areas of Church life. A Salesian is responsible for the foreign policy of the Holy See. ASalesian helped Pope Benedict draft his first social encyclical. A Salesian cardinal is a key interlocutor in tricky talksbetween China and the Holy See. A Salesian oversees the world's canonization causes. I'm sure you're getting thepicture.

A little history

The Salesians can be traced back to 1844, when Giovanni Melcher Bosco, a priest in his late twenties, began hisministry among the poor youth of Valdocco, a suburb of Turin.

Don Bosco, as he was known, wanted to form the boys into strong Christians in the hope of turning back a waveof unbelief and anti-clericalism then sweeping across Italy.

A mystical dreamer with a remarkable rapport with the young, he showed the boys safe places to play, heard theirconfessions in the open-air and celebrated Mass for them in a church in the city.

In 1845 he opened a night school for boys, then another in 1847 and 1849. In 1857 he took the first steps towardsforming a religious congregation when he wrote the Rule of the Society of St Francis de Sales for his helpers. PopePius IX approved the Rule in 1873.

The Society's primary mission was Christian education. Don Bosco's educational philosophy was far ahead of itstime. He defined it as the "preventive system", which rested on the three principles of reason, religion and kindness.

The Society saw explosive growth throughout the 1870s. Don Bosco established houses in Argentina and France,founded a group of religious sisters, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and the lay Salesian Cooperators.

In the 1880s the Salesians spread to Austria, England, Ecuador, Brazil, the Holy Land, Africa and even theFalkland Islands. Don Bosco died in 1888, aged 72.

The rise of the Salesians


13

Four years before Don Bosco's death, the Pope appointed the first Salesian bishop, Giovanni Cagier, to serve inArgentina. In 1915 he also became the order's first cardinal.

Today, the Salesians have more bishops (over 100) than any other order. Most serve in mission territories inAsia and Latin America.

According to Robert Mickens, Rome correspondent of the Tablet: "If you thumb through the Annuario Pontificio, theVatican's block-like 2,400-page directory, you will see that nearly every major section of the Roman Curia has at leastone or two officials, staffers or consultants with 'SDB' or 'FMA' [the initials of the men's and women's order] aftertheir names."

The order's "stars" include:

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, the high-profile Honduran archbishop

Cardinal Joseph Zen, the Emeritus Bishop of Hong Kong

Cardinal Raffaele Farina, head of the Vatican Library

Fr Giorgio Zevini, dean of the theology faculty of the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, who prepared theworking document for last year's Synod on the Bible

Fr Manlio Sodi, president of the Pontifical Academy of Theology

Dr Mario Toso, professor of social philosophy at the Pontifical Salesian University and reportedly a key influence onthe Pope's forthcoming encyclical Caritas in Veritate ("Charity in Truth")

Carlo Di Cicco, assistant editor of L'Osservatore Romano and a Salesian employee

Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints

And, finally, the Pope's right-hand man, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, dubbed the "Vice-Pope"

The Salesians are also well represented in heaven. As of March 2008 the Church had canonised eight members ofthe wider Salesian family and beatified 116 others. A further 28 Causes were in the pipeline. Reasons for the rise.

No doubt if we were discussing Opus Dei there would be dark mutterings of conspiracy. But no one seems tobelieve that the Salesians are actively pursuing power and influence in the Church. It seems more likely that, a centuryand a half after its birth, the Salesian order has reached full maturity.

The rise of the Salesians is above all a testament to the wisdom and foresight of their founder. Don Boscocontinues to be a boon to the Church more than a century after his death.

Luke Coppen, editor

***********************************************************************************************

Some of us were privileged to be with Father Des and his family at his Farewell to Battersea, after more than 30years, as he prepared to move to Farnborough.

“Remember Father Des, that it is a very short distance away and youcan be assured of a very warm welcome from the many friends youmade at Battersea, any time you care to call.”

Father Des’ Farewell to Battersea


14


15

Documents

NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT · Issue 17 Past Pupils’ Newsletter December 2009 5 Father Sean Murray SDB, Blaisdon Association Chaplain. Lastly, renewed condolences to the family