Around the Province
The Salesian Family the Genius of Don Bosco
By Fr. Chris Woerz, SDB
The Seedling Becomes a Tree
In October of 1844, just before
magnificent basilica to honor his
boys. From them he hopes to attract
moving to Valdocco Don Bosco had guide, Mary the Mother of Help of young men who will help him. In
another dream which seemed to
last the night. It began in a similar
way as the Dream at Nine with a
field filled with animals. This time
the Beautiful Lady came dressed
as a shepherdess who acted as his
guide. There were many symbols in
the dream that Don Bosco did not
understand. His guide told him not
to be concerned as he would under-
stand later. Two of the scenes that
stood out were that the field where
they were standing was filled with
a magnificent Church and many
buildings, and that most of the
Christians.
Over the next ten years the Oratory
would grow exponentially compared
to the first five years. The shed was
dug out to the raise the ceiling and it
became the First Chapel which was
used for catechism lessons, religious
services and even the celebration of
Confirmation. In 1847 Don Bosco
and Mama Margaret took in a few
stray homeless boys and the board-
ing school was begun. He rented
rooms in the Pinardi house as they
were vacated until he convinced Pi-
December 1847 He sends Fr. Borel
to open a second Oratory, named for
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, across town
near Porta Nuova with the proceeds
of the sale of a house belonging to
his friend Fr. Moretta. Fr. Hyacinth
Carpano was the Director.
Between 1853 and 1863 Don Bosco
builds new living quarters for the
students and artisans with work-
shops for carpenters, printers, book
binders, shoemakers and metal
workers. He writes books and gives
them to the people.
animals had changed into lambs and nardi to sell the whole building and
some of the lambs into shepherds
property.
Don Bosco is flourishing in spite of
who took care of the sheep.
The Wandering Oratory finally
Now that he had rooms he begins to
offer night classes to the older boys
hardships with the faithful help of
friends, volunteers and some young
people.
found a permanent place in the
in reading, arithmetic and music.
Valdocco district just outside the city
of Turin. In April, 1846, with the
rental of a shed from Francis Pinardi
the Oratory had the beginnings of
a permanent home. The seedling
which Don Bosco had been carrying
around for the past five years could
finally be planted where it could
grow. He had seen this field in the
dream two years earlier. The Pinardi
house itself would give way to a
Catechism classes for every age
group are the staple of his work. In
the reading class rather than use the
standard primer it is from the el-
ementary Catechism that they learn
to read. In June of 1852 Don Bosco
begins construction on the second
church of his dream, the Church of
St. Francis of Sales. In May 1847
Don Bosco founds the St. Aloysius
Sodality for the more committed
17.Ibid: Memoirs Ch. 54, Pinardi
wanted 80,000 franks, Don Bosco got
Pinardi to settle on 30,000 franks.
Payment was to be in two weeks’
time and in cash. Mr. Pinardi also
wanted an expensive piece of jewelry
for his wife. Don Bosco of course did
not have the money; however friends
came, unsolicited to his rescue: Countess
Casazza-Ricarti with 10,000 franks.
A Rosminian Priest invested 20,000
franks, and Chevalier Cotta with
3,000 franks.
InTouch 8 8.16.12
