5554(III)_Fr Paul Albera - Centenary Year

5554(III)_Fr Paul Albera - Centenary Year

January 20, 2021

By our own correspondent


Rome, 20 January 2021 -- According to the letter of the Rector Major, the Centenary Year of Fr Paul Albera (1921-2021) starts and ends on 14 January (Acts 432, 2020). During the Salesian Family spirituality days we were able to watch an interview given by Salesian Br. Paolo Vaschetto, one of the experts on the life of the second successor of Don Bosco.


In order to get to know Fr Paul Albera better, there is wide range of initiatives


  • Interview regarding Fr Albera on 16 January (SF Spirituality Days)
  • Exhibition at Valdocco (Casa Museum Don Bosco) - already online, opening on Don Bosco's Feast day
  • New Biography by Fr Aldo Giraudo in preparation (5 languages)
  • Congress on Fr Albera at Valdocco (Oct 30-Nov1, 2021)
  • Fr Albera letters available on Boscolink and on SDL
  • Fr Albera photos available in the EAO Photo Gallery


    Life-line of Fr Paul Albera (1845-1921)


  • 1845: Turin (born on Oct 29)
  • 1860: Valdocco novitiate
  • 1862: First religious profession
  • 1868: Perpetual profession
  • 1868: Priestly ordination
  • 1872: Genova Sampierdarena (Rector)
  • 1881 - 1892: France (Provincial, Rector)
  • 1892 - 1910: Valdocco (Catechist General)
  • 1900 - 1903: America (Extraordinary Visitor)
  • 1910 - 1921: Rector Major


    We have one year - 12 months - to explore the figure, history, mission and spirituality of Fr Albera, one of the first Salesians, companion of Michael Magone in the Oratory, Salesian who spoke Italian, French and English, who travelled for 3 years to all Salesian presences in America, from Patagonia to New York (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and USA (total of 844 SDB with 184 novices: 98 communities and 550 FMA and 75 novices). We can also discover a wealth of spiritual heritage in his letters and other writings.


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