Cagliero 11-12 2009 ing


Cagliero 11-12 2009 ing

1 Page 1

▲back to top
Number 12
«Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation»
11 December 2009
John Cagliero a Model Missionary
Don Bosco to Bishop Cagliero: Charity, patience, kindness, poverty!
Salesian Mission Intention December
We need thousand Caglieros for the Salvation of the Young
John Cagliero a Model Missionary!
Dear Missionaries, friends of the Salesian missions,
Today you get the last issue of Cagliero11 for 2009. A heartfelt thank you to all
who contributed to its creation, publishing, text, design, translation and
distribution! Since its birth it has brought many fruits and we want to continue with
patience and perseverance, to reach all the Salesian community – so that that the
missionary fire may be kept alive.
In many Provinces every 11th of the month is dedicated in keeping alive the
missionary remembrance, to meet before the Lord all our missionaries.
Cagliero was chosen as the 'patron' of our newsletter since he headed the first
missionary expedition of 11/11/1875. But in 2009, as we celebrate the 150th
anniversary of the Salesian Congregation, we also find his name among the 18
young people who have dedicated their lives to God with Don Bosco way back on
December 18, 1859.
In this issue we see the figure of John Cagliero in the letter of Don Bosco. We also
find a letter from the heart of a Salesian Cooperator who is captivated by the
figure of Cagliero. All these could serve as a missionary preparation for the
renewal of religious profession on 18 December.
I whole heartedly thank the Lord for all the missionaries I have met, mission
places I have visited in 2009, remembering also all the Province delegates of
missionary animation with which I have been in contact and in mutual exchange.
Fr. Václav Klement, SDB
General Councilor for the Missions
We Need a Thousand Caglieros Today for the Salvation of the Young!
I like your monthly newsletter "Cagliero11". I read it always with a great interest.
I am very happy to see the place that is given to Don Cagliero, because I am a fan of him. Studying the life and the spirit of Don
Bosco, I discover that John Cagliero was always there, in the shadow of Don Bosco,during the great moment of the beginnings of the
salesian family.
He played with Dominic Savio. He was in the first group of Salesians, with Cleric Michael Rua in 1859. His mother lived with Mama
Margaret to help her, as well as with the mother of Don Rua. He lived at the side of Don Bosco with an unconditional loyalty and
fidelity. He worked in Europe and Latin America with extreme generosity to realize the dreams of Don Bosco.
He was the first spiritual director of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Mornese. He assisted Mo. Mary Domenica
Mazzarello when she died in 1881. He was also a musician. He administered the sacrament of Confirmation to Laura Vicuña. He
supported all the missionaries who worked hard in Argentina (from 1875). He proved his Salesian devotion to the Pope, serving Him
in the resolution of diplomatic problems in America. He became the first Salesian Bishop and the first Salesian CardinaI. I wonder,
however, why he is not well known and honoured in the Salesian family. I think that his hour has come because we need a global
vision of the worldwide mission of our Salesian family; vision that we think Cagliero had received from Don Bosco himself.
Unfortunately, there is no biography of Cardinal Cagliero in French, and the Italian ones have been written more than seventy years
ago. I don't know the situation in Spanish. My dream is to write his biography in French to show that today we need thousands of
Caglieros "to make of the Salesian family a vast movement of persons for the salvation of the young ", as Don Chavez had pointed
out.
René Dassy, Salesian Cooperator, past provincial coordinator of Belgium south

2 Page 2

▲back to top
Don Bosco's Missionary Advice to Bishop Cagliero:
"Charity, Patience, Kindness, Poverty"!
My dear Bishop Cagliero,
Your letter gave me much pleasure, and although my eyesight is
somewhat weak, I wanted to read it from beginning to end,
despite the handwriting which you said you had inherited from
me, but which has got worse than your tutor's original style!
Others will answer the administrative matters. For my own part I
will tell you what is happening.
In writing to the Propagation of the Faith, to the Work of Holy
Childhood, take note of everything that the Salesians have done
over different periods…
I am preparing a letter for D. Costamagna, and for your own
guidance I will touch on the Salesian Spirit particularly, which we
want to introduce into the houses in America.
Charity, patience, kindness, no humiliating reproofs, never any
punishments, do good to everyone you can, and do wrong to no-
one. This goes for the Salesians amongst themselves, their
pupils, others, externs or interns. With regard to the relationships
with our Sisters, use plenty of patience, but be rigorous in the
observance of their Rules.
In general then, in our difficulties we will make every sacrifice to
help; but recommend to everyone to avoid the building or
acquiring of items which are not strictly needed for our use. Never
acquire things just to sell them again; neither fields nor property
nor buildings in order to make financial gain.
Try to help us in this way. Do what you can to have vocations
both for the Sisters and for the Salesians but do not take on too
many works. Those who want too much achieve nothing and
wreck everything.
If you have occasion to be speaking with the Archbishop, Mons.
Espinosa, or others, say that I am entirely at their service especially regarding matters back in
Rome.
Tell my niece Rosina to look after her health and to see that heaven is her one aim. Tell her to be
sure to get there, but accompanied by the many souls she has saved.
May God bless all our Salesian sons, our Sisters, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. May he
give everyone health, holiness and perseverance on the way to Heaven. Mornings and evenings we
will pray for you at Mary's altar; and you, please pray too for this poor half-blind man who will
always be with you in J. C.
Your affectionate friend,
Fr. John Bosco,
Turin 6 August 1885.
PS: Countless people wish to be remembered to you and send their greetings.
salesian mission intention december 2009
«That Salesians from the South Cone (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay,
Paraguay and Brazil) may be disciples and missionaries of Christ
especially amongst the poorest of young people. We pray to that they may
offer, out of their poverty, vocations to the Church in Europe»
The Church in the Americas is called to a personal encounter with Christ who is salvation for all. The Lord asks them to
be missionaries to families, in education - school, work and also mission ad gentes. Salesians from South Cone are now
called to give, from their poverty, new vocations also to Europe, as they themselves have in the past received the help which
enabled them to encounter Christ.
for the Pope's general and missionary intention see:www.sdb.org
for suggestions and contributions: cagliero11@gmail.com