by Arthur J. Lenti, SDB

Subjects:

• Introduction
• Part I. Brief History of the Textual Development of Don Bosco’s Constitutions
• From the Earliest Extant Text to the Decree of Commendation (1858-1864): Stages 1-3
• Stage 1: The Earliest Text of 1858
• Stage 2: The Text of 1860
• (1)The Text of 1860
• (2)Archbishop Fransoni and Critical Observations to the Text of 1860
• Stage 3: The Text of 1864
• (1)The Text of 1864
• (2)The Decree of Commendation of the Society and the Thirteen Savini-Svegliati Critical Observations
• From the Decree of Commendation to the Approval of the Institute (1864-1869): Stage 4
• Stage 4: The Text of 1867
• (1)The Printed Lation Text of 1867
• (2)Archbishop Riccardi and Further Critical Observations
• (3)Petition for Approval Submitted in Rome and Rejected
• (4)Approval of the Institute, Not of the Constitutions
• From the Approval of the Institute to the [Definitive] Approval of the Constitutions (1869-1874): Stages 5 and 6
• Stage 5
• (1)The Printed Latin Text of 1873
• (2)Archbishop Gastaldi
• (3)Don Bosco in Rome in March 1873: Petition for Definitive Approval of the Constitutions Presented
• (4)Petition Rejected with Further Critical Observation
• (5)Don Bosco’s Response and Accompanying Historical Sketch of the Society of 1874 (Cenno istorico). The First and Second Revised Roman Editions of the Text
• The First Revised Text Printed in Rome
• The Second Revised Text and the Special Commission
• Stage 6: The Definitively Approved Text
• Stage 7 and 8: Printed Latin and Italian Editions for Salesian Conferes
• Conclusion to Part I
• Part II. Spiritual Lineaments of Don Bosco’s Early Constitutions
• The Purpose of the Salesian Society as an “Oratorian Congregation”
• The Work of the Oratories and the Salesian Society
• The Special Purpose of the Salesian Society as a Religious Congregation
• The General Purpose of the Salesian Society as a Religious Congregation
• (1)General and Special Purpose of a Religious Institute
• (2)Formulaic Expressions of the Purposes of Religious Life
• Personal Sanctification through the Work of Charity—in Imitation of Christ’s Pastoral Charity
• Articles 1 and 2 of the Chapter on Purpose in Their Earliest Drafts if 1858 and 1860
• The Rewriting of Article 1 of the Chapter on Purpose in 1864
• (1)Nature of the Shift
• (2)Don Bosco’s Abiding Conviction
• (3)Why the Change?
• (4)Slight Recovery
• Religious Consecration for the Exercise of Charity in Articles 1 and 2 of the Chapter on the Form of the Society
• Article 1 of the Chapter on Form
• Article 2 of the Chapter on Form: Civil Right[s]
• (1)Nature of the Provision
• (2)Comment on a possible Rosminian Connection
• The Primacy of the Active Life: the Exercise of Pastoral Charity and the Prayer Life of the Salesian
• Foundational Articles
• Single Practices of Piety
• Conclusion
• Don Bosco’s Continuing Apolitical Stance
• Don Bosco’s Work of Charity and the Renewal of Society
• Why the Prohibition of Political Involvement
• Don Bosco’s views on the Vows-His opposition to Temporary Vows
• The Question
• Texts
• Concluding Comment