Hajja Salesjana

Of particular importance are the “two foundings” of the Congregation, about which two precious documents, on display in this room, speak. The first document is a tiny handwritten note by a sixteen year old Michael Rua, a boy of the Oratory. Its miniscule dimensions – 10cm x 5cm - vary in inverse proportion to the weighty memory it carries: the charismatic foundation of the salesian congregation on January 26, 1854. That night, Michael Rua, John Cagliero, and two other Oratory boys met in Don Bosco’s room and promised to live a “practical experience of fraternal charity”, and for the first time they called themselves “Salesians”. The second document, dated December 18, 1859, records the juridical foundation of the congregation, naming Don Bosco and his first seventeen collaborators. These documents invite visitors to contemplate Don Bosco’s inspiration and aspirations for the burgeoning salesian charism, a dream of God for young people, entrusted to young people. It was also in this room in October 1854 that eleven-year old Dominic Savio began his short but fruitful experience at Valdocco, entering Don Bosco’s room to formalize his admission to the Oratory. He notices the Salesian motto, written in Latin, hanging above the east-wall window of the room: Da mihi animas, caetera tolle. Five years later, in this same room, Don Bosco writes his 1859 biography of Domenic Savio, in which he conveys the impact of this phrase on Dominic’s pure and probing heart: “I […] helped him to translate the words and understand their meaning: O Lord, give me souls, and take all other things from me. Dominic thought for a moment and then added: ‘I understand: here we do not trade in money, but in souls; I hope that my soul will also be part of this trade.’" Five months after Dominic’s arrival, yet another milestone took place in this room: Michael Rua became the first professed Salesian, taking his private vows before Don Bosco on March 25, 1855. In the company of St. Dominic Savio, Blessed Michael Rua and so many others whose faith matured in this humble space, visitors to this first bedroom of Don Bosco can ponder how they can receive and share the Salesian spirit to enrich their own human and spiritual development. 23 Jannar - Marzu 2023