Hajja Salesjana

Soon after the arrival of Don Bosco and the boys in Valdocco (1846), the oratory developed quickly. After building two churches (Pinardi Chapel, 1846 and St. Francis de Sales, 1852) and a new home (1853), Don Bosco turned his attention to the third dimension of the Oratory: the school. It began simply, as a workshop for trades, but it diversified rapidly. In 1853 shoemaking and tailoring were introduced. In 1854 bookbinding, in 1856 carpentry, in 1861 typesetting and printing, in 1862 blacksmithing and in 1877, photography developing and printing. That the first trade introduced at the Oratory was shoe making is symbolic. It speaks of Don Bosco as a man with his feet planted firmly on the ground committed to an inspired journey with no end in sight.Don Bosco’s educational mission was coming together, one step at a time. It was Don Bosco himself who taught the boys shoemaking, tailoring, carpentry and book binding. But how was it that a priest was skilled at these trades? The answer lies in the mysterious ways of divine providence. Don Bosco’s childhood and challenging trajectory towards the priesthood was 22 hajja Fr. Mike Pace, SDB, Vice-Director, Casa Don Bosco Museum, Turin Views from Valdocco When childhood burdens becomes adult blessings The birth of the Oratory School Ottubru-Diċembru 2024