The Venerable Don Bosco, the Apostle of Youth by Mary Paulina Finn

Author:Mary Paulina Finn [Finn, Mary Paulina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Nature, History
ISBN: 4064066063344
Publisher: Good Press
Published: 2020-12-08T05:00:00+00:00

His Eminence, JOHN CARDINAL CAGLIERO

The First Salesian Cardinal

CHAPTER XVIII THE SALESIAN APOSTOLATE IN PATAGONIA

Table of Contents

From that ever-memorable day in 1854, when Don Bosco stood by the bedside of the youthful Cagliero, dying of cholera, and beheld the realistic vision of the boy's future mission among "a savage people of tall stature and fierce aspect, of copper-colored skin, with thick black hair tied by a string at the forehead," his apostolic heart had gone often to the wilds of Patagonia, and their savage races had been an attraction for his zeal and prayers. And when Archbishop Aneyro proposed that the Salesians should attempt to evangelize the tribes, Don Bosco eagerly assented. In 1879 Don Costamagna with several other Salesians and Sisters became pioneers in this new field of apostolic labor, full of hardships and dangers. In 1880 Don Bosco wrote to his Co-operators (the third Salesian Order): "Patagonia is the most glorious field offered by Providence for your charitable works, where until now teachers of the Gospel could not penetrate; but the time of mercy has arrived …  … The first trial, although painful and dangerous, has succeeded; five hundred natives received baptism." He complains feelingly of a lack of money to assist this distant mission. Later, in 1881, announcing the departure of twelve priests and brothers and eight Sisters, he continues: "Agriculture is especially developed in our Patagonian institutions; we have erected churches, opened schools, built residences for priests and teachers, and hospitals for wandering Indians on both banks of the Black river. These savages are docile, easily taught arts and trades, and, above all, agriculture, which is still unknown among these wandering tribes." General Roca, president of the Argentine Republic, held Don Bosco and the Salesians in the highest esteem, and favored and supported them with the respect and generosity that their self-denying services to the State merited.

In 1883 the court of Rome created two ecclesiastical provinces in Patagonia: the north and center of the country formed an apostolic pro-vicariate and Don Cagliero was appointed pro-Vicar Apostolic; the south, with Tierra del Fuego and the neighboring islands became an apostolic prefecture with Don Fagnano as Prefect Apostolic.

The present Archbishop of Buenos Ayres in a pastoral letter on the centenary feast of Don Bosco (1915) says of the first Salesian missionaries in Patagonia: "By their intrepid zeal and conspicuous ability they reaped an immense harvest of souls and laid the foundations of a flourishing Christian civilization …  … In our own province," he continues, "the two Salesian Institutes educate in their seventy-five houses some 25,000 boys and girls, and this is all carried on in the method of enterprising charity which their founder initiated for his followers. The consoling results of this work, the numerous ecclesiastical vocations, the clubs and social work among the 'past-pupils' of both sexes which extend into all classes of society, plainly demonstrate that the work of Don Bosco is providential in its mission, and a new manifestation of the power and goodness of Mary, Help of Christians, in the salvation of the world.

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