ICSS Newsletter Salesian Studies Worldwide Number 11 • October-November 2002 CELEBRATIONS OF SFS’ The booklet was warmly received and Pochat, “St. Francis de Sales’ Message ANNIVERSARIES even served as part of the preparation On Poverty;” J.M. LeMaire, “St. for the selection of a new Superior for Francis de Sales and International With the publication of the booklet, the Brooklyn Visitation. The very Justice and Law;” Fr. Michel Tournade, “Leadership In The Salesian attractive color cover as well as the OSFS, “St. Francis de Sales and the Tradition,” the other photographs of the saint’s epis- Discovery of A Loving God;” Dr. ICSS kicked copal ordination were taken by Fr. Hélène Bordes, “Christmas According off the dual Robert McGilvray, OSFS. to St. Francis’ Thought.” anniversary celebrations of The booklet’s Preface notes the rele- These celebrations will culminate with St. Francis de vance of the saint’s episcopal ministry a solemn liturgy in the church of the Sales—the as well as his writings for helping to saint’s episcopal consecration, St. 400th anniver- develop for our time the appropriate Maurice, on 8 December with Bishop sary of his relationship of bishops to the Holy Boivineau presiding. To make the saint episcopal Father and to the people they are more visible and to demonstrate admi- ordination called to serve. Along this line, the ration for him, the municipality moved and the 125th Salesian Center for Faith and Culture the bronze statue of the saint which anniversary of at De Sales University, under the lead- was in the church near the baptismal his being ership and guidance of its Director, Fr. font and erected it at the town’s declared a Doctor of the Universal Thomas Dailey, OSFS, is planning a entrance on a 40 ton granite block. bishops’ panel, “On the Role of the Church. The booklet contains an arti- To commemorate the 400th anniver- Bishop in the 21st Century.” Several cle by the Most Rev. Lewis Fiorelli, sary of the saint’s episcopal ordination, neighboring bishops have been invited OSFS, Superior General of the Oblates, a new exhibit will take place at the to participate in this panel to be held as well as the two papal decrees monastery of the Visitation at on Monday, 9 December – one day declaring the saint a Doctor of the Dietramszell, south of Munich, after the 400th anniversary date. Church. Bavaria, from December 2002 until The English version was translated Other Provinces and Regions have May 2003. The theme of the exhibit into four languages: French, German, planned or plan to celebrate these will be:”St. Francis de Sales and the Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. All anniversaries in appropriate ways. A French portrait engravings of the 17th of the Oblates, the various communi- special committee appointed by century.” To visit the exhibit, registra- ties of the Oblate Sisters, monasteries Bishop Boivineau of Annecy organized tion by phone is required. Contact Fr. of the Visitation, bishops of the dioce- four conferences in Thorens, the town Erich Hehberger, OSFS, Visitation ses in which the Oblates minister, all in which our saint was ordained a Monastery, 83623 Dietramszell, Phone MSFS bishops and the more than 100 bishop. One conference each month is (++49) 08027/801, Fax (++49) Salesian bishops and Cardinals were scheduled with the first one given in 08027/830, Email: [email protected]; sent a copy. September. They include the following Website: www.kloster-dietramszell.de. speakers and topics: Geneviève PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON SALESIAN STUDIES (ICSS) OF THE OBLATES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES. ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO DISSEMINATE ON A GLOBAL SCALE INFORMATION DEALING WITH SALESIAN STUDIES (ST. FRANCIS DE SALES; ST. JANE DE CHANTAL; FR. BRISSON, THE FOUNDER OF THE OBLATES;THE OBLATES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES,THE OBLATE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES; THE VISITATION OF HOLY MARY AND OTHER RELIGIOUS AND LAY INSTITUTES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE SALESIAN FAMILY.) Editor: Alexander Pocetto, OSFS • E-mail: [email protected] • Fax: 610.282.2059 Layout: Tom McNamara • E-mail: [email protected] 2• ICSS Newsletter John Paul II Pays Tribute to Holy Father continued. her Congregation. She will be awarded Salesian Holiness the Legion of Honor by the French Lastly, he said that what is most attrac- government on John Paul II paid tribute to the saints of tive about Sister María Romero is “her 21 November, its the Salesian family, a day after beatify- service to the poor, with creativity and highest non-mili- ing three members of the religious efficacy.” tary award. The family. “The works she founded to promote recent canoniza- The new blessed, disciples of St. John the Christian life of the neediest and to tion of Mother Bosco (1815-1888), are Nicaraguan alleviate the situation of need being Aviat, Foundress María Romero Meneses (1902-1977), a experienced by so many inhabitants of of the Oblate Daughter of Mary Help of Christians; San Jose, Costa Rica, and its outskirts Sisters, has drawn Colombian-Italian Luis Variara (1875- exist today and continue to give rea- considerable 1923), priest; and Argentine-Italian sons for well-founded hope through attention not only to her life and works, Artemides Zatti (1880-1951), Salesian gestures of solidarity toward the poor- but also to the various apostolic works coadjutor. est,” the Pope said. so faithfully performed by the Oblate Sisters in many parts of the world to The Holy Father recalled the lives of John Paul II concluded with an exhor- promote the Salesian spirit and the newly honored which “did not tation: “May this service never be lack- charism. The ICSS extends warmest remain hidden within the walls of their ing, which has brought so much honor congratulations to Mother Françoise- religious community,” but reached “so to the Church of Christ!” Isabelle and to all of the Oblate Sisters. many men and women, children and On April 12, when John Paul II youths who knew them and benefited Fr. Jean Gayet, OSFS, has recently received the participants in the general from their apostolic work.” completed a monumental task of put- chapter of the Salesians, and their new ting the first six volumes of the The Pope mentioned Blessed Luigi rector major, Father Pascual Chávez Oeuvres complètes of St.Francis de Sales Variara, founder of the Daughters of Villanueva, the Holy Father reminded on a CD-ROM and plans to scan a the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, as them that holiness is the Salesians’ number of the sermons as recom- “the cloth of the tears of the most seg- main task. mended by Hélène Bordes and Sr. regated and at times the most forgot- “Dear Salesians, if you make the effort Mary Patricia Burns, VHM. Pursuing ten of society.” to imprint on your work a constant his Salesian scholarly interests, Fr. Roger Balducelli, OSFS, has digitized “His life invites us to give a helping measure of evangelical love, you will and put on a CD-ROM a collection of hand to all, to not disdain anyone, to be able to carry out your mission to the texts on spiritual problems—66 arti- be welcoming,” the Pope added. end with joy and efficacy,” the Pope cles in English, French and German “Today, Colombia, where he lived and exclaimed. “Be holy! Holiness, as you totaling 800 pages—by a host of gave the best of himself with the help well know, is your essential task, as it notable spiritual writers and theolo- of God’s grace, can find in the exam- is also for all Christians.” gians as they relate to Oblate-Salesian ples of this witness of Jesus Christ a The Salesian religious family includes spirituality. help to overcome the harsh situation it a total of 21 congregations and official- has been experiencing for years and ly recognized groups. An additional 27 A “Salesian Week” was held in August points toward a society of greater fra- have requested recognition. (Courtesy at the Basilica of Annecy The theme ternity and solidarity.” of Zenit News Service on April 15, was “Everyone is Called to Love.” Fr. Jean-Luc Leroux, OSFS, gave a homily John Paul II then spoke about Zatti, 2002. Its website is at http:// on “All Are Called to Love With St. who, with his incessant and joyful www.zenit.org). Francis de Sales,” and Fr. Gayet gave a activity in favor of the sick, sowed the day of recollection. Many pilgrims mercy that Jesus asked us to practice France from various countries visited the in Argentina: “I was sick and you vis- Basilica during the week. ited me.” At its May Commencement exercises, De Sales University bestowed an hon- In July, the Echanges Salésiens His example, can inspire in “all profes- orary doctoral degree on Mother Conference was held at Annecy Le sionals in the field of health a renewed Françoise-Isabelle Stiegler, OSFS, Vieux. For six days, the 45 participants attitude of service to the sick that will Mother General of the Oblate Sisters, studied in depth Book 10 of the Treatise emphasize his condition as a person, in recognition of her own contribu- on the Love of God with the guiding provided with inalienable rights,” the tions to Catholic education and that of theme of “L’amour vivant et agissant” Number 11 • 3 (Living and Active Love). Summaries GERMAN SPEAKING WORLD wants to combine his work as a musi- of the various reflections appear in La cian with a social therapeutic aspect, Lettre RES, no. 8 supplément. In this Austrian-South German Province i.e., he wants to study the therapeutic same issue another section of Fr.