DON BOSCO QUIZ On the 150th Anniversary of the Congregation KNOW THE SALESIAN HISTORY BETTER 1) When was the Salesian Congregation formed? 18th Dec, 1859. 2) What was, according to Don Bosco, the hallmark of the congregation? Chastity 3) When was the Salesian society approved? 19th Feb, 1869. 4) What are the things that undermine the congregation? Idleness, fastidiousness about food and a spirit of reform, undermine religious congregation. 5) When was the Constitutions of the Salesians approved? 3rd April, 1874. 6) What did Don Bosco say about the congregation during his last sickness? Our congregation is led and protected by Mary Help of Christians. 7) When did Don Bosco meet Bartholomew Garelli? 8th Dec, 1841. 8) Who is the patroness of our congregation? Mary Help of Christians. 9) What did Don Bosco say about the role of Mary in the congregation? Mary Most holy is the Foundress and will be the sustainer of our works, it is on her account that our congregation exists and prospers. We cannot make a mistake, Mary guides us. 10) Who is the patron of our congregation? St. Francis of sales. 11) In how many countries are the Salesians present? 129. 12) What is the motto of our congregation? Da mihi animas cetera tolle. 13) When was the Decretum Laudis (the decree of praise) issued for the congregation? 23rdJuly, 1864. 14) What is the website of our congregation? www. sdb. org. 15) When was the first religious profession? 14th May 1862. 16) When was Fr. Pascual Chavez elected as he Rector Major for the first time? 3rd April 2002. 17) What did Don Bosco pay as advance for the construction of the church of M.H.C? On emptying Don Bosco‟s purse into Buzzetti‟s hand he got only 8 soldi, but Don Bosco told him, “Don‟t worry, the Madonna herself will provide the rest, I am only her instrument.” 18) Who painted the picture of M.H.C.? Lorenzone painted the picture according to the specifications of Don Bosco himself: Our Lady amidst the choirs of angels and the 12 apostles, the martyrs, prophets, virgins, etc. 19) What was Don Bosco‟s idea on consolidation of his works? Don Bosco wanted to consolidate his works, but said to his sons on 10th Dec. 1875, “Things go better when we work hard”. c 20) What work did Pope Leo XIII entrust to Don Bosco? Pope Leo XIII wanted Don Bosco to complete the work of the church of the Sacred Heart and the saint asked for no money, but only blessings and spiritual favours from the Holy Father. 21) When was the first missionary expedition to South America? 11th Nov. 1875. During Don Bosco‟s sermon all were moved, but he himself manfully restrained his tears. 22) When did Don Bosco found the Union of the Salesian Co- operators? 9th May 1876, Don Bosco obtained a brief from Pius IX, equivalent to the approval of the Union of the Salesian co- operators. 23) Did Don Bosco celebrate Mass in the church of the Sacred Heart Rome? The only Mass which DB celebrated in that church was on 16th May 1887 at the altar of Our Lady. 24) When was the first Salesian house opened in France? The official opening of the house of Nice in France was on Sunday 21st Nov, 1875. 25) When did Salesian work begin in Spain? The first community of Salesians arrived in Spain at the beginning of Feb, 1881. 26) When did Salesian work start in England? The first group of three Salesians left Turin for Battersea on 14th Nov, 1887 and laid the solid foundation for Salesian work in Great Britain. 27) When was the Salesian Bulletin started? In August 1877. 28) When the first Salesian Provinces were officially formed? On 7th Feb, 1879. 29) When did Don Bosco celebrate mass for the last time? 11th Dec, 1887. 30) Did DB want to help many boys? Yes, DB told his Salesians in 1868 “Take in as many boys as you can. Fill the house, the attic, and even the space under the stairs. If you have no other place, put them in my room and under my bed”. 31) When were the sodalities of the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph founded? The Sodality of the Immaculate Conception was founded on 8 June 1856, that of St. Joseph in 1859. 32) What is the total number of Salesians today? 15577. 33) How many members are there in the Congregation including bishops and novices? 16092. 34) How many novices are there in the Salesian Congregation at present? 515. 35) When was Bl. Maria Romero Meneses beatified? By whom? On 14th April 2002, by Pope John Paul II. 36) How many Lay Brothers (Coadjutors) are there in the Congregation? 2025. 37) How many bishops and prelates are there in the Congregation? 117. 38) Who brought doctors and patients nearer to God? When was he beatified? By whom? Bl. Artemide Zatti. On 14th April, 2002, by Pope John Paul II. 39) How many Salesian regions are there in the world? 9. 40) Who said “My life for my mother‟s soul”? When was she beatified? By whom? Bl. Laura Vicuna. On 3rd September 1988 at Colle Don Bosco by Pope John Paul II. 41) How many Salesians are there in the region of South Asia? 2390. 42) What is the criterion for discernment of renewal? Pastoral experience of DB, realized at the oratory of Valdocco. 43) How many novices are there in South Asia Region? 131. 44) Which are the three main lines of action indicated for practical Salesian activity? They are: Education, Evangelization and Communication 45) Why did DB write the memoirs of the oratory of St. Francis de sales? Because, DB considered it as “a norm for overcoming future difficulties by lessons from the past,” so that his followers would be stimulated to continue his work in creative fidelity. 46) What was an oratory for DB? An oratory was “house, church, school and playground.” 47) Which Oratory is the cradle of the Salesian congregation? The Oratory of Voldocco. 48) What are the criteria for verifying the functioning of Salesian works? Meaningful presence, adequate response to the demands of the young, a space for them to grow and be educated. 49) Who are the Saints and Blesseds connected with DB? St. Francis de Sales, St. Joseph Cottolengo, St. Joseph Cafasso, St. Leonard Murialdo, Bl. Pius IX, Bl. Aloysius Guanella; Bl. Aloysius Orione. 50) Which Pope declared DB Venerable? Pope Pius X 51) When was DB beatified? By whom? 2 June 1929, by Pope Pius XI. 52) Who declared Dominic Savio a Blessed? When? Pope Pius XII, on 5th March 1950. 53) When was DB canonized? By whom? On Easter Sunday 1st April 1934, by pope pius XI 54) Who Canonized Sts. Aloysius Versiglia and Callistus Caravario? Pope John Paul II, on 1st October 2000. 55) Who beatified Michaeal Rua? When? Pope Paul VI on Sunday 29th October 1972. 56) When was Mary Mazarello canonized? By whom? On 24th June 1951, by Pope Pius XII. 57) Who beatified Philip Rinaldi? When? On 29th April 1990, by Pope John Paul II. 58) How many saints are there in the Salesian Family now (2006)? We have five saints: St. John Bosco, St. Mary Mazzarello, St. Dominic Savio, St. Aloysius Versiglia and St. Callistus Caravario. 59) What did Don Bosco say about Salesian coadjutors? I need people I can trust with responsibilities to direct the work. Hence give good example and acquire virtues. 60) How many Blesseds the Salesian Family has at present (2005)? The Salesian family has 48 Blesseds including the 31 companions of Bl. Joseph Calasanz and the Five Oratory Youngsters from Poland. 61) How many lay people are Venerable as of 2006? At present 2 lay people are Venerables belonging to the Salesian Family. They are: Dorothea Chopitea and Zefferino Namuncura. 62) When was the General Council transferred from Turin to Rome? The General Council was transferred to Rome in 1972. 63) Describe briefly the missionary dream DB had towards the end of his life? The famous missionary dream took place at night on 9 April 1886 in Barcelona. He saw a line from Valparaiso to Peking via Africa and many formation houses along that line. 64) Is there any reference to India in the missionary dream of Barcelona (Spain)? Yes, Calcutta is mentioned by name “there, there is Calcutta…..”(BM XVIII, 52). 65) Who first invited the Salesians to South India? Bishop Antonio Baroso of Mylapore. The next bishop Teutonic de Castro too made more than one attempt. 66) Who was known as the Apostle of the Khasi Hills? Fr. Constantine Vendrame. 67) How many are the Salesian provinces and vice provinces in the Salesian Region of South East Asia? In South East Asia there are ten Salesian provinces and two vice provinces. 68) Who was the first Salesian Prefect Apostolic of Assam? On 15th Dec 1923 Louis Mathias was made the first Salesian Prefect Apostolic of Assam. 69) When did the first group of Salesians come to India? Who was the leader? On 6th January 1906the first group of six Salesians (3 priests, 1 Coadjutor, 1 Cleric, 1 Aspirant) under the leadership of Fr. George Tomatis, landed in Bombay. 70) Who was the first Salesian died in India? When? Fr. Enrico Vigneron died on 20th November 1907 after a difficult operation. 71) Was there any invitation from the Holy See for the Salesians to work in India? Yes, DB said, “The Holy Father has offered us an Apostolic Vicariate in India… For the moment I have offered to send missionaries to Ceylon.