The book was discussed by the president of FUIS, Prof. Antonio Rossi—one of its most renowned authors, who joined via live streaming—along with Prof. Nicola Bottiglieri from the University of Cassino, a writer and professor of South American literature; the Director of the Salesian community in Civitavecchia, Fr. Giovanni Molinari; and, of course, the book’s editor, Fr. Francesco Motto, founder and member of the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS-Istituito Storico Salesiano). Fr. Motto explained the purpose of the project: to make 250 selected letters of Don Bosco available to the general public, chosen from the nearly 5,000 published in the Epistolario, (The Letters) which was recently completed with the release of its tenth and final volume (Rome, LAS 2024).
The selection process was necessarily rigorous, but according to the speakers, it provides a comprehensive insight into Don Bosco as a man, educator, founder, “entrepreneur,” writer, communicator, and saint.
All attendees emphasized that this volume, and even more so the ten volumes of the Epistolario that serve as its source, represent the remarkable result of decades of research. It was also noted how Don Bosco’s epistolary network reached people from all social classes, various levels of clergy, benefactors, young people, and individuals from all over the world. On this occasion, gratitude was once again expressed towards civil and ecclesiastical archives, libraries, cultural centers, Salesian houses, and individuals who generously provided the original letters in their possession, making this editorial achievement possible.
It is hoped that reading The Most Beautiful Letters of Don Bosco will inspire readers to deepen their knowledge of the Father and Teacher of Youth by exploring more of his letters, now available both in print and—for free—online on the Salesian Historical Institute’s website.
? Salesian Historical Institute
