PHOTO ARCHIVES
Turin, Italy - October 1, 1947 - On October 1, 1947, a souvenir photo of the 108 Salesians of Don Bosco was taken at the "Valsalice" Institute in Turin, among Provincials and delegates from various parts of the world who participated in the 16th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation, in which Fr Pietro Ricaldone was re-elected Rector Major. In that Chapter, the Spiritual Exercises were preached by Msgr. Vincenzo Cimatti and Fr Eugenio Ceria.
Barcelona, Spain - 1886 - It is May 3, 1886, Don Bosco is in Barcelona. He had faced a long and painful journey. In the chronicles of those days, it is often repeated that Don Bosco is “dead tired.” The photo was taken in the park of the villa of Fr Luìs Martì-Codolar, a great benefactor of Don Bosco. During his stay in Barcelona, Don Bosco was literally "eaten" by an overflowing crowd. He assures that "never, neither in Italy, nor in France and in Paris itself had he ever seen such a thing". Two days earlier, a citizens' committee even gave him Mount Tibidabo.
We see him abandoned in the armchair, exhausted. To walk he had to be supported by two people. He holds his arms, exhausted by the thousands and thousands of blessings and communions distributed. Fr Michele Rua, who leans over him, the cleric Viglietti and Fr Branda shield him because people want to "touch" him. The face of Don Bosco, understanding and helpful, expresses a subdued, intimate satisfaction, all his own.
Turin, Italy - 1858/1868 - This is the photo found in 2002 and studied by Fr Francesco Motto, a historian. To prove the fact that what you see in the picture is Don Bosco, an in-depth study, which lasted several months, was conducted with experts and specialists. The photo shows Don Bosco with four ladies. His face is youthful, calm and serene and even seems to have gained some weight. According to Fr Motto, it is the first photo taken of the Saint of Youth, and therefore the oldest, although it was found only a few years ago.
For further info: http://www.salesian.online/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-Motto-Scoperto-un-inedito-ritratto-di-don-Bosco.pdf
Turin, Italy - It has been written, and it is absolute truth, that Don Bosco never stopped confessing, even when he was sick, and still a few months before he died he continued to do so. His great joy was that his children were “in the grace of God”. All the boys wanted to confess to Don Bosco and the reason is visible in this, the most beautiful photo for Don Bosco, the one where he shows his identity as a priest. He has a serene face, an attentive gaze, a paternal attitude. In this circumstance, he was confessing the one who will be his second successor at the head of the Congregation: Paolo Albera. The photo was taken by Francesco Serra, with the title “Don Bosco who confesses”, in Turin, in 1861.