Michael Rua

Blessed Michael Rua SDB ( born June 9, 1837 in Turin, † April 6, 1910 ibid ) was the second Superior General, founded by St. Don Bosco Salesians of Don Bosco.

Life

In the fall of 1845 met the orphan, who had eight years old his father, a factory worker, lost, for the first time Don Bosco and visited since the Oratory in Valdocco. Since 1850 he wanted, encouraged by Don Bosco to study theology and therefore learned Latin. From 1852 on he lived in the boarding of the Oratory. From 1853 to 1860 he studied philosophy and theology. On 3 October 1853 he was given in the Becchi in the Rosary Chapel of the clerical habit.

Since 1854 he was one of the students and Mitgarbeitern Don Bosco wanted to start with him an apostolic community and put on 25 March 1855 in the presence of Don Bosco private vows. Therefore, he is considered the first " Salesians ". He studied theology henceforth. In 1858 he accompanied Don Bosco on his first trip to Rome. At 22 he was - now subdeacon - spiritual leader which was founded on December 18, 1859 " Society of St.. Francis de Sales ".

On July 29, 1860 he was ordained a priest. In 1863 he was sent by Don Bosco as director of the first Salesians branch outside Turin by Mirabello Monferrato (Piedmont ), but already recalled two years later as Prefect of the Congregation to Turin. His job was to take care of the discipline in the Salesian institutions and the finances. From 1869 to 1875 he was also the one responsible for the spiritual formation of young religious. He also managed the " Catholic Readings " and accompanied Don Bosco on numerous trips.

1875 he was appointed Director General of the Don Bosco Salesian Sisters.

After Pope Leo XIII. had asked the founders of religious orders in 1884 to settle his succession, he wanted his students in 1885 Don Rua 's successor and left it by Pope Leo XIII. determine. After the death of Don Bosco in 1888 he was therefore confirmed by the Pope as Superior General of the Community.

Under his leadership, the Salesians spread throughout the world. The congregation grew from less than 800 Salesians, spread over six provinces and 57 houses in 10 countries, at over 4000 Salesians in 34 provinces and over 340 stores in more than 30 countries. In 1908 he traveled to the Holy Land.

1895 Order of Salesian Bulletin magazine was published in German language in its proviso which he wooed religious admissions. In 1897 he founded a school for German -speaking already late bloomers. This was followed by religious houses in Muri (Canton Aargau) Sierck or Diedenhofen founded, the latter also for the Pastoral Care of Italians living there. Since 1903, the congregation worked in Vienna, where Don Rua also traveled. He attended as Superior General and Cologne.

Beatification

Rua was born on October 29, 1972 by Paul VI. beatified and appreciated:

" The Salesian family had the origin in Don Rua, the resistance in Don Bosco. He made the saint a school from his rule a mind of his Holiness a life model. He has made the source of a river. "

His body is venerated in the crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin; Remembrance Day is on 29 October.

Writings (selection )

• Lettere di circolari D. Bosco e di D. Rua ed altri loro scritti ai Salesiani, Turin 1896;
• Lettere di circolari don Michele Rua ai Salesiani, Turin 1910;
• Circolare sulla povertà: 31 gennaio, 1907, Turin 1961;
• Lettere di circolari don Michele Rua ai Salesiani, Turin 1965;