Pozaszkolna działalność misyjna salezjanów polskich w okresie rektoratu ks. Michała Rua (1888-1910)

Abstract

After Fr John Bosco’s death (1888) Fr Michael Rua became Major Rector of the Salesian Society. He remained in office till the very day of his death. During this period, Salesian projects developed very fast all over the world. At the same time, the Salesians managed to follow the Founder’s charisma. This development was also possible due to the Salesian missionary effort. During Fr Rua’s leadership, about 100 Polish Salesians undertook missionary work. Most of them were sent to Latin America while only a few went to the USA, Asia and Africa. Their basic duty was education in schools and boarding-schools. This kind of Salesian work was described in “Seminare” in 2010. This issue presents evangelization efforts of Polish Salesians, namely their work in oratories opened on feast days, their work with candidates for priests and religious, and their involvement in the evangelization of the indigenous population. Finally, the author recapitulates the significance of Poles’ involvement in the work for the Salesians, the Church and society.