Fr. Philip Rinaldi's Annual Strenne

Fr. Philip Rinaldi’s Annual Strenne

(ANS – Rome – December 15, 2023) – Don Bosco’s 3d successor at the head of the Salesian Congregation was Fr. Philip Rinaldi, Rector Major for 9 years (1922-1931). The Salesian historian Fr. John Baptist Francesia said that he lacked “only the voice of Don Bosco; he has everything else”; while Fr. Egidio Viganò, another Rector Major, called him “a genuine witness and interpreter of the Salesian spirit” and ”a prototype of pastoral kindness.”

Animator of lay movements –it was he who started the Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers – promoter of a spirituality of work, teacher of spiritual life, Fr. Rinaldi, now recognized as Blessed by the Catholic Church, was the standard-bearer of Don Bosco’s fatherliness, and all these traits are also found in the strenne he delivered over the years.

10 strenne of Fr. Rinaldi’s term of office have been identified, for 1923-1932; there is none for the year of his election, 1922, probably because Fr. Albera died in October 1921 and since Fr. Rinaldi was elected in April 1922, there was no strenna.

Fr. Rinaldi’s strenne, in both form and content, follow from those of his predecessors. The twofold message, one addressed generically to Salesians and the other to young people, almost always continues; but it is with him that we begin to see ideas dedicated more clearly and with greater frequency to other groups of the Salesian Family – Salesian Cooperators and past pupils – to whom Fr. Rinaldi presents simple ways to live the Christian life well.

The strenna texts propose a simple kind of ascesis accessible to all; the message is brief and clear, often an invitation to do or avoid something, to live a more Christian or religious life. Characteristic in form is the strenna of 1930: three invocations to Don Bosco, one different from the other for each group to which the strenna is directed.

For Fr. Rinaldi, too, the imitation of Don Bosco is at the center of his thoughts and work. Some strenne are almost entirely dedicated to him in a special way, and he still remains the reference to be imitated. There are, however, other shining examples of Salesian life indicated as a model (Fr. Rua) or of youthful holiness, not exclusively Salesian (we find Dominic Savio but also Aloysius Gonzaga).

Besides the traditional themes of devotion to the Eucharist and Mary, there are also references to topical events in the life of the Church in 1925 and 1926, where there are direct references to the Jubilee of that period.

Below are the strenna messages offered by Blessed Philip Rinaldi:

1923: - To the Salesians: “Let us try to imitate the Servant of God Fr. Rua in the exact observance of religious life.”

- To the young people: “Let them strive to follow the examples of Dominic Savio in their devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”

1924: - To the Salesians. “Exact observance of the Constitutions.”

- For the young people. "I will make my own Dominic Savio’s resolve to observe strictly the house rules.”

1925: To the Salesians:  “Make your meditation well on a daily basis. It must shed light on the works, words, and thoughts of the whole day” (On the 50th anniversary of the Approval of the Constitutions).

- For the young people. “Grow in devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary Help of Christians, to spend the Holy Year well.”

1926: - To the Salesians. “Seek souls and not money, honors, or dignities” (quote from Don Bosco’s recommendations to the first missionaries).”

- To the young people: "Pray to Mary Help of Christians for missionaries and for unbelievers.”

- To the past pupils: “Promote the propagation of the Faith by word and whatever means are within your reach.”      

1927: - To the Salesians: “Observe the great silence from evening after prayers until breakfast the following day, as Don Bosco wanted, and as the Rule prescribes.”

- For the young people. “Honor St. Aloysius Gonzaga by imitating his virtues and devoutly calling on him.”

1928: - To the Salesians and Salesian Cooperators. “Qui elucidant me, vitam aeternam habebunt.”

- To the youngsters and past pupils. “Ecce Mater tua! Behold your Mother!”

1929: – “Study and imitate the holiness of Don Bosco 1. in his piety; 2. in his virtues; 3. in his works” (taken from the “Reminders” for the retreats of the year, which, however, usually referred to the strenna).

1930: - To the young people: “That we may be devoted to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and Mary Help of Christians, Blessed Don Bosco, pray for us!”

- To the past pupils: “That we may be tireless in work in the sense and in the way that you were, Blessed Don Bosco, pray for us!”

- To the Salesians: “So that we may love youth as you loved them, Blessed Don Bosco, pray for us!"

1931: - To the Salesians. “Let us make Blessed Don Bosco better known. Let directors make the life and works of the Blessed available to the confreres. Let everyone talk about him, citing his examples in conferences, in good nights, and even in school and in conversations.”

- For the young people. “Escape idleness even in recreation by using time well in imitation of Blessed Don Bosco.”

– For the past pupils: “Christian correctness and reserve in manners and words, remembering the example of Don Bosco.”

1932: To the priests: “Missa attente celebretur: let Holy Mass be celebrated with care.”

- To clerics and brothers: “Sanctum Sanctorum peramanter visitatur: visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament out of love.”

- To boarders, day students, and those coming to the youth centers: “Listen carefully to Holy Mass and prepare to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, at least spiritually.”

- To past pupils: “Make every sacrifice to attend Holy Mass recollectedly every Sunday and feastday.”