FR. PAUL ALBERA, ‘LE PETIT DON BOSCO’ By Fr. Caesar Dizon, SDB Editor’s Note: The Rector Major promulgated the year 2021 dedicated to the memory of Fr. Paolo Albera, commemorating the first centenary of the death of the second successor of Don Bosco.
THE FIRST ENCOUNTER
In Salesian history, the first encounter with Don Bosco of significant Salesian personalities is deemed important enough to be recorded for posterity. We only have to recall his encounter with Bartholomew Garelli, Michael Rua, Michael Magone, and Dominic Savio. This was the story of Don Bosco’s first encounter with Paul Albera. In his own words: Mass was celebrated, many received Holy Communion, and everybody rushed to the courtyard for breakfast. I thought I did not qualify for it, and stood aside waiting to rejoin them on their way back. Don Bosco spotted me. What’s your name?” “Paolino “ “Have you had breakfast?” “No sir, I have not gone to confession or communion.” “But confession and communion are not necessary to have breakfast.” “What is necessary?” “To have appetite.” He led me to the basket and gave me lots of bread and fruit. I went down with him and played until dusk. From that moment, and for many years, I did not abandon the Oratory or dear Don Bosco, who did me so much good.
A FAVORITE SON OF DON BOSCO
Young Paolino was a calm, smiling, and diligent boy. The memory of Dominic Savio, who had died the year before he came to Valdocco, encouraged the best boys to follow in his footsteps, including Paolino. He became a friend of Michael Magone, his neighbor in the dormitory. He excelled in school, but also stood out for his piety. One day in 1861, it was he whom Don Bosco chose to pose at his side for the historic photograph that pictures him as a penitent making his confession to Don Bosco.
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St. John Bosco Today | January-March 2021
We have to thank Fr. Ruffino for the story behind that famous photograph. We read this entry in his eponymous chronicle: May 19 [1861]. Today, Pentecost Sunday, Francis Serra, an Oratory boy, took a daguerreotype of Don Bosco — first alone, then in a group with [Louis] Jarach, [Rinaudo]
