Dorothea Chopitea Dorothea was born in Santiago, Chile, on June 5, 1816. The family was rich in Christian faith, and financially well off. There were 18 children. The parents were Peter Nolasco Chopitea and Isabella Villota. They belonged to the upper social class. They were exemplary Christians and very dedicated to works of charity. Dorothea was three years old when her family moved to Barcelona, Spain. She had an energetic character, was vivacious, enterprising, and moreover, she had a heart of gold. At the age of thirteen she chose as her spiritual director, Father Peter Nardo, who guided her for 50 years. She received good instruction from Father Nardo, and, counseled by him, she married, at the age of 16, a young and excellent business man and banker by the name of Joseph Serra. They were happily married for 50 years. At the end of those 50 years Joseph said, “Our love grew every day more and more.� In their home, six daughters were born: Dorothea, Anna Maria, Isabella, Maria Luisa, Carmen and Gesuina. The principal preoccupation of Dorothea was to live truly for God. She cultivated her piety with daily Mass, Holy Communion, and the Rosary. But her most extraordinary virtue was her charity toward everyone, especially toward people who were poor. In her scale of values the first place was 2
truly her love for the poor. She remarked, “The poor will be my first thought.” She called it “alms given to God.” She accompanied her husband in his travels. She was received with great deference by Pope Leo XIII. Thirteen of her foundations rose through her generosity and that of her husband. They founded shelters for the poor, schools, hospitals, and workshops. It has been calculated that the benefits which she lavished on the poor exceeded that of the government. On September 20, 1882, a widow of one month, she wrote to Don Bosco, “I want to open a foundation for poor workers and for orphans in the suburbs of Barcelona.” Don Bosco accepted, and thus Dorothea became a Salesian cooperator. In 1884 her work was well under way at Sarrià. She collaborated with Father Philip Rinaldi, who was the Provincial in Spain, in the founding of other Salesian works. The future Superior General testified concerning Dorothea: “Many times I heard that she performed the most humble services for the sick.” During the months of April and May, 1886, Don Bosco visited his saintly benefactress, who thus became more inclined to help him. After Don Bosco’s desth, Dorothea began three new works, among which was a hospice called Saint Dorothea, in Sarrià. It was paid for by Dorothea and donated to the Salesian Sisters. The hospice was set up for elderly women. Don Bosco called Dorothea, “Our Mother in 3
Barcelona.” Like Mama Margarita, Dorothea died poor, on April 3, 1891. She was buried in Barcelona-Sarrià. Dorothea Chopitea was declared Venerable on June 9, 1983.
Vincenzo Cimatti Vincenzo Cimatti was born in Faenza, Italy, on July 15, 1879. His father’s name was Giacomo, and his mother’s maiden name was Rosa Pasi. Vincenzo was the last of six children. His sister was Mother Raffaella of the Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of Mercy. She is now a Blessed. His brother, Luigi, became a Salesian Coadjutor and missionary in Latin America. He died with a reputation for sanctity. Vincenzo is presently Venerable. At the age of three, Vincenzo’s father died. His mother brought him to the parochial church where Don Bosco was preaching. She said to him, “Vincenzino, look, look. There is Don Bosco!” For the rest of his life, Vincenzo remembered the good and kind face of the old priest, Don Bosco. At the age of seventeen, Vincenzo became a Salesian. He was sent to Valsalice, where he studied and taught. He received a diploma for musical composition from the Conservatory of Parma. He also received honors in natural science, 4
philosophy and pedagogy in Turin. At the age of 24, he was ordained a priest. For 20 years he taught and brilliantly composed music at the school of Valsalice. He was called “Maestro” by generations of clerics. He insisted with the Rector Major, “Find me a place in the missions which is more poor, more tiring, and more abandoned. I don’t want to be in a comfortable place.” At the age of 46, he was very happy, because Father Rinaldi sent him as the leader of a group to begin the Salesian work in Japan. There he worked for 40 years. He conquered the heart of the Japanese people by his goodness and by throwing himself, like Don Bosco, into the apostolate of the press and of music. He translated the life of Dominic Savio into Japanese. On the occasion of the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Empire, he composed a sonata which was broadcast over the radio. The important Japanese newspapers judged him to be more Japanese than the Japanese themselves. He founded a musical band of boys. They traveled throughout the nation. Father Cimatti was the first Director of the first Salesian house in Miyazaki. Three years later, he became the Superior of the newly founded province-to-be. Father Cimatti often traveled to see his confreres and to encourage them in their work for boys. He opened houses for orphans and for the less cared for. In 1935, Father Cimatti was nominated the 5