Saint Callisto Caravario (1903-1930)
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:25
Callisto Caravario was born at Cuorgne (Turin) on 18th June 1903. When he met Monsignor Versiglia in Turin in 1921 he said: "I will come and join you in China". He kept his word and left for China two years later. As a young priest, faithful to his religious consecration and fervent in charity, he was on a pastoral visit in the Lin Chow area with Mons. Versiglia, two teachers, two catechists and... Read More »
Saint Luigi Versiglia (1873-1930)
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:25
Luigi Versiglia was born at Oliva Gessi (Pavia) on 5th June 1873. He came to Don Bosco's Oratory when he was twelve years old and went on to become a Salesian Priest. After his ordination in 1895 he spent ten years as novice master at Genzano di Roma. In 1906 he led the first Salesian missionary expedition to China, fulfilling a prophecy often repeated by Don Bosco. Once he had established a 'mother... Read More »
Saint Mary Mazzarello (1837-1881)
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:24
Maria Domenica was born on 9th May 1837 at Mornese in the Alessandria region of Italy. In her family she received a grounding in solid piety, hard work and a remarkable common sense and judgement which stood her in good stead when she became a Religious Superior.
At the age of fifteen she enrolled in the Association of Daughters of Mary Immaculate and started to take part in apostolic work for the... Read More »
Saint Dominic Savio (1842-1857)
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:24
Detail from painting by Musio
Dominic was born on 2nd April 1842 at San Giovanni di Riva, near Chieri (Turin). When he made his first Holy Communion, at the age of seven, he wrote down the following as his plan of life: "I will go to confession very often and go to communion as often as my confessor gives me permission. I will celebrate Sundays and feast days as holy days. Jesus and Mary will be my... Read More »
Other Pathways
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 09:51
"ACCEPT NOT JUST BEING ILL BUT ALSO THE PLACE IN WHICH YOU ARE ILL, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE ILL."
There are many routes to discernment of vocation and resources to explore. Some of them are named on this site as starting points in your search. As you explore these possibilities it is important to listen to both your head and your heart: to analyse... Read More »
Pathway 2: Youth Ministry
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 09:44
"BELIEVE ME... NOBODY CAN BE TRULY HAPPY IN THIS WORLD UNLESS HE IS AT PEACE WITH GOD."
- Don Bosco
Vocational discernment is more than just thinking and reflection. It must go beyond ideas and theory and engage in action. St Francis de Sales spoke about the "ecstasy of action" a way of being caught up in the presence of God through a deep awareness of doing everything in God's presence. That awareness... Read More »
Taking things further
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 09:41
"NOTHING DONE IN A HUGE RUSH OR IMPULSIVELY IS EVER DONE REALLY WELL."
Taking things further
Discernment cannot be done alone or exclusively within ones own mind or heart. To test a sense of being drawn to religious life a searching person needs to engage with others. Some of those may be fellow travellers in the first stages of discernment, some may... Read More »
Volunteering
Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 09:17
Interested in volunteering? Great!
Find out moreâ¦
Whatâs good about us?
- Outstanding value â unlike âFor Profitâ organisations, we donât charge any placement fee.
- Part of a worldwide movement â with BOVA, you are part of the worldwide Salesian Family.
- Making a meaningful contribution â your contribution becomes valuable as part of an ongoing programme... Read More »
A Christian Organisation
Posted: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 17:08
How religious is all this?
BOVA, as all the Salesian Family, has its foundations in a joyful expression of Christian service. Placements are with host communities of priests and brothers who have given their lives to serve God in this way.
However, BOVA is happy to accept volunteers of other faiths or no faith, on the understanding that they will be respectful of the faith dimension and sensitive to... Read More »
A Salesian Organisation
Posted: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 17:06
The Salesians?
The Salesians of Don Bosco are an international Roman Catholic Religious Order dedicated to be signs and bearers of the love of God for young people, especially those who are disadvantaged.
The Salesian Family (made up of priests, Brothers and Sisters as well as others, such as volunteers and past pupils), attempts to continue the work of its founder, St. John Bosco, a... Read More »