Bienheureux Philippe Rinaldi
Prêtre de la Société de Saint-François de
Sales (+ 1931)
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/11240/Bienheureux-Philippe-Rinaldi.html
Le bienheureux Philippe Rinaldi, troisième successeur
de Saint Don Bosco, naquit en 1856 et rencontra Don Bosco à un âge précoce. Le
Saint a vu dans le jeune homme les qualités d'un bon enseignant et d'un futur
salésien, et il a pris soin de s'assurer que Philippe continue ses études. À
l'âge de 22 ans, Philippe est entré dans l'ordre salésien, et il a été ordonné
prêtre en 1882.
Un dirigeant humble et tranquille, Philippe a été
chargé de grandes responsabilités. Il a travaillé avec prudence, charité et
intelligence, supervisant la croissance de l'ordre salésien en Espagne et plus
tard en servant de préfet général de la Congrégation.
En 1921, il a été élu le troisième successeur de Saint
Don Bosco, et il a reçu l'esprit et l'énergie pour aider l'ordre salésien à
s'adapter à de nouveaux temps et circonstances. Il était un fervent partisan du
travail missionnaire, du soutien pour les vocations et du renouveau spirituel
dans la congrégation. Il a travaillé avec confiance en Dieu, et il a confié
toutes ses œuvres à Marie Auxiliatrice.
Philippe est mort en 1931, et il a été béatifié par le
pape Jean Paul II le 29 avril 1990. Il est le patron de la vice-province des
salésiens en Haïti.
Dieu, infiniment bon père,
vous avez appelé le Bienheureux Philippe Rinaldi,
le troisième successeur de St. John Bosco,
héritier de son esprit et de son travail:
Aide-nous à imiter sa bonté paternelle, son initiative
apostolique,
et son travail infatigable, sanctifié par l'union avec
Dieu.
Accorde-nous les grâces que nous confions à son
intercession.
Par le Christ notre Seigneur, Amen
SOURCE : https://www.frinaldihaiti.org/notre-patron/
RMG – Les pensées du Bienheureux Philippe Rinaldi, 3e
Successeur de Don Bosco
07 décembre 2020
(ANS - Rome) - Le samedi 5 décembre, la Famille
Salésienne a rappelé la mémoire liturgique du Bienheureux Philippe Rinaldi
(1856-1931), 3e Successeur de Don Bosco à la tête de la Congrégation. De sa
première profession, en 1880, jusqu’à sa mort en tant que Recteur Majeur, il
s’est impliqué dans une grande variété d’entreprises charismatiques
salésiennes, tout en gardant toujours un profil plutôt bas.
En tant que jeune prêtre, il s’occupe des « vocations
tardives » et, en tant que Recteur Majeur, il lance le réseau des aspirants
missionnaires (le premier érigé en 1922 à Ivrée). Au cours de son Rectorat
(1921-1931), le nombre de Salésiens profès, après les horreurs de la Première
Guerre mondiale, augmente de façon exponentielle : de 4638 Salésiens et 437
novices en 1921 à 8059 Salésiens et 895 novices en 1931.
Il était caractérisé par le zèle missionnaire. La 61e
expédition missionnaire salésienne, en 1929, est la plus importante de
l’histoire salésienne : 374 Salésiens et 103 Filles de Marie Auxiliatrice sont
partis.
Il a été responsable de la croissance de la Famille
Salésienne : il a fondé l’association des Anciens Élèves et l’Institut séculier
des Volontaires de Don Bosco (VDB). Il a consolidé la structure des Salésiens
Coopérateurs et, à travers l’ADMA, il a promu une forte dévotion à Marie Auxiliatrice.
Même en tant que Recteur Majeur, il a été impliqué
dans la direction spirituelle de beaucoup de personnes, en consacrant beaucoup
de temps aux Confessions. Son souci de la vie intérieure des Salésiens et des
membres de la Famille Salésienne a rendu possible le grand mouvement
vocationnel et missionnaire.
À l’occasion de sa fête, les VDB ont partagé
quelques-unes des « Pensées » du Bienheureux Philippe Rinaldi, qui
figurent ci-dessous :
• Dans le recueillement, dans le silence intérieur, on
écoute la voix de Dieu et l’âme consacrée se forme.
• Faites tout le bien possible, selon l’esprit de Don
Bosco.
• Prenez soin de la vie intérieure ; ayez un bon
esprit, sans vous soucier du succès.
• Aimez le Seigneur et, dans l’amour du Seigneur,
aimez votre prochain. C’est le véritable accomplissement de la vie consacrée.
• Une personne profondément humble et douce se donne
volontiers aux autres, se sacrifie généreusement, aime plus parfaitement Notre
Seigneur.
• Lorsque nous obéissons aux dispositions que Dieu a
prises pour nous, jour après jour, nous faisons la volonté de Dieu.
• La vie consiste à travailler. Ceux qui vivent
travaillent ; quand on ne fait rien, on meurt.
• Restez unis dans le même esprit et vous vous
comprendrez plus facilement.
• La gentillesse et la courtoisie dans les regards,
dans les relations, dans les mots : conquérir tout le monde avec la bonté.
• Jésus a versé tout son sang en obéissance au Père et
pour sauver l’humanité. Jésus, notre modèle, a été obéissant jusqu’à la mort
sur la Croix.
• Nous ne devons pas nous attendre à faire des choses
extraordinaires en matière d’esprit. Soyez simples comme des enfants.
• La miséricorde est comme la nourriture, et c’est la
première chose qui est donnée à la créature. C’est la nourriture de la vie
chrétienne, nous ne devons donc pas cesser de la nourrir, pour que la vie
spirituelle ne s’affaiblisse pas en nous.
• L’essence de la vraie piété est la Sainte Communion,
les bonnes œuvres et, mieux encore, l’imitation de celle que nous voulons
honorer : Marie Très Sainte.
Bx Filippo Rinaldi
Prêtre s.d.b. et 3e successeur de don Bosco
Philippe Rinaldi, né le 28 mai 1856 à Lu Monferrato
(Alessandria), fut conquis, à vingt-et-un an, par don Bosco.
Devenu prêtre, il reçut la charge de former aspirants
et novices. Don Michele Rua l’envoya en 1889 comme Directeur à Sarriá en
Espagne ; appelé ensuite à être Provincial, il contribua de façon décisive au
développement de l’Espagne salésienne.
Nommé Vicaire Général de la Congrégation, il révéla
encore davantage ses dons de père et la richesse de ses initiatives : soin des
vocations ; formation de centres d’assistance spirituelle et sociale pour les
jeunes ouvrières ; guide et soutien pour les Filles de Marie Auxiliatrice en un
moment particulier de leur histoire.
Il donna une grande impulsion aux Coopérateurs ; il
institua les Fédérations mondiales des anciens élèves hommes et femmes.
Travaillant avec les Zélatrices de Marie Auxiliatrice,
il comprit et parcourut un chemin qui l’amena à créer une nouvelle forme de vie
consacrée dans le monde, qui fleurirait ensuite dans l’Institut séculier des
« Volontaires de Don Bosco ».
Élu Recteur majeur en 1922, il employa toutes ses
énergies pour adapter l’esprit de Don Bosco aux temps nouveaux. « Au P.
Rinaldi il ne manque que la voix de D. Bosco, il a tout le reste » disait
le Père Francesia.
Versé en salésianité et maître de vie spirituelle, il
ranima la vie intérieure des Salésiens, la confiance absolue en Dieu, la confiance
en la Vierge Auxiliatrice ; il demanda à Pie XI (Ambrogio Damiano Achille
Ratti, 1922-1939) l’indulgence du travail sanctifié ; il prit un
grand soin des missions en envoyant de nombreux jeunes apprendre la langue et
les coutumes locales en vue d’une évangélisation plus efficace.
Il est mort le 5 décembre 1931. Sa dépouille est
vénérée dans la crypte de la Basilique de Marie Auxiliatrice. Sa mémoire se
célèbre le 5 décembre.
Filippo Rinaldi a été béatifié, par saint Jean Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła, 1978-2005), le 29 avril 1990, à Turin sur la place de la Basilique de Marie Auxiliatrice.
SOURCE : https://levangileauquotidien.org/FR/display-saint/83e46731-a561-4ae2-810c-fd8185e9b1d5
Don Rinaldi est considéré comme le fondateur de
l'œuvre Salésienne en Espagne et au Portugal. Il a été aussi le Fondateur,
génial pour l'époque, de l'Institut Séculier des VOLONTAIRES DE DON BOSCO.
C'était un homme d'une profonde Piété, d'intense vie
intérieure et de grande dévotion filiale à Marie Auxiliatrice.
Une pensée spirituelle écrite à ses Filles V.D.B. :
" Qu'est-ce que vous devez faire pour avoir la
vie ? D'abord, Priez pour avoir chaque jour la force d'âme et porter votre
Croix, comme Le Seigneur vous l'a enseigné. C'est la première chose que vous
devez faire. Faites bien le travail propre à chacune et à votre état, comme
Dieu le veut, dans votre condition. Tout cela selon l'Esprit du Seigneur et de
Don Bosco. "
Il a été déclaré Bienheureux par Saint Jean-Paul II,
le 29 Avril 1990.
Il est mort le 5 Décembre 1931. Sa dépouille est
vénérée dans la crypte de la Basilique de Marie Auxiliatrice.
Au fond de la Basilique, on peut admirer deux tableaux
qui représentent: le rêve du radeau et celui des deux colonnes.
Un 30 Mai, Don Bosco a raconté qu'il avait vu en rêve
une terrible bataille maritime, déclanchée par une multitude d'embarcations,
petites et grandes, contre un seul navire, Symbole de l'Eglise.
Le navire plusieurs fois atteint mais toujours
victorieux, était guidé par le Pape pour s'encrer entre deux colonnes, sorties
de la mer.
La première avait à son sommet une grande Hostie avec
l'inscription "Salus credentium " l'autre, plus basse, la
statue de l'Immaculée et les mots " Auxilium Christianorum ".
Le rêve du radeau a été raconté par Don Bosco en 1866:
poussés par une inondation épouvantable, les jeunes, pour le sauver, sont
montés avec Don Bosco sur un radeau, et ils ont vu dans le ciel un mot
mystérieux " Medoum "que le Saint expliquait ainsi: "
la Mère et Notre-Dame de l'Univers, Marie ". Le radeau est arrivé
près d'un lieu sûr, et la Vierge Marie a dit à ses jeunes:
"Si vous êtes mes fils dévots, je serai votre
Mère aimante".
BIENHEUREUX PHILIPPE RINALDI (1856-1931)
Devenu prêtre, il reçut la charge de former aspirants
et novices. Don Rua l’envoya en 1889 comme Directeur à Sarria en Espagne ;
appelé ensuite à être Provincial, il contribua de façon décisive au
développement de l’ "Espagne salésienne".
Nommé Vicaire Général de la Congrégation, il révéla encore davantage ses dons de père et la richesse de ses initiatives : soin des vocations ; formation de centres d’assistance spirituelle et sociale pour les jeunes ouvrières ; guide et soutien pour les Filles de Marie Auxiliatrice en un moment particulier de leur histoire. Il donna une grande impulsion aux Coopérateurs ; il institua les Fédérations mondiales des anciens élèves hommes et femmes. Travaillant avec les Zélatrices de Marie Auxiliatrice, il comprit et parcourut un chemin qui l’amena à créer une nouvelle forme de vie consacrée dans le monde, qui fleurirait ensuite dans l'Institut séculier des "Volontaires de Don Bosco".
Élu Recteur majeur en 1922, il employa toutes ses
énergies pour adapter l’esprit de Don Bosco aux temps nouveaux. "Au P.
Rinaldi il ne manque que la voix de D. Bosco, il a tout le reste" disait
le Père Francesia. Versé en salésianité et maître de vie spirituelle, il ranima
la vie intérieure des Salésiens, la confiance absolue en Dieu, la confiance en
la Vierge Auxiliatrice ; il demanda à Pie XI l'indulgence du "travail
sanctifié" ; il prit un grand soin des missions en envoyant de nombreux
jeunes apprendre la langue et les coutumes en vue d’une évangélisation plus
efficace.
Il est mort le 5 décembre 1931. Sa dépouille est vénérée dans la crypte de la Basilique de Marie Auxiliatrice. Sa mémoire se célèbre le 5 décembre.
(ANS – Rome) – Le 29 avril c’est le XXV
anniversaire de la béatification de Don Filippo Rinaldi, troisième Successeur
de Don Bosco, survenue sur la place St Pierre de Rome le 29 avril 1990, par le
Pape Jean Paul II, aujourd’hui saint.
En cette circonstance, en présentant la figure du
nouveau bienheureux, le Pape s’exprima ainsi : « Sa
vocation naquit de la rencontre avec l’apôtre des jeunes, par qui il fut
orienté personnellement sur le chemin de la formation religieuse et sacerdotale.
Il en imita les vertus et les caractéristiques spirituelles à tel point d’être
appelé son ‘image vivante’ . Plein d’amour pour l’Eglise, il en promut la
présence rénovatrice parmi les peuples avec une authentique mobilisation
missionnaire, même parmi les très jeunes.
Bien conscient de l’importance des laïcs, en soigna
l’organisation et la formation spirituelle, selon les critères modernes.
L’oratoire féminin dirigé par lui auprès des Filles de Marie Auxiliatrice
de Turin se transforma en un centre d’intense vitalité ecclésiale avec
associations religieuses, culturelles, sociales, récréatives. C’est dans ce
climat de profonde foi que y fleurissait qui a donné vie à un groupe de
‘vie consacrée dans le monde’, qui est devenu ensuite l’Institut laïque des
‘Volontaires de Don Bosco’.
Don Rinaldi fut surtout un infatigable promoteur de la
grande Famille Salésienne, dans ses différents groupes, et il travailla afin
qu’elle devienne une force valide, coordonnée et souple pour
l’éducation chrétienne des jeunes et des classes populaires ».
Né en 1856 à Lu Montferrat (Alexandrie), Filippo Rinaldi connut Don Bosco depuis sa jeunesse au
collège de Mirabello. Devenu prêtre en 1882 et Maitre des Novices, il fut
envoyé en Espagne où il devint Provincial et contribua au développement
de la présence salésienne en terre ibérique. Comme Vicaire Général de la
congrégation il donna une impulsion aux Coopérateurs, à la pastorale des
vocations, il institua la fédération mondiale des anciens/nes élèves, toujours
attentif au monde du travail. Il soutint les Filles de Marie Auxiliatrice
et fonda les « Zélatrices », les futures « Volontaires de Don
Bosco ».
En 1922 il fut élu III Successeur de Don Bosco. Il mourut
à Turin le 5 décembre 1931. Il connut la joie de voir la béatification de Don
Bosco le 2 juin 1929.
SOURCE : http://jbdnd.free.fr/Texte/rinaldi.htm
Also known as
Filippo Rinaldi
Philippi Rinaldi
Profile
Philip met Don
Bosco at age 5, and apparently instinctively understood the importance
of the future saint.
Though he felt a call to a religious vocation,
Philip was torn, and was seriously considering marriage when
he decided to become a disciple of Don
Bosco at age 22. The Christian Brothers immediately saw
something in him, and made him an assistant novice
master even before he took his vows as a Salesian on 13 August 1880.
Though he had no intention to become a priest,
his superiors, who saw his potential better than he did, ordered him to study and
take the tests, and he was ordained on 23
December 1882.
In addition to his work as novice
master, Philip was placed in charge of the “late” vocations, those like
himself who came to the Order as adults. Director of
the Salesian community of Sarriá, Spain in 1889;
he opened several new houses, and brought in many new
vocations. Salesian provincial director in Spain from 1892 to 1901.
Began publication of Lecturas Catolicas in 1895.
Helped the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians expand in Spain.
Vicar-General of the Salesians on 1 April 1901.
Founded centres to minister to the daily and spiritual needs of young women.
Helped found the World Federations of Past-Pupils, and assisted
the Salesian Sisters. Organized the Salesian International
Congress of 1911.
With Zelatrici di Maria Ausiliatrice he helped found the group that would
evolve into the Volunteers of Don Bosco.
Rector Major
of the Salesians on 24 May 1922,
the third successor to Don
Bosco, and the last one to have been personally trained by him. From that
position he worked to bring Doc
Bosco‘s vision to the 20th
century, and the 20th
century to the vision, doing all he could to
spread Salesian spirituality and trust in God. He sent
many young Salesians to learn foreign languages and customs so they
would become more effective missionaries,
and he asked Pope Pius XI to
grant the “indulgence for sanctified work”. He travelled extensively, preaching,
encouraging vocations and the spiritual life of the laity.
During his tenure the number of Salesians went from 6,000 to 10,000,
there were 250 new houses and centres opened, and his teacher Don
Bosco was recognized as a saint.
Born
28 May 1856 at Lu,
Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy
5 December 1931 of
natural causes in Turin, Italy
buried in
the cemetery in Turin
following the miraculous healing of
Sister Mary Carla, he was re-interred in the Basilica of
Mary Our Help, Turin
3 January 1987 by Pope John
Paul II
29 April 1990 by Pope John
Paul II
his beatification miracle involved
the healing and
regeneration of the jaw of Sister Mary Carla who was shot in the face on 20 April 1945 in
northen Italy in
the waning days of World War II
Additional Information
books
By Love Compelled; The Life of Father Philip Rinaldi, Third
Successor of Saint John Bosco
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other sites in english
sitios en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti in italiano
Readings
What must you do to have life? Before all else, the
first thing you have to do is pray for courage every day to carry the cross the
Lord has assigned you. Then let each of you do your own work really well, the
work proper to your state, as God wants
it, and according to your condition, which means according to the spirit of the
Lord and of Don
Bosco. – Blessed Philip
Rinaldi
All that is lacking to Father Rinaldi
is Don
Bosco‘s voice: he has everything else. – Father Francesia
MLA Citation
“Blessed Philip Rinaldi“. CatholicSaints.Info. 12
November 2021. Web. 4 December 2021.
<http://catholicsaints.info/blessed-philip-rinaldi/>
SOURCE : http://catholicsaints.info/blessed-philip-rinaldi/
Blessed Phillip Rinaldi
Feast day: Dec 05
Bl. Phillip Rinaldi was born on May 28, 1856 in Piedmont, Italy. He met Don Bosco when he was just five years old, and intuitively recognized that he was a man with a great mission.
At the age of 22, he entered the Salesian Order at the end of a tremendous vocational struggle, and even before making his vows he was made assistant novice master and was placed in charge of those with late vocations. He was ordained a priest in 1882.
He soon became the Salesian provincial superior in Spain, where he opened many new houses and then served as vicar-general of the Salesians before becoming the Rector Major in 1922, Don Bosco’s third successor.
His humble and quiet leadership of the order – he
preferred to remain in the background of events, unnoticed in the crowd --
combined with his tremendous saintly virtue and apostolic zeal, and a healing
miracle attributed to him at the end of the Second World War, prompted his
cause for canonization.
He died on December 5, 1931 in Turin, and was beatified on April 29, 1990 by Pope John Paul II.
“What must you do to have life? Before all else, the
first thing you have to do is pray for courage every day to carry the cross the
Lord has assigned you. Then let each of you do your own work really well, the
work proper to your state, as God wants it, and according to your condition.” -
Blessed Philip Rinaldi
SOURCE : https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/blessed-phillip-rinaldi-408
Blessed Philip Rinaldi - Priest
Philip Rinaldi was born in Lu Monferrato in the
province of Alessandria, May 28 1856. He was the eighth of nine children, his
temperament in youth was not what one might expect from a proper saint, but the
celebrated saint of young people was able to see him in a good cloth to make a
good teacher. Philip knew Don Bosco in his native country at an early age, they
met during one of the many walks that the holy priest did with his young. Ten
years later his father enrolled him at the College of Mirabello, and left of
his own will for a few months later. Don Bosco wrote, attempting to persuade
him to return, but Philip was obstinate. In 1874, Don Bosco went personally to
Lu to convince the young Philip to return to Turin, but unfortunately without
success. Only three years later did Don Bosco finally manage to persuade him
and win his heart and, at the age of twenty years, Rinaldi undertaken
Sampierdarena the way for adult vocations.
In 1880, after the novitiate, in the hands of the Don
Bosco, he made his perpetual vows. Thanks to the holy insistence of Don Bosco,
in December 1882, Philip answered the Lord’s call and received priestly
ordination. Shortly after, the founding saint named him a director of Mathi, a
college for adult vocations, which then was transferred to Turin. A few days
after the death of Don Bosco, Don Rinaldi wanted to confess that he and those
before perform now without forces, said only one word: “Meditation”.
In 1889 Don Michael Rua, the first successor of Don
Bosco, appointed him director in Sarria, near Barcelona in Spain, saying: “You
must do things very delicately.” In three years, with prayer, gentleness and a
paternal presence and animator among young people in the community and Salesian
risollevò the work. He was then appointed Inspector of Spain and Portugal,
contributing to the development of the Salesian Family on Spanish soil. In just
nine years, partly because economic data from the venerable Dorothy Chopitea,
noblewoman, Don Rinaldi founded sixteen new homes. Don Rua visited and was
impressed, then appointed him Prefect of the Congregation general. In his new
position, Don Rinaldi continued to work with zeal, never giving up his priestly
ministry. He carried out his task of government with prudence, charity and
intelligence.
After the death of Blessed Don Rua, in 1910 Philip
Rinaldi was re-elected prefect and the Vicar of Don Albera, new Rector Major.
In 1921 he was elected the third successor of Don Bosco, whose spirit had to
adapt to new times, a role that showed more of his talents father and his
wealth of initiatives: care of vocations, training centers of spiritual and
social assistance for young workers, guidance and support for the Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians in a particular time in their history. He gave great impetus
to the Salesian Cooperators, founded the World Federations of former students
and former students. Working among Zelatrici of Mary Help of Christians, saw
and traveled a path that led to a new form of consecrated life in the world,
which would then flourished at the centuries of “Volunteer of Don Bosco.”
The impetus he gave to the Salesian missions was
enormous: missionaries founded institutes, journals and associations, and
during his time as its rector, he traveled the whole world over milleottocento
Salesians. He made numerous trips to Italy and Europe. From Pope Pius XI, he
won the indulgence of work sanctified. He was a master of spiritual life,
reviving the inner life of the Salesians, always showing absolute confidence in
God and confidence in un illimitata Mary Help of Christians, with the
title as the Mother of God is invoked by the Salesian Family. The great
Salesian Don French said: “Don Rinaldi missing only the voice of Don Bosco.”
On December 5, 1931 in Turin Philip Rinaldi holy and
quietly concluded his earthly life, intent to read the life of Don Rua. His
canonization process began on November 5, 1947 and Don Rinaldi was declared
“venerable” on January 3, 1987. Pope John Paul II beatified him on April 29,
1990 in the square outside the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin,
along with the young Pier Giorgio Frassati and Canon Joseph Allamano, founder
of Missionari della Consolata. Even today, the mortal remains of Blessed
Rinaldi rest in the crypt of the Basilica of Turin.
Prayers:
God the Father infinitely good, You have called
the Blessed Philip Rinaldi, Third Successor of St. John Bosco, to
take over the spirit and works: Get imitate the paternal
goodness, enterprise apostolic the tireless efforts by the sanctified
with God. Grant us that the grzie entrust to her intercession. For
Christ our Lord. Amen.
or:
Father of infinite goodness, you shine in fact
blessed Philip Rinaldi a model of evangelical life joyfully
donated: grant us to imitate the enlightened initiative apostolic because,
in fidelity to our daily work, bring to your project full of
love. For our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who is God, and lives and
reigns with you, the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
Source : Biography Provided By: Salesian Missions
Quote:
“What must you do to have life? Before all else, the
first thing you have to do is pray for courage every day to carry the cross the
Lord has assigned you. Then let each of you do your own work really well, the
work proper to your state, as God wants it, and according to your condition.” -
Blessed Philip Rinaldi
Relics:
Buried in the cemetery in Turin.
Following the miraculous healing of Sister Mary Carla, he was re-interred in the Basilica of Mary Our Help, Turin.
SOURCE : https://saintscatholic.blogspot.com/2016/12/blessed-philip-rinaldi.html
Blessed Philip Rinaldi Memorial, December 5
By Bishop Enrico dal Covolo, SDB, and Father Giorgio
Mocci, SDB*
Philip Rinaldi was born at Lu Monferrato in the
Alessandria province of Piedmont on May 28, 1856. He was the eighth of nine
children, and as a child he met Don Bosco when he came to Lu on one of his
autumn outings with the boys of the Oratory.
When he was ten, his father enrolled him in the
Salesian school at Mirabello, which he left a few months later by his own
choice. Don Bosco wrote to him, trying to induce him to return. But Philip
would not be moved.
In 1874 Don Bosco went to Lu to try to convince him to
come with him to Turin, but he failed. Three years later he finally succeeded
in persuading him and, at age 21, Philip began the program at Sampierdarena for
adult vocations. After his novitiate, in 1880 he pronounced perpetual vows into
Don Bosco’s hands.
Thanks to the Founder’s holy insistence, Philip
answered the Lord’s call and in December 1882 was ordained. A short while
after, Don Bosco named him director of the house at Mathi, a school for adult
vocations that was then moved to Turin. A few days before the saint of the
young died, Fr. Rinaldi went to confess to him. Before absolving him, by then
not having much strength, Don Bosco spoke just one word to him: “Meditation.”
In 1889 Fr. Rua named him director at Barcelona:
“You’ll have to patch up some rather delicate matters,” he said. In three
years, with prayer, gentleness, and an inspiring, fatherly presence among the
boys and in the Salesian community, he rescued the work.
He was appointed provincial of Spain and Portugal. In
nine years, thanks to the financial assistance of Ven. Dorothy Chopitea, Fr.
Rinaldi founded sixteen new houses. After a visit to Spain, Fr. Rua was so
impressed that he nominated him prefect general of the Congregation. In this
new responsibility, Fr. Rinaldi continued to work zealously, never forgoing his
priestly ministry. He carried out his governing task with prudence, charity,
and intelligence.
After Fr. Rua’s death in 1910, the general chapter
confirmed him as prefect general and vicar of Fr. Paul Albera. In 1921,
following Fr. Albera’s death, he was elected Don Bosco’s third successor. He
gave the missions enormous thrust, founding missionary works, magazines, and
associations. During his rectorate, more than 1,800 Salesians departed for all
parts of the world.
Fr. Rinaldi carried out numerous trips in Italy and
the rest of Europe. He founded the Past Pupils Association and the secular
institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers. From Pope Pius XI he obtained the
indulgence for sanctified work.
A master of the spiritual life, he reinvigorated the
interior life of the Salesians, showing an absolute confidence in God and an enlightened
trust in Mary Help of Christians. The great Salesian Fr. John Baptist Francesia
said of him, “Fr. Rinaldi lacks only the voice of Don Bosco.”
On December 5, 1931, he died silently while he was
reading the life of Fr. Rua. He was declared Venerable on January 3, 1987, and
beatified by St. John Paul II on April 29, 1990.
*Santi nella Famiglia Salesiana, 2d ed. (Turin: LDC, 2009), pp. 32-33.
SOURCE : http://sdbnews.blogspot.com/2020/12/blessed-philip-rinaldi-memorial.html
Beato Filippo Rinaldi Sacerdote salesiano
Lu Monferrato, Alessandria, 28 Maggio 1856 – Torino, 5
dicembre 1931
Nato nel 1856 a Lu Monferrato nell'Alessandrino,
Filippo Rinaldi a 21 anni conobbe don Bosco. Divenuto prete nel 1882 e maestro
dei novizi, fu inviato in Spagna dove divenne Ispettore e contribuì allo
sviluppo dei Salesiani in loco. Da vicario generale della congregazione, diede
impulso ai cooperatori, alla pastorale vocazionale, istituì le federazioni
mondiali degli ex allievi e allieve, fu attento al mondo del lavoro. Sostenne
le Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice e intuì il ruolo delle «Zelatrici», future
«Volontarie di don Bosco». Nel 1921 fu eletto terzo successore di don Bosco.
Morì nel 1931 a Torino. È stato beatificato da Giovanni Paolo II il 29 aprile
1990 in Piazza San Pietro a Roma. Le sue spoglie riposano nella cripta della
Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice a Torino.
Martirologio Romano: A Torino, beato Filippo
Rinaldi, sacerdote della Società Salesiana, che si adoperò per la diffusione
della fede nelle terre di missione.
Nel 1880, dopo il noviziato, nelle mani dello stesso don Bosco, emise i voti perpetui. Grazie alla santa insistenza di Don Bosco, nel dicembre del 1882 Filippo rispose alla chiamata del Signore e ricevette l’ordinazione presbiterale. Poco tempo dopo il santo fondatore lo nominò direttore a Mathi, un collegio per vocazioni adulte che poi fu trasferito a Torino. A pochi giorni dalla morte di Don Bosco, Don Rinaldi volle confessarsi da lui e questi, prima di assolverlo, ormai senza forze, gli disse soltanto una parola: “Meditazione”.
Nel 1889 Don Michele Rua, primo successore di Don Bosco, lo nominò direttore a Sarria, nei pressi di Barcellona in Spagna, dicendogli: “Dovrai sbrigare cose assai delicate”. In tre anni, con la preghiera, la mansuetudine e una presenza paterna e animatrice tra i giovani e nella comunità salesiana, risollevò l’opera. Venne allora nominato Ispettore di Spagna e Portogallo, contribuendo in modo allo sviluppo della Famiglia Salesiana in terra spagnola. In soli nove anni, anche grazie all’aiuto economico dato dalla venerabile nobildonna Dorotea Chopitea, Don Rinaldi fondò ben sedici nuove case. Don Rua dopo una visita ne restò impressionato e, in seguito, lo nominò Prefetto generale della Congregazione. Nel nuovo incarico, don Rinaldi continuò a lavorare con zelo, senza mai rinunciare al suo ministero sacerdotale. Svolse il suo compito di governo con prudenza, carità e intelligenza.
Dopo la morte del Beato Don Rua, nel 1910 Filippo Rinaldi fu rieletto Prefetto e Vicario di Don Albera, nuovo Rettor Maggiore. Nel 1922 fu eletto egli stesso terzo successore di Don Bosco, il cui spirito dovette adattare ai tempi nuovi, ruolo che evidenziò maggiormente le sue doti di padre e la sua ricchezza d’iniziative: cura delle vocazioni, formazione di centri di assistenza spirituale e sociale per le giovani operaie, guida e sostegno per le Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice in un particolare momento della loro storia. Grande impulso diede ai Cooperatori Salesiani, istituì le Federazioni mondiali degli ex-allievi ed ex-allieve. Lavorando tra le Zelatrici di Maria Ausiliatrice, intuì e percorse una via che portava ad attuare una nuova forma di vita consacrata nel mondo, che sarebbe in seguito fiorita nell’Istituto secolare delle “Volontarie di don Bosco”.
L’impulso che egli diede alle missioni salesiane fu enorme: fondò istituti missionari, riviste e associazioni, e durante il suo rettorato partirono per tutto il mondo oltre milleottocento salesiani. Compì numerosi viaggi in Italia ed Europa. Dal pontefice Pio XI ottenne l’indulgenza del lavoro santificato. Maestro di vita spirituale, rianimò la vita interiore dei salesiani mostrando sempre un’assoluta confidenza in Dio ed un’illimitata fiducia in Maria Ausiliatrice, titolo con il quale la Madre di Dio è particolarmente invocata dalla Famiglia Salesiana. Il grande salesiano Don Francesia asserì: “A Don Rinaldi manca solo la voce di don Bosco”.
Il 5 dicembre 1931 a Torino Filippo Rinaldi concluse santamente e silenziosamente la sua vita terrena, intento a leggere la vita di Don Rua. Il suo processo di canonizzazione ebbe inizio il 5 novembre 1947 e Don Rinaldi fu dichiarato “venerabile” il 3 gennaio 1987. Papa Giovanni Paolo II lo ha beatificato il 29 aprile 1990 a Roma in Piazza San Pietro. Ancora oggi le spoglie mortali del Beato Rinaldi riposano nella cripta della Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice a Torino.
PREGHIERE
Dio, Padre infinitamente buono,
Tu hai chiamato il Beato Filippo Rinaldi,
Terzo Successore di San Giovanni Bosco,
ad ereditarne spirito ed opere:
ottienici di imitarne la paterna bontà,
l’intraprendenza apostolica,
l’operosità instancabile santificata dall’unione con
Dio.
COncedi a noi le grzie che affidiamo alla sua
intercessione.
Per Cristo nostro Signore. Amen.
oppure:
Padre d'infinita bontà,
tu hai fatto risplendere nel beato Filippo Rinaldi
un modello di vita evangelica gioiosamente donata:
concedi a noi di imitarne l'illuminata iniziativa
apostolica,
perché, nella quotidiana fedeltà al nostro lavoro,
portiamo a pienezza il tuo progetto d'amore.
Per il nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, tuo Figlio, che è
Dio,
e vive e regna con te, nell'unità dello Spirito Santo,
per tutti i secoli dei secoli. Amen.
Autore: Fabio Arduino
Note: Per segnalare grazie o favori ricevuti per
sua intercessione, oppure per informazioni, rivolgersi al Postulatore Generale
della Famiglia Salesiana: postulatore@sdb.org
Voir aussi : https://archive.sdb.org/FR/pdf/Rinaldi_messa_fr.pdf
https://www.sdb.org/fr/Saintete_Salesienne/Bienheureux/Philippe__Rinaldi
https://www.infoans.org/fr/?option=com_k2&view=item&id=3290
