Saint of the day October 29: Blessed Miguel Rúa. Catholic Saints

Every October 29, we commemorate Blessed Miguel Rúa (1837-1919), priest who succeeded Don Bosco as rector major of the Salesians (Society of Saint Francis de Sales), between 1888 and 1910.

Once, Saint John Bosco expressed himself about Don Rúa with these words: “If God asked me for a list of the best qualities that he wants for his religious, I don’t know what qualities I would dare to say that Miguel Rúa no longer has.”

“We will do things halfway”

Miguel Rúa was born in Turin (Italy) in 1837. At the age of eight his father died, and being under the care of his mother, he managed to finish primary school at the local school and with that learn catechism. Later, he went to the Christian Schools, run by the Salesian brothers, where he established a friendship with the priest who confessed the children every week: Don Bosco.

On one of the occasions when the boys gathered around Don Bosco to play with him or to ask him for a picture or medal, Miguel stood in front of the saint timidly. Miguel remained mute and Don Bosco did not give him anything, he only extended his left hand, while with his right he pretended to cut something: “Here, Miguelín, here: we two will do things halfway” (ie together, each one his part).

Miguel did not understand what Don Bosco meant with the unusual gesture. He didn’t understand his words either. However, he would understand it later, when God placed him at the head of the Order that John Bosco founded. The words of the holy founder would end up having a prophetic character.

A good competitor for Santo Domingo Savio

Members of the Salesian family often remember another episode in which Saint John Bosco made a vote among his boys. The boys chose Saint Dominic Savio as the most friendly and good companion, while Miguel Rúa would be chosen as the most holy and pious among the Oratorians.

Years later, Miguel would join the Oratory as an intern and, little by little, he gained the trust of the founder, until he became his assistant. Later, now a young, determined and cheerful man, he would become one of the first Salesian brothers. In fact, he was the first to take his vows on March 25, 1855. A year later, he would be elected the first president of the Society of Mary Immaculate, founded by Saint Dominic Savio.

Due to his piety and maturity, he was also elected spiritual director of the future Order and became the first spiritual son of Don Bosco to be ordained a priest, although as a diocesan, on July 29, 1860. The Pious Society of Saint Francis de Sales had It was founded in 1859, in Valdocco, Turin, Italy, but would not receive papal approval until March 1, 1869.

A very strong ‘right arm’

Saint John Bosco began to give Father Michael increasingly important positions. Those close to him began to call him “Don Rúa”, very much in the Salesian style. Miguel would be appointed director of the Mirabello College, later prefect of the house of Turin, in charge of administrative affairs and workshops, provincial inspector of the Salesian schools (period 1870-1872) and he was entrusted with the construction of the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians. .

Miguel also collaborated closely in the founding and organization of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesian Cooperators.

With the passage of time, “we will do everything halfway” had become a solid reality. And, among other things, Don Bosco no longer made decisions without Don Rúa’s approval. They had both shared, in an excellent manner, the great responsibilities of the work that God had placed in their hands.

In the final stage of his life, Don Bosco, grateful for the immense help that Don Rúa had given him over the years, said: “If Father Rúa wanted to do miracles, he would do them, because he has enough virtue to achieve them.” “.

‘Another Don Bosco’

Upon the death of Don Bosco in 1888, Blessed Miguel Rúa succeeded him as superior general of the Pious Society of Saint Francis de Sales. Under his command, the presence of the Salesians outside Italy increased and the Order spread throughout the world.

Blessed Michael always lived austerely. He asked for a lot, but not for himself. He stayed away from positions of privilege and became a man “of the last cassock, of the last bread, of the last place.” He was characterized by his tenderness and kindness, as well as by his intense love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary Help of Christians. Those who knew him personally used to say that he was ‘another Don Bosco’.

Don Miguel Rúa left for the Father’s House on April 6, 1910 and was beatified by today’s Pope Saint Paul VI in 1972.

Don Bosco and Don Rúa did everything “halfway”, that is, they worked, shared responsibilities, sufferings and joys. The two did many things “shoulder to shoulder”, as a team, supporting each other as good brothers and disciples of Christ, always at the service of young people.