Colegio Don Bosco de Valencia, Venezuela

 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Ministry of Popular Power for Education
Don Bosco School Educational Unit

Student: Rosybel Villegas

Third Year of Administration

Valencia, Carabobo

 

 History of Don Bosco School

Valencia: November 22, 1894 the first Salesians arrived in Valencia, the city of Cabriales had been anxiously awaiting them since 1895 when the first contacts were made with Don Bosco himself and he was asked to send the first missionary expedition, the prevailing atmosphere product of the Guzmancist era was a ghost that kept the sons of Don Bosco away for some time.

The Salesians formed a boarding school that soon had a significant number of students, its initial cost was 15 bolivars and it remained open until 1968 when, by order of the Superiors, Fr. Ricardo Alterio, as Director, decreed its closure and the boarding school was maintained.

This boarding school had been operating since 1895, just a few months after the arrival of the Salesian Fathers in Valencia. Seventy-three years of uninterrupted operation. Seventy-three years of seeing young schoolchildren arrive at the beginning of the second half of September, loaded with suitcases, with a sad face, and with their spirits in suspense before the possible surprises of the boarding school. Seventy-three years in which, in the last days of July, the youngsters dispersed, with joy reflected in their faces, jubilant and cheerful at the return to their parents' laps.

The boarding school that was closed gave physiognomy, and was a component of very special flavor for the "Don Bosco" school of Valencia. Its history is confused with the history of the school. Let us begin now to relive the chronicles of this educational temple. At the end of the year 1894, the community was integrated in the house owned by the Fontainés family, on the corner of El Vapor. The Reverend Father Felix Andres Bergeretti presided over it, with the clergymen Savoia and Montanari. All natives of Italy. They had arrived by the hand of the Presbyter Victor Julio Arocha, Vicar of Valencia, and had the support and sympathy of a group of Valencian matrons. At the head of them, Doña Maria de la Paz Perez Santander, whose house was opened with generosity to defray the expenses inherent to the daring enterprise.

The building, facing La Fortuna Street, today Anzoátegui Avenue, was narrow and uncomfortable. The Fathers opened operations, knowing that they would only operate there for a short time. A few months later, with more than two hundred students enrolled, on April 1, 1895, they moved into an old house of colonial architecture, facing El Sol Street, today Páez Street; acquired for the amount of Twenty Six Thousand Bolívares. It was then that they were able to breathe freely and talk about relative comfort.

The fact is that Valencia had responded to them amply. The simplicity, the spirit of work, the plainness and cordiality in the treatment, the uniform behavior in front of the rich pupil and the poor scholar. All these virtues had made an excellent impression on Valencian society. Convinced of the roots, sure that they had reached a hospitable home and a safe harbor, the Fathers dared to commit themselves to such a large investment. An investment that involved years of hardship and even discomfort.

 Saint John Bosco

Italian priest and educator

John was born in I Becchi (Italy) on August 16, 1815. His mother, Margherita, was married to Francesco, who had been widowed and had a son named Antonio. When Juan was only 2 years old, his father died and the family began to experience serious economic difficulties, but above all, relationship difficulties since Antonio was envious of Juan.

At the age of 9, Juan had a prophetic dream that marked his whole life: he would be a pastor and guide for the neediest children and young people. He had to study and prepare himself well and, as there were many difficulties at home, he had to look for a job in a nearby town. There, he was able to alternate his work in the fields and the stable with study and prayer. Later, in 1829, Don Calosso, (chaplain of Murialdo) offered himself as his first Latin teacher and his first spiritual guide, but he died suddenly in November 1830. John, aware of the mission he will have among young people, spares no effort to be able to continue his studies. He walked 20 kilometers a day, lived as a boarder in the house of a local tailor and musician, learned many trades to earn his bread... he slept under a ladder and worked as an apprentice in a workshop, a waiter, a stable hand, etc. This strong vocational restlessness led him to found the Society of Joy with his friends... to enter the Seminary... and, in 1841, to be ordained a priest. His dream was coming true! Now he could dedicate himself fully to the most needy young people!

The Salesian Society began in 1854, to ensure the stability of its works and its spirit in the future. But who was going to dedicate himself to the poorest girls and young women... We do not know to what extent D. Bosco was concerned about the situation of abandonment in which girls and young women lived in that society. What is certain is that the subject concerned and occupied him... He wanted to found a feminine congregation that would take care of the girls and he considered providential the meeting in 1862 with D. Pestarino (parish priest of Mornés); the latter told him about the existence of a group of young people who carried out a workshop and an oratory with the girls and young women of his town. We know that D. Pestarino spoke to him especially about the young woman, Maria Mazzarello.

When Don Bosco went to Mornese in 1864, he discovered for himself that this young woman, Maria Mazzarello, was doing with the girls and young women of Mornese what he was doing with the children and young people in Turin. Maria, for her part, says that "the words of Don Bosco were like the echo of a voice that she felt in her heart, without knowing how to express it; like the translation of her own feelings; like something she had always hoped for and that finally arrived" and expresses "Don Bosco is a saint, and I feel it".

Thus, in 1872, Don Bosco, with Maria Mazzarello, founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

The first missionary expedition left for Argentina in 1875 and was made up of Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In the same year the Cooperators were born, considered by Don Bosco as "External Salesians".

Don Bosco died on January 31, 1888, was beatified by Pope Pius XI on June 2, 1929 and declared a saint on April 1, 1934.

History of the show band

Founded in 1896, the Show Band Colegio "Don Bosco" is the oldest in the state of Carabobo and Venezuela, being recognized as Artistic and Cultural Heritage of the region in 2008, so it exhibits on its banner the Order "Batalla de Carabobo" in its first class as Centenary Band, as well as the recognition of the Order of the City of Valencia.

The "Don Bosco" Show Band bases its precepts on the integral legacy of St. John Bosco "good Christians, honest citizens", with a view to the development of the individual and group potential of the youth that make up its ranks.

Among its most significant recent participations are: the celebration of the arrival of the Salesians to Venezuela, held at the Poliedro de Caracas; It is considered a lifetime guest band at the International Fair of the Sun (Edo. Merida) and winner of 1st place in the National Band Contest at the Carnival of Valencia 2010. In 2011 won the Binational Band Contest held in Viterbo (Colombia), held on the occasion of the centenary of that city.