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Dorothea Chopitea Dorothea was born in

Santiago, Chile, on June 5, 1816.The family was rich in Christianfaith, and financially well off.There were 18 children. The par-ents were Peter Nolasco Chopiteaand Isabella Villota. They belonged to the uppersocial class. They were exemplary Christians andvery dedicated to works of charity.

Dorothea was three years old when her familymoved to Barcelona, Spain. She had an energeticcharacter, was vivacious, enterprising, and more-over, she had a heart of gold. At the age of thirteenshe chose as her spiritual director, Father PeterNardo, who guided her for 50 years. She receivedgood instruction from Father Nardo, and, coun-seled by him, she married, at the age of 16, ayoung and excellent business man and banker bythe name of Joseph Serra. They were happily mar-ried for 50 years. At the end of those 50 yearsJoseph said, “Our love grew every day more andmore.” In their home, six daughters were born:Dorothea, Anna Maria, Isabella, Maria Luisa,Carmen and Gesuina.

The principal preoccupation of Dorothea wasto live truly for God. She cultivated her piety withdaily Mass, Holy Communion, and the Rosary. Buther most extraordinary virtue was her charitytoward everyone, especially toward people whowere poor. In her scale of values the first place was

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truly her love for the poor. She remarked, “Thepoor will be my first thought.” She called it “almsgiven to God.”

She accompanied her husband in his travels.She was received with great deference by PopeLeo XIII.

Thirteen of her foundations rose through hergenerosity and that of her husband. They foundedshelters for the poor, schools, hospitals, and work-shops. It has been calculated that the benefitswhich she lavished on the poor exceeded that ofthe government.

On September 20, 1882, a widow of onemonth, she wrote to Don Bosco, “I want to opena foundation for poor workers and for orphans inthe 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 ofother Salesian works. The future Superior Generaltestified concerning Dorothea: “Many times Iheard that she performed the most humble ser-vices for the sick.” During the months of April andMay, 1886, Don Bosco visited his saintly benefac-tress, who thus became more inclined to help him.

After Don Bosco’s desth, Dorothea beganthree new works, among which was a hospicecalled Saint Dorothea, in Sarrià. It was paid for byDorothea and donated to the Salesian Sisters. Thehospice was set up for elderly women.

Don Bosco called Dorothea, “Our Mother in

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Barcelona.” Like Mama Margarita, Dorothea diedpoor, on April 3, 1891. She was buried inBarcelona-Sarrià.

Dorothea Chopitea was declared Venerableon June 9, 1983.

Vincenzo Cimatti

Vincenzo Cimatti was born inFaenza, Italy, on July 15, 1879.His father’s name was Giacomo,and his mother’s maiden namewas Rosa Pasi. Vincenzo was thelast of six children. His sister was Mother Raffaellaof the Congregation of the Hospital Sisters ofMercy. She is now a Blessed. His brother, Luigi,became a Salesian Coadjutor and missionary inLatin America. He died with a reputation for sanc-tity. Vincenzo is presently Venerable.

At the age of three, Vincenzo’s father died. Hismother brought him to the parochial churchwhere Don Bosco was preaching. She said to him,“Vincenzino, look, look. There is Don Bosco!” Forthe rest of his life, Vincenzo remembered thegood and kind face of the old priest, Don Bosco.

At the age of seventeen, Vincenzo became aSalesian. He was sent to Valsalice, where hestudied and taught. He received a diploma formusical composition from the Conservatory ofParma. He also received honors in natural science,

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philosophy and pedagogy in Turin. At the age of 24, he was ordained a priest. For

20 years he taught and brilliantly composed musicat the school of Valsalice. He was called“Maestro” by generations of clerics.

He insisted with the Rector Major, “Find me aplace in the missions which is more poor, moretiring, and more abandoned. I don’t want to be ina comfortable place.” At the age of 46, he wasvery happy, because Father Rinaldi sent him asthe leader of a group to begin the Salesian workin Japan. There he worked for 40 years. He con-quered the heart of the Japanese people by hisgoodness and by throwing himself, like DonBosco, into the apostolate of the press and ofmusic. He translated the life of Dominic Saviointo Japanese.

On the occasion of the 2,600th anniversary ofthe founding of the Japanese Empire, he com-posed a sonata which was broadcast over theradio. The important Japanese newspapersjudged him to be more Japanese than theJapanese themselves. He founded a musical bandof boys. They traveled throughout the nation.

Father Cimatti was the first Director of the firstSalesian house in Miyazaki. Three years later, hebecame the Superior of the newly foundedprovince-to-be. Father Cimatti often traveled tosee his confreres and to encourage them in theirwork for boys. He opened houses for orphans andfor the less cared for.

In 1935, Father Cimatti was nominated the