In 1858, one year after Dominic Savio’s death at fifteen year of age, the fragrance of youthful holiness was still palpable at the Oratory. There was another boy who was gaining a reputation for following in Dominic’s footsteps: Michael Magone. Michael was a live wire, but Don Bosco’s accompaniment had transformed him into a true leader. Paul Albera and Michael Magone had neighbouring beds in the dormitory and they became friends. Thier friendship was joyful and loyal, but it would not last long. Michael died at the age of fourteen. Paul Albera was moved by these words which Don Bosco and Michael exchanged when the latter fell ill: “If the Lord offered you the choice either to get well or to go to heaven, which would you choose?”, Don Bosco asked. Magone replied: “Who would be mad enough not to choose heaven?”.

Seeing how consciencous Michael had become, Don Bosco said to him: “Before I let you leave for heaven I would like to entrust you with a special mission”. Magone replied: “Go ahead, I’ll do anything I can to obey you.” Don Bosco continued: “When you get to heaven and see the great Virgin Mary, give her my humble and respectful greetings on behalf of myself and all those who are in this house. Ask that she give us her holy blessing, that she welcome us all under her powerful protection, and that she help us so that none of those who are here, or whom Divine Providence will bring to this house, will be lost.” The facts confirm that Michael Magone had fulfilled this mission. With this memory in his heart and his eyes fixed on Don Bosco, Paul Albera, shy and reserved, but more resolute than ever, became one of the most outstanding boys at the Oratory. Don Bosco’s house was his home.

Years later, Albera would describe his formative years at the Oratory in these terms: “Don Bosco educated by loving, attracting, conquering and transforming us. He enveloped us all completely in an atmosphere of contentment and happiness, in which pains, sadness, and melancholy would disappear. … Everything about him attracted us so powerfully : his penetrating gaze, which at times was more convincing than a sermon; the simple tilt of the head; that smile which was constantly on his his lips, always new and always different, but always calm; the gestures of his mouth, as when one wants to speak without having to utter any words, and when he did speak, the words themselves had a unique cadence to them; the way he carried himself with his lean and easy gait: all these things were like a magnet pulling on our youthful hearts, from which it was impossible to escape; and even if we had been able to, we would not have done it for all the gold in the world, for we were so happy with his captivating influence over us, which flowed from him so naturally, without any effort or force”.

It was therefore no surprise that Paul Albera would don the clerical cassock on October 27, 1861, and the following year, on May 14, 1862, become one of the first twenty-two Salesians.

“That evening”, writes Fr. Bonetti, “after expressing their wishes, various members of the newly constituted Pious Society, who… felt called to do so formally professed the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for the first time. Oh, if only words could describe the great humility with which this memorable event took place. We found ourselves cramped in a small room, without so much as a bench to sit on. Most of the members were in the prime of life, some studying rhetoric, some in the first or second year of philosophy, others in the first courses of theology and a few in holy orders … There were twenty-two of us – not including Don Bosco who was among us, kneeling at the table on which the Crucifix was placed – who made our vows according to the regulations”.

After this, Don Bosco stood up and spoke words that gave us peace of mind and great courage for the future: “Who knows what plans the Lord has for this Society of ours and how he will use it to do much good in his Church! In the next twenty-five or thirty years, if the Lord continues to help us as he has done so far, our Society will have spread to different parts of the world and have grown to include a thousand members … How much good could be done”. Paul Albera was seventeen years old. From that moment on, the Salesian Congregation became his entire life. Many presumed that at this point Don Bosco’s work was already complete. But they had not considered his formidable creative vision. It was precisely to the timid and serious cleric Albera, at the end of that year, that Don Bosco revealed his next step: “Paul, our Church of St. Francis de Sales has become too small: it can no longer hold all our young people, even if they were to stand up one against the other. So we will build another church that is bigger, more beautiful and more magnificent. We will call it: The Church of Mary Help of Christians “.

Even as Don Bosco’s health was becoming an issue, the “Salesian revolution” could not be stopped. In 1863, the first group of Salesians, all of whom were very young, swarmed from Valdocco to found the first house outside of Turin, in Mirabello Monferrato. It was the first step in an expansion that continues to this day, after 157 years. In his five years at Mirabello, Paul Albera manifested prodigious skills. He taught highschool, completed his theological studies and earned a degree in literature from the University of Turin. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1868, Don Bosco called him back to Turin to replace him as the admissions officer for young people applying to the Oratory. This was a very delicate role, which required not only a generous dose of common sense but also a big heart, two qualities which Paul Albera possessed in abundance. He held this office for two years, during which he learned much about the human suffering of so many. During this period, he also served as a member of the General Council of the new Society.

Don Bosco had an extraordinary sixth sense for discerninga person’s unique gifts. This was one of the great secrets of his success. He knew, for example, that under the reserved and meek appearance of Paul Albera there lay a resolute soul and a will of steel. Therefore, in October 1871, he sent Albera to open a new house in Genoa, in the suburb of Marassi. At just 26 years old, the young priest accepted this task that would have intimidated even a seasoned leader.

Albera planned to bring a few hundred francs with him to cover the essential start-up expenses. He sought Don Bosco’s authorization. Like a good father, Don Bosco looked at him and smiled, assuring him that he would provide the necessary funds. Then he gave Albera just the amount needed to cover the cost of the trip for himself and his companions, saying: “Go in peace; Tomorrow, the Lord will provide! “

Fr. Albera understood Don Bosco’s message perfectly. From that moment on, and for the rest of his life, he abandoned himself completely to Divine Providence, following Don Bosco’s example. And the Lord did provide. Through many gracious benefactors, the new Institute was so generously funded that the following year it was transferred to a larger and more suitable location in Sampierdarena. At this new site, Fr. Albera launched another pastoral innovation: The Work of Mary, Help of Christians for Adult Vocations to the Ecclesiastical State, a ministry dedicated to “late” vocations which quickly gave the Church many good priests.

To be sure, Albera had his share of serious difficulties to contend with. Anyone who referred these difficulties to Don Bosco received this reply: “Not only will Fr. Albera overcome those difficulties, but he will overcome many others too, and he will become my second …”. He did not finish the sentence, but raised his hand to his forehead and looked forward, as if pondering in a distant vision, then continued: “Oh yes, Fr. Albera will be of great assitance to us!”

A young man in his twenties was a witness to this conversation. He too would become a Salesian and a priest and eventually the third successor of Don Bosco: Fr. Phillip Rinaldi. Don Bosco was like a magnificent tree that extended fruitful branches. The future of the Salesian house grew around him.