Salesian of Don Bosco

Sings and Bearers of Gods Love…..to the young

The General Chapter 24 of the Salesian Society presented and redefined who the young is in our mission. But reading and reflecting on the realization of the General Chapter 24 in their redefining the image of the young, they did not only become clear who the young is, but actually the congregation was stimulated the redefining WHO THE SALESIAN IS with the young.

The young people define who the Salesian for them as what they expressed before the Chapter 24. The comments of the young moved and made the Salesians stop and reflect about the identity of the Salesians today. The young asked the Salesians to be coherent witnesses of the Gospel, to be more present among them, to be available to listen to them, to accompany them, and to offer them a greater possibility of participation. Through these words coming from the young themselves, who is indeed the Salesian in the presence of the young?

Reflecting on this question I believe that the challenge of the General Chapter 25 “Da mihi animas” will give the full and clear answer to the image of the Salesian today. The Don Bosco events will redefine our identity as Salesian. The best icon that I can think of for this search is the dream at nine. The dream clearly shows to us that Salesians are called by Christ to be servants for the young, through the works of the Sprit, and in the presence of Mary Immaculate. This particular dream summarized who the Salesian should be, that is “signs and bearers of Gods Love for the young” as it is stated in the article # 2 of the Salesian Constitution.

Being a sign and bearer of God’s love is the fundamental task of a Salesian. If one is to be a bearer of something or someone, he must do everything to be familiar with what he is bearing or representing. Salesians must be familiar with and should foster deep relationship with Christ, the one that he is bearing toward the young. It is clearly stated in article # 34 “like Don Bosco, we are all called to be educators to the faith at every opportunity. Our highest knowledge therefore is to know Jesus Christ.” This knowledge of Christ is the one that a Salesian will live and share to the young. That is why as a Salesian he is called to a “deep union with God” as Don Bosco lived an experience of humble, trusting and apostolic prayer in which praying and living were spontaneously united (Article # 86). Union with God is where a Salesian draws energy and endurance in his work (Article #88) and this deep union with God is great assurance of joyous perseverance in one’s vocation (Article # 93). As it is clearly stated in the Salesian Constitution Article 95 prayer and union with God should be the characteristic of the sons of St. John Bosco. In short a Salesian most be a man of prayer.

To whom is the mission of the Salesians directed? For whom do we bear the love of God? Article 26 of the Salesian Constitution clearly stated that the Salesian must direct his mission to the young, especially to those who are poor, abandoned, and in danger, those who have greater need of love and evangelization.

How does the Salesian bring the love of God to the young? What is Don Bosco’s way of loving the young? Faithful to the intention of Don Bosco, the purpose of the Salesians is to form the young into becoming “upright citizens and good Christians (Article #31).” Salesians fulfill this mission of educational and pastoral service with the method handed over by Don Bosco which is the Preventive System (article # 38) and this system basically means “presence.” The preventive system calls the Salesians to be with the young as it is said in the Article 39 “here in your midst I feel completely at home, for me living, means being here with you.” The life of a Salesian is being with the young. They walk side by side with the young. The Salesians being with the young help them to discover, accept and develop the gift of a lay, consecrated or priestly vocation, for the benefit of the whole Church and the Salesian family (article # 28). Being with the young gives the Salesian a true understanding of the world of the young and unites the Salesian with them in all healthy aspects of their restless energy.

With the young the Salesian should be the center of cheerfulness. As Don Bosco used to say “let nothing upset you”….As heralds of the Gospel, Salesians must always be cheerful. They radiate this joy and are able to educate to a Christian and festive way of life: “let us serve the Lord in holy joy. (Article #17). In other words a Salesian is someone who has the “predilection for the young” as it is clearly mention in the constitution article 14 “for their welfare we give generously of our time, talents, and health: for you I study, for you I work, for you I live, for you I am ready even to give my life.”

But the Salesian should always remember that “to live and work together is a fundamental requirement and a sure way of fulfilling one’s vocation as a Salesian (Article #49). As bearers of God we are bearers of the image of the mystery of the Trinity by this we become signs and bearers of unity. We are called and been called to accomplish the mission as a community not as individuals (article #50). A Salesian is an open heart

As a community, the Salesians are bound because of their vows to live in obedience, poverty and chastity and a sincere practice of the vows strengths the bond of brotherly love and makes their apostolic work coherent (article #61). Living in a community is one of the fundamental signs that the Salesian can give to the young of what is to live in communion with full faith, trust, understanding, love and concern for every member as of the union of the Divine Trinity.

The call of the young people during the General Chapter 24 to be coherent witnesses of the Gospel, to be more present among them, to be available to listen to them, to accompany them, and to offer them a greater possibility of participation” was answered by defining that a Salesian is a man of prayer or a man of God so that he may be witness of the Gospel. Secondly, the Salesian has the predilection for the young. He is ready to give everything for the young in terms of religion, reason and love. The Salesian becomes more available, present, accompany them in life choices. Lastly, the Salesian is a collaborator, who works side by side with the community. With these attitudes, character and lifestyle one can say that he is indeed Salesian of Don Bosco for he lived a life according to the pattern of the founder…”sign and bearer of God’s love to the young.