Monthly Archives: January 2013

Feast of Don Bosco, Apostle of Youth

by

1

Don BoscoOn January 31st we celebrate the feast of Don Bosco.  Over the course of his life, Don Bosco worked with the young to bring them closer to Jesus Christ.  He opened churches, youth centres (which he called oratories) and schools as well as orphanages and boarding programmes.  Thousands of homeless and poor youth would gather at these places to learn skills that would help them find honest work.

To support this work, he also founded a society of priests and brothers that he called the Salesians, after St. Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, whom he had always admired for his kindness and religious zeal.   The Salesian Society was given permanent status within the Catholic Church in 1874.  Don (“Father” in Italian) Bosco died on January 31st, 1888 as the Apostle of Youth.  He was declared a saint on Easter Sunday, April 1st, 1934.

Today there are around 1,600 priests and brothers who serve young people in over 128 countries.  Don Bosco also founded, with the help of St. Mary Mazarello, an order of sisters called Daughters of Mary Help of Christians as well as the movement of lay people known as the Cooperators. 

SALESIAN SPIRITUALITYSt. Francs de Sales
Contemplative in Action
The life of a Salesian is a life of intense work with and for the young.  He must be united with Jesus Christ in all that he does, so that his work becomes a key means of his prayer.  “Everyone should carry out his duties in the presence of God,” Don Bosco used to say.

Preventive System
Another important aspect of Salesian spirituality is the Preventive System.  In imitation of Don Bosco, Salesians try to create environments in which reason, religion and kindness permeate all they do, thus helping everyone to create a positive environment that is conducive to doing good.

Devotion to the Blessed Mother
Salesians have a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, whom they address as Mary Help of Christians.  Don Bosco summarised this love for the Mother of God by saying, “Nothing has ever been done in this Oratory that has not been done in the holy name of Mary.”

Sacraments
Don Bosco stressed frequent reception of the sacraments by the young people he served.  “Frequent confession and communion are the two columns that support the whole educational edifice.”

St. Francis de Sales
Finally, Don Bosco imitated his patron saint, St Francis de Sales by consistently practicing gentleness and kindness.  And in 1867 he made what is for us an inspiring and challenging statement: “With the gentleness of St. Francis de Sales, the Salesians will bring all the people to Christ.”

(taken from Salesians of Don Bosco, Canada, Vocational leaflet, Journeying with the young)

Related articles

CRIPAM (Casa de Recuperacao Infantil Padre Antonio Muller)

by

0

CRIPAMIn English, CRIPAM translates to the Father Anthony Muller Recovery House for Children

CRIPAM is a centre for the recovery of children suffering from malnutrition.  Opened in 1966 and led by Salesian priest, Father Forin Pascale, CRIPAM is able to accomodate 30 children daily aged 0 – 6 years, Monday to Friday from 7am – 5pm.  Every morning the children are collected by minibus from their homes and taken to the CRIPAM centre to be cared for, fed, clothed, receive medical treatment and in the evening returned to their families.  Children average a stay of a few weeks to a few months until fully recovered.  The cost of recovery per child is €1 per day.

Related articles