By Fr. Cris Hood-Rosales, SDB
Among the hallmarks of Salesian High School in Los Angeles is its Letterman
Society. For more than 30 years, this group of students has welcomed guests to
the school, served as ushers at liturgies, and been noted as the best dressed
members of the student body.
Several years ago, the members of the SLS, traditionally composed of the athlete-leaders within the school, decided to broaden their mandate. Their new focus was to stress their role as representatives of the wider Salesian Family and to commit themselves to the work of youth ministry.
With this deeper understanding, the SLS adopted a formation process based on training in Salesian principles. The society now seeks members who show a basic Salesian enthusiasm and spirit. The formation process is conducted by the Lettermen themselves and stresses the duty of service to youth as well as the traditional self-discipline expected of athlete-leaders.
"As a Salesian Letterman, one must be able to lead by example, keep the mission of St. John Bosco alive, and be of service to the school and the community," explained Gabriel Medina, former SLS President.
"During the induction service, a candidate promises to model and follow the spirit of St. John Bosco and to show his leadership through school activities or athletics," Humberto Barraza, a 1997 member of the Salesian Letterman Society, added.
The induction ceremony includes a vestition rite, during which the candidate receives his distinctive sweater for the first time. During this rite the new Letterman feels for the first time not only the weight of the actual sweater but also the weight of the responsibility he has undertaken. "Vestition was very special for me because I felt the warmth of the sweater and I felt proud," said Letterman Ruben Garcia.
At the end of his high school experience each Lettermen is encouraged to make a perpetual commitment to the Salesian Family, pledging to exercise Christian leadership in college and/or in the career that he should later follow.
Every member of the Society has so far agreed to take on this additional responsibility and actively live the Salesian ideal. What used to be an "in" group to join while a student has now become an extended family from which one continues to draw support and strength as "signs and bearers of God's love to the young."