3. A PEDAGOGY FOR LIVING TOGETHER IN DON BOSCO'S MISSION AND SPIRIT[101] Formation together The realization of communion and sharing of the spirit and mission of Don Bosco implies for us, SDBs and laity, that while respecting the laws of the Church,19 we renew our formation processes. A change of mentality is needed: grow together, form ourselves together. Don Bosco recommended to the lay Cooperators: "Let us be united among ourselves and with the whole Congregation. Let us be united by having the same end in view and using the same means to attain it. Let us unite as a single family through the bonds of fraternal charity".20 We believe that from this new method will depend in large measure the results we hope to achieve. [102] Pedagogy of the oratorian heart and of the mission The first step that we SDBs and laity have to take is that of getting to know and appreciate each other, as regards both what we have in common and how we differ. The point of convergence is the oratorian heart and the style of the Good Shepherd. This is the deep source of unity for all who are called to work with Don Bosco. The Salesian spirit, lived with sensitivity and various accentuations, should nevertheless be made known to all in its essential elements. But theoretical reflection is not enough. With Don Bosco we believe that working together offers us the most opportune methods for formation together. In sharing the mission, every individual, every CEP and every Salesian group gains a concrete experience of the preventive system, and acquires the ability to learn from life.21 [103] Let us share a process of formation The commitment to shared formation must become a process open to all, adapted to the rate of progress of each individual and respectful of the riches of every vocation. Particular processes, drawn up together, must also be set up progressively from time to time. These will provide more detailed experiences, content and objectives, in line with particular situations.22 We think it important to cultivate in such processes the following attitudes:
As we carry out this process together we develop at the same time certain methods which help us to grow in spirituality and in Salesian praxis:
[104] Shared holiness 22 April 1996 saw the closure at Turin, to the great joy of all present, of the first stage in the process of the recognition of the sanctity of Mamma Margaret. This fact makes us think of the holiness that was lived at Valdocco with a particular profile. Some of those who shared the life of the first Salesian community have already had their witness to holiness recognized by the Church. This is evidence that at Valdocco there was a particular kind of atmosphere: holiness was built up together; it was shared and mutually communicated, in such a way that the holiness of some cannot be explained without the holiness of others. The goal of a formation realized in common with Don Bosco, which the Church and today's young people expect from us Salesians and lay people, is the gift of our holiness - not only our personal holiness but that too of the CEP and of the Salesian Family: a shared holiness.26 [105] Memories With joy we have recalled our rich tradition from the origins to the present day - a gift of the Spirit for our mission We have done so:
20 Salesian Bulletin, January 1878 25 cf. FSDB, c. IV, n. 130ff.; The Salesian Brother, n. 188ff. |