1. BROADENING THE INVOLVEMENT[107] From the beginning of his apostolic activity, Don Bosco incorporated in his mission many lay people in so close an involvement that he had in mind a Congregation of religious with vows and a common life (Salesians) and of lay people (extern Salesians) linked to the same mission of service to the young according to their possibilities. Today the involvement of the laity in the educative and
pastoral mission of Don Bosco is a well known fact, even if in
most cases it is a matter of a presence which is prevalently
professional or fortuitous and which should mature into a
conscious option. There is an urgent need to broaden and qualify
the involvement of lay people who are willing to become part of
this vast movement of persons working for the salvation of the
young, inside and outside Salesian structures, in the Church and civil
institutions.2 1.1 Objective [108] To pass from a simple acceptance of the laity to an
effective exploitation of their particular contribution in
education and pastoral work. 1.2 Guidelines [109] Responsibility in involvement The commitment to broaden the involvement is of all those who, in fact, at different levels and under various headings are already sharing the spirit and mission of Don Bosco. An entirely special responsibility attaches to the SDBs, because of their identity and the task given them by the Founder of being animators of the Movement which from him took its origins. [110] Communal witness The will of the SDB community for openness and involvement is expressed in the first place through the communal witness of Salesian spirituality and the ability to welcome, follow up, and see to the formation of all who intend to live Don Bosco's spirit and mission. [111] Towards greater sharing Particular attention must be given to lay collaborators, to members of the Salesian Family and especially the Cooperators, to those belonging to the Salesian Movement, and to the parents of the youngsters and their families. The sharing of educative ideals should be fostered through direct experience of responsibility in the CEP and through organic plans for ongoing formation. [112] The youngsters In addition to being those to whom our work is directed, young people are active subjects and protagonists in the measure in which they grow in the sharing of our mission. Nowadays new fields of involvement are being opened to them, such as the animation of youth groups and the volunteer movement. [113] Lay people of other religions and non-believers Lay persons too of other religions, those practising no religion, and non-believers all deserve our attention. Starting from their availability for involvement, they are called to grow in a valid, albeit only partial, sharing of our educative and social objectives. This sharing should be fostered also with all those who work for the benefit of youth. [114] Attention to the forms of communication Of considerable importance for involvement is the careful
presentation of the image of the mission to public opinion and
the spreading of its motives and values, not only by means of
adequate information but especially by practical and meaningful
ways of being present in the locality. 1.3 Practical commitments At local level [115] The local community should foresee a programme of involvement with fixed means and deadlines for its actuation, adapted to different situations and persons: a. together with the laity it should promote a knowledge of the characteristic traits of the Salesian spirit and the typical elements of the lay state, through study, discussion and practical experience of sharing in significant moments of life in common: days of formation, fraternal gatherings, shared meals, festivities and celebrations, moments of prayer and of reciprocal exchange of views; b. exploit the indispensable contribution of parents and families of the youngsters in a continual and effective manner, fostering the setting up of committees and associations which can guarantee and enrich the educative mission of Don Bosco by their participation; c. promote the significance of the work in the local Church and neighbourhood, through adequate means of information, with experiences of occasional or systematic participation with other persons and groups who share with us the commitment to the formation of the young, and especially those who are poor. At provincial level [116] The Provincial with his Council should: a. stimulate a knowledge of and contact with lay people who live and work with Don Bosco's spirit outside our structures; b. programme with them some times for exchange of ideas, encouraging their commitment of service in favour of the young; c. study, in association with the relative organisms of the
FMA and the Cooperators, the possibilities and means most likely
to favour the involvement of the laity in the common mission. |