2. Pedagogy based on 'duty'.

Pedagogy based on duties like the duty to study, work, follow a profession, a mission, is as

fundamental since it is an initiation into what is sacred; indeed it is considered res sacra in itself, the expression of God 's will and a way to achieve holiness.

The duties we are talking about constitute the entire gamut of human and Christian moral dimensions. Fr Albert Caviglia remarks: “Whoever gains a close knowledge of our saintly educator will know that these ideas lay at the basis of all his educational effort, both in community living and in spirituality as well. Don Bosco did not give credence to showy piety, meaning piety which was not backed up by a diligent and conscientious observance of one’s duties”.883“Two fundamental principles stand out: the scrupulous use of time and diligence in the performance of one's duties, according to Don Bosco are at the head of all spiritual effort”.884

This is how the formation of a good Christian and honest citizen is brought about. Don Bosco achieves it subtly through reminders and by vigilance, by means of exhortations and example, and by means of a variety of things, ideal and useful, that provide motivation.

Don Bosco dedicates a chapter from Michael Magone's Life to the “exact performance of his duties”. Magone is presented as the ideal prototype of a boy who might seem scatter-brained, a bit too lively at first sight, entirely caught up in what he is doing, capable of turning the whole house upside-down, but who become amenable to discipline by working at it: “In time, he knew how to check himself and exercise self-control to the point that he was always the first one to respond whenever duty called.”885 In his Life of Francis Besucco, Don Bosco again highlights “his exactness in the performance of his duties”, the “exact use of time”, his readiness to get out of bed in the morning, his “outstanding punctuality in going to church”, his “diligence in his studies, attention in the classroom, and obedience to the superiors”.886

Herewith what Don Bosco wrote inthe Rules for the houses:

Remember that you are in the springtime of life at your age. Whoever does not get

accustomed to work in his youth will probably end up being lazy into old age; he will,

perhaps, be a dishonour to his country and relatives, and will do irreparable harm to his

soul.887

“Avoidance of idleness” which is the “father of all vices”, is the foundation of a sincere spirituality. Therefore, there should be utmost diligence in the performance of one's duties, both scholastic and religious. Idleness is the father of all vices. Don Bosco had noticed something which made him sad in the pupils of Mirabello, among other things, “A group (of pupils) who avoid any work as though it were a huge boulder hanging over their heads.”888

Attending to one's commitments to study and work is essential practical training for a serious and happy life and is acquired through the habit of discipline and moral and civil uprightness. Following this line of thought, Don Bosco gave a series of eight short 'good night' talks to the boys on moral

883A. Caviglia, Savio Domenico e Don Bosco, Studio, pp. 99-100. Caviglia gives a whole chapter to La vita di dovere (pp.

97-110).

884Cf. A. Caviglia, il «Magone Michele» una classica esperienza educativa... p. 152; cf pp. 151-154, Il dovere (in the same

book we find the life of Luigi Comollo with a preliminary note); A. Caviglia, La vita di Besucco Francesco..., pp. 171-

174.

885G. Bosco, Cenno biografico sul giovanetto Magone Michele..., p. 13,15,35, OE XIII 167, 169, 189; see the whole

chapter Puntualità ne' suoi doveri, pp. 33-39, OE XIII 187-193.

886G. Bosco, Il pastorello delle Alpi..., p. 95, 96, 114, 120 OE XV 337, 338, 356, 362. On the topic of Studio e diligenza cf

chap. XVIII, pp. 94-99, OE XV 336-341.

887Regolamento per le case..., part II, Chap V Del lavoro, art. 6 p. 69, OE XXIX 165.

888Letter to the students at the minor seminary of S. Carlo, Mirabello, 30 Dec. 1863, Em I 629.