be the soul and spirit of the educative community, the one capable of translating the pedagogy of the environment into a personal pedagogy, a 'one-on-one pedagogy', is the Rector. The Rector is called to be entirely dedicated to educative rather than administrative activity, even though everything comes back to him. It is the Rector's task to take care of everything that concerns the spiritual, material and scholastic running of the house.1113

“The Rector is the main superior and responsible for everything that happens at the Oratory”. He should out-do other superiors in piety, charity and patience; he should always show himself to be friend, companion, and brother to all. For this reason he should always encourage everyone to do his duty but prayerfully, not by giving severe commands. He should be like a father among his children.1114 It is quite evident that here we have the fatherly and familiar idea peculiar to traditional Christian

pedagogy, bolstered by other affective and organisational elements and inspired, once again, by the

threefold reason, religion, and loving kindness..

Th e lovingly kind fatherliness of the Rector extended throughout the day and reaching out broadly has

expressions of its own, as they relate both to individuals and the community. Expressions relating to the

individuals refer to Confession, spiritual directi on, and the so called parolina all'orecchio or 'word in the ear'.

What the Ricordi have to say about the Rector as the appointed ordinary confessor of the religious and educative community is important. This was the practice Don Bosco had begun, way before it became 'a norm', from the very beginning of his work. Don Bosco, who was concerned about providing material bread for the young, could not think of a Christian education which was not an 'education of souls'. What he wanted and wrote about was quite clear: “In our houses, the Rector is the ordinary confessor, therefore you should make sure that you show that you gladly hear anyone's confession, but you should grant them ample freedom to make their confession to whomsoever they might choose. Let everyone clearly know that you never take part in voting on their moral conduct and be careful enough to avoid even the shadow of suspicion that you rely on what you recall being told in confession”.1115 In his practice regarding the sacrament of Penance, Don Bosco usually also assumed the role of spiritual director. Even here, Don Bosco recommended the choice of only one and the same confessor, inseparably acting as the priest who absolves and who also gives advice.1116

“Following the example of Cafasso, his teacher, and the better spiritual tradition of his times, Don Bosco heard confessions of people and also directed them spiritually”.1117But his way of giving spiritual direction was quite open to formal and informal types and was very flexible.1118 “His entire pedagogical spirituality and all of his pedagogy” writes Fr Valentini rather forcefully, “was a spiritual pedagogy”.1119

Personal direction was more intensive at certain crucial periods during the year: at the first contact a young lad had when coming into boarding lifeat school, at retreats, when choosing a vocation, and whenever there were particular moral or spiritual issues. Even the 'word in the ear' was simple but impressive, and a form of direction. Don Bosco invited the Rector, as the father of the young pupils,to take advantage of it.

Writing to Fr Michael Rua, newly appointed Rector, Don Bosco says: “ Do what you can to spend the

1113 Regolamenti per le case...., part I, Chap I, art. 3, p. 19, OE XXIX 115.

1114 Regolamento dell'Oratorio...per gli esterni, part I, Chap. I, art. 1,2,7, p. 5-6. OE XXIX 35-36.

1115 F. Motto, I «Ricordi confidenziali ai direttori»..., p. 156.

1116 Cf A. Caviglia, Savio Domenico e Don Bosco. Studio, pp. 82-87, La direzione di don Bosco.

1117 P. Brocardo, Direzione spirituale e rendiconto. Rome, LAS 1966, p. 150.

1118 Cf. C. Colli, La direzione spirituale nella prassi e nel pensiero di don Bosco: «memoria» e «profezia», in M.

Cogliandro (ed.), La direzione spirituale nella famiglia salesiana. Rome, Editrice SDB 1983, pp. 53-77. 1119 E. Valentini, La direzione spirituale dei giovani nel pensiero di don Bosco, in Salesianum 14 (1952) 354.