Two years later, the same prayer was proposed again, in the Companion of Youth.965 Speaking of the early ministry of St Peter, The Vicar of Jesus Christ, Don Bosco attributes a living
faith, deep h umility, prompt obedience, and fervent and generous charity to this apostle'.
According to Don Bosco, the exceptional feature which distinguishes the spiritual life of Dominic
Savio lies in the practice of the three theological virtues:
We might even call the liveliness of his faith, the firmness of his hope, his ardent charity
and his perseverance in doing good up to his last breath, extraordinary.
967
966
Charity has a place par excellence, as evidenced by the clear progress towards holiness along which Dominic Savio is guided: taking upon himself his neighbours' problems, big or small, knowing how to live happily together with his classmates, growing in conviviality and friendship. The first commandment for living in Don Bosco's home for youngpeople, no matter what kind of institutional appearance there might be was:
Honour and love your companions as your brothers; love one another, as the Lord says, but
beware of scandal.968
We can see in all this the elements of active and happy life in commo n where the benevolence and
courtesy of the superiors encounters their pupils' trust. Community life as a whole prevails over
individual relationships. Don Bosco's fundamental aim is to form a family, live together.
969
Charity is nourished and strengthened b y good deeds, either imposed or freely chosen. In Don Bosco’s Oratory and schools, the more mature youngsters helped the small ones and the newly arrived, so that they head in the right direction. Don Bosco uses a kind of prefect system in the study hall and dining room.970
In 1854 some thirty boys offered their services to help people struck down by the cholera epidemic.
This down -to earth -kind of charity, consisting of brotherly relationships, mutual respect, cordiality,
friendship, politeness, good manners , is strongly and often stressed by Don Bosco for the boys to
follow.
971
Lived experience becomes an intentional pedagogy as narrated in the classical 'Lives' of Dominic
Savio
972
and Michael Magone.
973
Michael Magone shares his game-playing with the timid ones, those not so well endowed physically; he comforts the home-sick kids; offers menial services to those who have difficulties; he assists the sick; he calms down others thirsting for revenge”.974
The Rules for the houses has the following to say:
Every young person accepted into our houses should consider his companions as brothers,
965G. Bosco, Il giovane provveduto..., p. 124, OE II 304.
966G. Bosco, Vita di S. Pietro..., p. 65, OE VIII 357; cf also G. Bosco, Il mese di maggio..., p. 152, OE X 446. 967G. Bosco, Vita del giovanetto Savio Domenico..., p. 93, OE XI 243.
968Regolamento per le case..., part II, Chap IX Contengo verso i compagni, art. 1-2, p. 77, OE XXIX 173.
969Chapter 15 is dedicated to this topic.
970Regolamento per le case..., part
971Storia dell'Oratorio di S. Francesco di Sales, BS 6 (1882) no. 2 Feb. pp. 30-34
972G. Bosco, Vita del giovanetto Savio Domenico..., Chap XII Episodi e belle maniere di conversare coi compagni, and
XXI Sua sollecitudine per gli ammalati, pp. 57-62, 102-104, OE XI 207-212, 252-254.
973In the seventh chapter of Magone's Life it speaks of “friendly relationships” with his companions and “features of
courtesy and charity” (G. Bosco, Cenno biografico sul giovanetto Magone Michele..., p. 34 and 38, OE XIII 188 and
192).
974G. Bosco, Cenno biografico sul giovanetto Magone Michele..., pp. 47-53, OE XIII 201-207, Chap X Bei tratti di carità
verso del prossimo.