SALESIAN SPIRITUALITY DAYS - ROME 22-25 JANUARY 2009

A NEW HANDING OVER OF THE COMMON IDENTITY CARD FOR THE SALESIAN FAMILY OF DON BOSCO

Speakers SR. CARMELA SANTORO FMA Cell. 347 15 64 101 dir.lucento@tiscalinet.it

MR ROBERTO LORENZINI SC Cell. 333 59 75 115 robilorenz@tiscali.it

FR PIER LUIGI CAMERONI SDB - ADMA Cell. 340 14 52 349 pcameroni@salesiani.it

INTRODUCTION: THE STRENNA 2009 INVITATION
1. CHARACTERISTIC SALESIAN FEATURES
1.1. THE GRACE OF COMMUNION IN THE SALESIAN FAMILY
1.1.1. The Salesian Family: gift from above
1.1.2. Don Bosco: Father and Teacher
1.1.3. Pastoral charity: centre and synthesis of the Salesian spirit
1.2. DON BOSCO'S SIGNIFICANT WORDS
1.2.1. “Da mihi animas, coetera tolle”
1.2.2. “If we are one in heart we can do ten times as much”
1.2.3. “It is enough for you to be young for me to love you very much”

2. KEY ELEMENTS OF OUR COMMON SPIRIT
2.1. THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNION
2.1.1. Belonging
2.1.2. Charismatic communion
2.1.3. The Rector Major
2.2. CONCRETE EXPRESSIONS OF OUR COMMON SPIRIT
2.2.1. The grace of unity
2.2.2. Union with God
2.2.3. The ascetic nature of kindness
2.2.4. Optimism and joy in hope
2.2.5. Work and temperance
2.2.6. Rooted in the mystery of Christ and entrustment to Mary

3. FORMATION TO AN ACTIVE SPIRIT OF FRATERNITY
3.1. MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IN THE THE GIFT OF EACH ONE'S PROPER IDENTITY
3.2. PLANNING FOR A MORE EXTENSIVE SALESIAN MOVEMENT
3.3. COLLABORATION IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY CONCLUSION:

INTRODUCTION: THE STRENNA 2009 INVITATION
Don Bosco was convinced that the mission of the Church's salvation, with a specific preference for the young, demanded that we be spiritually united and work together in practice by living the Salesian spirit in diverse states of life. Thus began the Salesian Family which the Church would define as a “Charismatic Family”. The Common Identity Card marks out our charismatic identity. The first step for putting the Strenna into practice, then, is to “work together to be formed in and to learn the charismatic mindset of the Salesian Family. This is why we have to make an effort to study and understand the Common Identity Card and the Common Mission Statement… to understand likely common areas, and this means looking at, reflecting on, being in dialogue about, studying, praying together, in order to discover the way to move forward in a spirit of communion” (From Strenna 2009). The aim of our threefold presentation is to hand over once more the essential elements of the Common Identity Card so we together we can re-appropriate the inner apostolic richness of the heritage left us by Don Bosco.

1. CHARACTERISTIC SALESIAN FEATURES
1.1. THE GRACE OF COMMUNION IN THE SALESIAN FAMILY What marks out our Family is the result of the divine intervention which gave origin to the Salesian spirit in Don Bosco. 1.1.1. The Salesian Family: gift from above “Our Family finds its roots in the mystery of the Trinity. Contemplating God who is Love, we come to an understanding of the spirituality of communion, our being family” (From Strenna 2009). The Salesian Family is a gift and experience of the Holy Spirit, the initiative of God in whom we have complete trust and with whom we cooperate, conscious of the living presence of Jesus who converts our hearts, and of the maternal love of the Help of Christians through our daily act of entrustment. 1.1.2. Don Bosco: Father and Teacher “ Don Bosco began an original evangelical experience within the Church. The Spirit formed in him a heart as great as the shores of the sea, and made him the Father and Teacher of a multitude of young people and the founder of a vast spiritual family ” (art.1). “Don Bosco is a giant of the spirit who has bequeathed to us a rich and well defined spiritual heirloom. He is the founder of a true school of an apostolic spirituality which is new and attractive. He is the obligatory point of reference for all who, under a particular impulse of the Holy Spirit, feel themselves called today to share his mission and destiny in their various states of life, each according to his or her own grade and level (art. 7). 1.1.3. Pastoral charity: centre and synthesis of the Salesian spirit 1.1.3.1. “Pastoral charity, which finds its source and exemplar in Christ the Good Shepherd, was for Don Bosco the criterion of life and activity, the inspiration of educational work and evangelization, of prayer and missionary impulse; his Da mihi animas coetera tolle brings together into unity his love for God and for the young.” (art. 1). 1.1.3.2. “The centre and synthesis of the salesian spirit is the pastoral charity which Don Bosco lived in all its fullness among the boys of the Oratory, prompted by his priestly love … In Don Bosco's style pastoral charity translates into apostolic passion which we also call the oratorian heart; sharing the mission of the Good Shepherd; an inspiration that finds its source in Pentecost; solicitude which finds in Mary a rich example of self-giving. 1.1.3.3. “Every Salesian, in imitation of Don Bosco, humbly tries to be a sign and bearer of the love of God to the young and to everyone else he meets. This charity is intensely pastoral, since it is practised in sincere and industrious association with the pastors of the Church, with the ministry of the Bishops and the Pope, who are primarily responsible for the flock of Christ the Shepherd” (art. 18). 1.2. DON BOSCO'S SIGNIFICANT WORDS 1.2.1. “Da mihi animas, coetera tolle”. This is “the distinguishing badge of his experience... For us today it indicates a complex of interior attitudes which guide the steps of the Salesian in the practical events of daily life. It calls, in fact, for dedication to spiritual depth and interior apostolic commitment; it points to the mystery of God's loving presence by giving rise to a thirst for souls, as Fr Philip Rinaldi expresses it; it stimulates the vivacity and creativity of pastoral charity” (art. 11). 1.2.2. “If we are one in heart we can do ten times as much" Don Bosco “was aware of the need for cooperative charity in educational and pastoral service and knew that the Holy Spirit raises up charisms for the benefit of the whole Church and for the common good and use. In the Salesian Cooperator Regulations Don Bosco wrote: "At all times it has been considered that union between good people was necessary in order to help one another to do good and to keep far away from evil. If a piece of string is taken by itself it is easily broken, but when three pieces are plaited together they are more difficult to break. When weak forces are united they become strong: Vis unita fortior, funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur" (art 13). 1.2.3. “It is enough for you to be young for me to love you very much” “The principal values of Don Bosco's experience find in the young their point of convergence and coherence: his kind of holiness, the choice of his field of apostolic work, his strategy of intervention, his practical plan of action, the secret of his success … For you I study, for you I work, for you I live, for you I am ready even to give my life" (art. 15).

2. KEY ELEMENTS OF THE COMMON SPIRIT
2.1. THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNION “The awareness of a spiritual kinship and of a common apostolic responsibility has brought about fraternal relationships and exchanges between the groups and a unique presence which they have in the Church among young people and especially those particularly in need” (art. 2). Let us take a look at the three bases. 2.1.1. Belonging. “Becoming a member of a group is like entering the whole Family” (art. 6). “The criteria for belonging is pastoral charity. The apostolic thrust of Don Bosco is the spiritual energy which makes him seek souls and serve God alone” (Art. 7). “Membership originates from communion and becomes consolidated in a communion which becomes ever deeper… It is an impulse of the Spirit which tends towards unity and seeks concrete and sometimes even established expressions for a practical rapport and collaboration” (art. 9). 2.1.2. Charismatic communion. “Various Groups which have been set up and recognized participate in a true spiritual kinship and apostolic consanguinity. Groups of priests and laity, celibate and married, consecrated and religious, in line with the various forms of life-bearing witness to the beatitudes, form an organic and vital unity through the unifying force of the spirit and mission of Don Bosco. They feel that they are heirs and bearers of his gift” (art. 10). 2.1.3. The Rector Major The centre guaranteeing unity is, in the thinking of Don Bosco, the Rector Major. All recognise in him a threefold ministry of unity: he is the successor of Don Bosco, the Father of all, the centre of unity of the Family (art. 9). The Salesians of Don Bosco are the special heirs and representatives of his bounteous priestly fatherliness, and thus have the responsibility of animating the entire Family (art. 36). 2.2. CONCRETE EXPRESSIONS OF OUR COMMON SPIRIT 2.2.1. The grace of unity. “Pastoral charity is the virtue with which we imitate Christ in his self-donation and in his service. It is not only what we do but the gift of our very selves which shows the love of Christ for his flock. Pastoral charity determines our manner of thinking and acting, and our relationship with others… The two poles of pastoral charity, God and neighbour, are mutually inseparable” (art. 19). 2.2.2. Union with God “Don Bosco has been defined as union with God … It is an interior attitude of charity leading of its nature to apostolic activity in which it is made concrete, becomes manifest, grows and is perfected… Some characteristics and emphases express the simplicity which is part of the rich and deep intuition of prayer in Don Bosco. In its inspiration, it is totally permeated by the breath of the da mihi animas. In its style, it is youthful, popular, joyful and creative, simple and adherent to life. In its main forms, it sticks to the essentials: The Word of God, Eucharist, Penance, Mary Help of Christians” (art. 20). 2.2.3. The ascetic nature of kindness. “The method of Salesian action is not simply and solely that of loving, but that of being able, pedagogically, to make oneself loved, because the obligatory task of education is a work of the heart. It is not an easy target to achieve. A costant and deep ascetic spirit is needed to enable a youngster to find a place in his existence for his desire for God” (art. 23). 2.2.4. Optimism and the joy of hope. “Don Bosco has sanctified the joy of living and has offered young people the key to the attainment of such happiness… At the school of St Francis de Sales and of Don Bosco, the Salesian, consecrated or lay, builds within himself/herself certain basic attitudes: - confidence that good will ultimately prevail: ‘In every young person, even the most wayward, there is a point accessible to what is good; - openness to human values. The Salesian accepts the values of the world and does not bewail the problems of his time: he takes hold of everything that is good, especially if it is pleasing to the young’ - education to daily joys and happiness… Education to joy is education to hope and self-donation” (art. 22) . 2.2.5. Work and temperance. “There is no need to look for extraordinary penances, it is sufficient to serenely accept daily hardships and difficulties and remain always available for the generous service of God and neighbour. The Salesian ascetic spirit has various aspects: there is the ascetic spirit of humility in being no more than servants before God; there is the ascetic spirit of mortification, for building self-control, control of the heart and senses, and the ability to reject an easy style of life; there is the ascetic spirit of courage and patience to be persevering in activity; there is the ascetic spirit of dedication when circumstances and events are an invitation to draw nearer to Christ crucified” (art. 24). 2.2.6. Rooted in the mystery of Christ and entrustment to Mary. “The final guideline for the Salesian spirit is Christian life, the formation of the believer... In the mystery of Christ the person of Mary is present in a significant manner that cannot be set aside. If we want to be Christians, we must also be Marian, i.e. we must recognise the essential, vital and providential relationship which unites Mary to Jesus and opens for us the way that leads to him” (art. 26).

3. FORMATION TO AN ACTIVE SPIRIT OF FRATERNITY “Don Bosco's Salesian Family is firmly rooted in a unity and fraternity that is the result of its characteristic and distinctive charism: hence the continual concern for formation in evangelical love. In seeking the Spirit of the Resurrection and Pentecost we must strive for the renewal requested by the Church for all groups and communities” (art. 29).

3.1. MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IN THE THE GIFT OF EACH ONE'S PROPER IDENTITY
3.1.1. “The growth of fellowship is also the fruit of knowing one another. We cannot love what we do not know… there must be an effort to fathom the specific characteristics of each group and see in the findings the rich resources of the common Founder Don Bosco…” (art. 30). 3.1.2. “Our intellectual knowledge must progress to the practical - which will result from fraternal sharing. The apostolate covered by our family spirit and interpersonal and group relationships is indeed extensive: …fraternal meetings, of spirituality and prayer… occasions for reflection and study… regular information… shared efforts… recognition of the need for each group… for forgiveness, understanding, mutual help… Especially relevant here is theConsulting group for the Salesian Family which deserves the support of all groups” (art. 31). 3.1.3. “Fraternity does not extinguish but rather strengthens identity...Through the energy of his charism, Don Bosco brings together in unity in a single apostolic Family religious, lay people, married persons, widows and widowers, celibates and priests, all of them testifying in various ways to the spirit of the beatitudes. No one loses his or her specifically priestly, religious or lay spirituality” (art. 35).

3.2. PLANNING FOR A MORE EXTENSIVE SALESIAN MOVEMENT
3.2.1. “The Salesian Family… does not live just for itself: the sacramental mission of God's love for the young guides, conditions and specifies its nature and activities. 3.2.2. It also recognises itself as an ecclesial movement that extends beyond the confines and possibilities of the single officially recognised Groups, because it attracts friends who, whilst not belonging to Groups organised or recognised as members of the Salesian Family, nevertheless work together with us in the Salesian style and spirit. 3.2.3. Don Bosco's Family becomes the inspiration for an even wider Salesian movement when, in addition to the characteristics proper to the various Groups, it is able to express some dynamic uniting factor which reveals the common apostolic identity” (art. 32). 3.3. COLLABORATION IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY 3.3.1. “Communion and communication must lead to effective apostolic collaboration, since the Salesian Family does not exist for itself but to carry out in the Church and in the world the mission confided to it, at the service especially of the young and the poor.… 3.3.2 - it is a collaboration between Group and Group in order to carry out the Salesian mission in its various sectors and areas, and in its different kinds of work; - and it is a collaboration by Groups working together in the pastoral institutions of the local Church and in local civil organisations, so as to make a Salesian contribution with its rich and varied ingredients for the building of a civilisation of love. 3.3.3. The achievement of a common project calls for a convergence that can often require the sacrifice of personal points of view and of certain perspectives linked with one's own Group (art 33).

CONCLUSION: EXPERIENCES OF SALESIAN FAMILY “The Common Identity Card is a valid reference for spreading, studying and realising communion amongst everyone. In every group this new mentality must shift from paper to real life, so the Salesian Family can be experienced as a vocational dimension” (Strenna 2009). During the second part of the morning some experiences of the Salesian Family in action will be presented, as a sign of charismatic communion, growth in formation and shared activity amongst Salesian Family Groups, as indicated by the Common Identity Card.