Dear Friends Many think that Don Bosco was ahead of the times in some of his insights and projects. One of them is without Indeed, the idea of \u200b\u200bresponsibility lay in the animation and poor youth commitment in his work. Indeed, Don Bosco wanted from the beginning surrounded by a vast movement of people for the salvation of youth. Priests, religious and laity united in the cause of the kingdom in favor of small, abandoned and in danger.
His idea went far beyond mere economic cooperation in a habitual exercise of charity in the Catholic society of his time either shelf. It was, if, in exercising charity to the next to - as told in more than one occasion - "strive by all possible means and to cooperate in the salvation of youth."
This idea that you had in mind a long time, Don Bosco tried to realize it several times and by various channels. It was to unite all the forces of good, especially lay groups, which may adhere to your project and delivered - even in the world - the poor youth, abandoned and in danger.
The first occasion came in 1850, before founding his own congregation, prompting a group of lay Catholics to support the work of the Oratorios which developed strongly in Turin. The initiative did not work and project elements ended up being abandoned.
A second attempt would come with the opportunity offered by the approval of the Constitutions Society of St. Francis de Sales. Don Bosco Rule adds a chapter devoted to "external Salesians. It expressed the idea of \u200b\u200blay Salesian, living in his family and his work, could engage in service to young people by sharing the spirit and mission of the Salesian Society.
Incredibly, this was the most genuine idea of \u200b\u200bDon Bosco on lay associated with his work. Authentic Salesians in the world in tune and in communion with the Salesian consecrated and stewards - we would say today - in the popular youth mission.
Naturally, this concept was ahead of the spirit of the Council Vatican II. What today might be considered a sign of the times or a prophetic vision, at that time raised no little hilarity and a major defeat in the Roman Congregation. The result was the elimination of that section of the Rules of the Salesians. The Congregation should be solely and strictly a religious congregation with members of all recognized.
major setback for the intentions of the Founder, however, persisted in their efforts to carry out what he considered a charismatic inspiration for his work in the Church and call all the possible forces that also from the secular, could work in the service of young people poor.
Years later, finally approved in 1874 the Salesian Constitutions, thought of the same year to form what he called the Union of San Francisco de Sales. It is the outline of what some would later be the Pious Union of Salesian Cooperators (1876). It calls for Catholics who want to:
- Becoming a exerting themselves well to the charity towards others, especially children and young people.
- Participate in charity work being carried out by the Salesians.
- Caring for the poor children, pick them up from the street in their own homes and deliver them from the dangers.
Many did not understand, including Salesians themselves. But Don Bosco was convinced it was an inspiration of the Spirit and that would be an institution of great value to the Company and the Salesian Church.
Don Bosco, once again, was ahead of its time. In his heart and his mind were the Salesians external lay people who - in the world - adhered to the draft of the Salesian Congregation evangelizing spirit and mission sharing. There was still almost a century to Vatican II Church recover a model in which the commitment of all the baptized was an essential and integral to the mission of a church of communion in which ministries and charisms in the service of people come of God.
also hundreds still missing twenty-five years that the Salesian Society itself more aware of the responsibility between the Salesians and lay people who share the charism and mission of San Juan Bosco.
external Salesians were - arguably - a stroke of genius.
Your friend, Jose Miguel Núñez
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