The Salesian Brother: History, Pedagogy and Spirituality Moving Towards the Bicentenary of Don Bosco’s Birth East-Asia Oceania Salesian Brothers’ Congress August 2013 Hua Hin, Thailand

Work and Temperance Today Mystics of the Spirit Prophets of Togetherness Servant of the Young

Mystics of the Spirit Spiritual Plan of Life Visible, Credible, Fruitful

Union with God (Article 12) As he works for the salvation of the young, the Salesian experiences the fatherhood of God and continually reminds himself of the divine dimension of his work: "Apart from me you can do nothing" Jn 15,5.

He cultivates union with God, aware of the need to pray without ceasing in a simple heart-to-heart colloquy with the living Christ and with the Father, whom he feels close at hand.

Attentive to the presence of the Spirit and doing everything for God's love he becomes like Don Bosco a contemplative in action.

“The Rule invites us to “experience” God, i.e. not only to live an interior and spiritual life but to have a conscious awareness that we are in a relationship with God in our daily life.” We have Don Bosco as our example. (The Project of Life of the Salesians of Don Bosco: A Guide to the Salesian Constitutions 1986)

He cultivates union with God To Experience God

God Christian Loving Relationship Christian Vocation Neighbor

God Don Bosco Loving Relationship Don Bosco’s vocation Poor and Abandoned Boys

God Me Loving Relationship My Salesian Vocation Those to whom I am sent. Those who are entrusted to my care.

My God Image Reflection Question: 1.Who is God for me? 2.What is He like?

The Christ whom we follow and contemplate (Indications for a Process of Growth in Salesian Spirituality: Some key points in the teaching of Fr. Egidio Vigano, SDB 1995)

The Good Shepherd The Friend of the Young Christ, the New Man The Heart of the World and the Mystery at Work In Creation

Image of Myself Mystic Prophet Servant All embracing Unifying Dynamic

“I’ll have to do everything I could for God’s glory and for the good of my soul, so as not to be what I’ve been and be what I should be, that is a saint Salesian.”

“His entire life was inspired only by the love of God and totally consecrated to the poor and the sick in a total self- donation and sacrifice of his own life with great joy.”

Salesian Brother Stephen Sandor ( ) Religious, Martyr, Servant of God I would like to highlight the witness to the radical nature of the Gospel which this confrere gave, something that becomes particularly eloquent given the upcoming General Chapter. When we draw up an account of Stephen Sándor's life we see a real and profound journey of faith...(RM)

“ I have given myself, I have devoted myself, I have sold all of myself to my God. Therefore I cannot be any longer either of myself or of the world.”

Being Real Before God

Seekers of God

Aware of the need to pray without ceasing Prayer is the place of encounter and of transformation Imagination, Heart, Action Simple and continuous Based on the Word of God and the Sacraments especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation

Constitutional text 1864, Don Bosco had already said that if the Salesian is prevented from making mental prayer by some urgent call of the sacred ministry “will make up for the deficiency by more frequent quick prayers or little prayers, and by directing to God with fervour and devotion those particular labours which are thus hindering him from the ordinary exercises of piety (MB VII, 884).”

In a simple heart to heart colloquy “God sees you!”

First draft of the Constitutions of 1858 until 1972: “The active life towards which the Society more especially tends, renders its members unable to perform many exercises of piety in common. They shall therefore supply for these by giving one another good example, and by fulfilling perfectly the general duties of a good Christian (BM V, 644).”

With the Living Christ and with the Father, whom he feel close at hand Father: Trust in Divine Providence Jesus the Good Shepherd Pastoral Charity Loving Kindness Assistance

Attentive to the presence of the Spirit Interior attitude (Interiority) Discerning attitude ( Finding God’s will in everything) Contemplative attitude (We become Christ in the World and for the World)

Attentive to the presence of the Spirit Discerning attitude ( Finding God’s will in everything) What are my patterns: Good Decisions (Graced History) Bad Decisions (Shadow History)

And doing everything for God’s love What is the more loving thing to do? Charity! Charity is the soul of every apostolate and the apostolate becomes the soul of the Salesian’s prayer.

He becomes like Don Bosco Example of Don Bosco of what it means to be a contemplative in action. A Contemplative in Action Lived experience Living out the Da Mihi Animas, Cetera Tolle

Salesian Spirituality Mysticism and Asceticism Give me Souls – Mysticism Take away the rest – Asceticism

Give me Souls – Mysticism Sanctified Work He associated work with “union with God”.

Take away the rest – Asceticism Temperance Strength to control his heart, to master himself, and remain even-tempered

Ecstasy of Action Prayer is necessary for union with God StimulusResponse COMPULSIVE

Ecstasy of Action Prayer is necessary for union with God StimulusResponse CONTEMPLATIVE Sacred Space Creativity Love Freedom

Imagination Creates Reality

Jesus’ Story Don Bosco’s Life Story My Story Prayer Our Story Contemplation Prayer Our Story Contemplation How We Contemplate the World: Contemplatives In Action