STRENNA 2014

Content of Presentation Meaning and origin Strenna 2014 Basic Terms Spiritual Profile of Don Bosco Don Bosco’s Spiritual Experience Salesian spirituality as Pastoral Charity Salesian Spirituality for all vocations 5. Tasks of Strenna for Salesian Family 6. Some Questions for Discussion

1. Meaning and origin Strenna = Gift. New Year Gift A Gift to the Salesian Family from the Rector Major Started by Don Bosco Exhortations for the year.

Right hand that blessed, relic Salesians of all vocations 2. Strenna 2014 Right hand that blessed, relic Points to the Heart Return to Don Bosco Salesians of all vocations

2. Strenna 2014 Third & Final Strenna for Bicentenary. Earlier two Strennas: History of Don Bosco & Pedagogy of Don Bosco. Strenna 2014: on Spirituality of Don Bosco

3. Basic Terms Spirituality = Lived Christianity  HOLINESS Christian Spirituality = Life of God = Charity Salesian Spirituality = Christian Spirituality  Pastoral Charity Glory of God and Salvation of souls Salesian Charity = pastoral charity  Upright citizens, good Christians Model of Good Shepherd

4. Spiritual Profile of DB “Don Bosco with God” by Fr. Eugene Ceria (1st Description of his spirituality written) “Real Modern Saint of Italy” – Walter Nigg, Lutheran Pastor, Professor at University of Zurich “DB, Prophetic model of holiness” Fr. Dominique Chenu, OP, Theologian

A. DB’s Spiritual Experience Goal: Glory of God and salvation of souls Basis : Faith, hope and Charity. Faith without good works. dead. A holiness within reach! Implications Return to Don Bosco Young People need witnesses, spiritual people

A. DB’s Only Goal: Souls Show the first credits sequence of the movie, Mission to Love

B. Salesian Spirituality as Pastoral Charity “ Being < Human being< spirit < Love< Charity” St. Francis de Sales Charity = Heart of Christian Spiritualty Pastoral Charity = mercy, forgiveness, maternal love, compassion, good shepherd, accompanying presence, education to faith. Dignity to the young = Salesian Pastoral Charity

B. Accompanying Presence in times of troubles (Show Youtube video : on Athlete Derek during Barcelona Olympics 1992)

C. Salesian Spirituality for all Vocations Priests, religious, lay have specific spiritual experience Salesian Youth Spirituality develops: DB’s books on Mickey, Savio, Besucco, and Companion of Youth. Salesian Youth Movement Today New areas: indifferent youth, non-believing youth, youth of other faiths.

C. Salesian Spirituality for all Vocations (Video song, DB Gentle Saint from youtube video)

C. Salesian Spirituality for all Vocations Salesian Lay Spirituality develops: 24 GC Lay groups in Salesian family: Source of inspiration Present need: Family Spirituality based on Salesian Spirituality No Youth Ministry without Family Ministry. Still at the beginning stage today.

5. Major Tasks of Strenna 2013 for Salesian Family Know DB more, read his texts Practise Pastoral Charity: Nourished through prayer, Eucharist Take preventive system as a spiritual experience, ≠ mere pedagogical method Salesian spirituality to be lived in all sectors of Salesian family

A song to renew the spirituality of Don Bosco as good shepherds, witnesses and accompanying presences today to the young (music available in www.faithministry.in)

Can we show the face of Jesus to the children in our caring love?

Can we show the face of loving to the people in our care?

Can the mystery of God’s world be revealed in the common place?

And in a violent world can we show the peaceful way?

Looking down the road as it falls behind there’s a mix of feelings. Looking up the road as it lies ahead, we just can’t be sure;

Can we read the signs when the times are changing?

Can we find that quiet place where the Spirit flows in silence

And we see the face?

Can we show the face of Jesus to the children in our caring love?

Can we show the face of loving to the people in our care?

Can the mystery of God’s world be revealed in the common place?

In a lonely world can we show the loving way?

It’s uncertain times, diseases rage, the bombs are waiting;

What’s the use of God in a hi-tech age? So the questions go.

Can we show the face of the wounded healer? Hold on to the human way? Living proof of an ancient story… Is it true today?

Can we show the face of Jesus to the children in our caring love?

Can we show the face of loving to the people in our care?

Can the mystery of God’s world be revealed in the common place?

And in an unjust world can we show the Kingdom’s way?

In the open mind can we find the seeds of tomorrow’s dreaming? In the open hand can we place the tools to reshape the world?

Can we show the face of the fragile leader? Bring the good news to the poor? Leave behind the bonds of privilege At the narrow door?

Can we show the face of Jesus to the children in our caring love?

Can we show the face of loving to the people in our care?

Can the mystery of God’s world be revealed in the common place?

In a violent world can we show the Kingdom’s (peaceful) way?

6. Questions for Discussion For a new hagiography of DB What aspects of his holiness seem most interesting to us today? How do we translate today, without just copying it, the way Don Bosco interpreted Christ’s Gospel for his own times?

Prepared by fr. Gilbert Choondal, sdb Province of INK gilbertsdb@gmail.com Courtesy: Letter of the Rector Major on Strenna 2014