STRENNA 2015

Content of Presentation 1. Meaning and origin 2. Strenna Basic Terms 4. Don Bosco’s Charism 5. Salesian Charism 6. With the Young, 7. For the Young 8. Bicentenary of the Birthday of DB 9. 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 as word in the ear  Exhortations for the year. For unity of the salesian family

2. Strenna 2015 Like Don Bosco, With the Young, For the Young Young DB Bl. Laura Vicuna Mickey Magone St. Dominic Savio Basilica of MHOC

2. Strenna 2015  Culmination of Bicentenary.  Earlier three Strennas: History of Don Bosco & Pedagogy of Don Bosco., Spritiuality of Don Bosco

3. Basic Terms  Pastoral = Of the Shepherd,  Pastoral charity = Shepherd’s love,  Pastoral heart = Shepherd’s heart  Valdocco = place where DB started his youth work (in Turin)  Mornese = Place where St. Mary Mazarello started her mission for girls  Charism = A unique life style of religious that includes foundational spirit, traditions of the congregation and specific personality of Christ. (VC 36)

4. Like Don Bosco: DB’s Charism  Don Bosco’s Passion for the young.  Charism of Don Bosco: DB’s style = Good shepherd style (pastoral charity), Love for any young (it is enough that you are young….), His life (for you I live….) for which he initiated Salesian Family.

5. Salesian Charism  Result of DB’s Charism, Valdocco/Mornese exp., Aim: Upright Citizens & Children of God  Salesian Charism ≠ private property  Gifts to be shared (EG 130)  To be fruitful in the context of the Church, Salesian family and particularly to the young

6. With the Young  Starting point for Salesian Charism  With the young = meeting them in their daily lives  = knowing their world  = Loving their world  = Encouraging and inspiring them  = Having the heart of Jesus  = Any young in their context

7. For the Young  = For the poorest = our gift  = For the peripheries (church on street- EG)  = Valdocco exp. = periphery of the City  = Mornese exp. = Rural periphery  = Periphery youth = Salesian DNA!

8. Bicentenary of Birth of DB  A year of Family Celebration  For a greater fidelity to our mission  JP II wanted us to entrust ourselves and our youth to MHOC.

8. Bicentenary of Birth of DB Da Mihi Animas You were fighting, you were praying Ever since you were a child you were dreaming And you found that only kindness can get us anywhere Like a father, you gave shelter, (And) hope to the young who were lost in a cold world Through your eyes and through your hands, they knew God was there My wish for you, is to be truly happy And I will wait for you to join me (here), for all eternity

8. Bicentenary of Birth of DB Chorus Here is your soul bigger than the sky (It's) the only star, it's your guiding light Hear it sing da mihi animas Your wisdom is/so simple, yet so deep We follow your words and they will set us free Free from the chains that burden our lives (God give me their souls)

8. Bicentenary of Birth of DB

Humble spirit, keep shining Leading the way on the path we've chosen We can hear your words they're like echoes in our souls Look around you, see your children These are the fruits of the gift you're giving And the seeds that you have sown, will never stop to grow My wish for you, is to be truly happy Then you will join me here in paradise, for all eternity

8. Bicentenary of Birth of DB Chorus Here is your soul bigger than the sky (It's) the only star, it's your guiding light Hear it sing da mihi animas Your wisdom is/so simple, yet so deep We follow your words and they will set us free Free from the chains that burden our lives (God give me their souls)

8. Bicentenary of Birth of DB Until my last breath my life's in your hands Cause you have filledmy whole heart with (your) love, and joy And we sing da mihi animas da mihi animas Chorus Here is your soul bigger than the sky (It's) the only star, it's your guiding light Hear it sing da mihi animas Your wisdom is/so simple, yet so deep We follow your words and they will set us free Free from the chains that burden our lives (God give me their souls)

9. Questions for Discussion to be like DB, with young, for young  How do you make DB relevant through your lives?  Suggest some ways to be with the young today  Who are the youth in periphery? How do you reach out to them?  Propose one concrete action plan based on the strenna for 2015 for your group.

Prepared by fr. Gilbert Choondal, sdb Province of INK Courtesy: Letter of the Rector Major on Strenna 2015