Don Bosco’s Method For the evangelization and the education of youth.

If God gives me life… n 1877: D. Bosco writes Little Treatise on the Preventive System: n tells readers this is merely an introduction… n says he hopes to write a more systematic work later… n It seems he never did!

What & Why? n “Two age-old systems” n Repressive: –make rules known, and enforce them… n Preventive: –“the rules are made known, then the educators like loving parents advise the young, watch them, put them “in the moral impossibility of committing faults.”

What & Why? n Based entirely on Gospel: –Reason, –Religion, –Loving kindness n «This system prevents punishments».

Advantages: n With this approach, the educator does not antagonize the young who are naturally sensitive.

Advantages: n This approach helps overcome the natural inconstancy of the young.

Advantages: n The repressive system can prevent disorders, but cannot make the young better…

Advantages: n The preventive system works on the heart, and the educator can have a great influence.

Charity in action n Director is always present. n Staff of known morality. n Let kids jump, run, yell. n Music, games, fun. n Prayer and the sacraments. n Young grow up in a climate that values virtue and commitment.

Usefulness: n If it seems harder for educators, it makes growth easier for young people.

Usefulness: n Young people become friends of the educators, “useful citizens and good Christians”.

Usefulness: n All the young become better, even the worst.

Usefulness: n Young people with bad habits won’t corrupt the others.

A word on punishments. n Educators should “seek to make themselves loved, if they want to be respected.” n Punishment is whatever is intended as such. –Therefore, no need to use force: just withholding some sign of benevolence is a punishment, but this never antagonizes. n No public punishments. Correct in private.

A couple of problems Is Don Bosco’s approach really applicable in all situations? ?? ? ?