The Centrality of the Oratory in Salesian Youth Spirituality

The Salesian Youth Ministry Frame of Reference, in Section VII, begins a discussion on how our youth ministry is lived out in the various settings of youth ministry of our apostolate. The first and central sector of our youth ministry is the Oratory-youth center. It was the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in the Valdocco section of Turin, Italy that became the inspiration for all our other Salesian works. This ministry, founded by Don Bosco himself, was a response to the needs of the young of Turin. It offered an environment of healthy recreation, the teaching of the Catholic faith, an elementary education, and skills for work. These skills formed the foundation of the program of the Oratory. Gradually, the Oratory moved from a weekend scenario to the creation of a home where the young could be immersed in the environment.

While these basic principles of the Oratory have not changed, we have new scenarios for our young people today that require us to renew the Oratorian vision. We tend to use the terminology of youth center in our U.S. culture, though the term oratory is taking on for us a new significance. Recently, since General Chapter XXVIII, with Pope Francis’ call for us Salesians to choose the Valdocco option, we see more and more the use of the term Valdocco. For us in the Salesian family, Valdocco sums up not only the place of the first oratory, but a range of emotions and experiences which create the ideal Salesian environment.

No matter what term is used, the Oratory experience exists as an educational project to help our young people grow to full maturity. That will continue to change and evolve over time, but the basic goal will not change.

Think of your Salesian ministry. How is it the Oratory? Valdocco? What makes it unique?