Educators in a Salesian School

By Fr. Louis Molinelli, SDB, Province Delegate for Youth Ministry

In the Salesian Youth Ministry Frame of Reference, we see how the Salesian school is based on relationships between the young and their educators. This relationship has its source in Christ the Good Shepherd within the framework of the Preventive System. Here is how it is described:

In the words of Don Bosco, educators create a "family" together with the young, a youthful community wherein the interests and the experiences of young people are the basis of everything that comes under the heading of education. The teachers not only teach, but assist, work, study, and pray together with the pupils. They are willing to be with the young, capable of empathizing with them and their problems (p. 200).

This week, our Salesian province is very intentional in creating a province-wide community between the young and their educators as we live the experience of our March Salesian Leadership Retreat (SLR). During these days, we live together Valdocco—the oratory experience given to us by St. John Bosco. We create a Salesian Family experience that will be transformative for the young and the adults with them. I cannot wait to share the experience we have with you! Please pray for us and look for more on the March SLR in the next issue.