Reflections on Strenna 2023, Pt. VI

By Fr. Lou Molinelli, SDB, Province Delegate of Youth Ministry

In Part Five of the strenna commentary by our Rector Major, Fr. Ángel challenges us to follow the lead of Don Bosco in involving a broad spectrum of people in the Salesian mission. If we look at the very beginnings of the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, we see that a broad swath of people—priests and lay people of all walks of life—came together to assist Don Bosco in his work for the young. They were motivated by the same zeal and desire that he had, namely the salvation of the souls of the young. Don Bosco had a way of creating energy among his collaborators, seeing them not just as helpers in the mission, but as brothers and sisters working in communion with him for a common mission. As we look at our Salesian Family today, this reality bears all the more significance in this era of living the spirit of the ecclesiology of Vatican II.

The Rector Major points out to us that, in our Salesian Family, we have reached a "point of no return" as we follow the Salesian mission as a communion in our family. This puts us in full harmony with the Church under the guidance of Pope Francis. To live in this way is truly prophetic!

The ultimate goal of Don Bosco’s mission is the salvation of the souls of the young and the transformation of society. This is not easy! Don Bosco was singly focused on this vision with two traits that kept him faithful: his tireless diligence and his resiliency in the face of obstacles. He never compromised on the mission and on his style of communion, which included the great respect and participation of the laity from all walks of life. It was his example that gave unity to the mission, and it still does today.

We can never go back to 1846. Rather, we can take the lessons learned through Don Bosco’s methodology and make them a reality today. However, we must do this together as all members of the Salesian Family by building communion in the family spirit and within the vast Salesian movement. This is our legacy; this is the precious gift we possess.

The goal then is for us to make sure our mindset embraces Don Bosco’s understanding of family as a bond of communion. There is no room for separation or a pseudo-caste system. We are all in this together, sharing our gifts and zeal for the salvation of souls. This unity of vision and purpose is our heritage!