Who Says You Can't Be a Saint?

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

In his letter to apprentices in 1874, Don Bosco states his purpose for his ministry among the young. "My love is based on my wish to help you save your souls which have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ; and you love me because I strive to show you the way to eternal salvation. Therefore, it is the salvation of our souls that is the source of our affection for each other" (Don Bosco, "Letter to Apprentices 1874," The Spiritual Writings of Don Bosco, p. 146). This past week, our SDBs' and Salesian Sisters' Canada and Eastern USA provinces held our annual Spring Salesian Leadership Retreat (SLR) for our high school juniors and seniors at the Marian Shrine/Don Bosco Retreat House in Stony Point, NY. For the past two years, Covid-19 restrictions have prevented us from gathering with all of our schools. In the fall, our schools gathered regionally for this retreat. This time, all of our schools gathered with a smaller number of participants.

The SLRs take our student leaders on a journey through Valdocco, the name we Salesians affectionately use for the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in Turin, our motherhouse. It is here that Don Bosco founded his first work among the young. Our students, student leaders, SDBs, Salesian Sisters, and educators accompany the young through what it means to be Valdocco today. It also gives them the skills and knowledge for how to enhance the Valdocco experience in their own schools.

The goal of the SLR is what is stated above by Don Bosco, namely the salvation of one’s soul. Our young leaders become immersed in this spirit, live it for the week, and then bring it home with them to share with their peers. I hope you have followed the social media posts these days to see what joy our students have in following the Lord. It gives me great joy and hope for our future!