XIX GENERAL CHAPTER
OF THE SALESIAN SOCIETY
1965 ROME
Year XLVII January 1966 N. 244
ACTS OF THE SUPERIOR COUNCIL
OF THE SALESIAN SOCIETY
ACTS OF THE 19th GENERAL CHAPTER
8th April to 10th June 1965
ROME
Summary
I. Presentation: Introduction by the Rector Major 3.
II. FIRST PART: Capitular Documents, 15.
III. SECOND P.&RT: Appendices, 291.
IV. General Index. 365
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INTRODUCTION BY THE RECTOR MAJOR
Turin, 31 January, 1966.
My dear Confreres,
I have the pleasure of presenting to you the Acts of the I9th General Chapter eagerly awaited by every part of the congregation.
I would not l-c doing your intelligence justice if I lingered over how much work went into writing, revising, correcting and finally editing these acts. I am sure I voice the general feeling when I express here my deepest thanks to all, and they are not a few, who have been working during these recent months to prepare the acts for publication.
The work undertaken by the General Chapter, the Major Superiors and the postcapitular commissions has reached its end. Now, with the promulgation by the Rector Major which follows, as much of it as was within his competence, and the approbation of the Congregation of Religious, the acts become the patrimony of each and every Salesian, the life of our life, food for daily reflection and above all the generous and sincere pledge that they will be put into practice.
I. THE SALESIAN AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL
If I were to have recourse to a metaphor to give, in some way, the picture of our General Chapter, I would take it in the spirit of humility, from the Gospel; I would say that it was and is a house built upon a rock.
At the centre of this house built and made our own, brick by brick
in a ´long and exhausting elaboration of ideas there is a human
figure which dominates and which all the Chapter members kept in view
with fraternal concern, as bit by hit the house grew, was the Salesian,
I would not like the variety and weight of the documentation you have before you to turn you from the central vision which has been the most important and constant preoccupation of all the long General Chapter; the Salesian to be formed and placed courageously in the setting of a rich and vigorous tradition onto which must he grafted the new, and which serves precisely to give life and renewed vigour to the Salesian of the new century. Our first concern was for you, dear confreres, rather than for our activities, for each One of you in particular. We have had you present to us every day with true fraternal joy and fear, thinking first about the precious lives of the brethren and then about the structure and activity of the family. I would like you to take note of this and be comforted.
This has been the aim of all the elaboration of documents, this the scope of the variety of initiatives whether new or under a new form, like the re-organization of our activities, the re-adaptation of various offices and councils, the bringing in a vicar to the Provincial and Rector, the defining of the figure of the spiritual director, the monthly day of recollection in a more binding framework, the spiritual retreat adjusted to give more scope for personal work, the periodic ascetical refresher courses for different categories, the preparation courses for future superiors and masters of formation of the congregation, the constitution of consultative bodies, the preparation of Rectors for the different levels of formation, the revision of the practical training course, the adequate preparation for the perpetual profession, the possibility of a second notiviate, etc. It is a blossoming of initiatives aimed at increasing the fruitfulness of the work of the formation of the Salesian in the way required by the epoch-making times in which we live and by the very apostolate which we today are called upon to carry out.
Connected with this need for formation there is the other not less
important one of qualification for the individual confrere for the various
tasks that obedience calls him to. Today society refuses
to accept into its structure the utility men, men without cultural,
technical or professional training. Unfortunately the sad traces of
this exacting toll are seen in the agonizing phenomena of unemployment,
hunger, emigration, etc.
We cannot therefore afford to drag our feet in the sweet illusion that a hit of good will is all that is needed to meet the immense needs our activities uncover for us every day, and that it is enough just to pull the cart and arrive at evening tired out by the quantity and multiplicity of the work we have undertaken.
The people, and the Church first of all, consider us authentic specialists in pedagogy and the apostolate (see "Discourse of Paul VI to the members of the 19th General Chapter of the Society of St. Francis of Sales"). We must, to the limit of our capacity, live up to this reputation. We must become qualified by using the means the congregation generously puts at our disposal (studies, courses, degrees, literature, etc.) A bit of practice is no longer enough to teach in class or direct a workshop. From now on every manifestation of our activity calls for personnel qualified in theology, liturgy, philosophy, pedagogy, science, technical knowledge, teaching, art, recreation, administration. etc. It is not a question of collecting degrees or specializing for its own sake, and much less of encouraging selfish or ambitious aim to study for one´s own satisfaction but sterile for the apostolate; what is required is simply an adequate preparation to work fruitfully in one of the innumerable fields of action Providence has called us to. It can be seen at once what and how many consequences for superiors and confreres follow these changes.
2. THE CONGREGATION AT THE TURN OF THE ROAD
During the work of the Chapter one always felt that all those present
were anxiously watching the Vatican Ecumenical Council II. The atmosphere
in Rome clearly encouraged this spring climate of expectancy so full
of promise.
We are all agreed that the congregation is at a turning of the road.
Let us not, however, quibble at the word. If by turning we mean taking
another road, then we speak incorrectly. If we mean we keep on the same
road having taken our bearings, new inspiration and fresh means, then
we are correct, because before us the Church, decided and courageous,
herself has taken the same turning while yet remaining on the fruitful
soil of her centuries-old divine-human tradition.
The words Pope Paul VI spoke to us appear very opportune in this context
and should be well considered: "Your Society has completed a stage
of its journey, has taken its bearings (as seafarers say), has concluded
one period and now begins another." (Paul VI ibid.) We have sown
generously in the soil of tradition. Undoubtedly there will be the new
growth : always, however, grafted on to the vigorous stock of a tradition
that has in the past given abundant fruit, and which consequently does
not delude us about the future.
Let us look therefore to the future with "wise adherence to the
needs of the times." (Paul VI. ibid).
3. RENDERING ALIVE TILE PRINCIPLES AND RULES
So that this graft may grow into the best and most fruitful plant,
it is necessary to mould in ourselves a mentality rather than set up
an inventory of injunctions to be carried out. Like all that is good
and grand, the Chapter too has to be realized in each of us to be understood
and appreciated. It must become the substance of our thinking and of
our love before it is transformed into rhythmical action. With the help
of the Holy Spirit and under the loving guidance of the superiors deputed
for this most delicate task we must study and steep ourselves first
in the ideas that give life to all the documents: only thus can we carry
out not so much the individual dispositions only, as the overall pian
intended to renew our life as religious, as Salesians, as apostles.
Do not let us say, immediately we see a document: This does not concern
me: this is for the priests, the coadjutors, the parishes, etc."
In a family they neither think nor act thus. What concerns one, concerns
all: the interest of one is the interest of the whole family. Let us
read therefore and meditate with equal attention all the documents and
appendices contained in the volume. Light, we know, is made up of various
colours. Every document contributes to, and shows one facet of the diamond
that is the Chapter: the documents throw light on each other. Here and
there it is possible to find particular points that help greatly in
illuminating the true spirit that animated so purposefully all the Chapter.
Read them, then, attentively by yourselves: do not be satisfied with a first reading in community. The congregation, I would almost say Don Bosco himself, with these acts does not wish only to give a conference, or preach a fine sermon to his sons: the wish is to initiate a dialogue, intimate and constructive, with each one of us: it wants to tell us what must be done to continue fruitfully along the path of our second century of life.
4. RESPONSIBILITY OF SUPERIORS
Naturally in the acts there are certain things which must be made clear
and put into practice prudently and gradually. For this reason the responsible
superiors will not fail to give timely and opportune rules so as to
avoid arbitrary interpretations. After the promulgation of these acts
we are all agreed that personal opinions must be submerged so as to
flow into a common stream of united action without which it is impossible
to do any constructive work. There are things that cannot he left to
the way of thinking or spirit of initiative of individuals. qur family
is large and it is necessary to co-ordinate our efforts in a single
line of action and renounce, after a certain point, our own personal
point of view where that is necessary. Hence arises the urgent need
on the part of every superior to coordinate, clarify, direct, call together
those directly concerned in order
to advance to the executive phase without wasteful dispersal of energies,
Work together: take advice. Here it is profitable to insist again on
the spirit of "service" which must characterize authority
at every level : an orderly, harmonious, organized service.
Nothing has to be improvized . The programmes of action should be studied
and made to be studied. A practical way must he found to implement the
dispositions of the Chapter among the diverse categories of confreres
working inside the community: priests, coadjutors, the young and the
old.
Pair this delicate interweaving of work it is necessary that we call
upon and rely on the sense of collaboration at every level: at the centre
of the congregation, in the groups of provinces, in the provinces themselves,
in each house and in every sector of our activity.
H ere we rediscover the value of a fraternal and constructive dialogue,
so much recommended by the Church in its historical encyclical Ecclesiam
Suam . It is a question of justice; all of us will draw great advantage
from it in every respect.
Ours is a congregation of the active life and disposes of resources
to he wisely used. Perhaps many confreres already well on in years and
experience can still discover in themselves new resources for the apostolatc
to their own advantage and that of the community where they work. Lot
us make use of them and give them confidence.
The authority responsible will willingly listen to his helpers; and
they in their turn will hold it as their first and most urgent duty
to help, giving of their understanding and experience in the councils.
having always at heart only the true good of the community and of souls,
and not seeking to impose at all costs their own point of view.
None of us is a well of spring water : we are all streamlets with a
greater or less flow of water which we must pour generously into our
common stream, that of our community, blessed by God.
The problems will be neither small nor few whether in the provinces
or in the houses, But Our Lord will not fail to reward the single-minded
and sincere effort that all the congregation, in all its members and
at every level, will make to match themselves to the times in vital
renewal, to put into practice methodically and courageously the decisions
that the congregation herself. through the General Chapter, her juridical
and well qualified organ, has decided and laid down,
5. REORGANIZATION OF OUR WORK
Our activities are already very numerous and often very complicated both in their size and in their diversity. If we were to take action under the pressure of the requests which increasingly come from authorities, benefactors and civil bodies, we should increase them beyond measure. But we cannot ignore the wise and enlightened advice of Paul VI; we would be lacking in that watchful sense of responsibility which must guide us in the government of the congregation, We must not undervalue the admonitory words of the Supreme Pontiff : "There are subtle temptations.., grave dangers... difficulties inherent in the size of the work itself which the congregation goes on accepting." (Paul VI ibid.)
It is clear that before moving on to increase already existing activities
in number and size we should all of us feel a preoccupation for the
man, the religious, the Salesian, the one who plays the leading part
in this whirlwind drama, If we did not, we could start undertakings
impressive enough to those looking on from outside, but we would only
succeed in extinguishing the man, the religious, the Salesian. We cannot
require more than a certain limit allows for the real good of the confrere,
and for the efficiency itself of his generous apostolic effort, It concerns
us and must concern us that he is a religious person, because he, in
making his profession, has placed in our hands his entire existence
for time and eternity. That does not of
course mean that the Salesian of the future will not continue to be
that great worker the Church and society hold him to be.
We must consequently ask ourselves with a little realism: why do we
keep certain ,activities going, enlarging some and starting others?
To help souls! What souls? Those of the young and adults confided to
our care. But who does not see that this goal is not achieved if confreres
are lacking to do the work, or if those who can do it break under the
martyrizing pressure of work without respite, without the rest that
body, mind and soul require?
The Pope has told us that there is "a primacy not only of objective
worth but also of operative virtue" which must be conceded to the
religious life for our own sanctification and for the education of others.
(Paul VI ibid.)
I admit it takes much courage to say `no´ to so many requests, especially
when they come from persons to whom our works owe so much, and from
authorities that want to meet urgent social needs. I admit it, dear
confreres, and I understand. But it is a question of life and death
for the congregation. We do not feel it right to put greater burdens
on the backs of so many confreres who feel the fresh and pure springs
of their priesthood and their religious consecration drying up within
them.
The apostolate is a delicate spiritual work. It cannot be effective
if one´s soul is tired out. If tomorrow Our Lord, in view of our generosity,
should create a more favourable situation, we shall be very happy to
give ear to the pressing demands that come to us from all along the
Church´s front line.
6. OUR ACTIVITIES NEED FIRST THINGS FIRST
From Don Bosco´s day to this we have seen grow beyond all computation
and before our very eyes not only the number but also the kind of our
activities.
Here, too, courage will be needed to get into line with what the Church,
by means of the Council . has considered it opportune to
recommend, and the General Chapter itself has clearly laid down. In
this matter two basic conditions have to be taken account of: not to
stray from the spirit of the congregation and to give preference to
the more needy classes of the modern complex social structure.
It is the natural instinct of institutions to seek a higher level with
the risk of their original scope being frequently obscured. This happens
in civil organizations as well as in religious. It is necessary that
the Church, desirous of reaching the less favoured social classes, (Paul
VI ibid.) should be able to count fully upon our generous acceptance,
In short, our congregation must continue to be a "witness to the
vitality of the Gospel and to the anxiety of the Church about the world´s
needs, and especially the needs of the young and of the workers."
(Paul VI ibid.)
Let us have faith in the `ends´ to which our congregation is `consecrated´
because "they could not be more noble, more up to date, more urgent,
more in conformity with the apostolic programme of the Church today."
(Paul VI).
These ends are those proposed for the formation of youth. With them
"the congregation participates in the Church´s mission" (Doc.
9 "Youth Apostolate" Chap, I); with them "we act like
the Church". In this sector the Church makes explicit and pressing
demands on us. "The Salesian is sent by the Church to the youth
of today". (Doc. 19. "Formation of the Young" Chap. I).
Out of filial respect for the tasks confided to us by the Holy Father,
we must therefore put in the forefront the work of the oratories and
that of education, especially professional schooling for the young of
the less favoured classes. The oratory must become again our first preoccupation
: an oratory that, opening its doors to the crowds of boys who surge
around its walls, can tackle adequately the problems presented today
by free time, with technical apparatus and the devices of modern art:
an oratory that does not limit itself to a
playground or an over-crowded games room, but is a `youth centre´ in
the most complete, most modern, most dynamic sense of the word, and
in which the catechism becomes alive with methods and techniques more
adapted to our times.
There is also professional instruction which is felt to be an indispensable need of society, and consequently of the Church. The Pope and the world episcopate have expressed themselves in terms of great urgency. The world of the workers awaits a Christian soul and this soul can be transmitted only when the human element is still susceptible of direction and formation. It is the young apprentices, the young workers who must be met, organized, directed into our schools, into our hostels, into our youth centres. The world has re-discovered that work is an economic factor of the first importance it is our duty to re-discover it also and make others re-discover it as a daily spiritual element of spiritual uplift.
Any abandonment of these fields which is not imposed on us by particular circumstances recognized as such by the Church herself and consecrated by obedience, would be a betrayal, a desertion from the part of the front line allotted to us by God.
In this front line each and every one of us has his post. We must persuade ourselves that "the integral formation of youth ´is the work of the whole educative community." ((Doc. 19 "Formation of Youth" Chap. I). Every empty space we leave in this sector to dedicate ourselves to personal activities and initiatives breaks the solidarity of this educative phalanx in which every move, every word has the sacredness of a religious act, because Jesus assures us : "all you have done for the little ones and the needy, you have done for Me." (Paul VI ibid.)
But priority and pre-eminence naturally do not mean exclusiveness.
Our Constitutions anticipate other apostolic activities besides, which
also are essentially Salesian, and as such must be esteemed and cared
for by those who in any way have that responsibility. Our mind goes
to the missions which must continue to be the trenches of our conquests
and of our glory; to the apostolate of the press and
to the means of social communication which today is its natural development,
And how can we leave out our co-operators and past pupils? The parishes
too are often a necessary integral part of our specific mission.
The important thing is to keep, in the variety of tasks offered to the
congregation, that sense of proportion and that openness of mind which,
while it makes us engage all the forces we dispose of without petty
objections, at the same time keeps us far from uncontrolled paths aiming
at goals not destined for us either by the Church or the congregation
or obedience and often created by wishful thinking.
CONCLUSION : GO. FORWARD!
My dear confreres, 1 have tried to call your attention to some ideas
that may guide and enlighten you in appraising and still more in carrying
out the overall resolutions of the 19th General Chapter.
I hope they help you to detect, in the phrase of Paul VI, the hour of
God which has struck with the Vatican Council II and for us also with
the 19th General Chapter: to become in reality factores verbi, doers
of what the Church and the congregation have decided for the good of
our own souls and of those for whom we are responsible.
All of us indeed, after the promulgation, have the duty not to discuss
further, but to carry out with goodwill and generous fervour, as true
sons of the Church and of Don Bosco, the resolutions of the 19th General
Chapter.
On the new road that we begin, united in mutual charity and confidence,
we are encouraged by the words of Paul VI spoken to the representatives
of our beloved congregation and therefore to every Salesian. He wished
to assure us "that the road travelled has been straight and beneficent
and that it must be continued with a confident and joyful step."
(Paul VI ibid.)
Confidence and joy!
We have ´chosen well´. The Church confirms for us "the sureness
and the merit of our apostolic programme. " (Paul VI ibid.)
"Go forward!" was the Holy Father´s last word in taking leave of the General Chapter: "Go forward to greater heights of true fidelity to the spirit of the Church and of Don Bosco." (Paul VI ibid.)
Dear confreres, the acts of the 19th General Chapter which with the heart of Don Bosco I present to each one of you, aim just at this goal.
May the Virgin, Mother and Help of the Church and of our congregation assist us on our new journey.
FR. ALOYSIUS RICCERI
Rector Major
FIRST PART
CAPITULAR DOCUMENTS
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CONGREGATION
General Introduction
The Constitutions in Chapter VI (art, 50), "Government of the Society"
declare: ` In its internal government the supreme authority over the
whole Society is, under ordinary circumstances, vested in the Superior
General and his Council, which is called the Superior Chapter and consists
of a Prefect, Spiritual Director, Economer and five Consultors; but
in extraordinary circumstances this authority is vested in the General
Chapter.´
The fundamentally positive experience of long Salesian tradition has
endorsed the validity of this formula, which has remained essentially
unchanged except for necessary adaptation to the needs of the ti mes
and changing circumstances.
The desire to remain faithful to the original overall purpose and at
the same time adapt the traditional structure better to the new requirements
of the Congregation, led the 19th General Chapter to make a careful
re-examination of the whole subject, keeping in mind the suggestions
and proposals emanating from Provincial Chapters and individual confreres,
with a view to making the maximum contribution to greater efficiency.
Such a re-examination seemed all the more desirable because of the rapid
geographical expansion and diversification of our Salesian work, the
corresponding increase in the number of confreres coming from countries
differing in both language and culture: and also because of the rich
fund of experience gathered by the Superior Council` in
* The 19th General Chapter decided to change the names "Superior
Chapter" and "House Chapter" to "Superior Council"
and "House Council", as stated in Chapter III of this document,
page 22.
the course of Extraordinary Visitations, and the difficulty of reconciling
the demands of a centralised government with those of a live contact
between the members and the Major Superiors.
There is also the absolute necessity that this growth in quantity and
extension be sustained and invigorated by a suitable structure of government
based on the saute spirit and identical traditions, with the guarantee
of firmer bonds of brotherhood and obedience which are at once the cause
and effect of that harmony of mind and heart which must always be characteristics
of Salesian vocation and Salesian life.
Finally it rs becoming daily clearer that the Salesian Society, through
competent authority, must be readily able to coordinate its work with
other kinds of initiative which are appearing in the Church, and especially
with those emanating from Episcopal Conferences, Associations of Major
Religious Superiors, from the various Catholic organizations on a national,
international and worldwide level; from professional associations and
the lay apostolate, and of youth institutes which on educative and scholastic
grounds have an affinity in object and methods with our own work.
The re-examination carried out by the General Chapter, though not exhaustive,
extended to all aspects of the structure of the Society: General Chapter,
Provincial Chapter, Superior Council, Provinces, houses, with their
respective governing bodies.
The discussions in the General Chapter led to a series of new norms
which, when added to those remaining unchanged, give an integrated code
meeting the present-day needs of our Congregation.
CHAPTER I.
THE GENERAL CHAPTER
Deliberations
1. DIFFERENCE BERWEEN NORMS AND COUNSELS.
The 19th General Chapter, following various earlier General Chapters
and particularly the 10th Chapter (1904) decided that in
the deliberations of General Chapters a clear distinction must be made
between
:
-- obligatory norms decided on by General Chapters and incorporated
in the Constitutions and Regulations;
decisions of General Chapters which oblige only ad experz mentum_:
- practical directives and recommendations which serve only to illustrate
and promote the observance of deliberations properly so called.
The 19th General Chapter decided that with a view to attaining complete
clarity in matters of religious observance a careful investigation be
made to decide which norms are no longer in force, either because of
later decisions of the Holy See or of the lawful Salesian authority,
cr because of changed conditions.
2. THE RECTOR MAGNIFICUS OF THE PONTIFICAL SALESIAN ATHENAEUM AND THE
GENERAL CHAPTER.
The 19th General Chapter welcomed the proposal that the Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum should have the right to participate in the General Chapter with deliberative vote; it proposed that art. 128 of the Constitutions be modified in this sense.
3, TIME AND MANNER OF THE ELECTIONS,
Time of the elections.
Without prejudice to art. 62 of the Constitutions which grants to the
Rector Major the right to decide the day of election of his successor,
the General Chapter decided to fix the time of the election of the members
of the Superior Council by means of an appropriate article in the Constitutions
to read as follows : Art, 137 bis: One of the duties of the General
Chapter is the election of the members of the Superior Council; this
must take place not earlier than ten days and not later than fifteen
days from the opening of the General Chapter."
Election of Consultors without specific responsibilities.
The 19th General Chapter gave careful consideration to the proposal
that the General Chapter should elect each Consultor explicitly for
specified duties or for a specified group of provinces.
Traditional practice, reasons of convenience especially during the experimental period of the new structure, and the need to ensure to the Rector Major the possibility of entrusting duties to his immediate collaborators with the greatest efficiency led the Chapter to reconfirm the system laid down in art. 69 of the Constitutions.
Manner.of election of Members of the Superior Council.
The General Chapter decided that the election of the Members of the
Superior Council shall he made as for the Prefect, Spiritual Director,
and Economer, and that art. 146 of the Constitutions be amended in this
sense: "In electing the Prefect, Spiritual Director, Economer,
and Consultors of the Superior Council, the scrutinies shall be by secret
ballot and separate in each case...
4. SECRECY. .
In addition to what is stated in the Regulations of the General Chapter,
the 19th General Chapter decided that non-members of the Chapter who
for any reason take part in the Chapter´s work shall be equally bound
to secrecy.
CHAPTER II.
THE PROVINCIAL CHAPTER
Deliberations.
The General Chapter carefully examined the question of a wider and more
representative composition of the Provincial Chapter. After considering
at length all aspects of the matter, the Chapter expressed itself in
favour of a wider representation at the Provincial Chapter, but in view
of the many and serious practical difficulties and because of the conflicting
proposals put forward did not consider it possible to reach a definite
decision forthwith, and decided to leave it to the
Superior Council to submit the problem to fuller study with a view to
produce a precise plan for discussion and eventual approval by the next
General Chapter.
In the meantime it was decided that the Master of Novices should have
the right of membership of the Provincial Chapter.
CHAPTER III
THE SUPERIOR COUNCIL
Preliminary
The General Chapter recognized the need for the government of the Congregation
to operate and wield its authority not only at the centre but also in
more distant parts. There must therefore be a strong and unbroken bond
between the Major Superiors and all the members; that the government
be continuous and efficient; that it extend to all the different sectors:
that it be based on the clearest possible knowledge of local needs;
that it be consistent and unified in operation without overlapping of
its different departments and without a kind of structure which, through
altered conditions of time and place, would be inefficient and useless.
Whilst desiring for these reasons to place the structure of the Congregation
on a new basis, the General Chapter was concerned to see that the spirit
of the Rule given to us by our Founder remained unaltered, that no excessive
changes should be made to the Constitutions, that the overall scheme
of government by the Superior Council he not unduly enlarged, and that
fundamentally its present structure should be preserved without the
introduction of Superiors of a kind foreign to our traditions.
The General Chapter, steering a middle course between the practice of
the past and the present needs of the Congregation made the following
decisions, which will not be incorporated in the Constitutions at once
but will oblige ad experimentum until the next General Chapter.
I, GENERAL STRUCTURE OF THE SUPERIOR COUNCIL
The 19th General Chapter decided to increase the number of the Consultors
of the Superior Council from five to nine.
All the members of the Superior Council take part, under the authority
of the Rector Major, in the general government of the Society, and they
vi!! normally live in the House where the Superior General resides.
The Superior Council will exercise its powers of government in two ways
: at Headquarters through Superiors in charge of certain branches of
our work, who will have at their disposal adequate means of study and
effective office-staff; and away from Headquarters through Consultors
in charge of groups of Provinces, who will coordinate the work of the
Provinces amongst themselves and keep them in contact with Headquarters.
The Superiors in charge of specified sections are the Prefect, the Spiritual
Director, the Economer and three Consultors.
According to the Constitutions the Prefect, the Spiritual Director and
the Economer General are concerned with aspects of Salesian life concerning
the whole Congregation; in particular the Prefect deals with disciplinary
matters, the Spiritual Director with religious and moral affairs, and
the Economer with financial questions.
The three Consultors in charge of specified sections, on the other hand,
look after those particular branches of Salesian activity which have
been confided to them by the Rector Major.
The other six Consultors are each in charge of a certain number of Provinces
entrusted to them by the Rector Major and his Council.
The Consultors in charge of sections will not normally be responsible
for a group of Provinces; this could compromise the efficiency of their
office or would react adversely on the work of organization and co-ordination
demanded by the requirements of the group of Provinces with which they
would have been charged.
To ensure uniformity of nomenclature at every level in the Congregation,
the General Chapter decided that henceforth the "Superior Chapter"
shall be known as the "Superior Council", and the "House
Chapter" as the "House Council".
2. DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF TILE SUPERIOR COUNCIL.
The Prefect General. His duties are defined in art. 70 of the Constitutions.
Long tradition gives him the care of the general discipline of the Congregation,
To him also is confided, as it was many years ago, the care of the Missions;
in the solution of local
missionary problems he will be assisted by the Major Superior in charge
of the group of Provinces in which the particular mission is situated;
the Central Missionary Office will be dependent on him in its work of
organization and coordination.
The Spiritual Director General. His duties are found in arts. 71-75;
he is principally responsible for those matters which concern the moral
and spiritual welfare of the whole Congregation and all its
members. By analogy with what is laid down in art, 72 concerning the
novices, he has full responsibility in matters concerning vocations
and the Mouses where aspirants are cared for during the time preceding
the novitiate.
I he Economer General. For his duties cf. art. 76 and 77 of the Constitutions.
The Consultor in charge of Salesian formation. The institution of this
new office was decided upon because of the need of ensuring unity of
formation for all our personnel, and in view of the close collaboration
between ecclesiastics and coadjutors in our Salesian apostolate. This
Consultor following the direction of the Rector Major and Spiritual
Director, will be responsible for matters touching the formation of
all members from their first profession, i,e. from the Studentate of
Philosophy for clerics and from the period of professional training
for coadjutors right up to the end of the formation period. His authority
therefore extends to every House and every activity concerned with the
training of our personnel, both ecclesiastical and lay, including the
course in Pastoral theology and the quinquennium following ordination.
The Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum comes under his jurisdiction, as also
do other institutes of university level and technical training colleges
for Salesians. Spiritual and cultural books for confreres in formation
are also his responsibility, as also are any publications emanating
from houses of formation.
The Consultor in charge of parishes and the apostolate for youth.
The General Chapter thought it opportune to entrust to a single Consultor
the care of our parishes and the apostolate of the young because of
their close interdependence. In fact our Salesian parish work has as
a primary objective the formation of the young, and our educative work
for youth has in turn the object of enabling them to take their place
in the life of the Church through their parish community. As far as
boys are concerned, this Consultor will have care of their general formation,
religious, moral and intellectual, in every kind of Salesian house:
oratories, hostels, day schools, boarding schools, youth centres, sodalities
and other youth organizations; due regard being paid to the authority
of provincials and with the collaboration of the Consultor in charge
of the group of provinces concerned when there is question of specific
local requirements in technical, scholastic or professional matters,
or in methods of organization, etc.
The Consultor in charge of the apostolate for adults. He will take care
of the co-operators, past pupils, Salesian propaganda and public relations
(including the Salesian Bulletin), and mass media of communication in
general.
The Consultors in charge of groups of Provinces. At Headquarters they
will normally have the following duties: - they will take part in the
general government of the Society;
--- they will present, explain and expedite the affairs of the Provinces
belonging to their own group;
- they will organize, for the benefit of the Superior Council and in
collaboration with the Provinces concerned, offices which will collect
and collate information concerning the religious, moral, cultural, social
and economic life of the areas allotted to them.
In the Provinces entrusted to them:
- they will promote in a concrete manner the sense of being one family
which must unite and characterize the whole Salesian Congregation, by
keeping the major superiors and confreres more in touch with one another,
by gaining at first hand more precise knowledge of local situations,
by providing a more direct link between the Provinces of their group
and the Rector Major and other Superiors with whom they will represent
their provinces and foster their concerns.
they will organize and preside at meetings of the provincials of their
group of provinces.
- in agreement with the Provincials they will organize interprovincial
meetings for different groups of people.
- they will study with others the situation in their provinces from
the point of view of possible future activity iii the spheres of religion,
education, charitable undertakings, etc.
- they will keep in touch, when necessary, with organizations of national
or international character, with episcopal conferences, etc.
In view of these deliberations of the 19th General Chapter, art. 78
and 79 of the Constitutions, which define the duties of Consultors of
the Superior Council, are suspended.
3. FURTHER EXPLANATIONS CONCERNING THE CONSULTORS IN CHARGE OF GROUPS OF PROVINCES.
The experience of the next six years will he of great assistance in defining more clearly the figure of the Major Superior in charge of a group of Provinces.4. ACTS OF THE SUPERIOR COUNCIL
. The 19th General Chapter decided that there should be inserted in the
Constitutions an Art. 83 bis: The Superior Council will make its decisions
known to the confreres by means of the `Acts of the Superior Council´,
which is the official organ of the Congregation."
In harmony with what was laid down above in Chapter I of this document,
the 19th Genera! Chapter decided that in the exercise of their legislative
powers, whether ordinary or extraordinary, the competent authorities
at Headquarters should always take care to distin-
1. Chapter 1, number 1, page 18.
guish clearly between what they put forward as guiding principles and
what they intend as definite laws.
The Acts of the Superior Council will be clearly divided into two pars:
in the first, called "Official Acts" or some similar title,
there will be promulgated dispositions containing norms of preceptive
force binding on the whole Congregation; in the second, which could
he called "Communications", there will be published whatever
the Major Superiors wish to bring to the knowledge of all confreres
or of some particular group by way of exhortation, information, or general
indication.
The official language of the "Acts of the Superior Council",
on which authentic interpretations will be based, will be Italian. Nevertheless
it is desirable that the "Acts" be issued from Headquarters
translated also into the other principal languages.
CHAPTER IV
THE PROVINCES
Preliminary
A careful examination of the conclusions of provincial chapters, confirmed
in large part by studies and proposals sent in by individual confreres
concerning the :structure by which provinces and houses are governed,
showed that the fundamental requirements are: unity. adaptability, flexibility,
reasonableness and practicability.
Such requirements seem to correspond perfectly to the spirit of Don
Bosco, to Salesian tradition and to the development of the Congregation,
and at the same time can be adapted without difficulty to the needs
of the present day and of the Church in an era which turns on the decisions
of the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican.
The need for unity, resides its obvious necessity for an efficient government
based on enlightened decisions and their firm enactment, is a fundamental
characteristic of the Salesian Society which sees in the Rector Major,
in the Provincial, and in the Rector of a house respectively the central
figure, the competent and harmonious source
of all guidance for the entire Congregation, for the province, and for
the individual House.´
The spirit of adaptability characterizes both the origins and the development
of the work of Don Bosco who understood very clearly the need to meet
the demands of the apostolate both for the young and for older people
in so many different circumstances, with institutions and methods that
are now accepted by the modern world and fully in accord with Vatican
II as far as apostolate and pastoral applications are concerned.
To harmonize the requirements of unity and adaptability a kind of government
would seem to be needed in which there is the greatest possible flexibility,
at both juridical and technical levels, both as regards the internal
regime of the Congregation and its insertion into the community of the
Church and society for the necessary ever increasing co-operation.
A final requirement appears from the studies and suggestions, and also
from the modern concept of organized work, even in the field of apostolic
activity: rational good sense and practicability, with a corresponding
division of work and differentiation of sectors. Among other things,
this calls for the establishment of centres of study and of technical
offices with properly qualified personnel, who will be responsible for
diagnosing problems in good time and for working out plans of campaign
in different sectors (pastoral work, education and school matters, building
schemes, economics and finance, etc.) and gradually putting them into
effect.
Deliberations
1. SIZE OF PROVINCES.
The 19th General Chapter proposed as a general principle that the creation
of too many provinces with a resulting weakening in their consistency
should be avoided.
The putting into effect of this decision will result in a better qualified
and more efficient central organization, a saving in and greater possibility
of placing prepared personnel effectively, greater freedom of movement
to meet new needs in our work, a more con-
I. Constitutions, articles 50, 86, 113.
sistent economic situation, a higher level of spiritual, Salesian and
cultural formation, especially in the training houses (aspirantate novitiate,
studentate, etc.)
2. PROVINCIAL CONFERENCES.
The same reasons which demand a strong consistency in the individual
provinces, as well as more urgent reasons of modernization in organization,
make it eminently desirable that some form of collaboration on a juridical
basis should be adopted between provinces which for pastoral, geographic,
ethnical. linguistic and cultural reasons have affinity to each other
and common circumstances and problems,
For these reasons the 19th General Chapter decided that "Provincial
Conferences" should be set up presided over by the Consultor in
charge of each group, referred to in the preceding chapter.
It belongs to the Rector Major and his Council to establish Provincial
Conferences.
The duties of provincial conferences include:
- To study and promote the application of the general directives concerning
the government and activities of the Congregation.
To promote the co-ordination of Salesian activity as between one province
and another, keeping in mind the declarations of episcopal conferences,
civil law, and other local requirements;
- To carry out with discretion experiments that may seem necessary to
bring up to date the methods of the Salesian apostolate:
To carry out those duties which have been assigned to them in the deliberations
of the General Chapter.
Conclusions reached by Provincial Conferences will not be binding on
the provinces concerned until they have been approved by the Rector
Major and his Council, to whom they will he submitted by the Consultor
in charge of the group.
3. THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
The General Chapter decided that the Provincial Council should be composed
as follows:
- The Provincial;
-- Two or three Consultors free from office or special duties in the
houses: of these one will have the authority of Vice-Provincial and
another that of Provincial Economer;
Two or three Consultors chosen from those confreres who have duties
of particular importance in the houses.
For the appointment of all the Consultors, even under the new arrangement
the dispositions of Art. 91 of the Constitutions still hold good.
The Provincial Council will operate according to the following norms:
It will normally meet at least once a month;
The agenda is to be sent out some days earlier so that the members can
study the matters to be discussed;
The minutes, which should be complete and compiled with care, are to
he read and signed by all those taking part in the meeting;
- Every time there is question of any matter in which the Constitutions
or Regulations require that the consent of the Superior Council he obtained
this shall be formally requested by the Provincial who will include
with his request a copy of the minutes of the Provincial Council meeting
at which the matter was discussed or voted upon.
The Vice-Provincial shall take the place of the Provincial, absent or
impeded, in all that bears on the ordinary government of the province.
He shall also act for him in those matters for which he has received
a special delegation.
The Provincial Consultors free from office and from other obligations
in the houses, shall concern themselves with the problems of administrative
and organizing character arising from the various works undertaken in
the province.
The Provincial himself shall decide the distribution of the field to
be covered by each Consultor.
4. PROVINCIAI. DELEGATES.
The 19th General Chapter, approves and recognizes the institution of
Provincial Delegates, in charge of diverse activities at provincial
level (co-operators, old boys, sodalities, Christian doctrine, vocations,
schools, professional training, parishes etc.) - their terms of reference
will be study, development, organization and co-ordination.
It is not considered a good thing that the delegates vi muneris, should
be members of the Provincial Council. The qualities necessary for both
duties will not always coincide. Nevertheless, there is nothing to hinder
a Consultor of the Council being delegated for the care of any such
activity.
5. TEAMS OF EXPERTS.
While the Provincial Council remains intact as the consultative and deliberative body by force of the Constitution, let the Provincial with his Council set up, for the main activities, groups of experts, Salesian and non-Salesian, and let them he consulted systematically.
6. PARTICULAR CONSIDERATIONS.
The Provincial and those helping him, if it is considered functionally
convenient, may form a community on its own, with its own Rector, who
may be the Vice-Provincial or one of the Consultors. Such a community
should not he either isolated or too distant from a Salesian House.
Bank accounts should not he in the name of a single person¢, but
in the name of the province, or of a moral body duly recognized. Where
possible, these accounts should be operated by three signatures, with
the proviso that at least two signatures be necessary. In any case !et
there never be less than two signatures with the possibility that both
sign conjointly or separately.
Since the Salesian Congregation has for its special scope "every
sort of charitable work, spiritual and temporal for the benefit of youth,
especially those who are poorer" let every province establish at
least one house exclusively destined for such charitable work, or establish
a convenient number of burses for deserving boys who are without means,
and place them in our other schools according to a plan approved by
the Provincial.
While the existing prescriptions for the authorization of building programmes
remain as before, the immediate supervision of the actual building in
progress in the house is the concern of the Prefect under the responsibility
of the Rector, nevertheless, among the rights and duties of the Provincial
Economer and his technical advisers is the continued and careful control
of all building operations of the province.
CHAPTER V
THE HOUSES
Preliminary.
In the re-structuring which has the purpose of guaranteeing both the
proper functioning and fruitfulness of the work of each single house,
and in addition to the directives indicated, with re gard to the structure
of the provinces, the following exigencies have come to light which
summarize the study, observations and proposals of provincial chapters,
and those also of individual confreres.
It has been held essential for the conservation of the Salesian spirit,
and for the vigour of the formative and apostolic work we do, that the
image and function of the Rector and the superiors of the house be kept,
and their original characteristics be upheld.
According to the will of Don Bosco, and our uninterru pted tradition
the Rector constitutes, without a shadow of doubt, the centre for unity
and of initiative in all Salesian work whatever its type or composition,
either as the head of the religious community and guide of the confreres,
or as the one who encourages and sustains every activity, apostolic
as formative, being first among those who would educate; or as the one
finally responsible for every activity, whether it be economic, technical
or in the field of organization. "It is the duty of the Rector
to rule the house in all matters spiritual, scholastic and material".
"The Rector is the one responsible for all that pertains to the
oratory (Regulation for the Festive Oratory 3951. In this sense the
Rector is held responsible for the action of all members. Let him show
himself constantly the loving father who desires to know everything,
so that he can do good to all and harm to none.´
The same Salesian tradition, in the beginning, was, so to say, incarnated
in the person of Don Bosco, and has given a concrete definition of this
unifying and vitalizing activity of the Rector, which includes something
which cannot be substituted, namely, the co-responsibility and mutual
collaboration with other superiors, in the first place with his Council.
Don Bosco himself succinctly affirms
1. Memorie Biografiche X,1102 Epistolario di Don Bosco II, 320: Epistolario
di Don Bosco III 360, 380; Memorie Biografiche XII 81, 82; Memorie Biografiche
X111 258 etc.
"with us the Rector is everything"´ and repeatedly insists,
clarifying the concept: "Let the Rector be the Rector. Let him
know how to make others work; let him supervise, decide and order, but
let him
never do the work himself. Should he not find men of great ability
to do the work, let him leave it to somebody with less, but let him
not do the work himself, through any desire to do all things in the
best way possible. He should see that all do their duty, but he should
not take on any particular duty himself.´ The essence of a Rector is
to divide out the work to be done, and then to see that it is done,´
and more especially, call the council and from time to time, all his
teachers to study the means which each one judges best fitted to correct
what has to he corrected. Remember, the Rector need not do a great deal,
but he should see to it that all others do it, and he should he vigilant
to see each one does it."´
The need of flexible unity here considered on the Rector´s part is above
all to be seen in his fatherliness which is at once spiritual and formative,
vital and operative, promoting well coordinated collaboration; and it
would appear that this is to be underlined in a very definite way today,
especially in the new circumstances in which every Salesian work is
being carried out.
In the very first place, the image of the Rector today is somewhat confused
by those early uncertainties caused by the loss of that original quality
of ordinary confessor to the community of the confreres and of the boys.
The figure of the Rector as educator and spiritual director is still
not clear when considered as an effective and practical factor.
The complexity of the administration of a religious community in the
field of education today, with the growing mass of services, legal and
financial obligations, the complexity also of the contacts and problems,
the demands made by many different sectors have all served to distract,
in various directions, the attention of the Rector, and have taken away
the prefect-administrator entirely from the sphere of education.
1. Memorie Biografrcle XI1, 81.
2. Memorie Biografiche XIII 258.
3. Epistolario di Don Bosco III, 158
4. Epistolario di Dorn Bosco II. 270
In the field of education (boarding schools, professional schools, technical
schools, day schools and hostels) new exigencies tend to augment considerably
the .need for more paper work, more organization, to say nothing of
the cultural, teaching and legal demands. This overburdening of Rectors,
Prefects of Studies, and Consultors, with duties less formative, means
less time and less energy for work of a truly pedagogic and family character.
All, and in every single one of our works, find themselves overburdened
by things to be done, some technical, some questions of organization:
(sport, recreation, camping, tours etc. with the consequent financial
problems). All this tends to obscure and damage the pastoral character
of the education.
It is evident that the solution is to be found in the direction of a
kind of government which keeps intact and yet renders more effective
the original unity which it interprets and makes actual with flexibility,
showing a division of work, of duties, of responsibilities, and reassesses
the value of collaborators organized in councils, groups and in sectors.
Deliberations
The 19th General Chapter, having recalled in the preceding foreword
the traditional teaching on the government of the Salesian House in
its different aspects and characteristics, which it still must have
in face of the new situations in which the Congregation finds itself
today, voted certain norms. As appears from their formulation, they
sometimes confirm attributions and norms already established by Constitutions
and Regulations, with the specific purpose of recalling confreres to
a more responsible endeavour. Sometimes they define more clearly attributions
and establish new norms for insertion in the Constitutions and Regulations:
finally, there are formulas of practical directive character to render
more efficacious the norms established by Constitutions and Regulations.
1. THE RECTOR
The 19th General Chapter, well aware of the great importance they have
for the well-being of the religious life, recalls attention to the following
Constitutions and Regulations, as also the recommendations of the 17th
and 18th General Chapters seeking thereby more perfect observance.
It is the duty of the Rector to rule the house in all matters spiritual,
scholastic and material.´
He has the obligation of watching over, with paternal solicitude, first,
the conduct and formation of the confreres ; and then the careful training
of the pupils, wherefore let him not accept duties extraneous to his
office, nor should he absent himself from the house for any considerable
time without necessity, and without permission of the Provincial.´
- He should hold two conferences every month for the memhers of the
house, to encourage them in the practice of the religious virtues and
the exact fulfilment of their duties. Besides, he should hold at least
three conferences during the year for the teachers, crafts masters,
and assistants, on the methods of education taught and practised by
Don Bosco.´
- Every month he shall with all kindness receive the manifestation which
each member should make to him, and he should send for those who do
not present themselves of their own accord. He must also hear in mind
the grave obligations which the Constitutions´ place upon him of fulfilling
all the duties of the Novice Master in regard to those members of the
house who have temporary vows.´
- He has analogous duties to the staff, and also with regard to cultural
and material needs of the confreres.´
-- Let the Rector, especially in works making great demands, keep himself
free from all duties and obligations in his house and outside of it
which could compromise his fundamental duty of coordinator and guide,
especially in the spiritual field and that of formation - let him abstain
from the demands of direct administration, as for example, the work
of prefect, headmaster, teacher (if a regular one), and duties of a
demanding pastoral character e.g. Parish Priest.´
1. Constitutions, article 113..
2. Regulations, article 157
3. .. Regulations, article 158
4 Constitutions, article 184.
5. Regulations, article 159.
6. Regulations. articles 160-161
7. 18th General Chapter 1958, Acts of Superior Chapter, number 203 pages
22-23; 17th General Chapter 1952, Acts of the Superior Chapter number
170 pages 29-30.
2. PREPARATION OF RECTORS AND THEIR `aggiornamento´
Seeing that the office of Rector is particularly delicate and demanding,
it should be confided to confreres who are prudent, fatherly, understanding,
mature in outlook, enjoying the esteem of others, so that it is possible
for them to accept the principal responsibility for the regularity and
high level of religious life in the community, and guarantee their pastoral
efficiency. To obtain this end more easily, the following proposals
are made:
Let Provincials provide new Rectors with time for recollection and immediate
preparation for this very important and delicate task.´
- Having in mind that a Rector before all else should possess the necessary
gifts to govern the community spiritually,´ let it he made possible
for him to obtain a solid personal formation, and a
regular ´aggiornaniento´ in spiritual matters Christian, religious,
and Salesian.
- To invigorate ascetic preparation with its enrichment of culture,
and to deepen pastoral and pedagogic preparedness, short refresher courses
may prove very useful at the end of retreats or on other similar occasions.
The periodical provincial and interprovincial reunions of Rectors could
provide a most helpful means towards maturity and specialist formation
in the field of the techniques of organization and direction, by means
of study groups and discussion.
- The manual for Rectors should be brought up to date.
- Consideration should be given to a prudent rota of choice o` those
thought to be fit to direct our houses, together with the possibility
of granting them periods free from responsibility of office : a having
in mind however that authority has an eminently social character, and
therefore is given to individuals according to their capacity for effective
service.
1. 18th General Chapter 1958, Acts of Superior Chapter, number 203,
page 24.
2. 17th General Chapter, 1958. Acts of Superior Chapter, number 203.
page 203.
3. 16th General Chapter 1947, Acts of Superior Chapter. number 143.
page 71,
3. THE HOUSE COUNCIL
The 19th General Chapter calls attention of confreres to the observance of the Constitutions and Regulations governing the council of the house.a) its competence. The House Council in so far as the indi-1
vidual house is concerned, is the principal instrument, juridically
constituted, with the specific purpose of guaranteeing collaboration
with the Rector.
While according to the Constitutions the Rector is the superior of
the house, in the sense of Canon Law, he has no right to deprive his
collaborators (prefect, catechist, headmaster, consultors) of the authority
given to them,´ although this in its turn is exercised under his direction.
This authority should be recognized and accepted by all the confreres
of the house.
-- Neither has he the right to do without the opinion of his council
in the cases contemplated.´ He, therefore, has the obligation to call
meetings of the council regularly,´ with the members of which he should
share in some way his own responsibility.´
Let him therefore ask their opinion in the things of greater i mportance,
even when this is not expressly demanded by the Con
stitutions and Regulations; and when given he should not discard it
too readily. This will create in the council harmony and effective
cohesion of a true community, and produce results. This obligation is
particularly grave in the cases listed in article 114 of the Consti
tutions, and 153, 154 of the Regulations.
Obviously the council duly constituted, as far as possible with the
traditional offices, should also function in the smaller houses.
b) Its Composition. The need of improving the wording of art. 111 of
the Constitutions is recognized so that confreres with special duties
can participate in the House Council, the General Chapter established
that art. 111 should be modified in this manner
1. Constitutions, articles 116-118. 2. Constitutions, article 113. 3.
Regulations, article 156. 4, Constitutions, article 113.
"The house council is made up of the prefect or vice-rector, the
parish priest, the catechist, the president (or headmaster), and consultors,
who should in an ordinary way not be more than three. The Rector of
the festive oratory (youth centre) may also take part.
c) Council Meetings. in order to bring into effect the principles cited
above concerning the systematic and continued collaboration of the superior
of the house, especially with the members of the council, the General
Chapter, determined the following precise regulations to be made operative
concerning council meetings.´
Let the house council be called at least once a month.
Let the agenda be made known at least a few days previously, so that
members may study the points proposed for consideration.
Let the minutes be compiled with care and in their entirety, and he
signed after having been read by all the members who participated.
Whenever, in conformity with the Constitutions´ and the Regulations,´
certain business demands the consent of the Rector Major or the Provincial
or an understanding with the latter, let the Provincial or the Rector
send the formal request accompanied by the minutes signed at the meeting
of the House Council at which the matter was discussed and voted on.
- To specify art. ] 13 of the Constitutions it is established as the
ordinary practice (this to be provided for by a special article in the
Regulations) that the opinion and vote of the house council be sought
in all financial undertakings of some importance, as the purchase of
costly machinery even when demanded by the ordinary equipment of the
workshop, sales and contracts of a notable value, debts etc.
-- That the disposition of art. 116 of the Constitutions and art. 176
of the Regulations be made effective for a proper control of the administration
of the house; in this the Rector can avail himself of the co-operation
of the council.
1. Regulations, article 156.
4. Constitutions, article 114.
5. Regulations, article 153.
4. THE PREFECT OR VICE-RECTOR
The 19th General Chapter, with the intention of better defining the
characteristics of the prefect in the Salesian house, and in addition
to the modifications of art. 111 of the Constitutions when speaking
of the house council, has ruled the modification of art. 116 according
to the following formula: "The prefect (vice-rector) takes the
place of the Rector. His principal duty is to help the Rector sustain
religious discipline, to administer temporal affairs, to have charge
of the non-Salesian personnel, to watch over the general discipline
of the pupils according to the norms of each house, and with the consent
of the Rector. He should be prepared to give an account of his administration
to the Rector, whenever he is requested to do so."
The prefect, as the vicar of the Rector, should have those qualities
which enable him to take his place and within limits similar to those
limiting the authority of the Prefect General in art. 59 of the Constitutions.
Under the guidance of the Rector, he is also charged with the administration
and general order of the house, and those extraordinary disciplinary
measures which do not accord with the image of the Rector.´
When the administration of a house is particularly complex and renders
the duty of the prefect difficult as vicar, the Provincial may give
him the help of an economer - either a priest or coadjutor.
Let the Provincial Economer organize courses for the training of prefects
and economers, and hold meetings to unify the administration of the
houses of the Province.
Bank accounts must not be in the name of a single person, but of the
institute, and the operative signatures are those of the Rector and/or
the prefect.
5. THE CATECHIST
In addition to the duties of the catechist laid down in the Constitutions and Regulations, and by Salesian tradition, the General Chapter established that according to need and opportunity he
Regulations, article 163 and 183.
should be able to help the Rector in counselling and directing the pupils
individually, to complete the whole formation, moral, religious and
apostolic, for which he has the immediate responsibility. This ditty
demands that he be given an office.
6 THE CONSULTOR OF STUDIES. PREFECT OF STUDIES
Where there is a Principal (Headmaster) the Prefect of Studies could fill the office of deputy head, and be in charge of the ordinary discipline of the pupils.´
7, ´IIIE PRESIDENT HEADMASTER
In those states where the law demands a person recognized as in charge
of the school before the civil authorities (president, headmaster, prefect
of studies, or the like) with the function not easily compatible with
the image and office of the Salesian Rector, the General Chapter expresses
the hope that the two offices be undertaken by different persons.
As to the relation between the Rector and the President (or Headmaster)
the latter, while remaining mainly responsible before the authorities,
nevertheless, at a religious level and in the practical exercise of
his function represents the Salesian Society, and exercises such responsibility
not in his own name, but in the name of the Society itself and therefore
´under the guidance of and in accord with the Rector of the house»
It follows that it should be made clear to all, pupils, parents and
public alike, that the Superior who has complete authority and the ultimate
responsibility in the School is the Rector, and the President (Headmaster)
is only his delegate.
If there is no deputy, he, the President (Headmaster) will be responsible
for the discipline of the pupils´
The financial administration of the school is the business of the prefect.´
if the President (Headmaster) has financial responsibility before the
authorities, he without making himself autonomous, nor having a separate
account, has the right of control of that money for
1. Regulations, article 192.
2. Regulations, article 191.
6. Regulations, article I92.
7. Constitutions, article 116.
which he is responsible. He will sec that it is spent as it should be.
The 19th General Chapter with the intention of defining the competence
of the President (Headmaster) established that art. ]98 bis and 198
ter be inserted in the Regulations.
Art, 198 bis: In the states where the law demands someone responsible
for schools before the civil authority, such an office be given to a
superior distinct from the Rector.
Art. 198 ter: "The President (Headmaster) while being directly
responsible for his office before the civil authorities shall exercise
this office in perfect harmony with and dependence on the Rector of
the religious house and with other confreres having duties administrative,
disciplinary and pedagogical which are connected with the work of which
he is the titular head.
8 COADJUTORS IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE CONGREGATION Whereas
in the mind of Don Bosco and his successors, according to Salesian tradition
and with rich written testimony the coadjutor constitutes in the Congregation
an original, characteristic reality, for essential equality in religious
life and the apostolate with other members in the clerical state:
the progressive and positive evolution of this reality is constantly
accompanied by an increasing richness in theory and in practice, which
confirms his status equal to that of other confreres, in front of pupils,
dependents and externs;´
on the other hand the Salesian Society, of which the coadjutor is a
living member possesses this unmistakable characteristic of common life
and common action which distinguishes it from other Religious Congregations
of a similar type, specially because it is essentially founded on brotherly
and cordial collaboration of all members among themselves and with their
Superiors, at all levels, religious, apostolic and as organizers:
still further, the situation today, its exigencies and its prospects
for the future show ever more clearly how valuable and necessary the
collaboration of many more coadjutors is for the Salesian Society and
its work, when animated by a vigorous
1. Memorie Biografiche, XVI, 312-313,
religious spirit and by apostolic generosity. It is abundantly clear
how important it is to encourage by all available means an increase
in numbers and in quality, as also their technical qualifications and
the use made of their services; and this by a deeper rooting in the
organization of the Society:
finally, it is a matter of common accord, based upon the requests of
various Provincial Chapters and given responsible consideration that
the coadjutor should have a part by insertion in the operative structure
of the Congregation, especially in those things compatible with the
particular and general common law, and that the Superiors pledge themselves
in this sense should difficulties he brought forward of a juridical
character;
The 19th General Chapter establishes:
- The house council when it treats of affairs of ordinary Salesian activity,
let it act as a Council of Action with the participation of determined
coadjutors whose names will appear in the catalogue of confreres immediately
after those of the consultors of the same house -- the practice shall
be followed wherever the Provincial and his Council consider it necessary.
So that a coadjutor may he nominated a member of the house council,
he must be professed perpetually, have completed the 30th year of his
age, and ten years since his first profession.
It confirms the eligibility of coadjutors to the Provincial Chapter
On so far as it does not perform function of government) and recommends
that the Provincial and Provincial Council consult the coadjutors for
business which does not imply the spiritual government of the Province.
It also expresses the hope that the Rector Major will invite coadjutors
in the category of experts, and make it possible for them to take part
in the various commissions, and in the General Assembly for those matters
for which they have been summoned to the General Chapter.
9. CO-RESPONSIBILITY AND COLLABORATION OF AL!. CONFRERES OF TIIE HOUSE
In the exercise of his office let the Rector and his council he greatly helped by all confreres: wherefore the 19th General Chapter recommends that:CHAPTER VI
CONTROL AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR WORK
1. QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONNEL AND CONSOLIDATION OF WORKS
The General Chapter being made aware that in the past. too many works
have been undertaken and houses opened without sufficient qualified
personnel, and that this numerical scarcity of qualified confreres is
a very serious deficiency which could cause the Congregation to risk
a notable diminution of interior power, and a consequent loss in her
capacity to fulfill the mission the Church expects from her, lays down
what follows
:
- All the energies of the Congregation now fully extended in numbers
and work, be turned to a better qualification of the personnel and to
the consolidation of the existing works to give a richer return educationally
as well as spiritually.
Therefore the Superior Council undertakes not to permit the opening
of new works except in the case of real necessity exclusively reserved
to its own competence, and then only whets there is personnel available
in sufficient number and with proper preparation.
If the first epoch of the Congregation was marked by expansion, the
present epoch must be one of both interior and exterior strengthening:
it is the condition of life and an efficient apostolate.
2. PROGRAMME FOR THE REDRAFTING OF OUR WORK
The General Chapter being well aware that although our work has had
a worldwide expansion in the first hundred years of the life of the
Congregation, now however sees that a revision is called for to reshape
it to meet the new conditions of time and place, considering also that
a hundred years from the foundation of the Congregation, at a time when
the Vatican Council II calls for an ever better organized apostolate,
a timely reappraisal of the state of our work is necessary and therefore
deliberates as follows
:
- Provincials, in accord with their respective member of the Superior
Council responsible for the provincial conference, and with the help
of specially chosen groups of experts let them study the situation of
their own province, its actual religious, moral, social and economic
condition at the moment, and determine which activities in harmony with
our Rule and our spirit are to be maintained and encouraged because
they correspond to the needs of young people and working class areas.
That they formulate a precise programme for reshaping the work in hand,
taking into account the numbers of the confreres, the particular condition
of time and place, the possibilities of the future, the needs of the
hierarchy, and the present worth of the work now being done.
- That they present this programme to the Superior Council for approval
within two years of the promulgation of the Acts of the General Chapter,
and they bind themselves to its gradual, and courageous application.
3, SIMPLIFICATIRON OF HOUSES WHICH ARE TOO LARGE
The General Council being persuaded that houses which are too large
and too complex constitute a serious obstacle to the regular religious
life, and effective education, deliberates their simplification,
To this end it is not possible to fix any one criterion by reason of
the difficulty of defining in practice which houses are too complex,
and for the variety of conditions which demand a different assessment,
Leaving such decisions to the Provincial and his Council who will assess
the exigencies of the particular place and time, it proposes the following
criteria by way of exemplification:
- Let the number of the pupils be reduced to within convenient limits,
.not allowing ourselves to be guided by purely economic ends.
- To suppress activities not essential to the primary scope of the work,
and those which give little or no spiritual and apostolic fruit.
- To set in motion a more rational organization of the house, so that
the Rector and superiors, leaving aside secondary occupations, can perform
completely their function of government.
-- To divide such houses into two or more works by transferring elsewhere
activities which have a sufficient completeness and homogeneity to constitute
a Salesian work on its own, especially in
big cities.
- To create two distinct Salesian houses on the same Salesian campus
- where the work has interests which are distinct and in contrast -
when this is materially possible and where there are no other problems
to he considered in the apostolate.
4. ELIMINATION OF WORKS WHICH ARE TOO SMALL
Regarding the very small works, the General Council proposes that they
be closed, when in the judgement of the Provincial and his Council they
cannot develop an apostolate specifically Salesian and do not give positive
spiritual results, or have a character absolutely incompatible with
a regular religious life at least in the essentials.
VARIA
The clerical habit
Article 197 of the Constitutions remains unaltered, but articles 198
and 199 are to be changed as follows:
"Priests and clerics will wear ecclesiastical dress except when
some just reason considered such by the Provincial counsels other
wise."
The dress of coadjutors, in keeping with their calling, should not be
worldly either in style or in colour."
But the changes proposed in these Articles were not approved. (cfr.
p. 237).
2. Collections
Regarding collections (of coins, stamps, etc.) it is laid down that
we keep to the norms that govern the vow of poverty; hence;
a) they may be made only with the permission of the superior; b) the
collection is not to be considered the private property
of the one making it, but it belongs to the congregation.
3. Reading at table for the confreres
The General Chapter decrees:
a) that the prescription of article 18 of the Regulations which prescribes
that at table there be reading for a certain period of time is still
in force.
b) that we recall what is laid down in the "document" on the
"Practices of Piety" so that the reading of Holy Scripture
may never be omitted and devout attention be paid to this reading.
4. Reading for the pupils
The General Chapter recommends that the useful and educational practice
of reading for the pupils in the refectory and dormitories should not
be allowed to lapse into disuse.
5. Mortuary letters
They should be written, for all the confreres, by the Rector. Let them
be short and edifying, and they should be sent to all the houses of
the country and to those outside it where the deceased may have worked.
The provincial secretary should send a number of copies to all Provincials
for the houses of formation and also to the secretary of the Superior
Council with all biographical data and a few lines of general information
so that he may be able to see to their publication in the Acts of the
Superior Council.
The Provincial shall appoint someone to write brief biographies of the
more outstanding members of his Province. These could be collected together
to form a library of good biography.
6. Smoking
After thoroughly examining the matter the General Chapter has decided
to confirm the prohibition on smoking contained in article 12 of the
Regulations changing the article, however, to read as follows:
"Smoking is absolutely forbidden." The remainder of this article
is suppressed.
THE APOSTOLATE FOR VOCATIONS
In the divine plan for salvation ecclesiastical and religious vocations
have an essential part to play, both because of their importance in
personal sanctification and in the apostolate. In the spirit of the
Second Vatican Council such importance is to be given special emphasis
in modern times to fit in with the apostolic drive of the Church to
meet the needs of the present day; needs characterized in many parts
of the world by phenomena of great magnitude: such as population increases,
the complexity of moral problems, the progress made by atheism and laicism,
the dangers of indifference and of pleasure-seeking, etc.
The Salesian Society is aware of the problem for the increase in number
and in quality of vocations. The General Chapter had the duty to study
ways and means of expanding and intensifying its apostolic activity
for the young and for the working classes as can be seen from the list
of the themes being considered : the teaching of catechism. oratories,
schools, colleges, parishes, the press, etc.
The problem is made more acute by the crisis in vocations that is to
be found in many countries and by the fact that vocations no longer
conic from some centres of our apostolate for youth, such as boarding
and day schools, which at one time were a rich source of supply.
On the other hand interest in vocations is one of the chief purposes
of the Salesian Society. It owes its inspiration to one of the branches
of the apostolate tenaciously fostered by Don Bosco in word and in deed.
It is rooted in a Salesian tradition that was truly active, both well
documented and put into practice. For this reason the words of Don Rua
have lost nothing of their value: "Salesians must have at heart
the cultivation of vocations. Without this the Pious
Society of St. Francis de Sales would languish and would not measure
up to the scope Don Bosco had in mind when he founded it."´ These
words are an echo of the statement made by our Founder when he said:
"...it is not necessary for me to give you new advice in order
to urge you to cultivate vocations to the ecclesiastical state. This
is now the principal aim of the Congregation."´
Deliberations.
The 19th General Chapter, while it takes note of what is being done
in each individual Province, makes a special appeal to all Salesians
without distinction and whatever their task to work efficaciously to
help to increase vocations in number and in quality. They should not,
moreover, limit themselves to the needs of our own Society, but they
should keep in mind the present difficulties of the Church in general,
of the diocesan clergy, of the missions, and of other religious families.
In particular the 19th General Chapter recommends the following
I. Let there be a conscientious review also at provincial level - of
all the work for education that goes on in our various fields of activity
examining especially its fitness to give that special stamp of Christian
training that guides boys to a choice of a state of life that is well
pondered upon and thought out.
- All this should take place in surroundings that are helpful: in an
atmosphere of solid liturgical piety where there is personal, cultural,
spiritual and apostolic formation suited to the age and individual characteristics
of the pupil. There should be a family spirit where sacrifices too are
constantly demanded.
---- The work of seeking out, choosing and forming aspirants should
be rooted in the prayer, the zeal, and the self-sacrifice of the educators.
These must be apostles who are entirely consecrated to God and who give
good example as individuals and as members of the Salesian community.
- In our work for vocations the degree of Christian life in the family
background should be carefully examined.
1. Lettere Circolari di Don Michele Rua al Salesiani Colle Don Bosco
(Asti), 1965, page 187.
2. Memorie Biografche XII, R7.
In our selection and formation let there be nothing that savours of
improvisation, of empiricism, of subjectivism, or of false economy.
Instead, what we do should be based on well thought-out plans and we
should make a well-balanced use of the help modern science and methodology
has to offer.
2. In addition, the 19th General Chapter proposed that the Superior
Council:
should have a manual on vocations compiled by a special commission;
-- should see to the setting up of a central Secretariate for vocations
and, through the members of the Superior Council who are in charge of
groups of Provinces, to set iup Provincial and InterProvincial Secretariates
where local circumstances allow. This will assure the co-operation of
all Salesians, co-operators, youth organizations, past pupils, and layfolk.
The work of these Secretariates will be : to initiate enquiries, to
compile statistical data, to engage in practical activities as opportunities
offer, to organize special inter-provincial meetings between delegates,
to consider common topics and to co-ordinate methods of recruitment
and selection, to prepare helpful material and aids in order to encourage
a vocation mentality in all our confreres, in families, and in organizations
that gravitate towards our work or grow out of it. They should, besides
promote meetings, conferences, special courses, school camps with a
vocational bias, examination of projects for cooperation with diocesan
vocation groups, and such lik.
HOUSES FOR ASPIRANTS
Preliminary.
In order to fit in with the principal scope of the Congregation` every
Salesian work should be a nursery of vocations.´
In virtue, then, of this aim which has a constitutional basis our Society
undertakes to assist in a special way "those young men who aspire
to the ecclesiastical state.
The vocation of aspirants who present themselves for admission may be
in various stages of development: there may be just a mere inclination
towards the religious life; there may be a ready desire for consecration
to the service of God: or there may exist the necessary qualities and
the good will to make a definite decision on vocation.
Orientation.
The 19th General Chapter makes the following recommendations:
I. In fostering vocations full use should he made of everything that
education can offer, beginning from a solid foundation that considers
the candidate as a human being offering him ideal conditions for a full
Christian life directed towards the apostolate. In this way the ground
is prepared to receive and develop the seed of vocation to the religious,
Salesian and priestly life; but in all this due consideration must always
be given to the candidate´s psychological development and to the degree
of growth of his vocation. With this in view the organization of the
following is suggested:
- Schools with an apostolic bias for boys who, because they are so young,
do not vet show an inclination for the religious or priestly life nevertheless
have the necessary qualities.
- These schools should not be called aspirantates or preaspirantates.
1. .4emorie Biografcine XII, 87.
2. Constitutions, articles 6 and 7
.
- Aspirantates for older boys who manifest an inclination towards the
priesthood and the Salesian life.
- Houses for late vocations to receive young men who are more settled
and who are better able to make a definite decision.
2. It should be made possible for all the aspirants
:
to live in an atmosphere that proclaims the happiness of living close
to God, an atmosphere that is fostered by the efficacious good example
of the educators who should always be carefully chosen
:
to have really genuine freedom of choice without restraint of any kind
whatsoever;
to follow a course of studies that would make it possible for them to
continue elsewhere without inconvenience;
to engage in apostolic work suitable for their age.
3. There should be a more open formation in accordance with the Second
Vatican Council which says, "In minor seminaries set up to cultivate
the germs of vocation and in special schools which, in view of local
and personal needs, aim at attaining the same end, let the pupils be
educated to follow with generous hearts Christ our Redeemer. This calls
for a specialized religious training and for efficient spiritual direction.
In addition the pupils should lead a life that fits in with the needs
of adolescence and is in conformity with their development and age.
Their mode of life should conform too to the norms of sound psychology.
Suitable contact with normal ways of living should not be neglected
nor contact with their families."
The aspirant´s family should be helped to take real interest in the
education of their son to fit him for his vocation, and they should
be encouraged to co-operate in its development.
The problem of holidays at home will be studied by the respective groups
of Provinces so that the periods away from the house of formation may
help to enrich and develop the boy´s vocation.
The same is to be said regarding social contacts.´
4. The General Chapter charges the Superior Council to have a manual
on the formation of aspirants compiled by a special commission.
1. Exhortation Mentd Nostrae, number 84: Statnta Generalia of Sedes
Sapientiae, number 35
5. While noting the work being done in various countries for late vocations
the General Chapter proposes that the organization of the Sons of Mary
be restudied and put into operation once again adapting it to times
and places and assigning to it suitably prepared confreres.
6. Regarding the age of admission to the novitiate : after examining
the various proposals and discussions on this point and keeping in view
that the Second Vatican Council is studying this same question, the
19th General Chapter considers the criteria followed up to the present
to be still opportune while it declares itself ready to follow whatever
the Church decides.
FORMATION OF PERSONNEL
The Ratio Institationis which will be the official document of the Congregation
with regard to the formation of personnel, is in course of preparation.
The 19th General Chapter therefore considered it advisable not to enter
into the full discussion of the documents of the VI Commission.
The results of the work of the Commission are presented for purposes
of information only, except regarding the novitiate and practical training,
concerning which the General Chapter has made some decisions, obligatory
ad experimentum until the Ratio Institution is is promulgated.
CHAPTER I
THE NOVITIATE
Preliminary.
The novitiate has for its object the examination and testing of the
call from God and the taking of the first steps in the way of perfection.
It gives the religious his character and spiritual lineaments. sealing
his mind and heart with the genuine spirit of Don Bosco.
The spiritual atmosphere of the novitiate, as understood by the Church,
should not lead one to think that all that is human and personal must
be sacrificed on the altar with one´s vows, as though
one could not come close to God and still feel oneself fully human or
preserve one´s individuality. The attraction and sublimity of human
values is nowadays keenly felt as never before. Certainly the novitiate
involves mortification and self-sacrifice, but it is first of all a
period of great spiritual enrichment.
Deliberations.
1. The master of novices, prior to assuming office, should receive a
specific psychological, theological, ascetical and Salesian formation,
following courses arranged, or in course of being arranged at the P.A.S.
for this purpose.
2. The masters of novices shall attend periodic courses designed to
bring them up to date.
3. The house of novitiate shall have its own house council.
4. The manual for the novitiate shall be revised, and shall give an
outline of ascetics, liturgy, psychology, pedagogy and the Salesian
spirit, so that it may guide the masters of novices in their responsibilities
towards future Salesians.
5. The clothing ceremony and the rite of profession shall be revised
in the light of changes in the liturgy, and shall take place during
Holy Mass.
6. Coadjutors will be presented with a crucifix instead of a medal.
7. It will be well to defer the clothing ceremony to a more suitable
time of the year, viz., when uncertain or immature candidates have withdrawn.
8. The date for the commencement of the novitiate shall be freely adapted
to the various local requirements.
Recommendations.
The religious life should be presented from an eminently positive angle
as the attaining of great divine and human values, incarnated and lived
by our Lord Jesus Christ.
The novitiate atmosphere should have a tone of spontaneity, confidence,
peace joy. family spirit.
The novices should be educated to a sense of responsibility, authenticity
and loyalty, to manly strength and firmness of character, so that they
know how to rule themselves.´
That special disposition of soul should be inculcated in them which
will make them ready, throughout their lives, to accept the observations
of the responsible Superiors.
They should he led to love, respect and admire the Salesian
family.
Care must be taken both that the novices make good use of their time,
not only without loss to, but to the advantage of their religious and
Salesian formation, and that study in the novitiate retains its formative
character. A deepened knowledge of religion, theology, liturgy and ascetics
should be imparted.
In admitting novices to profession each member of the council must base
his judgement on the positive suitability of the candidate for the Salesian
life and not only on the absence of serious defects?
If the number of novices be too few, let the house of novitiate be joined
with another novitiate or placed next to a studentate of philosophy:
in this way the members of the house council and the staff is increased,
and the choice of confessors is easier.
CHAPTER II
THE STUDENTATE OF PHILOSOPHY
Preliminary.
The purpose of the studentate of philosophy is the religious, ecclesiastical,
social, intellectual and apostolic formation of the clerics. This period
of temporary vows is dedicated to the consolidation and development
of the entire foregoing formation, in view of the specific purpose of
the Congregation.
As young men nowadays have a special sensitivity in social matters,
there is an obligation to make full use of this as an element in
1. Statute: Sedes Sapientiae, title 7, article 37, 2.
2. Coder Juris Canonici, 538: Stat. Gen. of Sedes Sapientiae, 31, 32.
33, 34.
their formation. And as the world in which we live calls for a broader
view of social values, it is thought well to make the studentate into
a community really open and committed over a wider area than in the
past.
Study is regarded by Sedes Sapientiae as an essential element in the
programme of specific formation. Application to study should not of
itself disturb the cleric´s spiritual poise; rather it is an indispensable
means of his perfection and apostolic formation.
While not lessening the importance of other cultural values, both scientific
and humanistic, greater emphasis must be placed on the value of logic
and philosophy by a serious study of philosophy as a real part of effective
and improved spiritual formation.
Apostolic formation on account of its practical character is to be continuous
throughout the period of studies, but without prejudice to them.
Proposals of the Commission.
1. The number of clerics in the studentate should be neither too large
nor too small. Accordingly, studentates should, as far as possible,
be inter-provincial.
2. The scrutinies laid down for students of philosophy are to be held
thrice yearly, and the judgement expressed should be as complete as
possible. It should be recorded in the personal file in a clear objective
way, with due respect for the personal dignity of the cleric, for whose
spiritual progress it will serve as a guide.
3. The course of pure philosophy should be increased to two years, as
is recommended by Sedes Sapientiae. Those Provinces in which the novitiate
is followed by four years of Teacher Training (Magistero Professionale,
Profesorado, etc.) will have one year of pure philosophy.
4. The staff of the studentate of philosophy should have had a specific
formation. The culture derived from the normal theological course does
not seem sufficient either for the Rector, or for the teacher of religion.
5. During the school year the clerics should take part in some degree
of apostolic activity, by assisting and giving catechism class in
near-by oratories and parishes, under the control of the Superior or
his delegate.
6. During the holidays the clerics should employ themselves in studying
the techniques of the apostolate.
7. The time and means should be supplied that make it possible for the
clerics to undertake initiatives (sodalities, drama, music, art), which,
while developing their talent, prepare them for the apostolate.
Recommendations.
While awaiting the forthcoming reform of the studies, let it be arranged
that the teaching of religion is allotted three periods each week at
a time that allows real application; that it really and truly he an
introduction to theology and scripture; that the programme for it be
drawn up by a commission of experts in theology, catechetics and psychology
in the Eight of modern theology and the Salesian spirit.
CHAPTER HI
THE PERIOD OF PRACTICAL TRAINING Preliminary.
1, Regulations, articles 51 and 56.
2. Stat. Gen. of Sedes Sapientiae, article 13
Many Salesians remember this period of their formation as one of the
happiest in their lives, and such is the case if it is lived according
to its true purpose, notwithstanding the many difficulties normally
encountered during it Our houses are, moreover, enriched by the youthful
zest the clerics and coadiutors in training bring with them.
On the other hand there arc frequently voiced complaints about this
period, as a trial-by-fire or moment of decision, during which many
vocations are lost.
Part of the responsibility for this state of things is due to failure
to observe the prescriptions of the Holy See and of the Congregation,
and to the fact that there is as yet no real clear awareness of the
nature of the period of practical training, in contrast with an actual
understanding of the nature of the other formative periods.
Deliberations.
1. The provincial delegate for studies shall guide and supervise the
studies of those in practical training, both as regards what is laid
down by the Consultor General, and as regards other studies they are
undertaking.
2. Where the moral atmosphere and the nature of the curriculum permit,
those in practical training may undertake university studies, preferably
in Catholic universities, but avoiding those areas of study out of keeping
with their work of formation. Such students shall have special spiritual
and cultural assistance.
3. Local superiors shall provide those who are undertaking special studies
with the time, accommodation and means required for them to fulfil their
duty with seriousness.
4. The Provincial will decide to which houses he will send
students for their practical training, having in mind the character
and abilities of each, and after hearing the opinion of the council
of the house of formation from which they are drawn.
5. With the exception of houses of formation, the Provincial shall assign
three or more, and never less than two clerics and coadjutors in training
to the houses particularly suited to receive them
1. Stilt, Gen. of Sedes Sapientiue, article 13; Regulations, articles
51,
57, 186
6. The Rector shall have a weekly meeting with those in training, in
which he will treat particularly arguments of religious and Salesian
formation, and introduce them gradually to the reading of Holy Scripture.
7. The superiors concerned shall from time to time call together those
in practical training to examine with them the technical, theoretical
and practical aspects of their work as educators: assistance, discipline,
preparation of classes, sodality activities ,etc.
8. The period of practical training shall normally last for three years.
For reasonable motives the Provincial may suggest to the Rector Major
its reduction to two years.
9. As regards apostolic activity, those in training shall dedicate themselves
not only to assisting and teaching, which always remain their basic
forms of apostolate, but also to other activities for youth characteristic
of our Congregation, such as: sodalities, youth groups, liturgical activities,
catechetics, youth centres, etc.
But they shall avoid those occupations and duties which are not formative
for them, such as assistant-prefects, infirmarians, censorship of films,
unsuitable responsibilities in seaside or mountain camps, etc.
10. Books and magazines of religious, pedagogical and topical interest
shall be placed at their disposal, and both in the weekly meeting with
the Rector and in manifestation they shall exchange ideas and comment
on what they have read.
1 I. Let the Rector be more effectively helped by his vicar, so that
he may follow those in training more closely, acting also as their ma
sister spiritus, according to our traditions and the desires of the
Holy See.
12. The meetings with the Rector and the other superiors, which serve
to make the brother in training share in the life of the Congregation
and share responsibilities for its educative work, must take place in
a climate of dialogue, and be expressions of team work.
CHAPTER I V
STUDENTATES OF THEOLOGY
CHAPTER V
THE PASTORAL COURSE
Preliminary.
A complete year of pastoral training is prescribed for all priests who
are religious,´ after their theological course.
It has the general aim of equipping better the priest for the life of
the apostolate. and the specific one of preparing the Salesian for the
education of youth. Sedes Sapientiue ordains that this course he at
once theoretical and practical to ensure its success.
the need for such a course is today more keenly felt since social conditions
call for a better specific and professional formation. The priest should,
under the guidance of experienced men, be introduced to work in a society
in continual evolution, characterized by a high level of immigration,
increased cultural standards, greater differentiation in the Christian
commitment of the laity, the steady improvement of the means of ´nformation
and social communication.
1. Sedes Sapientiae, Statuta Ceneralia, article 23.
2, lbidem, article 48.
As only few Provinces have managed to provide a complete course of pastoral
lasting an entire year with qualified staff, the Sacred Congregation
of Religious has authorized the separation of its theoretical from its
practical part. In this case the theoretical classes will be spread
over two or three years to complete the hundred days of class prescribed.
Note that it neither meets the desires of the Church nor has it been
shown useful to cause priests doing pastoral courses to reside in various
houses and attend an agreed centre for the course.
Proposals of the Commission.
1. The pastoral course will be directed to the preparation both for
the general and specifically Salesian apostolate.
2. When this course is held with other non-Salesian priests it should
be integrated with elements characteristic of Salesian pastoral activity.
3. If the course lasts a full year, the student priests form an autonomous
community with, at least in part, superiors of their own. and proper
accommodation,
4, The quinquennial examinations begin after the first year of pastoral,
even in those cases where the theoretical part of this extends to three
years. The examinations in pastoral do not dispense from those of the
quinquenniunl,
Recommendations.
1. The pastoral course can be arranged in two ways:
a) giving to it a full school year of nine months, with at least 100
days class:
hl with Summer courses for the theoretical part, spread over two or
three years with 50 or 33 days class respectively, to reach the 100
days laid down.
2. In either case, theory should be completed by practice. Those following
the course are from time to time to be sent to oratories and
parishes, to be initiated into the practical apostolate, and made to
practise the administration of parochial affairs.
3. For such an important course one must naturally choose the best teachers,
both for theory and practice. Accordingly inter-provincial courses are
encouraged.
4. The programme given in the Ratio Studiorum is to be followed, and
reports on one´s own experience sent periodically to Headquarters; in
this way it will be possible to improve the programme for the course
in the following years.
5. The Consultor for formation is to be kept informed of the system
in use in each Province, where the course is held, of the composition
of the staff, the programme followed, and the duration of the course.
