XIX GENERAL CHAPTER
OF THE SALESIAN SOCIETY
SECOND PART
APPENDICES
DISCOURSE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
TO HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI
DURING THE AUDIENCE GIVEN TO THE
MEMBERS OF THE 19th GENERAL CHAPTER
21 May 1965
Most Holy Father
The joy which today fills the hearts of the sons of Don Bosco assembled
for the first time in Rome for the General Chapter, renews that emotion
which filled the heart of our father and founder in 1858, when as an
unknown pilgrim he reached the eternal city and threw himself at the
feet of the angelic Pius IX, to ask for guidance and comfort in the
fulfilment of the mission confided to him by Divine Providence. At that
meeting the birth of the Salesian society, which was to be in accordance
with the needs and exigencies of the ti mes, was decided upon
The humble successor of the saint, who approaches your august throne,
a hundred and more years later, feels it his duty above all else to
renew and confirm the devotion, love, obedience and indefectible attachment
of the Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the co-operators,
the present and past pupils to your Holiness, the Vicar of Christ, and
to the See of Peter
This is a strong tradition of our religious family. Indeed it is part
of the spirit which The Father and Teacher of Youth´ has bequeathed
to us.
qur common joy increases today not only because of the honour of this
unforgettable audience -bringing as it does the most qualified members
of our congregation round Your Holiness but above all because of the
obvious and wonderful kindness shown us at all times.
The ´Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco´ of the Forte Prenestino was the object
of your solicitude from the beginning. The institute at Arese: the repeated
visits you made to our schools in Milan and Sesto
San Giovanni; and finally the meeting in Bombay during your apostolic
visit to India - all these are stages of a journey full of special love
and fatherly solicitude, which takes us somewhat aback, because we feel
we do not deserve them.
The Salesian Family is conscious of this, Holy Father, and desires greatly
to offer Your holiness its filial and heartfelt gratitude.
And now the members of the General Chapter are here to ask Your Holiness
for light and strength in this hour of such great responsibility for
the Church and the salvation of souls.
Humbly, yet with fervent zeal, we are about to examine the apostolic
horizons of the educative mission and pastoral work, which engage the
Salesian family, all in accordance with the spirit of our founder. We
desire to adapt the structure and work to the new and pressing exigencies
of our time.
We too are most anxious to respond generously and promptly to the appeals
which Your Holiness and the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council arc launching,
both inside and outside the Church, for the renewal and spiritual elevation
of the people of the world.
qur preferences and preoccupations are especially directed towards the
more needy youth; the working class; the nations in process of development;
the technical and professional formation of the new working society
and finally towards the missions.
We are conscious of the necessity to modernize the means of social communication
by employing ever more generously the energy of the layman, and inserting
it organically and intelligently into a unified and fruitful apostolate.
In particular, we are preoccupied with the problem of personnel and
its religious and spiritual formation. This answers the many needs and
requirements of modern work in oratories, colleges, hostels, professional
schools and parishes.
qur contribution is small compared with the actual need, hut we place
it enthusiastically at the disposition of the Church. together with
a renewed resolution of fidelity to the teaching and example of St.
John Bosco.
Your Holiness, deign to accept, sustain and encourage those efforts
with your enlightened word. Your word will be our norm of action, so
please render It fruitful with the gift and comfort of your apostolic
benediction.
THE DISCOURSE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
19th GENERAL CHAPTER OF THE
SOCIETY OF ST. FRANCIS OF SALES
21 May 1965.
From the Osservatore Romano of 22nd. May 1985.
My dearly beloved sons of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco!In the first place We tell you of our recognition and of our gratitude : recognition of what you are and for what you do. Your Society --- or in the name of the Church, of which you are well beloved sons, and of which We are now the voice -- Our Society is something great (watt grande cosa) in the Catholic life of the world. More important than statistics, which yet in themselves tell a consoling story, we call to mind the goodness and united spirit of your congregation; we see the good spirit, the fervour. the serf-denial, the faith, the piety, which give it life and vigour; we sec the aims to which you are dedicated : the education of the young, especially the children of the people; we witness your shnzplicity, your wisdom, the efficacy of your Salesian pedagogy and the confidence you inspire, not only in ecclesiastical circles, but also in the families desirous of the formation of their sons and in society in general, which recognizes in you enlightened pioneers, eager and disinterested. fellow-workers, incomparable educators. We see the fruits of your multifarious labours, which are abundant in quantity and quality alike; if we can judge from the lives of your past pupils, and their lasting affection for you, which they keep when they are grown-up and immersed in the cares of the world, Finally we see the witness which your work bears to the vitality of the gospel and to the concern of the Church for the world´s needs, especially those of the young and the working classes, and we see what honour and love you render to Christ Our Lord.
The great mission of the Salesians today
. The Salesians represent one of the most noteworthy, most beneficent,
most exemplary and promising facts of catholicism of the last and of
this present century: and please God it will he so in those yet to come.
It is a bounden duty to acknowledge this and to thank our Lord for it,
the first and eternal cause of the efficiency of the Kingdom of God.
We praise you, courageous labourers in the vineyard, not only to fulfil
a personal desire, which of itself would he of little use, nor indeed
just to repay you for your labours and sacrifices : our praise could
never make up for this. Our words of praise are really intended to assure
you in the clearest terms that you are on the right road and that your
fruitful journey must be continued with confident and happy strides.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes with these words of appreciation: the Church
owes you an affectionate regard, and you deserve the good opinion which
she has of you. She has a divine sensitiveness, we might say, and is
full of joy and love for any act of service, of piety or of charity
on behalf o! the uncared for or needy of this earth. "You have
done it unto ink´. What joy it gives us to quote in anticipation these
noble words that will one day designate your true reward, eternal happiness.
Persevere with enlightened courage.
Now for our second thought; courage my dear sons! courage -keep going
and persevere to the end! We know it gladdens you to have us exhorting
and encouraging you l You need courage to carry on. There is no need
to tell you what subtle temptations and serious dangers can undermine
your good will; every human undertaking is prone to this: and the bigger
the undertaking, the greater these difficulties become, inagnitudine
laborat sue wrote a historian of the Roman Empire (cfr. Livy: Hist.
Proem.); but today let us think of the great transformation which is
going on in modern society, be it good or evil, which causes, indeed,
disquiet on a spiritual level. Qui se existinaat stare oirleat ne cadet.
(1 Cor, 10, 1 2). I. would say that your courage should spring from
a three-fold confidence : confidence in God it is not a waste of time
to remind ourselves of this, we who see in the religious life not only
a great objective dignity, but an operative strength for personal sanctification
and the education of others; and this faith must be the more deeply
rooted, the more our work is on an exterior level: it seems to us that
this is the special characteristic of your spirit, simple, happy, serene,
trusting in that divine help which gives to good on rile way to fulfilment
its audacity and its constancy. But let us not delay : you are very
familiar with this psychology; you live it. Have great faith in the
aims of your Society. Could they be nobler, more modern; could they
possibly be more in line with the apostolic programme of the Church
today? You have chosen well, The Church confirms both the certainty
of it and its merit. And finally, have confidence in those forms which
give to your activity its particular character. Now the discourse becomes
cautious, on
account of that invitation to aggiornwnento which the Church is both
preaching and putting into practice. But one must be clear regarding
the essentials as distinct from the accidentals: the interior forms
which animate your nedagogy and your art as educators from those which
are exterior and per se susceptible to improvement and to some experimentation;
the forms which are forever valid from those which the changed condition
of the school of today, of qualifications, of culture and of the didactic
methods, as also the changes in social life demands these distinctions
and those new choices which are already going on in the field of your
practical pedagogy, which nevertheless will ever find in its primitive
nucleus its vital root, the knowledge and love of youth.
Go forward in the spirit of the Council with charity, sacrifice, and
fidelity to Christ Crucified.
All these things you know very well and they permit Us to renew our
prayer for confidence and courage. We must conclude these few words
with one last piece of advice, which is also worthy of you, namely:
"Keep making progress". It is the encouragement every schoolmaster
gives to his pupils and which every spiritual father gives to his sons
seeking spiritual perfection, We repeat it to you with special reference
to the great effort the Church is making through the Ecumenical Council;
it is an effort to come ever closer to the teachings of qur Lord, an
effort to give new vigour to his spirit and his day, an effort to make
the Christian life really holier, an effort towards a better understanding
of the plan of salvation and a development of that apostolic and fraternal
quality of making contact with modern man, his problems, his weaknesses,
his richness, his aspirations. What a mistake to think of the Council
as relaxing the fundamental stand of the Church regarding faith, tradition,
Christian life, charity, the spirit of sacrifice and fidelity to the
words and cross of Christ, and as giving in to the shallow relativism
of the world, with its lack of principles and idealism! The Church does
not condone a Christianity of convenience, which has little or nothing
to offer.
The Council certainly aims after a better adapted discipline and up-to-date technique so that the Church can make contact with souls and with our modern society but without losing anything of its true
Christian witness, This is a very important and decisive hour for the
Church and hence also for you. We are happy to learn that your General
Chapter has understood this and proposes to draw from the teaching of
the Council, and especially from the two Constitutions on the Liturgy
and on the Church, vital precepts for the spiritual and practical progress
of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco.
Moira berre! Think on this and then do it. Be assured that with Ours
the blessing of God is with you also.
ADDRESS OF HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL ANTONIUTTI PREFECT OF THE S. C. OF RELIGIOUS TO MEMBERS OF THE SALESIAN GENERAL CHAPTER
4th June 1965
You have already heard the august words of the Holy Father, who received
you in a special audience in the ´Vatican and addressed words of special
benevolence to your society. His Holiness had a paternal greeting for
Very Rev. Fr. Ziggiotti at the end of his zealous and active mission;
he expressed his warmest good wishes to the new Rector Major chosen
to direct and govern the great family of St. John Bosco, and encouraged
you all to go ahead with renewed ardour in your important apostolic,
missionary and educational work.
As Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Religious. I come today to
assure you of the support of the dicastery that is most directly concerned
with you.
Personally I am very glad of this meeting which gives me both the honour
of greeting the official representatives of the Salesian Society and
allows me to see once more some of the Salesians I have met, particularly
in China, Japan, Canada, Portugal and Spain. In these places I was able
to see for myself the work you do so generously, not without sacrifice,
and always with exemplary dedication and a truly ecumenical spirit.
All in accordance with the words of St. Augustine: Extende caritatem
tuam per totum orbem si vis Christum amare; quia membra Christi per
orbem iacent... (If you want to love Christ, extend your charity to
the whole world; for the members of Christ are spread throughout it.)
As you prepare to return to the scene of your work throughout the world,
allow me to engage you on a present-day topic, referring to the aggiornamento
that is so much spoken of nowadays. I mean the renewal of religious
families and their adaptation to present needs, while holding firmly
to the spiritual foundations of the religious life.
In the sixth chapter of the Constitution on the Church the Second Vatican
Council has specified the essential nature of the consecration to God
of those who have chosen the state of perfection, It is a document of
the highest value and it gives us a very rich conception of the religious
life. But for this to be lived more intensely and consciously, the next
session of the Council will deal with those practical issues which should
make its achievements more effective and more in keeping with our times.
It is not a question of changing the nature, purpose or spirit of religious
institutes. These are part of Christianity, which is everlasting. But
precisely because Christianity must aim at man´s salvation, its methods
must progress together with the men to be helped and saved, for men
do not stay static in this perpetually evolving world.
The eternal voice W. God must ring out in the language of the present
day. We must unite the past with the present and enrich contemporary
life with experience from what has gone by.
There must therefore be fidelity to the substance of the inheritance
left by the founders, but it must he remembered that if they had to
found their orders today they would certainly adopt some different standards.
And this can also be applied to your society, young and vigorous as
it is, for in this last century the world has progressed at such a giddy
rate.
Adaptation to modern needs is in keeping with the will of your founder,
who was in the forefront of his own times. and still would he, were
he alive today. But this must be determined by the proper authority.
the lawful interpreter of the mind of the founder himself. Those in
authority will know how to utilize the experience of their subjects
and enlist their collaboration.
The Council atmosphere, favouring so much open discussion, has recently
given occasion to some to speak and write of the religious life and
its adaptation to modern conditions in terms likely to beget doubts
and confusion. It seems almost as if in some quarters the special witness
that the religious life gives to Christ has been overlooked or even
denied. It is no exaggeration to say that such talk and writing have
not helped the cause of the religious life.
The renewal of religious life must not he made in its essential nature
but in certain of its structures and in some of its exterior activities.
Its nature should therefore he well understood and its
purpose well defined if we are to bring in the necessary modifications
in accordance with, and never in contrast to, the spirit of the founders
and the requirements of the Church.
It is therefore a mistake to think that the religious life is simply
one form of apostolate, differing from the ordinary apostolate only
in that religious take vows, This way of thinking begets confusion,
because the apostolate of those living in the world is quite different
from that of consecrated pepple whose life must transcend the world.
ft would also be a bad mistake to expect religious to undertake every
kind of apostnlate. In a well organized army the soldiers belonging
to different branches use different arms, and each one keeps to his
own combat position. Similarly the institutes of the Church make their
contributions according to their own nature, purpose and character,
without neglecting the personal abilities of individual members.
It must he remembered that religious are consecrated to God. The intensity
of their spiritual life should suffer no lessening, if they are to preserve
and improve the spiritual level of their communities.
It is well to emphasize that it would be a very grave error to cut down
on prayer for the sake of a wider external apostolate. Religious need
a suitable period of time not only for their ordinary practices of piety
but above all for mental prayer, for which they should duly prepare
themselves right from the novitiate, and to attend courses of spirituality,
theology, sacred scripture and liturgy which will bring strength and
support for everyday life and peace and serenity in the spiritual order.
The spiritual value of the religious state will not be revealed as it
should except by the undivided commitment of oneself to Christ, becoming
one with Him through the practice of poverty, chastity and obedience.
These evangelical counsels. which form the basis of the religious life,
must he properly understood and scrupulously observed.
They in no way offend against the dignity of the human person, as some
have ventured to say, nor do they violate [iberty. On the contrary,
when they are freely and deliberately accepted. they are the clear affirmation
of the free man who makes the sacrifice of what he holds most dear for
a high noble and holy cause.
Poverty, which the true richness of religious life, must be embraced
serenely and practised joyfully. Much has been said of "the Church
of the poor" without perhaps appraising the intimate nature of
poverty and its character, and sometimes with a deficient knowledge
of the realities of life.
The external forms that poverty takes on amid our present technical
circumstances and economic demands must correspond to the expectations
of the faithful. They should not be mere appearances. but positive realities
iii keeping with the teaching and example of Christ and with the authentic
doctrine and best practice of the Church.
In fact religious, to be truly poor, must renounce all their goods,
however obtained, and give them to their institute or the Church. The
temporal goods of religious institutes must be considered as a sacred
patrimony to provide for the higher interests of the community and of
the Church, for the wants of the needy and for the education of poor
boys.
If the genuine spirit of Christian poverty is to shine in your society
all must be avoided that can bear even the appearance of an immoderate
amassing of property. Don Bosco´s poverty was well known, and Divine
Providence visibly helped ´;tri m to accomplish wonderful and monumental
works, Providence never failed him and will never fail you as long as
you are animated by his spirit. You should therefore maintain moderation
and simplicity in your buildings, their furnishing and in your way of
life.
As regards the vow of chastity, no one can fail to see that presentday
conditions make it difficult to keep. Nevertheless you ought to consider
this bright jewel to be the most lovely characteristic of a religious
family. Those therefore who are consecrated in a state of perfection
must keep themselves pure in body and mind. While living in the world,
where they have to carry on their apostolate, they should sense the
beauty of Christ´s words where he calls the clean of heart ´blessed´.
And they should therefore avoid all that can sully the innocence of
their lives. Take care then to preserve among your members the purest
form of this virtue which constitutes their brightest glory, their greatest
strength and their surest defence
And so we come to obedience. Many false ideas on liberty are being aired
abroad. and their harmful influence has also penetrated some religious
institutes. Their members should therefore he well grounded in evangelical
obedience.
Take care that ideas insinuating the so-called `colloquy´ between superiors
and subjects do not spread in your society. This is proposed not so
much as a harmonious and edifying expression of reciprocal considerations
or as an exchange of ideas and constructive suggestions, but almost
as an agreement, if not quite a condition for obedience, or as a discussion
for the purpose of i mposing one´s own point of view.
May the true idea of religious obedience be maintained in its integrity,
avoiding all that leads to an excessively human view of that life which
is based on supernatural principles and is a true witness to Christ.
The religious who ennobles, enriches and develops his personality comes
to make a joyful gift of himself and all that he has that is most precious
for the love of God.
This naturally demands of those who are in authority, as you are, to
exercise their office in such a way as to develop as far as possible
the sense of responsibility and the personal talents of their subjects,
and bring them to obey with full confidence and esteem for their superiors.
These in their turn should show an encouraging understanding of the
abilities and characters of their dependents.
On the basis of these principles all that regards the adaptation of
religious life referred to in the conciliar decree should be carried
out by the proper authority, aided by the experience and collaboration
of the subjects. This must be done in a spirit of charitable understanding
on the one side and willing obedience on the other, and not in ways
which are in contrast to one of the fundamental principles of religious
life.
Do not forget the severe words of St. Augustine, affirming the absolute
duty of preserving the concord and harmony indispensable for keeping
order in any community. He says: Cum disciplina negligitur, insolentiae
crescent. ( When discipline gets slacks, insolence becomes rife). The
lack of submission to superiors on the part of the members of any community,
and the failure of superiors to command, leads to loss of that happy
brotherhood and spiritual joy which are
Indispensable fo.r an intense religious life; it causes a weakening
of character and slackness in the work of the apostolate.
Regarding religious vocations, which unfortunately are not in proportion
to the urgent needs of today, recruitment must not be your only concern,
but also and especially the perseverance of those called to the state
of perfection.
One of the causes of these deficiencies is precisely due to the fact
that some religious show more concern for the external apostolate than
for the keeping of the evangelical counsels.
Sometimes the religious sense is not sufficiently inculcated in the
ti me of training. and so some readily take leave of the religious state
because they entered it too superficially. It is well then that the
religious life - allow me to insist on this point - be presented as
a school of holiness, as a consecration to God, and not merely as an
association for apostolic activities. Religious life should be enlightened
by the diligent and assiduous study of the doctrine of Holy Scripture
and inspired by the love of God and by the pastoral spirit, leading
to the love of our neighbour and to external activities.
Religious consecration ought to he entire, not only to the person of
Christ but also to the Church, which is His Mystical Body. It is a question
of co-operating in the redemptive work of Christ in the world
Hence every religious should invest himself with the spirit of his institutei
in the marvellous variety that the holy founders have i mpressed on
each of them.
And this should be said not only of the priests of a religious institute,
but also of the coadjutors. Under the beneficial influence of a genuine
family spirit, notwithstanding the difference in condition, the bond
of brotherly union between all the members of your society should be
so strong as to allow and assure an ever-deepening solidarity and a
more effective collaboration. Do not forget the great services that
the coadjutors have rendered to your society. Surround them with the
affection, the consideration and the help they need.
To obtain the desired formation of the members of your society it will
be necessary to provide an ever-improving preparation for those destined
for teaching and spiritual direction, to ensure that they possess not
only solid virtue but also sound knowledge, good sense and a genuine
religious spirit.
Thus those called to work as Salesians will be suitably trained, by
means of a balanced and substantial scriptural, dogmatic, liturgical,
humanistic and professional instruction, They will then be ready for
the fruitful exercise of their apostolate.
Furthermore, these same members should have that consideration in regard
to their physical requirements which will enable them to attain to full
productivity in their work.
Finally, be eager to spread knowledge of your society in its intrinsic
strength and beauty, as Don Bosco made it, stripping it, if necessary,
of certain accretions acquired with the passing of time; so may it become
nimble, _. ile and dynamic, just as Don Bosco wanted it to he.
Do not admit candidates whose suitability cannot he guaranteed, because
the multiplication of unfit subjects chokes up and enfeebles the internal
life of your society.
In the first place, then. the members of your society should he spiritual
men, moulded to a solid interior life. Their chief concern must be to
seek higher things - Aurae sursum stint under the guidance of holy mother
Church; and this in order to attain to the true love of God, from which
springs the love of our neighbour.
Let the members of your society he deeply grounded in the sacred and
profane sciences, technically trained for the professions and activities
of their state.
Let those dedicated to study avoid the profane novelties decried by
the Apostle St. Paul himself, including the harmful principles of that
dogmatic romanticism now insinuating itself, begetting confusion and
error.
Let your members be pastoral in the finest sense of the word, not spreading
the vague and obscure notions of a corrosive pragmatism, but clearly
upholding the principles of Catholic morality with shining sincerity
and edifying charity.
Let the members of your society be missionaries, to spread the Catholic
faith with burning zeal among those who have never known it --- at sermo
Dei carrot et clurificetur (that God´s word come and be made clear to
all). Let them endeavour also to preserve intact the believers´ inheritance
of truth.
Let the members of your society be socially minded, in the constructive
and fruitful Christian sense and according to the spirit
of genuine brotherhood which inspired your origins and enriched your
growth. So they will tend to the needs of all classes of people.
Finally, let the members of your society be ecumenical, in the study
and acceptance of all that the Second Vatican Council proposes and in
the practice of that universalism which extends to all nations and cannot
limit itself to the narrow confines of our little earthly countries,
nor allow itself to be choked by petty considerations of a contingent
local or personal character.
So, my dear Salesians, animated by a lively faith, sustained by a well
grounded hope and inflamed by a sincere charity, seek always the ´unity
of the spirit in the bond of peace´, that unity which flows from a balanced
and serene judgement and which is the fruit of the prayer by which you
must all be united to Christ.
In this way you will show that the spirit of St. John Bosco still lives
among you in all the splendour of its finest power, and this spirit
will be a guarantee to your society of new progress and wider development
in lurcem et in salutem gentium for the enlightenment and salvation
of all peoples.
SOME MESSAGES OF ENCOURAGEMENT RECEIVED
BY THE 19th GENERAL CHAPTER
1. His Eminence Cardinal John H. Cicognani, Secretary of State to His Holiness.
The Holy Father has heard with great pleasure the announce
ment that the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco is preparing to hold
its 19th General Chapter at Rome. He offers fervent prayers together
with the paternal hope that it may be well prepared and that the discussions
may proceed in the genuine spirit of your holy founder and be rich in
profit, so that your well-deserving religious family may grow more and
more both in the missions and in its many other apostolic works. While
he prays for an abundance of divine grace and light, for the protection
of Mary Help of Christians and the intercession of St. John Bosco, he
willingly imparts to you and all the members of the Chapter a special
apostolic blessing which he gladly extends to every member of the entire
congregation.
May I add my own good wishes and prayers.
Vatican City 24th March 1965.
X Cardinal Cicognani.
2. His Eminence Cardinal Hildebrand Antoniutti, Prefect of the Sacred
Congregation of Religious.
Rome, 31st March 1965.
V. Rev. Fr.
It was very thoughful of you to remind me that next April the great
and well-deserving Salesian society will hold its 19th General Chapter.
This sacred congregation is particularly close to the society in this
moment when you are deciding important issues in your way of life, and
wholeheartedly joins with you in the wish that "the discussions
proceed with truly apostolic purport and in the genuine spirit of your
founder and father, St. John Bosco."
While invoking on all the members of the Chapter the light of the Holy
Spirit and blessing you all, may I again profess myself, very Reverend
Father
X Hildebrand Card. Antoniutti. Prefect.
3. His Eminence Cardinal Aloisi Masella, Protector of the Salesian congregation.
Rome 25th March 1965.
Very Rev. Fr. Rector Maior
In your great courtesy, your reverence informed me in your esteemed
letter of the 19th of the month of the 19th General Chapter of the Salesian
congregation of which I have the honour to be the protector.
Your reverence has indicated to me, in the above mentioned letter, that
the agenda comprises the elections of the superiors, and very important
debates on how to make the Salesian congregation a more effective instrument
to meet the needs of our time, especially in the fields of education
and social work.
In this respect, I hope the fathers will not hesitate to take suitable
steps, and at the same time remain faithful to the traditions, teaching
and spirit of their holy founder, which are essentially so upto-date.
I most willingly send a fatherly blessing, Reverend f=ather, to you
and to all taking part in the Chapter, invoking on you all the light
of the Holy Spirit, the protection of Mary Most Holy Help of Christians
and of your founder, St. John Bosco.
Please remember me in your prayers, may T take this opportunity to express
again my great esteem
Yours most devotedly
X Benedict Card. Aloisi Masella,
Protector.
4. His Eminence Cardinal Mauritius Fossati, Archbishop of of Turin.
Turin 25th March 1965.
To the Very Rev. Fr. Renato Ziggiotti,
Rector Major of the Salesians,
Turin.
In the name of His Eminence, our most venerable Cardinal Archbishop,
I thank you for the thought referred to him on the eve of the 19th General
Chapter that the Salesians will hold at Rome next April. His Eminence
sends the blessing you ask for with all his heart, and, above all, invokes
the blessing of the Lord upon the Chapter. For his part, he has already
made the intention of offering his sufferings to the Lord, that the
grace of God may bring a fruitful spiritual harvest out of the decisions
which the General Chapter will take for the good of souls.
I can assure you, Very Reverend Father Rector Major, that the sufferings
of our venerated Cardinal Archbishop are of great value in the sight
of God. IIe is a sick man who is easy to nurse, for he never complains
and accepts everything one gives him or does for him. Only once, about
a fortnight ago h,e said : "If you only knew how much I suffer"
it was the only time he has mentioned it.
He was always particularly fond of the Salesians. He visited all the
Salesian houses in Rome not once but almost every time he went there.
He also visited and blessed the new Quartiere Nuovo Salario where the
General Chapter will be held and insisted on knowing in great detail
about the new buildings that were to arise there. His blessing in still
upon it.
Believe me, I am most respectfully and devotedly yours.
Mons. Vincent Barale.
Secretary to the Cardinal Archbishop.
INTERVENTIONS OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
AT THE 19th. GENERAL CHAPTER
I. THE ELECTION OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
27th April 1965 - After the election, the new Superior General mounted
the presidential dais and made this first moving address to the Assembly:
"Some of you were saying to me just now "courage l ".
There is certainly need for plenty of courage, and perhaps for something
greater than courage, I don´t know if you can imagine all the feelings
which at this moment overwhelm my soul, my conscience, my whole being
I can tell you straightaway that never before have I had such a clear
knowledge of my own limitations as I have at this present moment. If
1 wanted to humiliate you, for it would humiliate you rather than me,
I would present you with a list of all my limitations.
But I feel, my dear confreres, dear Don Ziggiotti, who will always be
my father, I feel that on this list of all my limitations there is perhaps
one which does not appear: my obedience and my dedication to Our Lord
and to the congregation. For this reason I think I must obey God´s will,
which has been shown today through you, the representatives of the entire
congregation. (applause)
Allow me to mention the clear perception I have of my own nothingness,
especially as I compare myself with those who have preceded me in the
office of Superior General .. .
(At this point Don Ricceri had words of praise for the fatherly spirit
of Very Rev. Fr. Ziggiotti, and asked his blessing for himself and for
all those present, Fr, Ziggiotti in his reply, among other things, said:
"1 have prayed that things would turn out as indeed they have turned
out. After the first vote of clarification, the rotes
centred on one person, giving him the strength that flows from the united will to collaborate with him; continuity has in this way been guaranteed and the congregation will prosper."
2. EXHORTATION TO MEMBERS OF THE CHAPTER
7th Mutt 1965 Anxious to mark out ground on which the various opinions very soon apparent in the General Chapter might meet, the Rector Major saw fit to exhort those present with these words
Dear Fathers . , . ours must be an atmosphere of charity, in which we
alt constitute: a living charity, charity in act: and we have to bring
this atmosphere back among us again... an atmosphere which breathes
this love, true, alive and strong, Charity is not only the family spirit,
but a translation of that supernatural charity of Our Lord and of St,
Paul. We must realize this union of charity at all costs.
1 have said already, union together in charity. Such union presupposes
understanding. It is a word well-worn by constant use but it is a word
with profound and concrete meaning: how often has the absence of it
precipitated great crises!
Understanding means understanding and knowing my ´opponent´ in the order
of ideas to understand the man who thinks other than I do, to know him
as my brother, in our common father Don Bosco.
Let us think for a moment, Fathers, that in this assembly there are
among us the best to be found in the congregation : every man of you
is a person of value, value to the Major Superiors, and to the congregation.
You are Provincials, delegates of the other confreres, Rectors of houses
and novices masters, etc. Are you therefore not worthy of being understood?
Then understand others and he understood by them.
1 have to understand that my brother loves the congregation every hit
as much as I do, and I have to understand too that this love can and
does see differently what he considers to be for the good of the congregation,
but not on that account is he a bad Salesian : I have to understand
how it is that the opinion of my brother different from mine is not
in itself a lack of love for the congregation, still less a personal
offence to me.
I have to understand how it is that new generations (men of 40 and 50
years of age) necessarily and often fortunately have views, problems,
solutions and feelings very different from those who have lived longer.
Wherefore we have to be convinced, by reason of that same deep understanding
of yet another thing in our houses and communities there are today psychological
situations existing and malaise which cannot be ignored. They are the
result of our living and suffering in the life of Society and the Church
at this present time.
Let us also he convinced that our Salesian world is immense and very
complex : the fact that I do not have certain problems, does not give
me authority to deny the existence of the problems others have to face
and try to solve.
Still further, no one of us has a monopoly of truth; and no one of us
has to hand the solutions of all problems. Truth is a mosaic, which
is the result of a vast number of small elements brought together by
the attentive and concentrated study of many artists. To recognize fully
that no one has the monopoly of truth is indeed true humility and true
understanding.
Wherefore, Fathers. there is great need that we put our hand to the
task with good will, with understanding and with intelligence, with
love desirous of union. The younger generation (I am not now speaking
to our boys!) in our congregation is a vital element, with drive, and
may indeed have antennae very much `tuned-in ´ to the present situation.
This is something of great value, and it helps us to know the realities
we all have to face. And this same younger generation is our governing
body of tomorrow.
On the other hand, the experience of one who has spent, and still spends
long years of his life in generous sacrifice for the congregation. will
have sent down strong roots which will have strengthened him in the
belief of our traditions. Such experience is enlightening and is productive
of equilibrium when confronted with that of the younger man, and it
brings with it an invaluable contribution of prudence, of putting on
the brake, But it must never reach the point of becoming a heavy chain
which enslaves liberty.
This balanced and fruitful process is the practical translation of this
understanding then the younger generation is grafted on to this richer
experience and there is no longer fear of the step ahead
demanded by the reality of which the younger men feel more than others,
with more awareness than ours.
We have to relieve this tension, which is rooted in our real concern,
in our common love for Don Bosco, although it expresses itself in seemingly
opposing ways. We have to find the meeting point, and produce serenity,
charity, and co-operation. We have to wish each other well, in spite
of the diversity of points of view. In such a climate our work will
become less burdensome and more constructive, more joyful. You all know
from experience how much work costs when there is no joy in it: joy
is the sun shining on our work. For us this joy can come from charity,
which gives confidence and trust and together we can turn to good purpose
the more easily the hard work of these days.
The eyes of the congregation are on us. We have an obligation to give
example. unity in liberty, which mutual respect engenders; this will
reveal itself in the `interventions´ and discussions of those whose
point of view is not mine. Let everyone express his thought
clearly, with respect and with charity: this is how the adult world
deals with its problems and arrives at truth, the possession of which
is goodness itself : God is at once Goodness and Truth.
Let us discuss not to make a point, not to lose time in subtleties,
but to find out how to improve: I´ve already said : non muita, sed multuni.
From the right sort of discussion there issues the better, the true
: not my truth, but the truth. St. Augustine speaks of the fundamental
difference there is to he found between the man who defends ´his´ truth
with clenched teeth and the one who works serenely for truth itself.
In this spirit, let us roll up our sleeves and get down to work! We
all love Don Bosco; so we must love one another in Don Bosco. And let
us beg Our Lady´s guidance. We are in May. She is Mater Ecclesiac she
is also Muter huius ecclesiae, of this ecclesia of ours: of this assembly.
She led Don Bosco in his most difficult times. She must lead and guide
us now; she .is the Mother of Love, she must give us His Love, divine
charity; she is also Mother of Wisdom, may she give us light.
With the Madonna and Don Bosco we can go on the journey ahead, as was said of the Jews in the desert : ibunt cantantes. That is a stupendous image : that is how we must begin again and go on our difficult path, and our hymn must come from the hearts of men united in the charity of Christ. A hymn that edifies?
3. STRUCTURES
26th, :May 1965 -- At the request of a member of the Chapter the Rector
Major tries to bring into clearer focus the problem of structures and
of the suggested changes.
I desire, he said, that, even at the price of hardship, solutions be
found acceptable to all. i was unable to follow the work of the subcommission
in detail; 1 am acquainted with its main outlines. The commission had
considerable freedom, to the extent of changing the initial scheme,
on the basis of requests and reports from the whole Congregation. So
it isn´t a question of scrutinizing what the superiors want, but something
conscientiously elaborated by the commission in the light of all that
seems to be called for by the new era.
Can we agree on some points? Obviously the new structure is not horn
in all its perfection, already equipped to face all eventualities. We
are agreed on the desirability of increasing the number of consultors,
but of not having too many. There is a measure in all things, especially
in matters so important. We agree in accepting the urgent pleas for
a bridge linking the centre with the periphery. The confreres ask to
be understood, ask that their problems he known. A certain number of
consultors should be free for this.
And what will the new consultors do when they are at headquarters? The
material gathered in all their contacts with the various provinces will
be ample to keep them quite busy when at the centre, so as to develop
efficacious plans of action in favour of the areas they have visited.
The office of superiors charged with groups of provinces preserves their
unity and gives to this unity organic articulation, They are not super-provincials:
they must not entangle the work of the Provincials, but help co-ordinate,
enlighten. It is not for this superior to reduce the provinces in his
group to a common denominator, but
to understand situations, see what is useful in the common experience
and treasure it up for the advantage of other parts of the Salesian
world.
Naturally it will not be possible to determine exactly the functions
of the several departments here. Question marks will remain, and clarification
will be needed. We can´t pretend to know everything now; we must leave
a margin for future experience.
d, THE PROVINCIAL. COUNCIL
28th May 1965 The Rector Major in the following intervention summed
up the various points of view on this point.
One must distinguish the purely juridical aspect of the provincial council´s
consultative vote from its human, rational and psychological ones. From
the latter point of view, the consultative vote is the opinion of qualified
people helping the Provincial and appreciating various aspects of a
problem, The Provincial has everything to gain by heeding these points,
fostering freedom of expression of the various views, without trying
to offer cut and dried solutions.
We must get used to knowing how to enter into discussion and to listen
to opinions opposed to our own. If the opinion of experts is despised
the council is then left without value or life, a sense of collective
responsibility will fade, to the detriment of the true good of the Province.
RESHAPING OF OUR WORK
31st, May 1965 -- Before the final voting on the document took
place, the Rector Major made one or two relevant comments
I want to go back, he said, to what Provincials have said concerning
the state of confreres who are sick. exhausted, etc. Some houses of
formation have few teachers in good health; there are other foundations
where the number of pupils is excessive and the hours o: class far ton
high. It is only right to show a sense of justice, a paternal concern
about such situations. No one can live like this without a pause somewhere.
It has been pointed out that every General Chapter has had this same
concern, and I myself feel it in a special way at present in connection
with Latin America. But the problems are not straight forward ones :
there are complications. Today we have to save the Salesian as a man,
as a religious, as a priest and as an educator. If we do not keep this
in mind we shall be in danger of destroying the congregation in a space
of fifty years. The success of our apostolic work is measured by the
effect it has on souls. But is this effect always realised? And to what
extent?
There are two great needs at the present day: to make the Salesian fully
qualified in every way, and to respond to the urgent appeals that we
receive. Can these opposing requirements he reconciled.´ It is not easy
to see how it can be done, but we must try. We have talked about a pause,
but that does not mean that we have to become soft and flabby; we can
do a great deal of work even without further expansion.
We have got to do this reshaping. Some of our works can be likened to
trees with dead branches, which produce little apostolic fruit. Such
a reorganization could be the way to meet the needs of Latin America.
The matter will be studied after the Chapter.
We must not overlook the education and formation of nonSalesian lay
personnel. We must value such people filling the place of the Salesian
priest and educator in many ways.
Reference has been made to the Superior Council as though it alone was
responsible for our works, but this is a matter in which both the Provincials
and the Superior Council share the responsi
bility.
The methods of the Communists were mentioned. Let us make a careful
examination of their strategy; let us note what degree of organization
goes Into their militant cadres, and let us profit by their example!
6. ASPIRANTATES
10th May, 1965 - After a long discussion in which many speakers took
part, the Rector Major summarised the main points in the problem
The aspirantate should provide a bridge with the families of the aspirants;
we must not create two different exclusive worlds.
An evolution is taking place, and we cannot close our eyes to the new
ways of thinking.
The problems are complex and vary from one country to another: the same
criteria cannot be applied everywhere without modification. The congregation
must be united at the centre, but flexible in its approach to the social
world in which we live. The practical solution of these problems therefore
must be entrusted to the study of the different groups of provinces.
7. COADJUTORS
26th May, 1965 Replying to a question that arose in connection with
the structure of the congregation, the Rector Major said amongst other
things
"The problem of the professional schools must be distinguished
from that of the men concerned - - the coadjutors. Let the commission
try to find an adequate solution in order to remove the psychological
difficulty in which our coadjutors are placed : we want our coadjutors
to feel that they are true and authentic fellowwA orkers at the side
of the priest and cleric.
2nd June, 1965 - After the voting had taken place at the end of the
discussion on the document on the coadjutors, the Rector Major summed
up the mind of the assembly in these words
The figure of the coadjutor is a unique creation of Don Bosco. But it
would be wrong to reduce him to a mere teacher of technology. A much
broader view is needed; he has an ever widening mission before him in
the apostolate. Reference has been made to coadjutor catechists; and
indeed our coadjutors must become catechists, must tear themselves away
from their machines at least on Sundays and be able to take part in
a true apostolate. They must also take the place of externs in so many
positions of trust, in key administrative and secretarial posts etc.
And then we come to the question of their period of higher professional
training. The Consultor for the professional schools. Fr. Giovannini,
has long been concerned about the problem of our coadjutors, and particularly
about this period in their training. Concrete
plans need to he formula:..d by the different groups of Provinces, but
they must be realistic. For several decades the Central Province sent
out hundreds of coadjutors to different places in Europe and further
afield; conditions have now changed and each Province must take the
proper means to provide for its own needs. The pause that has been decided
on in the opening of houses does not necessarily apply to the same extent
to houses of formation, for these are the source of our life-blood.
We need to go into this basic problem so as to produce a well programmed
plan, and avoid recourse to facile improvisations.
It can be truly said that we have this morning approved a document that
will make history, but it will he of little avail unless Provincials,
Rectors and indeed all Salesians change their attitude of mind correspondingly
and treat our coadjutors always and everywhere as brothers and cherished
fellow-workers.
And finally let us all do our utmost to find and form coadjutor vocations
in ever greater numbers with, where necessary, a new line of approach
and fresh standards of judgement.
3rd June, 1965 - As though to crown the deliberations concerning the
coadjutors, the Rector Major was happy to be able to announce the introduction
of the cause for the beatification of the Servant of God, Brother Sinvm
Srui, of the Middle-East Province, which took place on 11th Matt, 1964.
This is a most consoling fact, he declared, and one that says a great
deal. It tells us that sanctity must enter into the make-up of a coadjutor.
I hope therefore that the angelic figure of this coadjutor, a figure
at the same time evangelical and ecumenical, will be brought to the
.notice not only of our confreies, hut also of our boys.
8. MEDITATION
10th May, 1965 At the end of the discussion on the use of individual
books for meditation.
The Rector Major noted that the decision taken marked a change from
former Salesian practice, but it should not be thought that the new
method would be a panacea. It would mean a greater involvement of the
Rector in the work of spiritual direction, in order to avoid abuses
and even anarchy.
The Rector Major went on to recommend a gradual introduction of the
new method and that some amendments should be made if found necessary
He also recalled the need to find a proper place and a convenient ti
me for the meditation.
9. QUARTERLY RETREAT
11th May, 1965 - Before the vote was taken on Art. 10 concerning the
monthly and quarterly retreat, the Rector Major voiced his fatherly
concern in these words
The cry arises from all parts of the congregation : "Give us more
spirituality! Cultivate our spiritual life as priests and religious!
Do not let us spend ourse:ves only in external work!" It is a phenomenon
at once positive and consoling. Let us therefore not be put off by difficulties.
If we do not pay heed to these appeals, if we do not make the necessary
provision, we shall only bring about slow spiritual suicide. The chief
concern of the Church and therefore of the congregation, and it is truer
than ever at the present day, is that her apostles be really alive with
a true interior life.
10. SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
Ilth May, 1965 - After an exhaustive discussion on the subject of the
spiritual exercises.
The Rector Major pointed out that a comforting underlying element had
been obvious throughout the discussion, which gave grounds for healthy
optimism.
But he recalled that the success of great enterprises depends eery largely
on the attention paid to small details. He therefore recommended that
the times of the retreats be well chosen; that confreres be enabled
to make them away from their normal surroundings, and that houses should
be opened gradually for this specific purpose; that preachers should
be chosen who are truly men of God, whose words will be strengthened
by the force of their own good example; that special retreats be provided
for different groups of confreres as the mentality of the various groups
varies considerably as also does the nature of the problems they have
to meet.
The Provincial, went on the Rector Major, should he present during the
retreats as a father and not merely as a superior
He applauded the experiment made in Spain where the confreres maintained
complete silence during certain retreats, and he recornmended the gradual
adoption of this practice in other Provinces.
11. SPIRITUAL DlREC´ILON
1st ]erne, 1955 -- At the end of the discussion on confession and s
piritual direction, the Rector Major gave the following guiding principles.
When we come to the question of spiritual direction we must have the
courage to face up to the realities of the situation even though we
are concerned with a veritable crisis which affects not only the congregation
but the whole religious world at the present time.
If we are going to put the plan in the document into effect we shall
have to go back to the authentic figure of the Salesian Rector, but
set in circumstances which will make it possible for him to fulfil his
particular role after the reshaping of our works and of the obligations
flowing from them.
In choosing Rectors attention should he paid above all to their interior
formation, They should be first and foremost men of God, priests and
fathers, with the ability to guide the souls of their own confreres.
Let Provincials do everything possible to enrich their Rectors in doctrine
and piety by means of appropriate meetings, days of recollection, and
retreats.
The Rector should be free from everything in the running of the house
that can be done by some other member of the community, though the latter
will act under his direction.
As far as the confessors are concerned they are here officially given
their place of first importance although their work is hidden. They
also must be men of God, wise and prudent, mature and well prepared
though they need not necessarily be advanced in years, and should certainly
not have reached a stage where their faculties are beginning to fail.
They should always keep themselves well up to date by means of suitable
reading and meetings useful for their delicate task.
12. READING AT TABLE
27th May, 1965 At the beginning of the afternoon session, the Rector
Major spoke on two questions that had been dealt with the same morning:
reading; at table and smoking. Concerning reading at table he said:
We are here to find reasons which will strengthen our practice and ideas.
It is said that reading at table is difficult for certain communities
small in numbers. In this connection l should like to emphasize once
again how undesirable it is for communities to he so tiny, mission territories
being naturally excepted. Pius Xl closed many such communities. Provincials
should therefore see what they can do to avoid confreres being placed
in such conditions, But we are here as legislators and we cannot base
rules on exceptions, i.e. non-regular houses.
Reading at table is not just a monastic practice which could endanger
our family spirit; it is a calming and enriching element which adds
dignity to the locality and prevents immoderation in words and conversation.
It is true that the reading must be well chosen if it is to be received
willingly by the confreres. It is a false argument to say that they
are tired; it is more tiring to speak or raise one´s voice. And we should
not forget the technical aids which we have at our disposal today; there
is nothing to prevent us using a tape-recorder on which the reading
has been well recorded beforehand, Sometimes the whole community has
to suffer because of some intolerant confreres.
Those communities which do not take advantage of the wealth of information
which the congregation provides arc as though severed and detached from
it. and the Rector is to blame for it. Reading is in fact an efficacious
means of preserving agreement. And therefore let us continue the practice
of reading at table with courage and wise understanding, qualities which
are found in those who know how to rule but not in those who let themselves
be dominated by others.
The same principles hold also for the boys, particularly if use is made
of the inventions of modern technology. No light responsibility is incurred
in allowing them to gossip throughout the meal especially when they
are m´xed in groups which are not the best from
a pedagogical point of view. We must learn how to focus their attention
on the reading because this is a means of enrichment and education.
The same holds good for reading in the dormitories. These are our traditions
and we cannot let them disappear without our system being impaired.
13. SMOKING
27th May, 1965 - In conjunction with the previous question, the Rector
Major wanted to pinpoint the smoking problem.
We are all well aware, he said, of the worldwide arguments that arose
amongst scientists about lung cancer. Quite apart from the medical aspects
of the matter, smoking is indeed a cancer in our congregation, and I
would like the reasons to be fixed firmly in our minds to stimulate
us. Our abstension from smoking is a point of honour with us, a vital
and substantial point, one aspect of our mortlfication. We are held
in high esteem on this account. At the present ti me there are superiors
of congregations, Bishops and Cardinals, who demand this sacrifice from
their priests.
Gandhi used to say of himself : "I have come to realize that if
I am to be a leader I must be a detached man!" And so it must be
with us. This particular mortification must always remain one of our
characteristics in the eyes of the young and of people in general who
observe us and think of us as persons capable of practising detachment
and self-denial.
14. FORMATION OF YOUTH
13th May, 1965 At the end of the first day dedicated to the problems
of day-schools and semi-boarding schools, the Rector Major drew some
conclusions which we reproduce:
We have gone fully and at depth into some important modern problems
in education. The new theories which are now taking shape demand our
full and conscientious attention as educators to a principle that is
not and cannot be denied : "It is not by indulgence and surrender
of control that one builds up, that one educates."
We must emphasize once again the obligation of the Rector to attend
first and foremost to the formation of his boys. We must understand
the uneasiness and disquiet of many confreres when they meet
vague and ambiguous phrases which can give rise to arbitrary interpretations
not in keeping with the preventive system.
The idea of assistance must be emphasized, through which the superior
does not exert the weight of his own authority and still less makes
that authority something odious, but becomes a friend and brother who
gives courage and shows sympathy. All this is not to abandon the genuine
meaning of the Sa´esian system of Don Bosco.
15. SCHOOLS
13th rYluy, 1965 -- in order to shed some light on the problem of schools
and their relationship to other apostolic works for the young, the Rector
Major outlined the following ideas.
Don Bosco speaks of the education of youth rather than of school. This
is our object : to tend to our own perfection whilst engaged in the
work of education cif our neighbour, our young neighbour.
Now we must be clear as to how we can succeed in this work of education
by means of the school; we must ask ourselves whether in different countries
the congregation is really fulfilling its educative mission.
A serious study is required of the real needs of the young in different
circumstances, so that we shall know how to make a balanced use of our
resources at the right time, in the right way and in proper measure
For this purpose there is need of a programme, a word we must get accustomed
to and the importance of which we must understand. It means a deep and
opportune study of the needs and problems of our times so that our works
can be adapted to them. Hence the importance of the provincial council
and the local house council.
it is not merely a question of planning the different works, but of
establishing a priority among them according to requirements; of balancing
them up in complete fidelity to the spirit of the institute, as Paul
VI suggests, so that we do not have to trust to luck.
We must realize that sometimes the scholastic side of our work has grown
out of all proportion: school devours all the other works in the sense
that no personnel can be found for the oratories, for the parishes,
for the co-operators or for the past pupils.
Let us admit that school for the little ones is at times a real necessity;
but in this field let us know how to make use of lay help, beginning
with our co-operators, inviting them to share with us the responsibility
of our educative work. The priestly side of the work we keep for ourselves.
I6. PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS
26th May, 1965 While speaking of new developments within the congregation,
the Rector Major made the following points regarding professional schools.
The congregation, he said, intends to further the work of the professional
school with enthusiasm and with a sense of urgency. These schools have
already evolved far beyond the stage of mere workshops for artisans.
´f hey aim at being schools which give a real qualification, and we
wish to see them placed on the same leve] as schools in the accepted
sense.
In previous General Chapters this subject has been treated very fully,
and from time to time we have been presented with valuable documents
about these schools. We must now ask ourselves, however : "In actual
practice have developments taken place along the lines indicated by
these documents?" It is not sufficient just to give c´ear directives.
It must be observed if these were then systematically followed out,
without loss of time.
17. DAY SCHOOLS AND SEMI-BOARDING SCHOOLS
14th May, 1965 -- At the opening of the sitting, having crntlined the
essential distinction between the day school and the semi-hoarding school,
the Rector Major proceeded as follows:
Moved by a concern which is eminently educational, we must try to deve´op
this second type of semi-boarding school, in which, by virtue of after
school activities habitual and permanent, the boy may complete his formation
to become a man, a citizen, and a Christian.
A simple day school, especially one having very many varied changes,
where there is no personal contact with the boys being educated, is
only really a waste of energy, and can become an illusion. In day schools
the priests must combine their scholastic work
with works of apostolate on behalf of youth, which is the work the Church
expects from our congregation.
One will also escape the danger that free time becomes an occasion oL
dissipation, laziness and escapism.
Our traditional works are often enfeebled through our own fault. Let
us give hack to them that vitality which our times demand.
18. HOSTELS
14th May 1965 At the end of the discussions concerning hostels, the
Rector Major gave, regarding this new type of upostolute, some precise
directives to which all should adhere in the spirit of discipline.
There is no obligation to start immediately. It would be better to move
only gradually, To propose to ourselves a new form of apostolate does
not mean to throw ourselves into it rashly. Study is required beforehand,
a[ter which one may begin with an experimental pilot scheme, which is
really an example.
The. essential requisites, in order that this work may not prove a failure
for ourselves, and a betrayal of the youths concerned and of their families,
are as follows: a rather small number of boys; a certain homogeneity
in the group of youths concerned and they should preferably be rather
adult: to conduct the work, personnel wellqualified as men, priests
and Salesians; the exclusion of the economic factor as the principal
aim of the work; a wise appreciation of the needs arising from the age
and the particular conditions of the youths in the hostel.
19. PARISHES
16th May, 1965. Before voting took place on cart. 10 of the Constitutions
about parishes, which gave rise to so much lively discussion, the Rector
Major wished to put forward some of the areoccupations raised by the
discussion.
Let us not hide the fact that this is an article which stands in need
of further maturation. The discussion has been so very useul, but nevertheless
let us bear in mind the words of Paul VI in the i mportant document
addressed to religious superiors : "The Church
looks to the congregations for certain definite works, and does not
look favourably on the pluralism of certain congregations which engage
in the most widely-diverse types of activity." Now the Church expects
from us a definite service, namely the education of the young.
The Rector Major referred also to the thought expressed by the Abbot
of Solesmes : "People wish to give parishes also to us Benedictines,
but this would be our death blow." This is true! Mansiones niultae
stmt; but they must be apportioned out wisely, and with tact, as in
an army; and each must do his own share.
The Church has approved of the Salesian hierarchy of works. Often this
hierarchy has not been taken into consideration. It must be given its
true value, so that a sense of proportion is maintained.
Parishes today are truly the mission fields, and this applies also to
the Church as a whole. In great urban areas parishes are losing territorial
identity, and many people lose contact. The councils of bishops feel
the problem very keenly- and the council of major religious superiors
has concerned itself with the problem too. How are we to reach souls?
Intense study has led to the conclusion that various categories of parishes
are needed. This is borne out by many factors.
As you see, the question is not a simple one. We must look at the reality
as it is. Certainly it is in the bishops´ own interest to ask for our
help; but this is not to say that the Salesians should respond, always
and everywhere, whatever the circumstances. If we were to follow this
plan of action, within fifty years the congregation would have been
completely altered.
True, we have accepted many parishes, but let us listen to the
opinions of many Provincials regarding this, as, for example, the Provincials
in the United States: for many years there the congregation was wrapped
up in, and almost halted by, exclusively parochial activi ties, even
though these were forms of the apostolate answering the particular situation.
The same applies to Poland and Jugoslavia, where, however, the case
was one rather of necessity and of a state of emer
gency. Such must not become the norm for the whole congregation.
Has our formation up to the present been geared to the meeting of the
needs of parochial work? Perhaps we have over-reached our selves. We
have parishes which we serve in a manner which should
not be. We must do that good of which we are capable, and in our own
spirit. Let us recognize the fact that we are not always sufficiently
prepared for this task; we have accepted too easily, and perhaps with
too much eagerness. We must preserve a hierarchy in our acceptance of
new works. Provincials are always hard-pressed when they must provide
specialized personnel, especially for posts of responsibility. Works
have developed, but the personnel for them has not developed proportionately,
neither in quantity nor in quality. Can we then afford to say always,
"Go ahead, go ahead?" Let us examine our conscience. We need
a zeal which is tempered, although certainly leaving aside short-sightedness,
and too many merely human calculations. While speaking of structures
we can speak clearly in this regard. Yes, we Salesians are 22,000 in
number: but are we all efficient? Let us not sin by triumphalism? Let
us consider our judgements very carefully. I would think that this article
requires a lot of study. we cannot afford to bungle along, There are
in the congregation certain unformed souls, who see in these new forms
of apostolate, a means of satisfying their desire for evasion. We must
know how to stop and control the development of our works, otherwise
we run the risk of losing Salesians, and with them the congregation
too.
Concluding, I would not wish to leave you with a negative i mpression
by what I have said. 1 only wish to recall all of us hack to a deep
and watchful sense of responsibility, which will lead us to study and
evaluate these things which are for us the true problems of our life.
I: th May, 1965 Regarding the necessity of joining parishes to Salesian
houses, the Rector Major made the following observation.
Our structure is essentially a formation to a community way of life,
that is, we must live together. Although the term ´attached to´ used
in art. 368 is not a very exact or pleasant-sounding expression, certainly
parishes must he avoided in which two or three Salesians work in isolation.
It might he said, "We contact youth through the work of the parish."
This is all very well, but such activity on behalf of youth must be
intense and of a very high quality, because if not, then these same
confreres could be used elsewhere in the organization of a much richer
apostolate for youth.
20. ORATORIES
18th May, 1965 - - At the close of the discussion on oratories, the
Rector Major expounded some other fundamental ideas on the topic.
This matter of the ´oratory´ is a responsibility for us just as much
today as in the past. Our vocation for youth becomes an urgent matter
today, when youth is becoming the ´fourth state´, so to speak, of society.
The youth of today can give a decisive turn to the history of our ti
me, just as happened during the French Revolution with the ´Third State´.
Schooling by itself is not sufficient to satisfy the spiritual needs
of today´s youth. Furthermore, we cannot afford to ignore the fact of
the migrations taking place within our great cities and their suburbs.
Today as yesterday, our responsibility and vocation remain always the
same.
The oratory is really the formula which meets the demand so well; to
reach youth by catechizing, but in our own style, and according to discipline
and obedience. Don Bosco and the Constitutions wish to see an oratory
attached to every single Salesian house, which shows the importance
the congregation attaches to the oratory. Having a house close by, is
a providential boon for the oratory, providing it with both means and
personnel. qon Bosco could not conceive of a house which lacked this
lung but a lung must be something alive and breathing, not atrophied.
Whole nations and entire generations have benefited by the work of the
oratory.
Let us ask ourselves: In the houses of my Province, is there something
which really merits the name of oratory? What could be done to set on
foot a programme of oratory activities? Is a man of culture, degreed
or well-qualified, considered wasted if he is Rector of an oratory?
A day school is not an oratory, It is a very good thing to gather together
so many boys, but it still remains a gathering of a rather elite group.
We must contact also those who do not come to our schools.
It is necessary, moreover, to set up oratories as pilot schemes. incorporating
a´so new methods to meet the new needs. This has been
called for in the proposals made to the Chapter, namely, to study means
o organizing experiments which wall vary according to place. Something
can and must be done along these lines. This will serve also to give
an outlet for the zeal of so many confreres who are alive to the apostolic
problems invoiced. The purely festive oratory is now a formula which
is too limited, and insufficient to meet the needs of the times.
In conclusion : let each one carry away this idea as a message. but
with the intention of putting it into effect : factores verbi estate!
21. APOSTOLATE APART FROM YOUTH
20th May, 1965 - Since there had emerged from the discussion the idea
of modijying art. 8 of the Constitutions, the Rector Major felt it necessary
to make certain precise clarifications:
in a spirit of fraternity and loyalty, it is necessary, he said, to
explain certain ideas. The forms of apostolate here discussed must evidently
develop inside the field of our works, and within religious discipline.
It is therefore necessary that to those newly-emerging and functioning
sectors of apostolate not for youth, there be given the necessary ideas
and enrichment, in order that they may be brought into step with the
needs and the sound tastes of today, and so avoid being swamped by the
times, It is not to be imagined that each single Province should or
could initiate all these activities listed, but there are some of the
sectors which must not be either underrated or disregarded. I am quite
certain that Don Bosco would never allow neglect of the press, or, as
they say today, of the instruments of social communication. One need
only think of his heroism, and of the sufferings he underwent for the
sake of spreading good literature. Today we must be religious of perception,
always looking to the future to foresee what is developing within society.
Let us fix three guiding principles to bear in mind during our future
work:
al The General Chapter has the duty of establishin_, with great clarity
the hierarchy existing amongst the works to which the congregation is
called.
h) We cannot in the world of today continue to ignore the parents of
our pupils especially when the presence of their sons in one of our
institutes is perhaps the only means through which they may be involved
in the life of the Church. What would our adversaries do in such a case?
c) The lay teachers called to work side by side with us are now numbered
in their thousands. Can we afford to dispense ourselves from the duty
of organizing them well, in order to form them in all seriousness?
All of this is an abiding duty, not a novelty.
22. CO-OPERATORS
17th May 1965 - When the document concerning the co-operators had been
approved by popular acclaim, the Rector Major, at the request of some
members of the Chapter, thought fit to make the following statement:
This approbation by popular acclaim lays an even greater responsibility
on the conscience of us all. Today, when the Church places so much store
by the various forms of lay apostolate, let the Salesians dedicate themselves
seriously to the duty of caring for our third family, and this in a
dynamic and modern way. This is necessary also from the point of view
of our own scarcity of personnel, and the precious collaboration the
co-operators can give to us.
He who through obedience works outside of the scholastic field, and
devotes himself zealously to the care of souls is never to be considered
a heterodox Salesian. (applause)
23 AUXILIARIES OF DON BOSCO
3rd /une, 196i -- Faced with the danger of an excessive widening of
our field of work, the Rector Major made the following precise observation:
Here there is no question of branching out into new works, but rather
q f seeking a higher quality of collaboration in our apostolate, by
means of these new forms of lay consecration. Auxiliaries as Fr. Ziggiotti
has already observed, may be considered as an avant-garde group among
women co-operators
24. DEDICATED LAYMEN
24th June, 1965 -- Following upon the communications concerning the Auxiliaries
of Don Busco, the Rector Major asked about possible experimentation
of the same nature for men, including some form of ´dedication´, either
but vows or by simple promises. When various points of view had been
heard, he brought the discussion to its conclusion as follows:
Today there are many laymen who wish to place themselves at the disposition
of the Church´s hierarchy, and the different congregations. Is it for
us to ignore these possibilities, or to foster them?
We are agreed that the idea seems very good. Let us see if, in the various
countries and different types of apostolic work, there arise possibilities
of starting some attempt at an activity of this nature. if experience
is gained in the matter, let us hear about it.
25. INSTRUMENTS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
2nd May, 1965 With the intention of underlining the importance of this
particular document, and the validity of the observations made, the
Rector Major had the following to say:
Let us take a realistic look at the person we are to educate. Can we
educate and form him in the way we did at a time when our houses were
proof against the influence of the world; or must we not rather form
him according to the circumstances in which today the confreres actually
find themselves? We run the risk of creating two different levels which
never really meet; that of the person who is performing the task of
formation, and that of the subject being educated. Formation of the
Salesian educator must therefore he one of our ;realest pre-occupations.
Can we go ahead using only prohibitions? If we do not really form the
conscience, prohibitions by themselves remain ineffective.
The atmosphere of evil which we everywhere breathe is more deadly than
smog; it is an atmosphere of the dolce vita. The problem of formation
requires the fusing together of two wills, that of the Rector and that
of the confreres. We must ask ourselves whether there are not many deficiences
in the formation we give. On many occasions
1 have the impression -- I fee; mortified in saying this that the coy
`,tires are too little formed, culturally and artistically Have we not
perhaps contributed towards this state of affairs?
There arc, for example many persons in the world who feel no great need
for cinema-going, and many too who even despise it, What then must we
say about the Salesian who cannot live without it, and who goes to the
cinema driven by an almost irresistible longing for distraction? This
also is a problem of formation.
The same thing applies in the case of our boys. In entertainments we
must not limit ourselves to films. There are other possibilities. which
other non-Salesian educationalists know how to employ so much better
than we do, as for example music, plays, sketches, touring, etc
We have confined ourselves so far to a rather negative view of films.
But there is also a very positive aspect, valuable in the education
of the confreres to a true human and priestly dignity. In this connection
we need a lead to follow, a methodology, and enlightened ideas. These
means of social communication will become increasingly more powerful
and of moment, and therefore we must find a way of makin g, use .nl
them to come to grips with the needs of our day.
26. DAILY MASS
5th. Pine, I965 - After two days of heated discussion on this question
the Rector Major intervened and said:
This discussion has been ample and passionate, sometimes harrowing,
but always free. Everybody here loves Don Bosco and loves the souls
for which we are responsible, but there are different ways of giving
this love concrete expression. Hence the debate has been so rich and
so profound over the last few days. Let us now in all sincerity come
to some conclusion, avoiding every ambiguity, so that we shay: have
clear ideas and clear directives which do not lend themselves to warring
or harmful interpretations
This problem is critical and essential, because we are not only Catholic
educators but Salesian educators. If it is true that we are not questioning
the value of daily Mass, we must decide how we
can use daily Mass more positively, making it acceptable and richer
in fruit. We must ask ourselves if, in the method we have followed hitherto,
we have not fallen victim, perhaps are not still falling victim, to
the perils which have been pointed out to us. Is it not possible, perhaps,
that the fundamental reason for all the unfavourable reactions towards
daily Mass has been the undue overloading of the whole business of piety,
making it heavy and wearisome.
Given therefore that the Mass is essential, as all recognize, we must
adroit that in certain places a method has often been used that was
in no way suitable. Now, faced with the problem of assistance at Mass,
are we to make good our mistakes with a hatchet or make an effort to
make assistance alive? In other words, have we to use a therapy which
is going to lead to the death of the practice, or a therapy which will
animate, which will give new life to our tradition? If this instrument
is not functioning in many places, then we must ask ourselves the reason.
We have heard a lot of ta.k of the boys, of their psychology. hut there
has heen very little emphasis upon the educators themselves. What have
these educators done, what are they doing to carry into effect some
method which wiii help the boys to assist consciously, with active,
fruitful participation the kind of participation we have been talking
about? Has it been the fault of the Mass, or has it been our fault?
Now this problem, like every other problem, is not something self-contained.
The method of participation at Mass is connected with the diversity
of country and with the complexity of our works, which are so heterogeneous
in their rotas. What have we done not just this year, but in the past,
to face this problem methodically? We must say something, by way of
reminder, to the confreres who are expecting some sort of statement
from this Chapter.
What, for example, have we done at the beginning of the school year
in order to encourage those boys who have barely arrived in the college
to assist and to participate with interest and with fruit at holy Mass?
Many of them are coming to college for the first time and scarcely know
what the Mass is. Nowadays, methods, complete methods, to ensure that
the Mass shou ´d he duly prized and should become the real centre of
the day.
Again, we should ask ourselves, would the practical elimination of daily
Mass improve the situation, helping us to make good whatever we have
lost?
We must face the fact that the growth of our work has been almost like
the growth of a tumor --- at times I call this growth elephantine -
for we have boys with different needs, we have diversity both in numbers
and in age groups. At times I have observed with pain how boys of ten
and boys of twenty have gone into church together; this is a practice
which is certainly not formative. There are local differences and multiplicities
of work which have found no mention in this document. There are other
countries in which the problem does not exist, as for example in Vietnam
and in Ireland, where few begin the day without holy Mass.
It seems to me therefore, that the solutions which have been proposed
should he revised. They should be presented, above all, in a positive,
concrete form. The entire congregation should be reminded of the responsibility
which every confrere has of educating the boys to a perceptive conscious
Christianity of the kind the Church demands today. The commission, setting
great store by the observations made, should put before the assembly
other proposals, at the same time preserving the principles at stake
and taking into account the varied situation. (applause)
9th June, 1965 - Voting having been completed on article I of the document
concerning daily Mass the Rector Major considered it opportune to clarify
the authentic meaning of this approved text and he spoke as follows:
There can be no doubt that with this vote the entire Salesian community,
all our confreres, have been mobilized for the sacramental education
of our pupils. What, after such long discussion, we have voted on now
becomes for us an immediate duty: if we do not observe it we shall be
faced with failure. We must tackle the whole matter in a concrete way.
We must always keep advancing.
I am talking to Salesians about Salesians. In this document there has
been used a word which today is not very favourably received, even psychologically:
obligation! This is a word which concerns first of all the Salesians.
They must feel their obligation, as educators and as priests, of making
the boys love the Mass, making them under-
stand it, making them live it. This is an obligation for men of principle,
the priests, the Salesians. Anyone who already finds himself in conditions
which favour daily Mass must feel himself obliged to improve such conditions.
No educator ought to deceive himself about this question of participating
at Mass; in other words it is not enough to have a merely passive presence
reluctantly put up with. This is something which we must call to the
attention of those who are in authority, so that they may fall into
line with ideas of this kind. The first need is to make people understand
the problem: in other words, Mass must not be seen as a practice carried
out in obedience to a law, but as the means of nourishing our whole
life, today and tomorrow.
Consequently, it is necessary that we develop the spirit of Salesians
along these lines: if the problem of daily Mass is a hard one, difficult
and thorny, this is to be attributed in large part not to the boys,
but to the Salesians. I do not intend to indulge in generalizations.
Let us try to create this spirit of understanding of enthusiasm. But
to believe in this we have first of all to be convinced of it. Let us
work hard to ensure that participation at Mass is not merely physical
- that is not enough - but conscious and active. To achieve this our
efforts need to be gradual, systematic, intelligent. We have to be quite
clear what we want and where we are going to get it. It is not enough
to send the boys into church in great numbers; we are concerned with
educating them, with carrying them along with us, heart and soul and
will. We have therefore to work out some complete method which will
bring them to the conscious practice of assisting at Mass. Now, here
there arises naturally a whole series of problems which will differ
from country to country, according to the age of the pupils, I t is
therefore no use being content with mere improvizations. We need to
meet together, to study the question at different levels, whether interprovincial,
provincial or local. It is not merely a question of the catechist or
the Rector doing their part, but of the whole community: in other words
this a question of collective responsibility.
This deliberation must mean a step forward, not backwards. It is true
that the third article of the document takes into account the particular
situations which may arise for a variety of causes. But
having taken this into account, the general principle remains valid,
and this deliberation must be considered as a forward drive and not
as a cancelling out. We must all of us feel it our duty to go forward.
Permit me another observation. In every country we have particular responsibilities
towards the Church, even before our responsibilities to the congregation.
What have we done in our schools to form an elite? Today this is most
important; if an elite is not coming from our Catholic schools, where
is it to come from? Are the few hours of school each day enough for
this task? Do not let us deceive ourselves : we have to make our mark
on souls. Let us face this task
:
what are we doing to build for tomorrow? It is not enough to be content
with the passing satisfaction of the moment: we have to concern ourselves
with cultural, religious, sacramental, eucharistic formation. We all
know, and we are all convinced, that it is much more important to form
a true conscience than to cling to some mere external practice. Let
us therefore face the practical consequences.
We have all of us been profoundly impressed by the steady development
of Communism. We do not. however, defend ourselves against it only by
instituting social reforms, but, above all, by forming true Christians.
We need a sound religious basis.
We, therefore, have to go out from here full of conviction which we
are going to pass on to our own confreres. Our programme is this: the
formation of an elite. We must achieve this; we must strive with determination
towards this end. Such must be the interpretation of the document we
approved yesterday, if we are not to betray Don Bosco and the Church.
(prolonged applause)
27. VARIOUS MATTERS
10th. June, 1965 -- The following are the replies made by the Rector
Major, following some questions made on the previous evening.
The history of the congregation: It will be the duty of the superiors
to develop fully the history of our institutions and of all that is
best in our system. However, in order to carry out this programme, it
is necessary that there should be collaboration between all those who
can help.
Poverty: There is a saying that is already becoming quite common : The
Salesians are rich." It is true that many confuse the grandeur
of our buildings and undertakings with affluence. However, let us try
to make sure that we do not give any support to such regrettable comments.
Let us seek to act at all times with discretion, and let us show that
sense of economy and of frugality which people expect from us.
It has also been noted that there is a great deal of difference of treatment
in the different houses, The Provincials should see to it that these
differences are reduced to a minimum. There should not be any excesses
in those houses which are blessed with more financial means, and steps
should be taken to cut down any abuses. In the the equipment of our
own living quarters we should also observe the criteria of poverty.
The higher the level that we achieve in those parts of the house which
are devoted to the education of the boys, according to the needs of
the country, so much the greater should be our own dedication to poverty
in our personal lives.
Permissions ; Do not let us get the idea that once we have permission
everything is all right. Let us remember what our own Mgr. Olivares
used to say to Rectors : "Even with all our carefully obtained
permissions it is still possible to go straight to hell." This
is a responsibility which we should all face.
Second Novitiate : This is a problem which is worthy of our study, even
if it does present some difficulties. We do not wish to put any obstacle
in the way of this generous appeal... this desire which has been expressed
by so many confreres. The idea should be studied and elaborated so that
we can arrive at some kind of initial experiment.
28. CONCLUDING DISCOURSE
10th June, 1965, eleven o´clock - amidst the obvious emotion of all
those present the Rector Major said a few fatherly words by way of conclusion
to so much hard and generous work.
So many times we have raised our hands in order to express our vote,
our will. Today we can raise both our arms as we send up to the good
God a cry of gratitude.
As one looks back it is staggeringly impressive to see the mountain
of work which we have been able to realize. "A terrifying labour"
in the words of one of the delegates here present. So many have in fact
laboured into the night! Not only the members of the Chapter but all
the collaborators, beginning with the secretaries, have been prodigal
of their services in this way. Together with them, behind the scenes,
how many other confreres have co-operated in order to bring about the
success of this General Chapter! Think of all the various offices which
were involved in bringing our work to completion. To all these we give
our thanks and our grateful prayers. I would wish that this collaboration,
so generous, so ready, so full of self-sacrifice, but always cheerful
and joyous, should serve as a great lesson, as a message to our confreres:
it should serve to remind us that our work must be a work of solidarity,
based on a united community, all aiming at the same ideals.
Apart from thanking God and all those who have co-operated with us,
allow me to make to all a most heartfelt invitation to go forth from
this Chapter with one heart and in perfect agreement. We have engaged
in lively discussions, sometimes rather keenly, but always with a keen
priestly and Salesian feeling. With this meeting, however, the time
of discussion comes to an end and there begins the fruitful period for
putting it into practice. Let us seek above all to persuade our own
confreres that they may be ever more convinced. Secondly, let us seek
with all our power to promote the execution of what has been decided
here. Let us strive with wise firmness to be the energetic executors
of whatever has been laid down, following not only the letter but also
the spirit. Only by such unanimity can the enormous labours of these
two months be transformed into living reality. As a spur we have the
encouragement directed to us by Pope Paul VI in the unforgettable audience
which he gave to all the Chapter.
Let us remain united even if our work sometimes keeps us apart. It is
with painful regret that I see come to an end this period that we have
lived together in a climate of such affection and heartfelt communion,
even though we have at times expressed different ideas. Let us remain
united in caritate, in the memory of these laborious months, in the
will to be of help to our confreres.
Together with Mary! Do you remember that thought which 1 gave to you
a little while ago : We with you and you with us"? and that other
thought: "Mother of this Church, Mother of the congregation? "
With her help we can see to it that every day each one of us is a factor
verhi, a doer of all that has been said, discussed, decided upon.
Let us all become doers in order to build up a living Don Bosco in this
second century of the existence of our congregation. Let us be humble
but efficacious doers of the word? Fuxit Deus! Let us go forward for
Don Bosco and for the Church!
At this moment which is so charged with emotion for all of us, I invite
you to turn your hearts and your minds to those confreres who are separated
from us by painful circumstances which we all know. Let us turn to them
a thought and a prayer which is warm with love. Liberu eos ex omnibus
tribulationihus Buis. May q ur Lord hear our prayed
MESSAGE FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE 191h GENERAL CHAPTER TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SALESIAN CONGREGATION
Rome, 17th May, 1965.
Dear Confreres
1. We are near you with a fraternal memento, and with our
prayers; we are thinking of you, spread as you are throughout every
continent in your own native countries or abroad in mission lands, witnesses
to Jesus Christ, enjoying liberty or suffering in silence.
You it is who have prepared this General Chapter with apostolic
zeal and preoccupation to an extent never seen in previous Chapters
We know that you are following our work with lively attention
with hope, and perhaps with some uneasiness; there can be no doubt that
you are following it with fervent prayer.
Be assured that whilst you are in the field working for souls, we are
working for the same souls as your true representatives, making your
problems our own, hoping not to belie your hopes.
In the Chapter we have felt the presence of all the congregation; and
we hope that this message will he a proof of our true union with each
one of you.
2. We think that we can affirm that this Chapter will take on a particular
significance in the history of our congregation.
In the encyclical Ecclesiam Suam, Pope Paul VI has defined the work
of the Council in these words: "We believe that today it is the
Church´s duty to deepen the knowledge it should have of itself and of
the mission it must fulfil in the world."
Analogous to this is the fundamental task of our Chapter: to help the
congregation in this decisive phase in the history of the Church to
deepen its knowledge of itself, of its originality, of its vocation
in the mission of the Church.
Our strong desire is to learn The will of God as regards our congregation
today, and then to carry it out faithfully.
To reach this goal we are trying first of all to go back to our authentic
origins: to the spirit, to the intentions, to the charisms proper to
Don Bosco, the saint so clearly raised up by God.
Knowing that the will of God is shown forth in providential events,
we proclaim our firm, prompt, and generous adherence to the decisions
of Vatican Council II and to the apostolic renewal to which it has given
rise.
Following Don Bosco, we wish to re-invigorate in ourselves that senstus
Iicclesiae, our awareness of being in and of the Church, and to give
our support to its gigantic efforts in this historic moment.
In particular the Church in the Council has reawakened to the fact that
it is the ´Church of the poor´. We also proclaim that it is our firm
resolution to dedicate ourselves to all modern youth but particularly
to the young who are poor and abandoned, to those children of the working
class to whom we have been called as sons of Don Bosco
We resolve to get to know the youth and people of today better, to love
them in the reality of their true situations and to answer their needs
and their most urgent appeals.
3. We have begun this task of orientation in our Chapter. It is a complex
one; we are 150 in all, representatives of a congregation that is spread
over 69 countries of the world. Problems differ from one place to another.
We differ in age and experience, and still more in mentality and sensibilities.
It is not surprising therefore, that although we all have the same love
for Don Bosco and the young, we have experienced some difficulty in
finding a uniform solution to our problems. But it is one of the beauties
of the Salesian family spirit that it allows for frank and open discussion
and mutual exchange of opinions. After a period of keen and arduous
research and study, in that truly universal spirit of St. John Bosco,
we have attained to
happy unity centred around the person of his sixth successor, Fr. Aloysius
Ricceri. Whilst we respect the differences that exist amongst us and
fraternally overcome them, we wish to enrich ourselves with the contribution
each one has to offer. In the same apostolic spirit expressed in the
motto of Don Bosco da rriihi animas, and in the spirit of constructive
charity, with mutual comprehension and esteem we work for the up-dating
of our congregation.
4. Our work is in progress and it will continue yet for some weeks.
We have dealt with vocations and aspirantates, with liturgical life
and piety, with our apostolate amongst the young and in the parishes,
with our co-operators, past pupils, oratories, and with the adult apostolate.
Conscious of our responsibilities and with an eye on reality, we wish
to make a clear examination of our problems, excluding none and evading
none that have a real and urgent importance. Whilst we prepare new orientations
and dispositions we need the support of your loyal confidence, and we
know that this you will give us most willingly.
5. But allow us to remind you, and first of all to remind ourselves,
what our revered Fr. Ziggiotti pointed out to us when he presented us
with the list of subjects to be discussed at the Chapter: All external
changes and new orientations, he said, however excellent they may he,
will he of no avail if our hearts as religious apostles are not re-inflamed
and our spirits deeply renewed. It is to this renewing of our religious
and apostolic conscience that in this most important hour we call all
confreres from the youngest to the most venerable, novices clerics,
coadjutors and priests.
The essential element of this renewal is this: let us renew in ourselves
the sense of our religious consecration to Jesus Christ and to God,
our Father.
Let us acquire a deeper conviction of this truth, that it may sustain
and animate our life in a practical way each day.
It is Christ Himself Who through His Church invites us to seek for souls
redeemed by His Precious Blood, and Who is the only saving force and
Who makes use of us in proportion to our religious fervour, and to Whom
we offer with joyful loyalty the holocaust of our vows
it is this offering which predisposes us to the love of souls and to
the service of the Church, as His Holiness Pope Pau´ VT attests in his
paternal exhortation.
6. Let us renew in its totality and with trust the practice of religious
obedience, the holocaust of our own will offered to God by submission
to lawful superiors who exercise their authority with respect and with
father;y affection and brotherly love.
It is filial and docile obedience that will make it possible to assume
many and heavy responsibilities, and to face up with greater courage
to the new tasks that await us.
The love of a poverty freely embraced, which sets us free from earthly
lies, will be strengthened by the flight from seeking for ease and comfort
which undermines religious life; let it be a practical poverty as required
by the modern nature of our apostolate, but let it always be a means
of self-denial and of sacrifice for every single member, for the community,
and for the furtherance of the work itself.
Let chastity he our joy and shining witness, a chastity reinforced by
our interior union with Jesus Christ to whom we have consecrated all
our affections and our whole body. In the exercise of continual mortification
and carefu; custody of the senses, and in the uncompromising severity
of our evangelical and Salesian ideals, let us firmly maintain our capacity
to love Jesus in souls so violently attacked by naturalist doctrines
and worldly behaviour.
7. With one heart and one soul in the bonds of fraternal charity let
us share in the riches of community life, generously accepting the daily
demands it makes on us, since it permits us by its guarantee of family
discipline to love and serve Jesus Christ with greater enemy
The Salesian, in the totality of his religious consecration, closely
united to the life of Christ, has the certainty of being a true apostle,
a man abounding in energy and happy in the thought of his complete dedication.
May the anguished reminder of our father Don Bosco in his last wit!
and testament comfort us and urge us on: "Let us be on our guard,
lest love of the world, undue affection for our relations or the desire
for an easier life lead us to make the great mistake of profaning
our sacred vows and so trample on our religious profession by which
we have consecrated ourselves to Our Lord. Let none of us take back
what he has given to God."
8. Concluding this message, we turn to her whom Don Bosco called the
real foundress of the congregation, the most loving Virgin Mary, whom
our new Rector Major, Fr. Aloysius Ricceri, recently called Mater huiias
Ecclesiae, the mother of this capitular assembly, and still more the
mother of the entire congregation. We are here as though in the cenacle
where she is present. She is more than ever our helper. To her fidelity
to the congregation let us respond with our fidel ´ty, renewing our
consecration to her.
9. We shall have the privilege and the joy of bringing to our common
Father, Pope Paul VI, in a special audience which he will accord us
before the feast of Mary Help of Christians, these sentiments of ours
which are most certainly yours also.
We shall listen with attentive and fervent hearts to the directives
which the Holy Father will give our congregation, and as sons of Don
Bosco we shall pledge him full loyaity and generous obedience
Dear confreres, a difficult and magnificent task awaits us in the Church
of today. Let us thank God for having bestowed on us the immense honour
of allowing us to work for Him in the Salesian congregation. Let us
be generous in fulfilling our duty so as not to fail the multitude of
souls awaiting us.
In union of prayer and with fraternal sentiments, we are
Your confreres
The members of the 19th General Chapter.
CHRONICLE OF THE 19th GENERAL CHAPTER
The special news-letters sent out to the houses during the General Chapter
have already given the confreres a good knowledge of the Chapter´s proceedings,
and accordingly this chronicle proposes to be only a resume of the events.
1. The retreat in preparation for the General Chapter began on the evening
of April 8th at the PAS, Rome. The instructions were preached by the
Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Gonzalez del Pino, Provincial of the Antilles,
and the meditations by Very Rev. Fr. Peter Zerbino, editor of the Italian
"Salesian Bulletin". Holy Mass was concelebrated daily by
the Very Rev. Rector Major, Fr. Renato Ziggiotti, together with six
members of the Chapter three Provincials and three delegates.
After the retreat, the members of the Chapter were able to assist at
the various Holy Week services held in the Roman basilicas, and on Easter
Sunday they were present at the Holy Father´s Mass and the celebration
held in St. Peter´s Square.
2. A list of those taking part in the General Chapter is given elsewhere.
Of note is the absence of the Provincial from the North Polish Province,
whose government refused an attendance-permit. Similarly, Hungary, Bohemia,
and Slovakia were not represented.
Present by special invitation of the Rector Major, but without voting
rights were : Very Rev. Fr. Sante Gat-elk, delegate of the Rector Major
for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; Very Rev. Fr. William
Ainsworth, provincial delegate for South Africa; and, for some sittings,
Fr. Charles Fiore, of the Salesian youth centre.
The following confreres were invited as experts on the capitular commissions,
and, according to their special qualifications, were present at various
meetings of the Chapter:
Bro. FRANCIS BERRA : member of the central technical office for the
Salesian professional schools.
Fr. GINO BORCOGNO: national delegate for oratories
Fr. PETER BRAmmO : president of the I.S.P. (The Higher Institute of
Pedagogy).
Fr. CAIPTAN BRUNO: dean of the faculty of Canon Law at the PAS.
Fr. Al.orstus CALONGHI : professor of methodology and statistical psychology
at the I.S.P.
Fr. GINo CORALLO: lecturer in pedagogy at the state university of Bari.
Bro. FRANCIS CRIVF.LI.ARO: head of the professional school at
Ponte Mammolo, Rome.
Fr. LAD!SLAO CSONKA: professor of methodology and the history of catechetics,
at the I.S.P.
Fr. jUVENAL DUO: professor of pedagogical methodology at the I.S.P.
Fr. Emil. FOG1.fAsso : professor of public Church Law at the PAS. Fr.
CAIETAN FRANC1 : secretary to the head offices of the Salesian professional
schools
Fr. j osE.Pll GEMMEL1.ARO : professor of social doctrine at the PAS.
Fr. PEi ER GIAKOLA : lecturer in pedagogical methodology at the 1.S.P.
Fr, PETER GRASSO: professor of social psychology at the I.S.P.
Fr. EMMANUEl, GUTIERRE7: professor of differential psychology
at the I.S.P.
Fr. ANTHONY IAVIERRE : dean of the theological faculty at the
PAS.
Fr, GuSTAVUS LECLERC : professor of international law at the PAS. Fr.
VINCENT SINISTRERO: professor of law and school legislation
at the I.S.P.
Fr, Al.ptloNsus STICKLER: Rector Magnificus of the PAS.
3. The General Chapter began its work on Easter Monday, April 19th.
Al´, the members of the Chapter gathered ,in the chapel for the singing
of the Venn Creator, after which the Very Rev. Rector
Major outlined the chief motives behind the calling of .the Chapter,
namely, the election of the Superior Chapter and the study of questions
of supreme moment for the whale congregation. He remarked that the amount
of material contained in the proposals sent in from the various Provinces
was extremely vast, and this had been carefully examined, sorted and
co-ordinated by the Superior Chapter and the, pre-capitular commissions,
He therefore urged those present to invoke .the light of the Holy Spirit
upon the work awaiting them. Benediction was then given.
The Chapter members then went into the hall used for the plenary sessions,
where they were given copies of the various schemes prepared by the
pre-capitular commissions. Also on view and available were the proposals
sent ,n by the Provinces, and by individual Salesians.
The Rector Major nominated as secretaries. according to the norms of
the Constitutions: the Very Rev. Frs. Michael De Paolis. Francis Laconi
and Bernard Tohill; after his election to the Superior Chapter, the
Iatter was replaced as secretary by the Very Rev, Fr. John Ter Schulte.
Later, because of the difficulty and the amount of work involved, it
was found necessary to nominate another team of secretaries to aid the
first. The members were: Fr. No Paltrinieri, Fr. Rosario Stroscio, and
Fr. Decius Teixeira. The two teams shared out the work, one covering
the morning session and the other the afternoon session. Similarly,
the Very Rev. Rector Major appointed another Moderator to aid the original
sole Moderator, the Very Rev. Fr. Archimedes Pianazzi, the second Moderator
being the Very Rev. Fr. Peter Garnero, and these also alternated in
the exercise of their duties.
The following commissions were established : I. organization 2. apostolate
for youth. 3. apostolate other than youth work. 4. coadjutors and professional
schools. 5. formation of the young. 6. Salesian formation. 7. Constitutions
and Regulations. 8. regulations for the Genera! Chapter. 9, capitular
publications.
Each of these commissions divided up into sub-commissions, according
to need, and set about its work.
During the first week, the Chapter members heard two most interesting
conferences, one entitled "The origins of Don Bosco´s
work" - given by Fr. Peter Braido, the other entitled "The
Second Vatican Council and the Salesian congregation" - given by
Fr. Peter Brocardo. These had as their objective to throw light on the
two guiding principles of the General Chapter, namely, the spirit of
Don Bosco and the spirit of the Council.
qn Sunday the 25th April. the Chapter members attended the solemn ceremony
at which H:s Eminence Cardinal Callori di Vignale took possession of
the temple of St. John Bosco as his titular church. His Eminence is
descended from a family whose members were great friends and benefactors
of Don Bosco.
4. When the commissions had completed their work, the first document
to be discussed in a plenary session was on the regulations for the
General Chapter.
The election of the Rector Major took place on April 27th, after Very
Rev. Fr, Renato Ziggiotti had celebrated the votive Mass of the Holy
Spirit. On the previous evening, at the Good Night, the Rector Major
had made it quite clear, as he had at other times hinted, that he had
the intention of declining acceptance of an eventual re-election. Fr.
Antal was similarly minded. Before the election of the Rector Major,
there were first elected - according to the Constitutions - the secretaries,
in this instance, Fr. Mario Picchi and Fr. Henry Delacroix, and the
scrutineers, in this instance, Fr. Mario Quilici, Fr. Aloysius Fiora,
and Fr. foseph Costanzo.
There were two ballots for the election of the Rector Major. After the
second, when he had obtained the absolute majority of votes, and had
accepted election, the Very Rev. Aloysius Ricceri was solemnly proclaimed
Rector Major. His first words may be read in their entirety in the text
included in the documents. After referring to the limitations Ile felt
regarding the office assigned to him, he said: "Amongst all these
limitations there is one from which 1 feel I do not suffer. namely,
a limitation of my dedication and obedience to God and to the congregation."
The members of the Chapter then paid their respects to the Rector Major.
passing before him individually to receive his embrace.
That evening, after supper, the confreres gave utterance in many languages
- as at a new Pentecost to their gratitude
towards the Very Rev. Fr. Renato Ziggiotti, ahd their heartfelt good
wishes for Very Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ricceri.
5. After this central event, the commissions continued their work, and
a number of plenary sittings were held until Monday, May 3rd., the day
on which the members of the Superior Chapter were elected. In the morning
at the first ballot and by absolute majority, the following Very Rev.
Fits, were elected : Fr. Alvin Fedrigotti (prefect general), Fr. Modesto
Bellido (catechist genera]), Fr. Roger Pilla (economer general). In
the afternoon, again at the first ballot, the following Very Rev. Frs.
were elected as Consultors. : Fr. Guy Borra, Fr. Peter Garnero, Fr,
Ernest Giovannini, Fr. Archimedes Pianazzi, and Fr. Bernard Tahiti
6. On May 7th, in the plenary session, the Very Rev. Rector Major gave
an important talk on the spirit of peaceful union, which at the same
time respects the liberty and the opinions of all. He called on the
Chapter members to work in a spirit of enlightened and brotherly understanding,
with the object of achieving an evermore constructive and speedy collaboration.
Although the work of the commissions continued almost through to the
close of the Chapter. nevertheless, various documents had been sufficiently
elaborated to allow an almost continual succession of plenary assemblies,
starting immediately on May 8th, There began therefore the discussion
on the themes ´care of vocations´ and ´aspirantates´.
On May 8th, in the evening, the co-operators of Rome came in great numbers
to pay enthusiastic tribute to the new Rector Major and his Chapter.
Included in this gathering were various dignitaries, such as Cardinal
Frederick Callori di Vignale, His Excellency the i-lonourahle Bernard
Mattarella, Minister for Foreign Trade. Doctor Amerigo Petrucci, Lord
Mayor of Rome and His Excellency Ernest Eula, President of the international
Institute for the Unification of Law. The celebration proved to be homely,
most friendly, and yet solemn at the same time, not only by reason of
the personalities attending but especially on account of the very moving
tributes of esteem, in the paying of which the orators vied with one
another, when they spoke either of the Rector Major himself or of the
work of the Salesian congregation.
7. The first part of May saw the visits of yet other important personages,
notable amongst whom were His Eminence Cardinal Cicognani, Secretary
of State of His Holiness, His Eminence Cardinal Aloysius Masella Cardinal
Protector of our society, His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Cento, Major
Penitentiary and Mgr. Dell´Acqua, Substitute for Ordinary Affairs to
the Secretary of State.
The Honourable O. Scalfaro, a member of the Italian parliament, and
a friend of the Rector Major and of the Salesian work in general, said,
amongst other things, during a dinner speech to the members of the Chapter:
"Amongst all the things which you have accomplished during the
Chapter, the thing which so far has made the greatest impression upon
public opinion has been the retirement of Don Ziggiotti. This is a new
illustration o a most important lesson for the lives of many people,
above all in the Iife of the Church. We are all too accustomed to admire
those climbing up the rungs of the ladder, and here it is a case of
underlining the truth that a man is so much the nobler in descending
that ladder with such great dignity."
On Sunday 16th May, the Rector Major. accompanied by all the members
of the Chapter, went to bless the site of the future institute of pedagogy
of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, which will he erected less
than half a mile away from the buildings of the PAS.
During these days the themes under discussion were ´liturgical life
and piety´, ´apostolate to youth´, ´parishes´ and `oratories´. The topic
of the past pupils was briefly touched upon, but the appropriate document
was not fully discussed, as certain negotiations and understandings
with the movement´s organizers were not yet complete. The document on
´co-operators´ was approved by popular acclaim, without discussion,
in tribute to Fr. Ricceri, until recently Consultor for the cooperators.
There was discussed instead the document, the apostolate other than
youth work,´
On Friday the 21st May, all the members of the Chapter went to the Vatican
to he received in audience by the Pope. This was a day ea-;erly awaited,
a :f_iy of emotion and of enthusiasm, The Pope´s speech to the Chapter
members will be found on page 295 but not included are certain asides
which the Pope inserted into the prepared text, phrases which aroused
the greatest enthusiasm amongst the hearers, as for example : "And
who is there who does not wish the
Salesians well?"... "You do not lack courage. Indeed how could
it be possible for the sans of Don Bosco to be wanting in courage?..."
8. After May 20th, discussions began on the topic ´means of social communication´,
the document varia was examined, and then, at last, there came the document
which was at once both the most eagerly-awaited and the most far-reaching
in its implications, namely, ´organization of the congregation´. The
debate on this topic lasted until the end of the month. When this was
completed there began the examination of the following documents : ´religious
formation´, ´houses of formation´, ´the Salesian coadjutor´, ´the missions´,
´the formation of youth´.
The rhythm of work was fast and constant, the whole day being taken
up with plenary sessions or commission meetings, these latter often
continuing into the night. In spite of this, no topic was any less intensely
examined when it came up for discussion.
On June 4th, His Eminence Cardinal Antoniutti, Prefect of the Sacred
Congregation of Religious, honoured the General Chapter with a visit,
and gave a most important discourse on the religious life, the full
text of which may be found on page 301.
9. June 8th saw the beginning of the examination of the document on
the revision of the Constitutions and Regulations. There were studied
also certain items from other documents which had been referred to the
commissions for revision. The document ´our religious life today´ was
discussed and approved. This matter had not found a place as an independent
document during discussions prior to the General Chapter. although it
was a matter in which many confreres and provincial councils had expressed
lively interest. According to the wish of the Very Rev. Rector Major,
this document was sent out immediately as a message from the Chapter
to the whole congregation anticipating the official promulgation of
the capitular deliberations.
On the 9th June, the moderator of the Chapter read out a motion which
called on the Major Superiors to consider the possibility of introducing
the cause of beatification and canonization of the revered Fr. Peter
Berruti, and to recommend Salesians all over the world to imitate his
virtuous life, and invoke his powerful interces-
son, that God might be glorified in this most faithful servant of His,
This motion was greeted by the assembly with enthusiastic applause.
During the course of the same meeting there was introduced another motion,
signed by 90 members of the General Chapter, which requested the transference
of the mother house from Turin to Rome. Amidst applause, the Rector
Major emphasized the convenience and desirability of such a move, provided
that the many technical factors requiring study could all be worked
into a satisfactory plan
On fune 10th, there was held the 64th and final plenary meeting of the
I9th GeneraI Chapter. In his closing discourse, the Rector Major expressed
his thanks, and bade the members farewell, in the words which will be
found elsewhere in this chronicle, together with the text of his other
speeches.
When the Rector Major had finished speaking, the moderator - with the
assent of the whale assembly - declared the 19th General Chapter closed,
and signed the official minutes of its proceedings.
LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE 19th GENERAL CHAPTER
1 FR. RENATO ZIGGIOTTI, Rector Major
2. FR. ALVIN FEDRIGOTTI, Prefect
3. FR. JOHN ANTAL, Spiritual Director
4. FR. ROGER PILLA, Econamer
5. FR. ARCHIMEDES PIANAZZI, Consultor for Studies
6. FR. ERNEST GIOVANNINI, Consultor for Schools of Arts & Trades
7. FR. GUY BORRA, Consultor
8. FR. ALOYSIUs RICCERI, Consultor
9. FR. MODESTO BELLIDO, Consultor
10. FR. TIBURTIUS LUPO, Secretary
11. FR. ALOYSIUS CASTANO, Procurator
PROVINCIALS AND DELEGATES
12. FR. ADAM CIESI,AR (Cracow, Poland) 13. FR. AUGUSTINE DZIEDZIEI.
14. FR. EMIL CORRALES (Zamora, Spain) 15. FR. EMMANUEL LORENZO
16. FR. VINCENT GARNERO (Cordova, Argentine)
17. FR. VICTOR GIRAUDO
18. FR. ALOYSIUS RAMASSO (Buenos Aires, Argentine)
19. FR. MARIUS PICCHI1
20. FR. PETER GARNERO (Sao PaOIO, Brazil) 21. FR. MARIUS QUILICI
22. FR. ALFRED COGLIANDRO (Philippines)
23. FR. CHARLES BRAGA
24. FR. CAESAR ARACRI (Novara, Italy)
25. FR. IVAN PALTRINIERI
26. FR. SECONDO DE BERNARDI (Central America)
27. FR. MICHAEL OBANDO
28. FR. ALOYSIUS PILOTTO (Subalpina, Italy)
29. FR. ALOYSIUS FIORA
30. FR. JOSEPH GILIBERTI (Rector of Mother House)
31. FR. JOHN DAI.KMANN (Japan)
32. FR. CI.ODovEO TASSINARI
33. FR. AI.RER1 LopEz ( Mexico City Mexico)
34. FR. MAURO RoDRIGUEZ
35. FR. JOSEPH GONZALEZ DEL PINO (Antilles)
36. FR. MARIUS BORGONOVO
37. FR. BARTHOLOMEW TOME ´ (Venice, Italy)
38. FR. EVARISTO MARCOALDI
39. FR. ALOYSIUS LE1NFELDER (Munich, Germany)
40. FR. GEORGE SOLL
41. FR. PHILIP SALVERTI (La Plata, Argentine)
42. FR. EMIL HERNANDO
43. FR. FRANCIS LACONI (Middle East)
44. FR. WILLIAM MORAZZANI
45. FR. BERNARD THRILL (San Francisco, United States)
46. FR. JOSEPH COSTANZO
47. FR. JOSEPH S´rRUS (Lodz, Poland)
48. FR. STANISLAUS ROKiTA
49, FR. XAVIER DE BONIS
50. FR. ROGEI.IO
51. FR. PETER CICCARELLI (Genoa, Italy)
52. FR. JOHN RAINERI -
53. FR. LOUIS ZANELLA (Verona, Italy)
54. FR. ANGELO BLANCO
55. FR. GERARD GR1ISPEERT (St. Peter, Belgium)
56. FR. ROGER VAN SEVEREN
57. FR. PAUL. COENRAETS (St. Lambert, Belgium)
58. FR. HENRY DELACROIX
59. FR. JOSEPH PEERLINC.K (Central Africa)
60. FR. MARCEL VINC..K
61. FR. ANTHONY MARRONE (Naples, Italy)
62. FR. ADOLPH L´ARCO
63. FR. ORESTES PAVIOTTI (Gauhati, India)
64. FR. RR SIO MORRA
65. FR. ALOYStu5 GONZALEZ (Guadalajara. Mexico)
66. FR. FRANCIS SANCHEZ
67. FR. MAXIMILIAN FRANCOY (Madrid, Spain)
68. FR. JULIAN OCANA
69. FR. AuGi:S DINE BENITO (Cordova, Spain)
70, FR. PACIFICO MEDINA
71. FR. ALOYSIUS VIOIANTE: (Bari, Italy)
72. FR. NICHOLAS NANNOLA
73. FR. PErER PRADE (Belo IIoriz[Inle, Brazil)
74. FR. DF.CIUS TEIXEIRA
75. FR. ALGUSTUS BOSIO (New Rochelle, United States)
76, FR. JOSEPH TYMINSKI
77. FR. GERARD GRIES (Austria)
78. FR. GEORGE N ITSCH
79. FR. A>_:Rr.r_IUS PISC:IIEDDA (Cuenca, Ecuador)
80. FR. ALOYSIus CAR07.I.U
81. FR. EMIL HERNA NDEL (Bilbao, Spain)
82. FR. AI.OYSIUS PUYADENA
83. MICHAEL GHIGO (Manaus, Brazil)
84. FR. ALOYSILIS VENZON
85. FR. MICHAEL DE PAOLIS ( Uruguay)
86. FR. ANDREW RUBIO
87. FR. ISAIAH OIEDA (Venezuela)
88. FR, JESUS CALDERON
89. FR. JOHN TER SCHURE (Holland)
90. FR. QUIR INUS MUTI1
91. FR. OSCAR VALENZUELA (Chile)
92. FR. GILES VIGANO
93. F. CAJETAN SCRIVO (Rome, Italy)
94. FR. PETER BROCARDO
95. FR. ELIO SCOTTI (Ancona, Italy)
96. FR. HECTOR MARIOTTO
97. FR. ALFRED BORTOLINI (Porto Alegre, Brazil)
98. FR. VIRGINIO FISTAROL
99. FR. PETER JELLICI (Thailand)
100. FR. ANDREW SANIT
101. FR. ALOYSIUS RODRIGUEZ (Bogota, Colombia)
102. FR. HECTOR JARAMILLO
103. FR. JOHN BRIZIO (Rosario, Argentine)
104. FR. ROBERT CROCE
105. FR. CHARLES CORDERO (Perù)
106. FR. EUGENE PENNATI
107. FR. CALOGERO CONTI (Catania, Italy)
108. FR. VINCENT SCUDERI
109. MARIUS BASSI (Milan, Italy)
110. FR. HUG!I DE CENSI
111. FR. JOSEPH ZAVATTARO (Centrale, Italy)
112. FR. HERMENGILD MURTAS
113. ALOYSIUS MASSIMINO (China)
114. FR. ALEXANDER MAC.IIL´Y
115. FR. GERARD CAMPOS (Recife, Brazil)
116. FR. ALOYSIUS ARAUJO
1I7. FR. LEONARD JACUZZI (Campo Grande, Brazil)
118. FR. NELSON POMBO
119. FR. JOHN GLOMBA (Bahia Blanca, Argentine)
120. FR. ITALO MARTIN
121. FR. IDELFONSO GIL (Medellin, Colombia)
122. FR. AI.OYSIUS FORERO
123. FR. WALLACE CORNELL (Australia)
124. FR. JOHN MURPHY
125. FR. EMIL PHALIPPOU (Lyons, France)
126. FR. JOSEPH AUBRY
127. FR. RAYMOND Di.AS (Paris, France)
128. FR. RENE GAUDILLIERE
129. FR. ALOYSIUS DE FIORE (Madras, India)
130. FR. JOSEPH MANJIL
131. FR. GEORGE WILLIAMS (Anglo-Irish)
132. FR. THOMAS HALL
133. FR. WILLIAM AINSWORTH (Delegate from South Africa)
134. FR. FRANCIS OLIVAN (Barcelona, Spain)
135. FR. ISIDORE SEGARRA
136. FR. JOSEPH CARBONELL (Valencia, Spain) x^
137. FR. ANTHONY MELIDA -
138. FR. AMBROSE DIAL (Seville, Spain)
139. FR. JOSEPH Ruiz OLMo
140. FR. WILLIAM DIEBOLD (Cologne, Germany)
141. FR. ALPIIONSUS MARTIN
142. FR. BENEDICT NUNES (Portugal)
143. FR. AMATORE ANJOS
144. FR. MARTIN JURCAK (Jugoslavia)
145. FR. NICHOLASLUBOVic
146. FR. HUMBERT SOLIS (Quito, Ecuador)
147. FR. ERNEST ALVAREZ
148. FR. MAURO CASAROTTI (Calcutta, India)
149. FR. ROSARIO STROSCIO
150. FR. JOSEPH GOTTARDI (Bolivia)
151. FR. ALBERT ARAMAYO
COMMISSIONS AND SUB-COMMISSIONS OF
THE 19th GENERAL CHAPTER
First Commission: Structure of the Congregation.
V. Rev. Fr. ROGER PILLA
Experts: FR. ALPHONSUS STICKLER
FR. PETER BRAIDO
FR. EMIL FOGLIASSO
Sub-commission A. General Chapter, Superior & Provincial Chapter
Members
Fr. Caesar Aracri Fr. Peter Garnero
Fr. Secondo De Bernardi Fr. Thomas Hall
Fr. Michael De Paolis Fr. Stanislaus Rokita
Fr. Aloysius Fiora Fr. Clodoveo Tassinari
Sub-committee B. Provincial, Rector
Members
Fr. !talo Martin Fr. Emil Corrales
Fr. Orestes Paviotti Fr. Augustine Dziedziel
Fr. Cajetan Scrivo Fr. Aloysius Leinfelder
Fr. Decius Teixeira Fr. Evaristo Marcoaldi
Fr. Paul Coenraets
Sub-commission C. Houses and Works
Members
Fr. Marius Borgonovo Fr. William Morazzani
Fr. J. Baptist Brizio Fr. George Soli
Fr. Joseph Carbonell Fr. John Ter Schure
Fr. Virginip Fistarol Fr. Noysius Violante
Fr. Idel£onso Gil
Second Commission: Apostolate of Youth.
V. Rev. Fr. GUY BORRA
Experts: FR. GINO BORGOGNO
FR. PETER GRASSO
Sub-Commission A. General Apostolate - Day and Boarding Schools. ,
Members
Fr. Gerard Campos Fr. Aloysius Massimino
Fr. Wallace Cornell Fr. Pacifico Medina
Fr. Joseph Giliberti Fr. Marius Quilici
Fr. Alexander Machuy Fr. Nicholas Nannola
Fr. Joseph Manjil Fr. Isaiah Ojeda
Fr. Hector Mariotto
Sub-commission B. Oratories, Parishes
Members
Fr. Peter Ciccarelli Fr. Gerard Grieb
Fr. Adam Cieslar Fr. Martin Jurcak
Fr. Joseph Costanzo Fr. Bartholomew Tome
Fr. Robert Croce Fr. Aloysius Venzon
Fr. Rogelio Duarte Fr. Marcellus Vinck
Fr. Rene Gaudillere
Third Commission: The Apostolate - other than Youth.
V. Rev. Fr. ALOYSIUS RICCERI
Experts: FR. ALOYSIUS CALONGHI
FR. JOSEPH GEMMELLARO
Sub-commision A. Means of Communication. Apostolate for different
groups. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Various Points.
Members
Fr. Jesus Calderon Fr. George Nitsch
Fr. Raymond Deas Fr. John Raineri
Fr. Ambrose Diaz Fr. Aloysius Ramasso
Fr. Sante Garelli Fr. Oscar Valenzuela
Fr. Hector Jaramillo
Sub-commission B Co-operators. Past Pupils
Members
Fr. Augustine Benito Fr. Anthony Marrone
Fr. Charles Cordero Fr. Nelson Pombo
Fr. Xavier De Bonis Fr. Andrew Sanit
Fr. Joseph Gonzales de Pino Fr. Humbert Solls
Fourth Commission: Coadjutors, Professional Schools.
V. Rev. Fr. ERNEST GIOVANNINI
Experts: FR. CAJETANFRANCHI
FR. PETER GIANOLA
FR. VINCENT SINISTRERO
COAD. FRANCISBERRA
COAD. FRANCIS CRIVELLARO
Sub-commission A. Formation of Coadjutors
Members
Fr. Augustus Bosio Fr. Marius Picchi
Fr. Henry Delacroix Fr. Aloysius Pilotto
Fr. Emmanuel De Lorenzo Fr. Aurelius Pischedda
Fr. Joseph Gottardi Fr. Philip Salvetti
Fr. Quirinus Muth Fr. Joseph Strus
Fr. Julian Ocana
Sub-commission B. Professional Schools
Members
Fr. Marius Bassi Fr. Ivan Paltrinieri
Fr. Gerard Grijspeert Fr. Aloysius Puyadena
Fr. Anthony Melida Fr. Aloysius Rodriguez
Fr. Francis Olivan Fr. Rosario Stroscio
Fifth Commission: Formation of Youth, Regulations for the Houses.
V. Rev. Fr. JOHN ANTAL
Experts: FR. GINO CORALLO
FR. LADISLAOCSONKA
One Commission only
Members
Fr. Joseph Aubry Fr. Peter Prade
Fr. Mauro Casarotti Fr. Joseph Ruiz Olmo
Fr. Hugh De Censi Fr. Elio Scotti
Fr. Victor Giraudo Fr. George Williams
Fr. Emil Hernando Fr. Louis Zanella
Fr, Alphonsus Martin
Sixth Commission: Salesian Formation.
V. Rev. Fr. ALVIN FEDRIGOTTI
Experts: FR. JUVENALDHO
FR. EMMANUELGUTTIERREZ
FR. ANTHONY JAVIERRE
Sub-commission A. Recruiting of Vocations
Members
Fr. Aloysius Araujo Fr. Mauro Rodriguez
Fr. Alfred Bortolini Fr. Joseph Tyminski
Fr. Alfred Cogliandro Fr. Joseph Zavattaro
Fr. William Diebold
Sub-commission B. Formation and the Vows
Members
Fr. Ernest Alvarez Fr. John Murphy
Fr. Amatore Anjos Fr. Michael Obando
Fr. Peter Brocardo Fr. Eugene Pennati
Fr. Vincent Garnero Fr. Andrew Rubip
Fr. Aloysius Gonzalez Fr. Isidore Segarra
Fr. Leonard Jacuzzi
Sub-commission C. Houses of Formation
Members
Fr. Calogero Conti Fr. Hermengil Murtas
Fr. Aloysius Di Fiore Fr. Benedict Nunes
Fr. Aloysius Forero Fr. Emil Phalippou
Fr. John Glomba Fr. Roger Van Severen
Fr. Emil Hernandez Fr. Nicholas Zubovic
Fr. Adolph L´Arco
Seventh Commission: Constitutions & Regulations, Missions.
V. Rev. Fr. MODESTO BELUDO
Experts: FR. CAJETANBRUNO
FR. GUSTAVUSLECLERC
Sub-commission A. Constitutions and Regulations
Members
Members
Fr, Williarn Ainsworth Fr. Francis Laconi
Fr, Robert Aramayo Fr, Albert Lopez
Fr. Angelo Bianco Fr, Francis Sanchez
Fr. Maximilian Francoy Fr. Giles Viganb
Sub-commission B, Missions
Members
Fr. Charles Braga Fr. Remo Morra
Fr. Aloysius Carollo Fr. Joseph Peerlinck
Fr. John Dalkmann Fr. Vincent Scuderi
Fr. Michael Ghigo Fr. Bernard Tahiti
Fr. Peter Jellici
INDEX
PAGE
Introduction by the Rector Major. 1. The Salesian at the centre
of it all. -- 2. The Congregation at the turn of the road.
3. Rendering alive the principles and rules. 4. Responsibility of superiors.
- 5. Reorganization of our Work. 6. Our activities need first things
first. -- 7. Conclusion:
Go Forward! 3
FIRST PART
CAPITULAR DOCUMENTS
The Structure of the Congregation. General Introduction. 17
Chapter 1. THE GENERAI. CHAPTER. Deliberations. 1. Differ
ence between norms and counsels. 2. The Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical
Salesian Athenaeum and the General Chapter. - 3. Time and manner of
the Elections.
4. Secrecy. 18
Chapter 2. THE PROVINCIAL CHAPTER. Deliberations. 20
Chapter 3, THE SUPERIOR COUNCIL, Preliminary. Delib
erations: 1, General structure of the Superior Council. - 2. Duties
of members of the Superior Council. - 3. Further explanations concerning
the Consultors in charge of groups
of Provinces. - 4. Acts of the Superior Council. 21
PAGF.
Chapter 4, THE PROVINCES. Preliminary. Deliberations:
I. Size of Provinces. -- 2. Provincial Conferences. - 3. The Provincial
Council. --- 4. Provincial Delegates. 5. Teams
of experts . - 6. Particular considerations. 27
Chapter 5. THE HOUSES. Preliminary. Deliberations : 1. The Rector. -
2. Preparation of Rectors and their `aggiorna,nento´, -- 3. The house
Council. --- 4. The Prefect or ViceRector. 5. The Catechist. - - 6.
The Consultor of studies. Prefect of studies. - 7. The President - Headmaster.
---- 8. Coadjutors in the structure of the Congregation. - - 9. Co-responsibility
and collaboration of all confreres of the
House. 32
Chapter 6. CONTROL AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR WORK.
1. Qualifications of personnel and consolidation of works.
2. Programme for the re-drafting of our work. - 3. Simplification of
Houses which are too large. -- 4. Elimination
of works which are too small. 43
Appendix. Varia: 1. Clerical habit. - 2. Collections -
3. Reading at table for confreres. - 4. Reading for
the pupils. 5. Mortuary Letters. - 6. Smoking. 46
The Apostolate for Vocations. Deliberations. 48
Houses for Aspirants. Preliminary. - Orientation. 51
Formation of Personnel.
Chapter 1. THE NOVITIATE. Preliminary. Deliberations. Recommendations.
54
Chapter 2. THE STUDENTATE OF PHILOSOPHY. Preliminary.
Proposals of the Commission. - - Recommendations. 56
Chapter 3. THE PERIOD OF PRACTICAL TRAINING. Prelimin
ary. Deliberations. 58 Chapter 4. STUDENTATE OF THEOLOGY. Preliminary.
-- Pro
posals of the Commission. 61
Chapter 5. THE PASTORAL COURSE. Preliminary. - Pro
posals of the Commission. Recommendations. 62
PAGE
The Salesian Coadjutor.
Chapter 1. THE NATURE OF THE COADJUTORSHIP, Foreword
a) An essential part of the Salesian Society; h) The Coadjutor answers
need of Church; e) The position of the Coadjutor: juridically, educationally,
pastorally, doctrin -
ally. - Deliberations. 65
Chapter 2. FURTHERANCE OF COADJUTOR VOCATIONS. 70
Chapter 3, THE FORMATION OF COADJUTORS. Its character
istics. 71
COURSE OF FORMATION 1. The periods of form
ation. 2. Aspirantate. - 3. Novitiate. - 4. Post-novitiate training.
5. Tirocinium. -- 6 Higher Qualification. - Study referred to Provincial
Conferences
73
Our Religious Life Today. Preliminary. 76
Chapter 1. Necessity of a more personal convnatment. Principles. --
Deliberations.
Chapter 2, Discovery of fresh riches in our Religious Life. Principles,
Value for the individual person -- Value for the community - Value for
the apostolate. Summary. Deliberations. 78
Chapter 3. Study of some aspects of our Poverty. Principles. Deliberations.
81
Chapter 4. Study of some aspects of our Chastity. Principles. Deliberations.
83
Chapter 5. Study of some aspects of our Obedience. Prin
ciples. - Deliberations. 85
Chapter 6. Study of some aspects of our Community Life. Principles.
- Deliberations. 87
Chapter 7. Conclusion -- Unity and Fidelity. Principles. Deliberations.
Recommendations. 89
PAGE
Liturgical Life and the Life of Piety. Preliminary. Deliberations. Special
practices for the Houses of Formation.
92
Spiritual Directions of the Confreres. Principles. 1. The Salesian Rector
a) Superior of the House; b) Prefect or Magister Spiritus for all those
in formation; c) Spiritual father or director of conscience for confreres.
Elements of doctrinal justification a) in foro externo; bl in faro interno.
95
Youth Apostolate.
Chapter 1, General Observations. Resolutions. 101
Chapter 2. Schools. Preliminary. Deliberations, -Board
ing schools. Preliminary. -- Deliberations. -- - Semi-Board
ing and Day schools. --- Preliminary. Deliberations. 104
Chapter 3. Hostels. Preliminary. -- Deliberations. 109
Glossary. 112
Professional Schools.
Chapter 1. The care for the young worker in the light of
the life of St. John Bosco_ the teaching of the Church, and the needs
of the modern world. The Oratory. Hostels for young workers. Christian
and technical preparation for life. The Church, upholder of the people
and the worker. The present-day education of the worker.
113
Chapter 2. The education of the young worker in the Salesian Society
today. The Salesian education of the worker and the demands of contemporary
society Problems of adaptation to the times and peoples. New Trades.
Vast and complex works. Opening of new schools, --- Norms put forward
confined to general principles. -- Statistical services. - Preparation
of confreres, clerical and lay. - Rules for non-Salesian lay staff.
- Suggestions relating to pedagogy and didactics: a) Service for Scholastic
and Vocational Guidance: b) International study of Industrial Methodology
for the learning of a trade; ci Further Education of the Young Worker.
Utilisation of the available documentation.
117
PAGE
Chapter 3. Proposed Deliberations. Commission for the education of the
young worker, -- Pedagogical and didactic aims. - The Principal - The
President -- The Head of Department. Administrative tasks. Outline of
the head of Department and his functions. The Coordinator. - Conclusion.
125
Parishes and Oratories.
Chapter 1. Parishes. Preliminary. Deliberations. 130
Chapter 2. Oratories (Youth Centres). Preliminary. - clarification limitation:
Reason for this a) Causes in the sociological order (external); b) Internal
causes.
Orientation. 134
Other Forms of Social Apostolate.
Chapter 1. General Norms. Preliminary. - Deliberations. 141
Chapter 2. Catechizing Adults. Preliminary. - Deliber
ations. Recommendations. 144
Chapter 3. The Family Apostolate. Preliminary. De
liberations. Recommendations. 147
Chapter 4. The Apostolate to Non-Salesian Teachers. Preliminary. Deliberations.
149
Chapter 5. The Apostolate to the Workers. Preliminary. Deliberations.
Recommendations. 151
Salesian Co-operators. Preliminary.
Orientation. 1. Understanding and Sutdy. - 2. Personnel.
3. Organization in every house. The goal of our educative work. -- The
people best qualified to become Co-operators.
The title of the Union. 154
The Past Pupils. Preliminary.
The special end and activity of the movement. - Organization of the
movement. 160
PAGE
Assistance to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
Declarations. Recommendations. 164 Retreat Houses. Preliminary. Deliberations.
168 Means of Social Communication. Preliminary.
Chapter 1. For the means of social communication in general. Directives.
170
Chapter 2, The indiridual means of social communication.
The Press; Theatre and Cinema; Radio and Television. 172
The Missions. Preliminary. Deliberations. Orientation, 178 The Formation
of the Young.
Chapter 1. Some guiding principles for our mission as educators today.
The aims of Salesian Education. - The characteristics and needs of modern
youth. Understanding and respecting the young - A keen sense of liberty.
-- A keen social sense. -- A keen sense of belonging to the modern world,
-- The presence of sin and symptoms of weakness, Appropriate action.
The position and tasks of the Salesian educator, The Salesians. Non-Salesian
helpers.
The Church, 182
Chapter 2. Catechetics. 187
Chapter 3. Piety and the Liturgical life. 1. Daily Mass.
2. Days of Obligation. - 3. Daily Prayers. 4. Monthly day of Recollection.
- -- 5. Retreats, - 6. The Liturgical Commission. 188
Chapter 4. The spiritual direction of the young. 192
Chapter 5. Education for love and purity. General lines to
he followed in educating to Christian Love. Directives for the guidance
of the young: a) Education of the affections;
h) Education for purity. 194
Chapter 6. Free time and the Holidays. 198
PAGE
Chapter 7. Salesian Associations for youth and the apostolate of the
laity. 200
Chapter 8. Centres and aids for formation. 201
Regulations for the General Chapter. Presentation. 202 Chapter 1. The
General Chapter and its convocation. 203 Chapter 2. Members of the General
Chapter. 205 Chapter 3. Opening of the General Chapter. 206 Chapter
4. Norms for the discussions. 209
Chapter 5. The elections that take place at the General Chapter. 211
Chapter 6. The closing of the General Chapter. 217 Modifications to
the Constitutions.
1. Definitive substantial modifications. 221 2. Modifications "ad
experimentum". 227 3. Emendations or Juridical Aggiornamento. 228
4. Purely formal emendations. 232 i. Note - concerning proposals not
approved by Sacred
Congregation. 235
Regulations of the Salesian Society. Modifications. 237
SECOND PART
APPENDICES
1. Discourse of the Rector Major to His Holiness Pope Paul
VI. during the Audience given to the members of the 19th General Chapter.
293
2. The discourse of His Holiness Pope Paul VI to the members
of the 19th General Chapter of the Society of St. Francis
of Sales. 295
PAGE
3. Address of His Eminence Cardinal Antoniutti, Prefect of
the S.C. of Religious - to members of the Salesian General Chapter.
301
4. Some Messages of encouragement received by the 19th General Chapter.
309
5. Interventions of the Superior General at the 19th General Chapter
1. The election of the Superior General. 2. Exhortation to members of
the Chapter. 3. Structures.4. The Provincial Council. -- 5. Re-shaping
of our work. -6. Aspirantates. -- 7. Coadjutors. -- 8. Meditation. --
9. Quarterly Retreat. 10. Spiritual E.cercises. 11. Spiritual Direction.
- 12. Reading at table. --- 13. Smoking. 14. Formation of Youth. 15.
Schools, 16. Professional School 17. Day schools and semi-hoarding schools.
18, Hostels. 19. Parishes. - - -20. Oratories. 21. Apostolate apart
from Youth. -- 22, Co-operators. 23. Auxiliaries of Don Bosco. - 24.
Dedicated laymen. 25. Instruments of social communication. -- 26. Daily
Mass.27. Various Matters. 28. Concluding discourse. 312
6, Message from the members of the 19th General Chapter to
all Members of the Salesian Congregation. 342
7. Chronicle of the 19th General Chapter. 347
8. List of members of the 19th General Chapter. 355
9. Commissions and sub-commissions of the 19th General Chapter. 360
GENERAL INDEX. 365
