The Salesian Story
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Back in the early decades of the 1800s social problems abounded in the city of Turin and its hinterland. Wars, epidemics and famines were the order of the day. The industrial revolution had begun and urbanisation was gathering pace. Young people were flocking into the city looking for work in the fledgling factories. There wasn't work for everybody and many were disappointed. Industrial legislation was still minimal, and youngsters were often used as cheap labour. Money was scarce, accommodation was dreadful and crime escalated. The prisons were filled with boys and young men disillusioned by shattered hopes and abandoned dreams. Only the elite could afford education and in 1848 there were, in the city of Turin, 30,000 illiterate young people - about 40% of the population.
Into that situation came a young priest called John Bosco. Part of John's work as a priest was to visit the prisons around Turin. Here he experienced first-hand the misery of many defenceless and vulnerable teenagers. Their plight made a deep impression on him. Intuitively he knew something had to be done about the situation. But what and how?
A dream recalled
John's visits to the prison revived memories of a dream he had at the age of nine. He tells us: "In my dream, I was playing with my friends near home when an angry quarrel broke out. I rushed in with my fists flying. All of a sudden a strange man appeared and rebuked me. 'No, no, not that way. Be kind and gentle'. As he pointed to a majestic lady he told me his mother would always be my friend and guide."
In retrospect the prison visits began to shed light on the dream. A new understanding began to grow. John felt strongly called to work for these abandoned young people. But what was he to do? Difficulties, crises, and circumstances would play their part in determining his eventual strategy.
He adopted a novel approach. He mixed with the roughest of young people. He played cards with them in pubs and invited them to be his friends. This scandalised many of his more sedate fellow priests. Some of them actually thought his behaviour so insane, that on one occasion, they tried to commit him to an asylum. Overcoming problems and prejudices took time.
Living the dream
However, the growing realisation of what the dream, at the age of nine, was about and his unique ability to be at ease with the young who were homeless, illiterate and in need, spurred him on. He progressed from Sunday catechism classes in a local-field, to a daily trade school in an adapted shed. Young people flocked to him for education and shelter. He fought for the rights of, and proper working conditions for, apprentices. His fame and his work spread. Acceptance replaced rejection and people began to see John Bosco not as someone deranged, but as an extraordinarily holy man. He was making the seemingly impossible, possible.
As his work grew many young men came forward to help him. They became the first members of his religious congregation known as 'Salesians'. These young men became the core group who would further his work. John had wanted everybody who helped him, whether lay people or religious, to be part of his 'congregation', but Church regulations, regarding the setting up of new religious congregations, partly thwarted his dream.
Why the name 'Salesians'?
John Bosco had a great admiration for St Francis de Sales (1567-1622). Francis, who was born near Geneva, 21 August 1567, was patron saint of Piedmont and Savoy and much loved by John Bosco. He admired his joyful, optimistic spirituality and because of the gentleness of his approach, he chose him as patron of the Congregation. He wished his followers to be filled with the spirit of Francis de Sales - a kindness that was all-embracing, a gentleness that was strong, a love that was humble and a faith that was steadfast.
For Francis there was no 'religious elite'; holiness was possible for everybody no matter their position, stage or career in life. Francis used a simple metaphor to sum up his work when he said: 'you catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than a barrel full of vinegar.' In other words: Love is stronger than violence or force of any kind. John Bosco fully agreed and he named his Congregation after Francis de Sales, hence the name 'Sales-ians'.
A kindred spirit
While John Bosco was working for poor youngsters in Turin, there was in the little village of Mornese 100 kilometres away, a young woman called Mary Mazzarello who desired to help the poor girls in her area. She was a vibrant and active young woman, used to hard work in the fields. At the age of twenty three she was struck down by typhoid. Robbed of her strength she realised that she would never be able to do work in the fields again.
As she lay on her sick bed, she felt a desire to help the young girls in her area. She decided that dressmaking and crafts were a means whereby she could engage girls and through these trades improve their lot. She could also, in this way, fulfil her burning desire to pass on her knowledge of the Catholic faith. When she felt strong enough again she formed a little group and began teaching them dressmaking and catechism. Her beginnings were small, but like John Bosco's, her seemingly insignificant beginnings soon began to grow and expand.
Call it coincidence or providence, but John and Mary's paths accidentally crossed. When they met they recognised that they both had a similar desire and inspiration. What John was doing for boys, Mary was already doing for girls. He encouraged her in her work and with his assistance she founded the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters. These enthusiastic young women would continue to develop her work for needy girls in Mornese and far beyond.
Mary died just after her forty fourth birthday but by then her work had taken wings and was spreading to the four corners of the world.
John and Mary were kindred spirits, who had an intuition and genius for dealing with young people. They had an extraordinary ability to attract young people, inspire them and challenge them. They were filled with conviction and passion as well as possessing an openness to daring and risk. They radiated joy and intuitively saw the goodness and potential in all young people. Perhaps their legacy can best be understood by taking a brief look at their educational approach and vibrant spirituality.
Educational Approach
For them 'the heart' was the centre of education. They believed that education would flourish in an atmosphere where friendship and kindness abounded. Prevention, supportive help to forestall problems, rather than oppressive means or punishment was central to their philosophy. Rules, when necessary, were to be reasonable and understood as such by the pupils. Corporal punishment or the shaming of young people anywhere was not tolerated. Praise and reward were the tools to bring out the best in young people. Their way of educating was holistic. Sport, drama and music were to be an essential part of their programmes in schools and youth centres. Many of the psychological maxims we take for granted in today's educational system were identified and intuitively practised by John and Mary in the nineteenth century.
They believed that young people had the capacity for deep engagement with their inner spirit, with their source, with their God. The spiritual life of the young was of paramount importance to them. They injected youthfulness, creativity and joy into religious practices.