Actuality | Catholicism

Nell'educazione va messo al centro l'aspetto religioso, word of Don Bosco
by
Reporting of BastaBugie editorial team
Education in the family and at school is not balanced if it is not perceived as the union of body and soul
Of Teresa Mancini

We have already underlined the inspiring principles of Don Bosco's Preventive System, widely and effectively applied across time and space (the Salesian family and the work of the oratories are a widespread reality in many countries around the world, that never stops bearing fruit), find complete application and usefulness not only in the field of pastoral action in favor of the education of young people in parishes, in the oratories, in the activity of catechesis, but like these “key principles” have undisputed educational validity in all educational contexts, including family.
It is our belief that the pedagogical directions of the Saint pedagogue are not only transferable to parent-child relational dynamics, but that precisely they can constitute those correctives that are so indispensable in ours, often dramatic, educational emergencies, in addressing the educational problems that challenge us and often defeat us as parents. This is the thesis that is closest to our hearts: Don Bosco is a shining light in our families too: he also guides and restores our children to goodness, if we understand, we welcome and apply the message it communicates to us.
REASON, RELIGION, LOVINGNESS
We have already argued “passing by” on the three key words that inspire his thinking: reason, religion, kindness, and how these three aspects, if well combined in the teacher-student approach, ensure the trust of our children towards the educator, achieving the much desired “educational success”. I wondered which of these three elements our current reality is most lacking in, farthest from the proposed model: in reason, in religion, in loving kindness? I tried to hypothesize what Don Bosco would tell us today by observing our boys, looking inside our families.
A first awareness: Perhaps, in our experiences as educators there is no lack of reference to “reason” e all'”kindness”, but it is no longer central there “religion”. It actually happens, in an increasingly convinced and widespread way, That, in the name of an undisputed principle of secularism of the public school service, for example, or in the name of freedom of choice of one's religious belief, of the fundamental inspiring values ​​of one's life, be overlooked, even setting aside the spiritual aspect of the education of our children, delegating all responsibility to the parish and entrusting a blank delegation to the catechists who work in the area, or waiting for our boys, once they grow up, do “freely” their own choices.
Don Bosco teaches us that this is a failure, if immediately, and permeating every experience, activities and knowledge, a dialectical connection is not created between what is immanent and what is transcendent, if we don't give to our actions, choices, plans the direction that God, in His infinite goodness he inspires us, if in our daily reality we do not enter into dialogue with Him. Read More

Share
Catholicism | STUDY CENTER FEDERICI

The painter of the Help of Christians
by

Reporting of Federici Studies Center

We see it with his eyes. Thomas Lorenzone, the painter of the Help of Christians
«Look how beautiful she is! It's not my work, no. It's not me who paints. There is another hand guiding mine. Tell Don Bosco that the painting will be beautiful".
In the first months of 1865, Don Bosco's thoughts are absorbed by the large painting of Mary Help of Christians which will stand in the sanctuary. He entrusted its execution to the painter Lorenzone, and tries to communicate to him everything he "wants to see" in that painting:
«In alto Maria SS. among the Angels, the apostles around her, i profeti, the virgins, the confessors. In the lower part, the people of various parts of the world who stretch out their hands towards her and ask for help".
Lorenzone lets him finish, Then: «And where do you want to put this painting?»
«In the new church».
«And he believes he will? And where to find the room to paint it? To find a space suitable for the dimensions you imagine, we would like Piazza Castello!»
Don Bosco had to recognize that the painter was right. It was therefore decided that only the apostles and evangelists would be painted around the Madonna. The oratory would have been depicted at the foot of the painting.

Read More

Share
Catholicism | STUDY CENTER FEDERICI

Don Bosco: buono, not a do-gooder
by


Reporting of Federici Studies Center

An interesting court case in Valdocco
A letter to the magistrate of the city of Turin of 18 April 1865 opens an interesting and unprecedented glimpse into the daily life of Valdocco at the time. We are perhaps accustomed to thinking that in Valdocco, with the presence of Don Bosco, things always went well, especially in the fifties and early sixties when the Salesian work had not yet spread and Don Bosco lived in direct and constant contact with the children. Instead later, with a large heterogeneous mass of young people, educators, apprentice craftsmen, young students, novices, students of philosophy and theology, evening school students, “external” workers, difficulties could have arisen in the disciplinary management of the Valdocco community.
A rather serious fact
A letter to the magistrate of the city of Turin of 18 April 1865 opens an interesting and unprecedented glimpse into the daily life of Valdocco at the time. We reproduce it and then comment on it.

Read More

Share