More than ever, I've learnt the most memorable lesson in Salesian assistance this year... and the paradox of it is that I've learnt it through my own absence! Don Bosco, in that sense, was a true formator. He knew what would be some of the most essential elements involved in educating a youngster to values and higher things of life. Thus he qualified, presence of the formator (educator), amidst the students and that too a very loving and concerned one, as one of the most essential ingredients of a healthy formation ambiance.
While physical absence or prolonged disappearance from the community is of no evident help, mere physical presence with no sense of the ground reality is of no use either. Add to that several other little but important things like 'a word in the ear', reason (as one of the triple elements of the Preventive system), teaching by example, consistency in expectations from the pupils... and formation becomes truly an enriching experience for all involved.
While physical absence or prolonged disappearance from the community is of no evident help, mere physical presence with no sense of the ground reality is of no use either. Add to that several other little but important things like 'a word in the ear', reason (as one of the triple elements of the Preventive system), teaching by example, consistency in expectations from the pupils... and formation becomes truly an enriching experience for all involved.
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