Integrity and holiness of life - 2

 I glanced through the book The Dual Form of the Salesian Vocation by Andrea Bozzolo.  Read through the Theological interpretation of the dual form of the single Salesian vocation, as presented by Bozzolo.  Nonetheless, two aspects that stand out for me as serious lacuna which Bozzolo seems to have either missed out or misinterpreted.  

The first aspect is the emphasis and foundational character of our Salesian vocation: Consecration.  This dimension is something in common for ALL Salesians - irrespective of one's choice of brotherhood or priesthood. As Salesians, our identity is that of consecrated individuals, even prior to our identity as priests.  Now if this is not the case, then we are merely diocesans, wearing a different cloak and having a different abbreviation after our name, for the show of it. 

Now I thought I had heard this aspect of the CONSECRATION from Fr Ivo, who in turn heard it from Bozzolo.  Perhaps this book was an earlier interpretation or text from the pen of Bozzolo.  Or I am mixing up my sources! Nonetheless, this is one point that is certainly a very essential aspect missing in the book. 

The second aspect is that of the notion of integrity and holiness.  Somehow, it appears to me - not necessarily that it is what Bozzolo actually meant to say -  that Bozzolo isolates the Brother as the only one of whom integrity and holiness of life are expected.  Not necessarily of a priest!  Because in Bozzolo's understanding, the priest has the authority of the Holy Orders. And that seems to suffice!  Whereas a brother has to 'earn' his authority from the integrity and holiness of life and work that characterizes his life as a brother.  

I believe authority comes from integrity, no matter what state of life one is called to live.  Holiness is not a given grace that automatically transforms a person, without his or her own effort or attempts at being open to that grace!  If one does not live an integral life, no matter how many layers of Holy Orders one puts on or is bestowed with, one lacks depth, spirituality and holiness.  On the other hand, if living an integral life, no matter what 'lowly' work one does, one is holy.  In short, no one, not the priest, not the brother, not anyone, is exempted of this attempt at living a life of integrity.  

Integrity and holiness of life

 An extract from the book The Dual Form of the Salesian Vocation by Andrea Bozzolo (trans. by Michael Smyth) Bangalore: KJC Publications, 2019, p. 69 [emphasis added]

The Salesian Brother's ... way of evangelizing does not take the priestly form of preaching, liturgical proclamation of the Word, or celebration of the sacraments, but rather the typically lay form of making room for the Word of God among the things of the world, transforming work and the effort it involves into an act of love for his brothers and a true spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God, while not excluding explicit proclamation and catechesis.  Thus the integrity of his life will enable him to speak not in the name of ecclesial authority that comes from the sacrament of Holy Orders, but by the authority that comes from the holiness of life.  This is what we see very clearly in the lives of holy Brothers such as Artemide Zatti, Simon Srugi and Stephen Sandor.  They did not preach from the pulpit, but their workplaces - the hospital in Viedma, the clinic at Beitgemal, the printing press in Budapest - became places of extraordinary proclamation and irradiation of the faith.  Indeed, all the work they did spoke of God. 

Personal commitment

 I had another round of discussion with a confrere this morning, again very profound and touching some of the basic issues concerning our Salesian apostolate across the province and in the individual communities.  

One of my primary concerns - was and - is that we Salesians have become numb to the challenges of the youth!  We have found our safe haven in our houses and in our own worlds.  Our commitment to respond to the needs of the youth, is lost when faced with the slightest of discomfort or smallest of a hurdle.  We have basically losing or lost the SPARK!

I truly believe that if I am passionate about working with and for the young, and I notice that there is a challenge which the young people are struggling with - not in the air, but in my vicinity - I will pour out myself, in response to it.  Literally, pour out myself.  I will use every bit of space, every tiny infrastructure, every resource around me, every ounce of my strength and give my best to assist the young or the needy.  I need to 'own' up that challenge, with and for the young.  I will not wait for a mega project to be sanctioned, a new building to be put up, extra space/land to be provided, or someone from somewhere giving me directions as to what to do.  I will just do whatever I can, with whatever I have.  

Without that bit of will, that tiny effort, that initial investment of myself - all of myself - (and the little I have), no amount of money or resources or infrastructure or land or even God himself (by Himself, all alone) can make any meaningful and sustained impact.  

Future of apostolate

The future of our Salesian apostolate lies in building people, movements and processes, rather than continue the erstwhile style of huge buildings, heavy machinery and mega projects. Therefore, to be future-ready we need to be clear with our vision, generous with our commitment and be data-driven about the contextual needs. Openness to partner with like-minded individuals (especially, laity of the Salesian movements) and organisations, is another must. Without any of these essential aspects, we would end up doing great and good amount of work but without much impact.

That's my personal take on the way we need to approach the ministry in practice.  However, at a more deeper and personal level, without personal commitment to Jesus and His Gospel values, the end result too is going to be the same as the concluding line of the previous para.

God in search of man

 

One of the yardstick of measuring our own spirituality - if at all, one can have one! - is the ability to see how passionate are we about cherishing being in God's presence, rather than striving to please him.  The former attitude presumes God is ever present in my life and the latter perspective is based on our pursuit of his eluding presence! 

Presence and accompaniment

 In an era where AI is making significant waves, for good and for bad, one reflection that I came across that makes profound sense to me as a Salesian, an educator: 

The AI offers answers, not necessarily a presence. The AI may provide solutions, but not necessarily consolation and accompaniment.  When God chose to reach humanity, he did not send information. He chose to be present in person. 

However, I am also aware of the danger of side-lining this AI wave as not overriding. Wisdom and happiness lies in striving for balance, making the most of the opportunities without compromising on basics and values. 

Valiant effort

 Glancing through news bits of the day, I came across the following post on X, with news of Amul Cooperative congratulating Yamini Maurya, a medal winner at the Commonwealth 2026 games.  

Honestly, I knew nothing about her or her achievements.  Never heard about her.  But what struck me was the photo.  Not the people in it, but the location. It certainly seems her home.  Bedsheets and mat on the floor.   Trophies lined up on a ledge.  Extension box and charger wires.  And it has an asbestos roof!!  

In an age where most people live in pucca houses, with multi-storeyed luxury rooms, here is a young lady, who has brought fame to the nation through her hard work and effort, living under an asbestos roof! From that one fact alone, I gather how much of an effort would she and her family have made to rise up to the national level sports competitions.  

Kudos to the whole family for their sacrifices and valiant effort.  Appreciation and congratulations to Yamini herself - and the many more like her who make the most of their meagre resources, with an iron grit and a large heart.  

The dynamics of why and how

 Last night I had a long and very revealing discussion with one confrere.  It was basically about finances but that was not the core.  We were basically discussing about the fixed deposits and the way I have been classifying them under a heading, with a clear purpose for each of those FDs.  Discussing and explaining to him about the financial situation and plans of my office, over the last four years, I realised for myself how profoundly my own emphasis on purpose has shaped the financial resources (available, investment and future reserves). 

I have never been a big fan of money or let finance decide my plans and motives.  That's a fact everyone knows, including myself. And I'm very happy for it.  What I do strive to seek is PURPOSE.  Because I've come to believe that if I have the purpose and intention clear, the path will unfold before me, not necessarily at the beginning of the initiative, but eventually and certainly.  So anytime there is something I strongly feel that we as Salesians need to engage ourselves with, finances is never on my list of immediate requirements or needs.  It never has been, never will it be!  And I believe that's the way it is to be.  

Don Bosco's trust in Divine Providence is exactly this practical outlook: Do the good; the necessary support or resources (even financial) will eventually flow in.  But if it is the reverse, namely, finances is my priority, then we hardly do any good!  Everything is mostly about finances and not about the good to be done. 

Learning

 Another powerful representation of the present reality of technology and human beings... 

This statement depicts the stark reality of today's life.  AI is gaining importance at a phenomenal pace. Human's are not a match to that progression and change.  However, rather than make the most of the technology at hand and excel in what we are good at, most are in a race against or for AI.  

Arrive Alive!

 Driving to Nalgonda this morning, we saw this billboard raising awareness of safe driving and traffic... Interesting caption!