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.