Thank God, we're different

Listening to different confreres about their experiences with other confreres in their respective communities and other interactions in the Province at different levels and for different reasons, it is clear that not all of us are the same. Each of us thinks differently, perceives differently and certainly behaves differently. That does not necessarily make us better or worse than the others.  However it does show that though we are Salesians, trained almost in the same charism and for the same mission, yet differences remain.  That's a rather good thing. Imagine if all were to think and be the same!!

One confrere in his excited mood while sharing of his experiences in the Province shared this:

Instincts are magnificent as a driving force, but dangerous as guide. 

Principles vs Rules

One of the points that Fr Julian Fox stated during the meeting and interactions today caught my attention. While undertaking new initiatives or ventures, he said it is good to start with principles, not rules. I think that makes a lot of sense, especially from a formation perspective. Most often we set a structure or lay down a list of rules and regulations that we insist on adhering to for the smooth running and growth of the venture. Slowly in the bargain we lose track of the ultimate goal and get stuck to those structures or rules alone. This is what perhaps differentiates charismatic ventures and organised structures.

Sectors, departments, commissions, dimensions???

We commenced the South Asia Social Communications' delegates meeting this morning. Thanks to Thathi whose absence has facilitated my presence here. It was good to see and meet very many familiar faces, especially that of Fr Filiberto and Fr Julian Fox. The morning was a rather extended session on sharing of Province strengths and challenges. What began as a single point, soon got elaborated and stretched to a long list. However, neither Fr Fili nor Fr Julian objected or intervened. I think they prefer to go with the stream than impose the schedule. They really get to feel the pulse of the region then. The afternoon session was a bit heavy - atleast for me! It was the presentation of the new edition of the Salesian Social Communication System (SSCS). However the group discussion and sharing that ensued was interesting. Reminded me of trying to get to the root of issues rather than getting lost in petty matters.

One of the points that I raised in my small group and which Fr Julian Fox later tried to address was the same point that we have been debating about in the Province during all meetings, thanks to Fr TD John's attempt to clarify the point: the whole network and system of commissions, departments, sectors and dimensions.

Fr Julian did try to clarify matters but I think he was also being shrewd as to not get entangled with this, since it is a matter which needs to be clarified from the Rector Major downwards! The sectors (a bad translation of the Italian word, according to Fr Julian) are like charisms or liturgically speaking sacraments. They ought to be for the congregation to be what it is meant to be. But departments are mere functional modes of these charisms. These may come and go, the modality may change and so may the structure of it, but the charism remains.

(What about the commissions and dimensions? Well, they were not mentioned at all!)

Gleanings from the Formation meet-4

One disturbing revelation of yesterday's meeting was the fact that while Don Bosco began his apostolate with a wandering oratory, along the way he made an explicit choice to settle down with the boarding school set up... a shift from an evolving and growing channel to a structured formula... from festive oratories to boarding schools.

I know that Don Bosco found no other means of helping the boys than through opening up institutions which would cater to their every need. But how then did he not sacrifice or atleast begin the process of compromising the strategies and ideals of the initial festive oratory? The 'curse of institutionalisation' was initiated by Don Bosco himself... or did he? Can one continue the spirit of Don Bosco without subscribing to his final 'boarding school' method?

From my little experience in the Salesian congregation I wonder if this sort of 'liberty' is still present and encouraged. Down the centuries we have built up this 'institutional' model of Don Bosco's apostolate with great fervour, commitment and zeal... but what if someone wants to adopt the festive oratory model? Does our formation process envisage and promote this possibility at all or is it nipped in the bud itself?

One such apostolate at a tangent was/is the Street children work. (It too has been very much institutionalised... but that's another issue). But anything more or different than that? For the rest, we are all stuck to Parishes, schools, colleges (barely), technical institutes and of course, boardings. To say that the spirit of the festive oratory (as it was) is vibrant and very much alive in all these would be a slight exaggeration.

Will someone with the initial mind of Don Bosco find a place in the Salesian congregation anymore? Will a Salesian atleast with such a mind, find space and support?

Discipline and charism

There is this strange phenomena we see everywhere... in the families, religious houses, society... There are those who keep all the laws and rules, of God, man and earth. And then there are those who follow none! Yet people love the latter more than the former!

In families, the youngest in normally the most mischievous, unruly and wild. The eldest is most often sober, obedient and serious. Yet it is the youngest around whom the family revolves. No matter what he is up to, the family is willing to laugh over it and carry on.

In religious houses, the ones most loved by the people are not the ones who are up for meditation early, attend all practices of piety and do all their duties perfectly well but those who through these accepted procedures to the winds and chart their own way... winning people's hearts.

Perhaps that's charism! The world would be a perfect graveyard without that. Yet the former, order and discipline, too is necessary. More than a fine balance of these two, I feel it is the swinging between these two that makes the world and life go on!