Then came a Pharaoh...

In our religious houses, among the numerous issues plaguing our transition procedures, is the break of rapport between the one laying down office has with the various people with regard to our apostolate and the one replacing the outgoing confrere.  The phrase 'there came a pharaoh who knew not Joseph' aptly describes this issue. 

In my three years in office, I've come across several lay people who feel greatly disturbed, and some even feel humiliated, after a new set of confreres replace others in a place with a long history.  The new set of confreres treat this particular individual or persons with utter disregard or total shun any contact with him or them.  At times confreres may not be doing this consciously.  It is sometime out of pure ignorance or because his predecessor has not introduced or even mentioned about these individuals to the incoming confreres. But for the lay persons involved it is very awkward.  It is just that some of them have long been associated with our works and our mission.  And after being so closely associated and worked so much, suddenly to find themselves being treated as strangers, by actual strangers (new Salesians!) is embarrassing.

I also know of instances where some Salesians have pampered some lay persons to the extent that rather than become people who would positively influence the apostolate, they become parasites or looters.  The fresh team distancing themselves and the apostolate from such persons is actually needed and is healthy for all involved. 

At other times, our attitude of being omniscient, certainly does not help!  Even though, we have no idea of the new apostolate, or have never even bothered to glance through its history, we act as if we were born into that responsibility.  In such a scenario, there came a Pharoah, who not only knew not Joseph, but thought of himself as Yahweh!! 

Reworking our transition procedures keeping in mind such scenarios is one possible way forward. But ultimately, blessed is he who does not feel as a Pharaoh at all!

Salesian Past Pupils

One day in 1847, Don Bosco called into a barber's shop. He got into conversation with an 11-year-old assistant whose father had died and ended up asking the barber to let the lad Carlo Gastini have a go at shaving him.  It was an ordeal for Carlo and Don Bosco!

Not much later, Carlo's mother died and, remembering Don Bosco's kindness to him, Carlo wen to Don Bosco who welcomed him with open arms. He took up book binding, and ran the workshop for a number of years and only left the Oratory when he was able to support himself.  Now and then he would return to Valdocco to greet Don Bosco and receive an encouraging word from him. 

Carlo Gastini in the workshop amidst the boys 

Then one day ... on 24 June 1870, feast of John the Baptist, when the Oratory was celebrating Don Bosco's 'name-day' Carlo, by now 34 years old, has prepared a surprise for his beloved Don Bosco.  He brings along a group of former pupils of the Oratory. He has a speech ready.  He explains that 'the old boys of the Oratory' have formed themselves into a group and have come to him, on his name-day to present him with a gift as a 'sign of affection for our father Don Bosco' and their appreciation for the education he had given them. 

As a sign of their undying affection they have brought him a set of coffee cups - not an expensive gift, but one of great sentimental value.  The exchange embodied what the Past Pupils' movement came to signify: appreciation for the education received; repaying their efforts by living as song of Don Bosco, showing the world they could at the same time be, as Don Bosco wanted, good Christians and honest citizens. 

From that first group considered to be the 'mother' association, a vast movement of Past Pupils of Don Bosco arose and is today world-wide. 

[Extract from the article, 'It began with a set of coffee cups!'  in The Salesian Bulletin of the Province of Ireland, October - December 2019 Issue, p. 6.]

A piece of history

This morning Fr Sean showed me a postcard he got from the Agricultural show in Chertsey.  It is of the Salesian Sisters school.  The postal stamp on the card has been ripped off so cannot really know the date.  But it certainly is of the early 1900's.  Two indicators: The address does not have a postcode and the fact that the Salesian Sisters were here in 1910.  Moreover the student addressed to has an Italian surname (at least sounds so).  Perhaps of the early days when the Sisters were mainly catering to the Italian migrants to the country - because there were hardly any English Sisters and most of those here were from Italy. 

Though none of the buildings or even trees in the photo are present, would be interesting to know where exactly is this location, vis-a-vis our present residence.  The postcard itself is a kind of progress card, informing a particular student about the success in her exam - and the failure of only one in the batch, poor Barbara!

When Fr Sean told the man selling this card at the agricultural show - of all places! - that he is a current resident of the location of the photo and knows the Salesian Sisters, the man gave it to him for free - though it was priced £ 6.

Salesian Sisters at Cowley

Visited the elderly Salesian Sisters at Cowley this morning, with Fr John.  There were two new Sisters, since I last visited them a couple of months ago.  Two of those whom I'd met in my previous visits looked a bit pale and weak.  For the rest they looked fine and hearty.  It was interesting to notice that some of them, even though now find it difficult to walk unaided or even hold a coffee cup steady, have not lost their sense of humour and joy in life.  A couple of them are very silent and look lost.  Looks as if they are yet to reconcile themselves to the fact that they are no more young, energetic and in-charge! 

What's surprising was that a couple of them remembered me - of course, not my name but that I am a Brother and have visited them earlier!  

Mary Help of Christians (4)

Mary Mazzarello, the first founding superior of the Salesian Sisters (FMA) was also a great devotee of Mother Mary, especially under the title 'Mary Help of Christians'.  When Don Bosco christened the fledgling group of young girls as a religious congregation he gave them the name 'Daughters of Mary Help of Christians' (Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice in Italian).  

Mary Mazzarello is said to have always referred to herself as the vicar of the congregation, citing Mother Mary as the real and first superior.  Moreover, every night after locking the house, the keys of the house would be placed strategically at the feet of Mother Mary, a sign that the house and all its inmates were under her protection.  

Our Lady at the Chertsey cemetery, looking after the deceased Salesian Sisters

Organ donors

Last night I stayed up a bit late to receive Sr Mary ____ FMA who was coming to give a talk to the Salesian cooperators today.  While I gave her company during her supper, she narrated some of her most cherished memories of this place, Chertsey.

I knew that this place where we Salesians now have our residence was actually of the Salesian Sisters, but what I did not know was that it was their Provincial house for donkeys years.  For almost 7 to 8 decades this was their Provincial house!!  And Sr Mary recalled that the place where our Chapel is, was their Chapel too but made of tin for many many years ... and it is there that very many of the Sisters made their perpetual profession!!

She remembered with nostalgia, how the early local vocations were sent to New Jersey or other missions in the States, besides India, and Australia to help with the English language.  Somehow the superiors then did not think much of developing the English province.  They were not too sure of getting quality and quantity vocations from a predominantly protestant context!  So those few who joined were sent to build up already established mission centres elsewhere.

Quite a few were sent to the States because the Italian community which the FMAs (themselves Italians) catered to wanted their next generation to be adept not only in Italian but English as well. Hence the need for 'English speaking' Sisters!  

Novena to Don Bosco: Hard Work

Novena to Don Bosco

(Remembering DON BOSCO and the significant people who shaped his life and works)

Day 5: Fr Michael Rua 

(The first successor of Don Bosco) 

HARD WORK

Fr Michael Rua who joined Don Bosco as a small boy, later became a Salesian Priest and was appointed the Rector Major after the death of Don Bosco. He was made Rector of the minor Seminary at Mirabello, the first Salesian house after Turin (Rome), when he was just just 26 years old. Such was the confidence that Don Bosco had in Rua, his 'Chief Collaborator' for 36 years.

When he died, on April 6, 1910, at the age of 73, the Salesian Congregation had grown from 773 Salesians to 4,000, from 57 houses to 345, from 6 Provinces to 34, in 33 countries.

You and I will always go halves in everything. 

The words of Don Bosco to Michael Rua, as he took his hand and made a gesture of dividing his hand, when he did not have a medal to give him. He was a little boy of 8 when he attended the Oratory of Don Bosco for the first time, along with his elder brother, in September 1845. 

There is only one who could deserve the accolade of martyr of work: Fr Rua. 

Words of Don Bosco himself in August 1876, when asked if it was true that some Salesians died of overwork. 

Don Rua was called the 'living rule' for his austere fidelity and practice of the rules of the community, and at the same time he was also known as the 'king of kindness' for the fatherliness he displayed.
(Click here to download the pdf file for display)

Novena to Don Bosco: Detachment

Novena to Don Bosco

(Remembering DON BOSCO and the significant people who shaped his life and works)

Day 4: Fr Borel
(First Helper of Don Bosco)

DETACHMENT 

Fr Borel, the first one to help Don Bosco at the Oratory, when the latter began to work solely for his poor boys. He was a good, short, simple and popular Diocesan Priest. He was affectionately called the 'little priest' because of his short stature. However, he inspired Don Bosco through his selfless and tireless hardwork. 

If you really love your boys, you must be ready to make this sacrifice too. 

Words of encouragement given by Fr Borel to Don Bosco, in 1844, when the oratory was in its infancy and Don Bosco had to go around begging for money. 

He appeared to be a little priest not counting for much, but ten good priests could hardly have done the good that this great servant of God has done. 

Words uttered by a weeping Don Bosco while Fr Borel was on his deathbed on September 9, 1873. 

Fr Borel was so generous and detached that on his deathbed he had nothing in his possession, not even enough money for his own funeral.  

(Click here to download the pdf file for display)

Novena to Don Bosco: Discipline and Perseverance

Novena to Don Bosco

(Remembering DON BOSCO and the significant people who shaped his life and works)

Day 2: Francis de Sales 

(Patron of the Salesian Society) 

DISCIPLINE AND PERSEVERANCE

Don Bosco choose St Francis de Sales as the patron of his Salesian Congregation because he was inspired by the loving kindness of this great saint. The life of St Francis de Sales showed him that change is not only possible; that it is as vital as breathing.

Begin to practice self-denial in little things, so that later you will be able to do so in bigger things. 

In a goodnight to the boys of his oratory exhorting them to grow in the virtue of mortification and perfection in little things of life. 

Forgive others everything; yourself, nothing. 

Following the example of St Francis de Sales, Don Bosco learnt to be charitable to others, but never to oneself. He practised great tolerance towards his boys and others but was very austere with himself. 

Pray, pray, but with faith – with living faith! Courage! Onward, ever onward! 

One of the last words of Don Bosco on his deathbed in the month of January 1888. 
(Click here to download the pdf file for display)

Working together?

One concrete thing we, the members of the Salesian family, can actually work on is the target group of our apostolate.  Not that it is unknown but why are we so blind to it. It had ocurred to me earlier while at Ramanthapur but now it flashed across my mind more vividly today.  As part of our work at Ramanthapur, we also look after girl children in distress. Of course it is at Hayathnagar.

I wondered then (when I first visited the place) and more so today.  Why on earth should we take up this task?  Especially when there are Salesian Sisters running two centres that too just beside our own centres at Bhoiguda and Uppal for exactly the same category of children - girls in distress or in need of care and protection. We could easily direct whenever there is a case, to the FMAs.

And as if that itself is not sufficiently illogical and insane, desperately search for and invite Sisters from other congregations to take care of the girls' home!! 

Moving together...?

Witnessing the workings of the major superiors of the Salesian family (SDB-Regional, Mother Superiors, Provincials) I realised how rigid our structures force us to be. What actually is created initially for the mission is now the one that determines the mission.  Even to arrive at a collective decision which would then be carried out in very creative or flexible ways, is so cumbersome with most saying, "We'll have to discuss this with our local team".  And I was imagining what the 'local team' would be saying if asked about the same proposed line of action - "How can we decide about it. It has to be decided at the Superiors level!"

Perhaps the most free 'liberated' person in this whole assembly is Fr Joe D'Souza.  He made his points clear: don't ask me for funds, but personnel I'm willing to send... just ask.  He never had any conditions for his society members. No conditions or contracts.  Need help, just ask.  I understand that even though this has its own pitfalls, but I honestly admire and appreciate his vision of not getting struck to any buildings or any complicated structures.

Though something is achieved by this sort of meetings but can't really say we are moving forward, may be in circles!!  In comparison to all that we can really achieve together, what we actually decide and carry out is nothing!

Seeds of a Salesian Vocation

We had an rather serious and involved monthly recollection this morning at Gagilapuram.  We reflected by ourselves on the second chapter of our Constitutions (the Salesian Spirit).

Among the other things that caught my attention during the specific reading of the decade of articles we choose for our reflection, I found Art. 16 most appealing.  It speaks of the Salesian Family Spirit.

In an atmosphere of mutual trust and daily forgiveness, the need and joy of sharing everything is experienced, and relationships are governed not so much by recourse to rules as by faith and the promptings of the heart.  

Quite a good synthesis of what should characterize a religious community. However what struck me most was the sentence that followed.  Not that it was anything so revelatory. But I never knew that the Constitutions themselves had spelled this so distinctly, that too right in the first section of the book (only goes to show how thorough is my own knowledge about the Salesian Constitutions).

This is a witness that enkindles in the young the desire to know and to follow the salesian vocation. 

Looking back at my own life, it is precisely this 'curiosity' the sort of 'magic' in the ambiance at the vocation camp that drew me to the aspirantate.

Statistics reveal that for the past decade or more, there have been just one youngster who has joined us from our own settings.  All the others never ever were associated with the Salesians till they reached the vocation camp or aspirantate!  Spells something very very distinctly about our community life in the Province.

Lay Collaboration

Last evening listening to the sharing of a couple of men who were invited as observers - who were also Salesian co-operators - I felt this strong message coming across. Amidst staff and collaborators, our Salesian presence is actually the life-giving presence.  Now I don't mean it positively!  It is actually a very detrimental and damaging presence and involvement.  The lay collaborators exist and function only at the push of the Salesians.

While on the one hand we have the famous Salesian quote that the Salesian community is the nucleus of the apostolate, but that does not mean that we should make the lay people or those involved with us purely dependent and alive only and only because of the Salesians...

... never helped to be independent and grow.... always dependent... we dominate... make them subservient...

...and everyone's happy!  That's the tragedy!

Salesian Mission and the Lay Dimension

A concerned confrere asked me this simple but very relevant question: How do we envision the future of Salesian mission in India when the lay dimension (involving Brothers, lay people as cooperators, volunteers, past pupils...) is abysmally minimal?  Can it and will it truly be bright and holistic?

The immediate thing that comes to my mind is this. India is basically a land of cults and rituals. Therefore the person performing these takes a privileged place in society. Catholicism too, unconsciously or by way of inculturation, has imbibed this particular preferential viewpoint of some 'over' the others. I would not hesitate to say that there is also a very conscious and deliberate attempt to keep laity off the loop, leave alone engage them as partners. And in my frank opinion, this outlook will take some time to broaden up or open up.

My only fear is that we are not even ready to learn from the experience of the West wherein the lay participation has picked up after (or perhaps in revolt of) the domination of the clergy and the religious in the medieval era. Perhaps a few hard knocks will waken us up to the reality that needs to be witnessed and REALISED.  Hope we better learn to live this essential dimension of our Salesian mission sooner than a regretfully later date.  

Demystifying 'community'

On February 12, 2013 The Hindu carried an interesting article by Sanjay Srivastava on it Op-Ed page, titled "Pathology of the hurt sentiment".  It shed some interesting light and presented some refreshing facts about community and feelings. As I read the article then, something struck me but I couldn't figure out what.  So I preserved that page and it has been rolling on my table (which is often clean of any papers except my planner) since then.  I picked it up again today and it occurred to me that perhaps there is some lesson for me about our Salesian or religious community in this article. So here are the excepts that led me to this insight:

A community is not a monolithic object and not all members of a community enjoy equal rights and privileges.  In fact, very frequently, the idea of not hurting public sentiments only serves to mask the fact that it is the attitudes of the most privileged that are being protected from criticism.  There are, actually, not only communities, but also individuals with different interests, and relationship to power and privilege.  

A note about the past, history... tradition:

When public commentators are urged not to hurt public sentiments, it is an an implicit plea to allow past practices and beliefs to dictate contemporary life. 

Continual glorification of the past is, in fact, a frequent indicator of contemporary cultural nervousness. 

Demands for respecting public sentiments are not only premised on the idea that there is a homogenous public out there, but that sentiments and beliefs are themselves unchanging.  Further, that the slightest questioning of an established way of thinking will lead to civilizational chaos, disharmony and social disarray. 

The idea of 'community' is, in the final analysis, both an objective reality as well as fiction.  For, we might, for instance, pray in a similar manner to many others (and the act forms an actual religious community), but to think that all members of a community must continue to believe in ideas that might have been prevalent a hundred years ago is to present a fairytale version of what community life should be about.  

Some bells about radical life of witness, community life, upholding tradition, preserving our heritage, identity, and the upcoming Salesian Brothers' Congress are ringing in my ears! 

In life than in death

The discussion and arguments at the staff table are really down to earth and lively. This afternoon speaking about one of them, a senior confrere narrated that when he was the director of a national institute, there was a Sister with whom he was not getting along well. With great difficulty he got her Provincial to move her out of the institute. As she left the institute, bitter and angry, she threatened this Father that her soul would haunt him after her death. The Father gently replied, "It's not your soul, after your death that I am afraid of but of you when alive!!"

Salesians 2010

Salesians 2010

That's the link to the Salesian Magazine (digital form) 2010. It's a great initiative showcasing the Salesian apostolate around the world and a short of chronicle too. Looks great and I am more interested in the digitalisation process and distribution process of it. I'm sure Fr Julian Fox is pushing for this in his own way.

Energising a movement

Fr Anchukandam Thomas, the Salesian Provincial of Bangalore (INK) and the SPCSA representative, in his goodnight to the participants of the South Asia Communication Meeting, shed new light on the Strenna 2010 of the Rector Major (of making the Salesian Family a movement). He said that, in order to make this envisaged movement an efficient reality five essential features need to be strengthened: the centrality of the person, the intended/proposed programme, the effective and vibrant communication of them both, the consistency (between the person and the programme proposed) and the necessity of getting significant people, related to realizing this goal, on board.

I found this synthetic procedure quite precise and appealing may be because it primarily challenges each confrere to take responsibility for the movement.

Sharing and enlarging the family

One of the main problems why we Salesians find it difficult to find collaborators for our efforts is perhaps our 'me-and-MY JOB' attitude. We hardly make known to others, especially and specifically to our beneficiaries, our works. We run a school but hardly do any of our children or their parents know that we also work for children on the street, the juveniles, the school drop-outs, ... Our Parishioners only get good and holy sermons about the 'Kingdom of heaven', not much about how it is already being unfolded in our boardings, youth centres, technical schools, street children homes, counselling centres... !

Conclusion, we slog today, tomorrow and here after - all by ourselves! Worse still, when students pass out of our institutions, they have little or no sense of social responsibility, even though we taught them, we paid their fees, we bought their uniforms, we provided them with the best of education!! But imagine if we were to involve all those whom we interact with in our daily mission, introduce them to OUR work (not merely my work)... Some ideas that cropped up in my mind today as I listened to Fr MC George I put down here:

• take boys/parishioners to our other Salesian centres for a day of outing.
• while preparing souvenirs, brochures and booklets, include a small note about the other works we do.
• invite young people for a retreat or day of recollection in our formation houses (when the formees are there, not when they are gone for holidays!).
• get our own friends to speak to our aspirants - anything!
  
• get street children into our 'mainstream' schools.
  
• involve high school children in organising camps for the less-privileged children.

I need to speak about my family - after all, the one working in the boarding or parish or street children centre, or the mission station is my brother, my confrere! And if my extended family starts working together (each one in their own way), ah... now that's going to be something grand! I won't have to carry Don Bosco or Christ alone!!