Giovanni Bosco – “Formation of the Salesians through conferences and dream accounts” in “Salesian Sources 1. Don Bosco and his work. Collected works”

The years of foundation and consolidation of the Salesian Society and the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are ones where Don Bosco’s horizons expanded in an impressive manner. The priest of Valdocco, ever more aware of having received a divine mission, feels that he has been transported into a huge field of activity, given a charism that makes him father and founder of a movement of apostles, consecrated men and women who are destined to spread over space and time. His spiritual magisterium deepens, his proposals become more radical, all-embracing.

The texts included here are taken from notes made during Don Bosco’s conferences. They are simply examples. As with the circular and personal letters, on these occasions too the saint emphasises what he considers to be characteristic aspects of Salesian consecrated life, with the freshness and liveliness typical of direct speech. These addresses further confirm the total understanding Don Bosco has of consecration and the Salesian vocation, which ask for generous and determined commitment. The reader can see that the dreams addressed to the Salesians (nos. 263-265), compared with those to the boys, along with their instructive and symbolic function, involve a more marked spiritual and charismatic purpose. In particular the dream of the ten diamonds (no. 265), which presents the icon of the ideal Salesian, showing what is specific to the Salesian spirit, “more than a feature or virtue, it is a range of attitudes, deep convictions and well tested methodological experiences which flow harmonically into the creation of an original and particular style of holiness and apostolate.”

Reference time period: 1858 – 1881

Reference institution:
Istituto Storico Salesiano