Senza autore – The project of life of the salesians of Don Bosco. A guide to the salesian Constitutions

The text provides an overview of the process and objectives behind the creation of a commentary on the renewed Constitutions of the Salesians of Don Bosco, as directed by the General Chapter 22 (GC22).

The commentary, initiated by the Rector Major and his Council in response to the GC22’s directive, aimed to deepen understanding, clarify spiritual content, and inspire adherence to the Constitutions among the members of the salesian community. The commentary was meticulously prepared over a period of several years, involving a team of competent confreres assigned to analyze and interpret specific sections of the text. Emphasizing doctrinal accuracy, historical context, and fidelity to salesian sources, the commentary provides insights into the spiritual implications of each article and offers practical guidance for daily life. It highlights the importance of understanding the term “Constitutions” in the context of religious life, tracing its historical evolution and significance. The commentary, while not an official document, carries authority and value in spiritual direction and salesian formation. Ultimately, it serves as a valuable resource for individuals and communities striving to live out the salesian charism faithfully, rooted in the teachings and spirit of Don Bosco.

 

Contents

• Presentation

• Signs and Abbreviations

• Contents

• I. General introduction 

• II. A brief history of the text 

• III. The structure of the text 

• The “foreword” 

• First part

• The salesians of Don Bosco in the church

• Ch. I The society of St Francis De Sales 

• • Art. 1 God’s action in the foundation and life of our Society 
  • Art. 2 Nature and mission of our Society 
  • Art. 3 Our apostolic consecration 
  • Art. 4 The Form of our Society 
  • Art. 5 Our Society in the Salesian Family 
  • Art. 6 Our Society in the Church 
  • Art. 7 Our Society in the contemporary world 
  • Art. 8 The presence of Mary in our Society 
  • Art. 9 Patrons and Protectors of our Society 

• Ch. II The salesian spirit 

• • Art. 10 Pastoral charity the centre of our spirit 
  • Art. 11 Christ of the Gospel the source of our spirit
  • Art. 12 Union with God
  • Art. 13 Sense of the Church
  • Art. 14 Predilection for the young 
  • Art. 15 Salesian loving kindness 
  • Art. 16 Family spirit 
  • Art. 17 Optimism and joy 
  • Art. 18 Work and temperance
  • Art. 19 Initiative and flexibility 
  • Art. 20 The preventive system and salesian spirit 
  • Art. 21 Don Bosco our model 

• Ch. Ill The profession of the salesian

• • Art. 22 Personal vocation of the salesian 
  • Art. 23 Meaning of our profession 
  • Art. 24 Formula of profession 
  • Art. 25 Profession a source of sanctification 

• Second part

• Sent to the young in communities following Christ 

• Ch. IV Sent to the young 
  • Section I Those to whom our mission is directed
    • Art. 26 The young to whom we are sent 
    • Art. 27 Young workers
    • Art. 28 Young people called to serve the Church 
    • Art. 29 In working-class areas
    • Art. 30 People not yet evangelized 
  • Section II Our pastoral educational service 
    • Art. 31 Total development 
    • Art. 32 Personal development
    • Art. 33 Social and collective development 
    • Art. 34 Evangelization and catechesis
    • Art. 35 Introduction to ecclesial life
    • Art. 36 Introduction to liturgical life 
    • Art. 37 Vocational guidance 
    • Art. 38 The preventive system in our mission 
    • Art. 39 Assistance as an attitude and method 
  • Section III Criteria for salesian activity 
    • Art. 40 Don Bosco’s Oratory a permanent criterion 
    • Art. 41 Inspirational criteria for our activity and works 
    • Art. 42 Activities and works 
    • Art. 43 Social communication 
  • Section IV Those who share responsibility for the mission
    • Art. 44 The mission is given to the community 
    • Art. 45 Common and complementary responsibilities 
    • Art. 46 “Vfoung salesians
    • Art. 47 The educative community and lay people associated with our work 
    • Art. 48 Solidarity with the particular Church 

• Ch. V In fraternal and apostolic communities

• • Art. 49 Importance of life in community 
  • Art. 50 The bonds of unity 
  • Art. 51 Relationships of fraternal friendship 
  • Art. 52 The confrere in the community 
  • Art. 53 Sick and aging confreres 
  • Art. 54 Death of the confrere 
  • Art. 55 The rector in the community 
  • Art. 56 A welcoming community 
  • Art. 57 An open community 
  • Art. 58 The provincial community 
  • Art. 59 The world community

• Ch. VI Following Christ, obedient, poor and chaste 

• • • Art. 60 Following Christ 
    • Art. 61 Fraternal and apostolic love 
    • Art. 62 A particular sign of God’s presence
    • Art. 63 Witness of the world to come 

• • Section II Our obedience 
    • Art. 64 Gospel significance of our obedience 
    • Art. 65 Salesian style of obedience and authority 
    • Art. 66 Shared responsibility in obedience 
    • Art. 67 Personal obedience and freedom
    • Art. 68 Requirements of the vow of obedience 
    • Art. 69 Personal gifts and obedience 
    • Art. 70 The talk with the superior 
    • Art. 71 Obedience and the mystery of the cross
• Section II Our poverty 
  • • Art. 72 Gospel significance of our poverty 
    • Art. 73 Poverty and the salesian mission 
    • Art. 74 Requirements of the vow of poverty
    • Art. 75 Personal commitment to poverty 
    • Art. 76 Christian sharing of goods 
    • Art. 77 Witness of poverty in the community and in our works 
    • Art. 78 Work
    • Art. 79 Solidarity with the poor 
• Section III Our chastity
  • • Art. 80 Gospel significance of our chastity 
    • Art. 81 Chastity and the salesian mission 
    • Art. 82 Chastity and human maturity 
    • Art. 83 Chastity and community life 
    • Art. 84 Attitudes and means for growing in chastity

• Ch. VII In dialogue with the Lord 

• • Art. 85 The gift of prayer 
  • Art. 86 Salesian prayer 
  • Art. 87 The community attentive to the Word 
  • Art. 88 The community made one by the Eucharist 
  • Art. 89 The mystery of Christ in time
  • Art. 90 The community in continual conversion 
  • Art. 91 Opportune times for renewal
  • Art. 92 Mary in the life and prayer of the salesian 
  • Art. 93 Personal prayer 
  • Art. 94 The memory of our dead confreres 
  • Art. 95 Life as prayer 

• Third part
• Formed for the mission of pastors and educators 
• Ch. VIII General aspects of our formation 
  • Section I Salesian formation
    • Art. 96 Vocation and formation
    • Art. 97 Salesian orientation of formation 
    • Art. 98 The formation experience
    • Art. 99 Personal and community commitment
    • Art. 100 Unity of formation and different cultures
    • Art. 101 The provincial community and formation 
  • Section II Initial formation 
    • Art. 102 Complexity and unity of the initial formation period 
    • Art. 103 Formation communities 
    • Art. 104 Role of formation personnel 
    • Art. 105 The salesian in initial formation
    • Art. 106 Formation curriculum 
    • Art. 107 Incorporation in the Society and stages of formation
    • Art. 108 Admissions
• Ch. IX The formative process 
  • Art. 109 Preparation for the novitiate 
  • Art. 110-111 The novitiate and its duration 
  • Art. 112 The director of novices
  • Art. 113 Period of temporary profession
  • Art. 114 The immediate Postnovitiate 
  • Art. 115 Practical training 
  • Art. 116 Specific formation of the salesian priest and salesian brother
  • Art, 117 Perpetual profession 
  • Art. 118 Need for ongoing formation
  • Art. 119 Ongoing formation as a permanent personal frame of mind 
• Fourth part

• The service of authority in our society 

• Ch. X General principles and criteria 
• • Art. 120 Basic structure of our Society
  • Art. 121 Nature of the service of authority 
  • Art. 122 Unity in the government of the Society 
  • Art. 123 Participation and shared responsibility 
  • Art. 124 Subsidiarity and decentralization 
• Ch. XI Service of authority in the world community

1. The Supreme Pontiff (art. 125)
2. The Rector Major (art. 126-129) 
3. The general council (art. 130-144) 

The Vicar of the Rector Major (art. 134)

The Councillor for formation (art. 135)

The Councillor for the youth apostolate (art. 136)

The Councillor for the Salesian Family and for social communication (art. 137)

The Councillor for the missions (art. 138)

Three special assignments (art. 144-145) 

1. The general chapter (art. 146-153) 

• Ch. XII Service of authority in the provincial community

1. Juridical circumscriptions (art. 156-160)
2. The provincial (art. 161-163)
3. The provincial council (art. 164-169) 
4. The provincial chapter (art. 170-174) 

• Ch. XIII Service of authority in the local community 

1. The local community (art. 175) 
2. The rector (art. 176-177) 
3. The local council (art. 178-185)
4. Assembly of the confreres (art. 186) 

• Ch. XIV Administration of temporal goods

• • Art. 187 
  • Art. 188 
  • Art. 189
  • Art. 190 

• Conclusion 

• • Art. 191 The particular law of our society 
  • Art. 192 Meaning and interpretation of the Constitutions 
  • Art. 193 Binding quality of the Constitutions 
  • Art. 194 Separation from the Society 
  • Art. 195 Fidelity and perseverance 
  • Art. 196 A way that leads to love 

• The general regulations 

• Bibliography 

• Analytical index to Constitutions and Regulations 

 

 

 

Reference time period: 1984 – 1986

The project of life of the salesians of Don Bosco. A guide to the salesian Constitutions, translated from the italian by George Williams, Salesian institute of graphic arts, Madras, India 1987.