As we begin this school year, my beloved sons, it is fitting that I fulfil my promise to speak to you about the foundation of morality and study, which is discipline among students. I do not claim to present you with a treatise on moral or civil precepts relating to discipline; I only wish to explain to you the methods that 45 years of experience have found to be fruitful in producing good results. I hope that these trials and results will also serve as a lesson to you in the various tasks that may be entrusted to you.

By discipline, I do not mean correction, punishment or the whip, things that are never discussed among us; nor do I mean artifice or mastery of any particular thing; by discipline, I mean a way of life that conforms to the rules and customs of an institution.

Therefore, in order to obtain good results from discipline, it is necessary first of all that the rules be observed by everyone. Give me a family in which many gather and only one scatters; a building in which many work to construct and only one destroys; we will see the family fall into ruin and the building collapse and be reduced to a pile of rubble.

This observance must be considered in the members of the Congregation and in the young people entrusted to our care by divine Providence; therefore, discipline will remain ineffective if the rules of the Society and the college are not observed.

Believe me, my dear friends, the moral and academic progress of students, or their downfall, depends on this observance.

At this point, you may ask me: What are these practical rules that can help us when purchasing such a precious treasure?

Two things: one general, the other specific. In general, observe the rules of the Congregation and discipline will prevail. No one should ignore the rules pertaining to their office; observe them and ensure that your employees observe them too. If those who preside over others are not observant, they cannot expect their employees to do what they themselves neglect; otherwise, they would be answered with: medice, cura te ipsum.

However, to give some practical examples, I will mention the things that particularly apply to each of us.

1. The rector. He must be instructed in the duties of both the members as a group and the members assigned to specific tasks. He does not need to work hard, but he must ensure that everyone fulfils their respective duties.

Our houses can be compared to a garden. The head gardener does not need to work hard; it is enough for him to find skilled workers, instruct them in horticulture, assist them, advise them when necessary, and be present for the most important matters in order to help those who are confused about the most important issues. This gardener is the rector; the tender seedlings are the students; all the staff are the cultivators employed by the owner, that is, by the rector, who is responsible for everyone's actions.

The rector will then gain much if he does not leave the house entrusted to him except for reasonable and serious reasons; and if these serious reasons arise, he should never leave without first establishing who will replace him in matters that may arise. With all charity, he should visit often, or at least ask about the dormitories, the kitchen, the infirmary, the schools and the study. He should constantly be that loving father who desires to know everything in order to do good to all and harm to none.

2. Prefect. – The prefect or censor of discipline must ensure that the house timetable is observed; prevent, as far as possible, relations between those inside and those outside; ensure that assistants, and in general those in positions of authority, are among the young people during recreation time. He must ensure that walks do not have stops, that is, that there are no places where the walk is interrupted and the pupils can slip away from the assistants' watchful eye. No one should stray from the ranks, no one should go to cafés or hotels; no one should associate with outsiders or bring in books, newspapers or letters that have not been checked by their superiors.

3. Catechist. –The catechist should remember that the spirit and moral benefit of our homes depends on promoting the Altar Boys, the Immaculate Conception, the Blessed Sacrament and St Aloysius Sodalities. He should ensure that everyone, especially the coadjutors, has the opportunity to attend confession and communion. If any of the persons engaged in domestic work are in need of instruction, ensure that they lack nothing in order to receive Communion, Confirmation, serve at Holy Mass and the like. Speak some time before the solemnities to be celebrated and, with short sermons or similar examples, prepare the pupils with as much decorum and pomp as possible.

4. Teachers – Teachers should be the first to enter the classroom and the last to leave. They should love all their pupils equally; encourage everyone, despise no one. They should sympathise with the most ignorant in the class, take great care of them, question them often, and if necessary speak to those responsible so that they may also be helped outside school. Every teacher must not forget that they are a Christian teacher, so when the school subject or the occasion of celebrations provides an opportunity to suggest a maxim, advice or warning to their pupils, they must never neglect it.

5. The assistants – All those who exercise any authority in schools, in the dormitories, in the kitchen, in the porter's lodge and in any other part of the house, should be punctual in their duties, practise the rules of the Society, especially religious practices, but should make every effort to prevent murmuring against superiors, against the running of the house, and especially insist, recommend, and spare no effort to prevent bad talk.

6. It is strongly recommended that everyone communicate to the rector all matters that may serve to promote the good and prevent offence to the Lord.

The Lord said one day to one of his disciples: Hoc fac et vives. Do this, that is, observe my precepts and you will have eternal life. I say the same to you, my dear sons: strive to put into practice what your most affectionate Father has explained to you, and you will have the Lord's blessing, you will enjoy peace in your hearts, discipline will triumph in our homes, and we will see our pupils grow in virtue and walk confidently along the path to their eternal salvation.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with me and with you always, so that we may all love and serve him constantly in this life, and one day go to praise and bless him eternally in heaven. Amen.

Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ

Fr John Bosco