TIGARAKSA: 28th October '04 -- During his meeting with the novitiate community at Tigaraksa, (10 novices and 12 prenovices), Fr Pascual Chávez offered his thoughts on the Salesian vocation, drawing on what we know of how Don Bosco formed his own youngsters into a life of commitment as a Salesian.  He recalled the 'promise of charity', that key moment when Rua, Cagliero and several others were invited to commit themselves to the practice of charity towards neighbour.  We know Cagliero's mixed feelings and his eventual 'monk or not, I will stay with Don Bosco'.

    Obedience was the key, not just for Cagliero, also for Rua.  Mary told Don Bosco in a dream to 'bind them tight with obedience'.  It is our most important vow.

    'The most beautiful gift you can receive from God is vocation', said the Rector Major.  Without vocation we are simply consumers of life, directionless.  Developed countries confront youth with material things, but do not offer real meaning in life.  If you have your call, your vocation you find energy to face even the most difficult trials.

    Salesian vocation?  'To follow Christ, firstly, and to follow we need to be in love since without this love we lack the energy.  We need to 'put on' Christ and put off things that do not fit our vocation.  The Rector Major spoke of his experience with streetkids in Colombia where the Salesian practice is first to bring them to the forest to work the soil, then before finishing this step they put all their old clothes on the fire, have a bath then put on new clothes with the promise 'I will become a new man'.  This can be the Salesian's image too.

    'Follow Christ in the footsteps of Don Bosco', and to do this, love young people and what they love; this will be the reason for your life.  Develop the qualities to be a good community person - learn how to welcome, to listen, to take the first step, to appreciate, to respect decisions taken together.  Young people admire it when we show that we feel at home and love each other.  Then, belong to God through obedience, poverty, chastity. 'Please, be not afraid, be courageous rather.  We need to learn how to be obedient, poor and chaste.  And finally, we need to be prayerful.  Consecrated life is a charismatic gift of the Holy Spirit.  We need to pray.'

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