austraLasia #1277

Obedience, personalities, pastoral model. Day Four, Sampran

SAMPRAN: 5th January 2007 --  After initial presentation of the Memoirs of the Oratory by Fr Giraudo, participants gathered in groups (provinces, mainly) to look at the application of an 'oratorian' style and approach today.  This gave rise to further searching questions.  A sample: are there still other stories behind the story? Who kept things together during Don Bosco's extended absence (illness, rest)? Was Cavour (vicar, Turin) really so hostile when independent records suggest he was cooperative and understanding?  The presenter's response followed the line that there is certainly a real story out there, but the MO selects and compiles accounts according to guidelines which can be discerned by careful reading: God's role in guiding events being one of these. Thus two readings are always possible - and necessary: establishing historical facts; maintaining a theological reading to draw out the spiritual treasures for ourselves today.  A prominent question concerned obedience - as represented in MO and as a virtue for Salesians today.
    Further workshopping of the MO: the importance of the many personalities identified by Don Bosco - Cafasso, Guala, Borell, even Garelli.... As participants revealed their various reactions and applications, Fr Giraudo encouraged this kind of reflection and application into the future at province level. He responded to the question on obedience.  It is to be read for how it is presented in MO - the primacy of God, doing God's will on the one hand, but also seeking to correctly discern our educative and pastoral work in practice. 'Operative' obedience, then!  Today it is very much a community exercise of discernment (C. 66) with God firmly at the centre.  If not, we tend towards a situation where independent charismatics are at work with personal agendas.
    Eight provincial delegates met in the evening to look at ways to follow up the Workshop and strengthen Salesianity and formation programmes throughout the Region.
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