austraLasia #3465
What a treasure!
A Salesian Way of Life
BOLTON: July 15, 2014 -- One of the really 'great little' Salesian
Publishing Houses in the world is Don Bosco Publications,
UK. They keep coming up with ideas that meet the needs
of the masses. They manage to 'translate' Salesian
spirituality out of what can sometimes sound like
hagiographical hogwash - at least for the ordinary and
uninitiated. The latest effort, A
Salesian Way of Life is a real treasure. The best 43 pages for the
least handful of cents (or pennies) you are likely to spend
for a while.
We know that a 'Rule of Life' is common to religious
communities, with roots going back to Benedict and other
'Greats'. But a 'Rule' might still be off-putting for some
today, so it was an inspired little touch to come out with A
Salesian Way of Life, and as the author, Fr David O'Malley,
describes it, not far into this brief but profound and
inviting invitation to 'be Salesian' whoever you are, whatever
gender, faith background ... "This small book uses the word 'Way' in its title.
In some respects it resembles the first part of the Rule of
Life followed by vowed Salesians. It is not a list of rules
but a way of living ..."
Not so different in dimensions (though not in thickness) from
the Salesian Constitutions and Regulations, in bottle green
rather than the burnt sienna of the C&R, it even mirrors
certain aspects of the latter, the emblematic picture of Don
Bosco handing over the Constitutions to the 1875 first
missionary expedition, and a little appendix with Don Bosco's
signature 'borrowed' from the Letter from Rome which includes
just a daily prayer, a pic of the Salesian Coat of Arms, and
an extract from his circular On Good Books. In some ways, if
you have seen an actual copy of one of Don Bosco's 'Catholic
Readings', it is about that size and maybe it has much the
same purpose, really, to bolster the faith of ordinary people.
Other than Don Bosco, who simply shines through the pages
without the need to hammer his name at every turn, we find
this work dedicated to Margaret, his mother, and Francis de
Sales, along with Jane for that matter - and here, in a simple
way, the book will immediately appeal to women too.
The similarities with the C&R at a physical level probably
stop here but not at the level of 'deep content' inasmuch as
the substance of the Rule of Life are translated into the Way
of Life. It's all there: presence, moved by an inner spirit, a
worldwide network, awakening a family likeness ... a Gospel
pathway, Mary ... but you immediately notice how Salesian
spirituality has been translated into vibrant, normal English
- a rare treat indeed!
Here's a little passage, just by way of example, since 'loving
kindness' is a typical and central Salesian virtue and
practice and it might be good to see how it is handled:
The only proper response to this
presence
living
within you and in those around you
are gratitude and loving kindness.
Gratitude opens you up to receive a family spirit
moving in all people and in creation.
Loving kindness becomes the outward sign
of the respect for this sacred presence
living at the heart of all people;
it breaks through the isolation of all individuals
and builds community.
We all know that our Salesian Way of Life is a treasure, but
what a real treasure to find it so masterfully presented
for a wide range of human beings. The SDB will see his Rule
jumping out at him at every point - some of the words,
phrases, and certainly concepts; the lay person does not need
that background, he or she is simply invited in and made to
feel at home. As the author says "It is a small contribution
to the renewal of Salesian spirituality as we celebrate Don
Bosco's Bicentenary."
