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FORMATION |
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1 FORMATION |
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OF SALESIANS
OF DON BOSCO
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1.1 PRINCIPLES AND NORMS |
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RATIO FUNDAMENTALIS
ISTITUTIONIS ET STUDIORUM
Third Edition
ROME 2000
CONTENTS
Contents
Abbreviations
Decree of Promulgation
First Part
Chapter 1
SALESIAN FORMATION IN THE PRESENT-DAY CIRCUMSTANCES: THE RATIO
1.1Vocation and formation: a gift to be welcomed and fostered
1.2With our gaze on Don Bosco Founder and Educator and on the reality of the Congregation
1.3Reference points for formation at the present day
1.3.1Understanding the context: key influences and challenges
1.3.2The experience and the guidelines of the Church
1.3.3The experience and the guidelines of the Congregation
1.4The Ratio: purpose, content and those to whom it is addressed
1.4.1The purpose of the Ratio
1.4.2The structure and content of the Ratio
1.4.3Those to whom the Ratio is addressed
Chapter 2
THE STARTING-POINT AND GOAL OF OUR FORMATION:OUR IDENTITY AS SALESIANS
2.1Our identity as Salesians
2.1.1A project of apostolic consecrated life
2.1.1.1Animated by pastoral love to be an educator and pastor of the young
2.1.1.2Responsible member of a community
2.1.1.3A witness to gospel radicalism
2.1.1.4Animator of communion in the spirit and mission of Don Bosco
2.1.1.5A part of the Church, open to the flow of events and in touch with reality
2.1.2The different forms of Salesian identity
2.1.2.1The Salesian priest
2.1.2.2The Salesian brother
2.2Formation at the service of Salesian identity
2.2.1Formation is determined by Salesian identity
2.2.2Formation promotes our identity on a permanent basis
2.2.3Formation links our identity with the cultural context
2.2.4Formation fosters growth in our identity according to our personal gifts
2.2.5Formation helps us to live out our identity within a communion of vocations
Practical Guidelines and norms
Chapter 3
THE ASPECTS OF FORMATION AND THE VALUES AND ATTITUDES TO BE ASSUMED
3.1Human formation
3.1.1Good health and the capacity to work
3.1.2Psychological balance
3.1.3Affective and sexual maturity
3.1.4Relational ability
3.1.5Responsible freedom
3.1.6Openness to reality
3.2Spiritual formation
3.2.1Giving the first place to God and his plan of salvation
3.2.2Sense of the Church
3.2.3The presence of Mary Immaculate, Help of Christians
3.2.4Young people, the meeting-place with God
3.2.5The experience of God in community life
3.2.6Following Christ in his obedience, poverty and chastity
3.2.6.1Following Christ in his obedience
3.2.6.2Following Christ in his poverty
3.2.6.3Following Christ in his chastity
3.2.7In dialogue with the Lord
3.3Intellectual formation
3.3.1Reasons for its importance
3.3.2The nature of intellectual formation
3.3.3Basic choices that govern the Salesian’s intellectual formation
3.3.3.1Salesian complexion
3.3.3.2Interaction between theory and practice and harmony with the prevailing historical context
3.3.3.3Unity and comprehensiveness
3.3.3.4Continuity
3.3.3.5Inculturation
3.3.4Subject areas
3.3.4.1A solid basic culture
3.3.4.2Studying the faith more deeply with the help of Theology
3.3.4.3A coherent understanding of man, the world and God with the help of Philosophy
3.3.4.4The human sciences and the sciences of education
3.3.4.5”Salesianity”
3.3.5Specialization and professionalism
3.3.6Study centres for formation
3.3.7Some suggestions to promote intellectual formation
Practical Guidelines and norms
3.4Formation for youth pastoral ministry
3.4.1Formation for the practice of the Preventive System, the incarnation of the Salesian mission
3.4.2Formation for Salesian Youth Pastoral Ministry, the realization of the Preventive System
3.4.3The values and attitudes proper to youth pastoral formation
3.4.3.1A love for, and presence among, the young, especially the poorest
3.4.3.2An integration of education with evangelization
3.4.3.3The communitarian nature of Salesian ministry
3.4.3.4An animating style
3.4.3.5An outlook focused on a structured ministry and overall planning
3.4.4Some lines of action for formation to youth pastoral ministry
3.4.4.1Formation for youth pastoral ministry
3.4.4.1.1 Responding to the Lord’s call in the needs of young people
3.4.4.1.2 Concern for the world of education
3.4.4.1.3 Theological and pastoral reflection and the guidelines of the Church
3.4.4.1.4 The acceptance of Salesian pastoral guidelines
3.4.4.1.5 Formation in the day-to-day experience of the mission
3.4.4.2Pastoral activities during the period of initial formation
Chapter 4
METHODOLOGY OF FORMATION: AN OUTLINE
4.1Involve the person in the depth of his being
4.2Animate a complete formation experience following a structured plan
4.3Ensure a formation environment and the involvement of everyone responsible
4.3.1The person of the Salesian
4.3.2The community a formation setting
4.3.2.1The local community
4.3.2.2The formation community
4.3.2.3The Study centre
4.3.2.4The provincial community
4.3.2.5The world community
4.3.3Those who are jointly responsible for formation
4.3.3.1Those jointly responsible at local level
4.3.3.1.1The Rector
4.3.3.1.2The formation team
4.3.3.1.3The teachers and experts
4.3.3.1.4The contribution of lay people
4.3.3.2Those jointly responsible at provincial level
4.3.3.2.1The Provincial with his Council
4.3.3.2.2The Delegate and the Provincial Commission for formation
4.3.3.3Contacts and collaboration at interprovincial level
4.3.3.4Those jointly responsible at world level
4.4Make daily life and work more efficacious for formation
4.4.1The presence among the young
4.4.2Working with others
4.4.3Communication
4.4.4Interpersonal relationships
4.4.5The social-cultural context
4.5Strive for effective guidance
4.5.1Community guidance
4.5.2Personal guidance
4.6Pay heed to discernment
4.6.1Discernment, a permanent aspect of Salesian life
4.6.2Discernment during the period of initial formation
4.6.3 Discernment in some particular circumstances
Second Part
Chapter 5
THE SALESIAN FORMATION PROCESS
5.1“A formation process that will last all his life”
5.2The characteristics of the formation process
5.2.1A personalised process
5.2.2A communitarian process
5.2.3A comprehensive and diversified process
5.2.4An continuous and gradual process
5.2.5An inculturated process
Chapter 6
THE PRENOVITIATE
6.1Nature and purpose
6.2The formation experience
6.2.1Human formation
6.2.1.1Physical condition and health
6.2.1.2Knowing oneself and making oneself known
6.2.1.3A serene affectivity
6.2.1.4The capacity for relationships
6.2.1.5The sense of responsibility
6.2.1.6An upright conscience and openness to situations
6.2.2Spiritual formation
6.2.3Intellectual formation
6.2.4Formation to youth pastoral ministry
6.3Some requirements for formation
6.3.1An experience of community
6.3.2Those responsible for formation: a guide
6.4Discernment and admission to the Novitiate
Chapter 7
THE NOVITIATE
7.1Nature and purpose
7.2The formation experience
7.2.1Human formation
7.2.2Spiritual formation
7.2.2.1Configuration to Christ in the context of the Da mihi animas
7.2.2.2Assimilation of the Salesian charism and identification with the Founder
7.2.2.3Experience of fraternal life
7.2.2.4Initiation to prayer encompassing his whole life
7.2.3Intellectual formation
7.2.4Formation to educative pastoral ministry
7.3Some requirements for formation
7.3.1The community and the setting
7.3.2The director of novices and those responsible for formation
7.4Discernment and admission to first profession
7.4.1Time of discernment
7.4.2Temporary profession
Chapter 8
THE POSTNOVITIATE
8.1Nature and purpose
8.2The formation experience
8.2.1Human formation
8.2.2Spiritual formation
8.2.3Intellectual formation
8.2.3.1Studies
8.2.3.1.1Philosophical sciences
8.2.3.1.2The human sciences and the sciences of education
8.2.3.1.3The Christian mystery and faith-education
8.2.3.1.4Salesian studies
8.2.3.2Other studies
8.2.3.3The curriculum for Salesian brothers
8.2.4Formation to youth pastoral ministry
8.3Some requirements for formation
8.3.1The setting
8.3.1.1The formation community
8.3.1.2Other communities
8.3.2Those responsible for formation
8.3.3Inter-provincial collaboration
Practical Guidelines and norms
Chapter 9
PRACTICAL TRAINING
9.1Nature and purpose
9.2The formation experience
9.2.1Human formation
9.2.2Spiritual formation
9.2.3Intellectual formation
9.2.4Formation to youth pastoral ministry
9.3Some requirements for formation
9.3.1The community
9.3.2The formation guide and the personal commitment of those in practical training
9.3.3The Provincial
Practical Guidelines and norms
Chapter 10
SPECIFIC FORMATION
SPECIFIC FORMATION OF THE SALESIAN BROTHER
10.1Nature and purpose
10.2The formation experience
10.2.1Human formation
10.2.2Spiritual formation
10.2.3Intellectual formation
10.2.3.1The study of theology
10.2.3.2Salesian studies
10.2.3.3Education in the social sphere
10.2.3.4Professional training
10.2.4Formation to youth pastoral ministry
10.3Some requirements for formation
SPECIFIC FORMATION OF THE SALESIAN PRIEST OR DEACON
10.4Nature and purpose
10.5The formation experience
10.5.1Human formation
10.5.2Spiritual formation
10.5.3Intellectual formation
10.5.3.1The study of theology
10.5.3.2The Salesian angle and Salesian disciplines
10.5.4Formation to youth pastoral ministry
10.5.4.1Aspects to be cultivated
10.5.4.2The exercise of the ministries and of the diaconate
10.5.4.2.1The ministries of lector and acolyte
10.5.4.2.2The diaconate
10.6Some requirements for formation
Chapter 11
PREPARATION FOR PERPETUAL PROFESSION
11.1Nature and purpose
11.2The formation experience
11.3Some requirements for formation
Practical Guidelines and norms
Chapter 12
ONGOING FORMATION
12.1Nature and purpose
12.2The formation experience
12.2.1Human formation
12.2.2Spiritual formation
12.2.3Intellectual formation
12.2.4Formation to educative pastoral ministry
12.3Coping with some situations in life
12.3.1The stages of life
12.3.1.1The first years of full involvement in educative and pastoral work
12.3.1.2The years of full maturity
12.3.1.3Advanced age
12.3.2Some particular situations
12.4Animation of ongoing formation
12.4.1At personal level
12.4.2At local level
12.4.3At provincial level
12.4.4At inter-provincial level
1. The formation section of the Provincial Directory
2. The Provincial Formation Plan
3. Guidelines for the organization of studies
4. Church and Salesian documents on Formation
ANALYTICAL INDEX
ABBREVIATIONS
AGCActs of the General Council
artarticle
ASCActs of the Superior Council/Chapter
BMBiographical Memoirs of St John Bosco
CConstitutions
cancanon of the Code of Canon Law, 1983
CECCongregation for Catholic Education
cfrconfer
GCGeneral Chapter
SGCActs of the Special General Chapter, 1971
CICCodex Iuris Canonici
CIVCSVACongregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
CRISCongregation for Religious and Secular Institutes
DSMThe Salesian Rector, a ministry for the animation and governing of the local community, Rome, 1986
Ibidibidem
ISML’Ispettore salesiano, Rome, 1987
MuRMutuae Relationes Directives for the mutual relations between bishops and religious in the Church, Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes and Congregation for Bishops, 1978
OTOptatam TotiusVatican II
PCPerfectae CaritatisVatican II
PDVPastores Dabo Vobis, Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the formation of priests in the circumstances of the present day, John Paul II, 1990
PIPotissimum institutioni, Directives on Formation in Religious Institutes, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, 1990
POPresbyterorum Ordinis Vatican II
RGeneral Regulations
RFISRatio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, Congregation for Catholic Education, 1985
SaCSacerdotalis Coelibatus, Encyclical Letter, Paul VI, 1967
SCSacrosanctum ConciliumVatican II
VCVita Consecrata Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the consecrated life and its mission in the church and the world, John Paul II, 1996
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2 DECREE OF PROMULGATION |
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We are called to be disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ, witnesses to the Kingdom and missionaries to the young living the charismatic experience that the Holy Spirit has raised up in the Church through Don Bosco.
Formation to the apostolic Salesian religious life finds in the normative document “Formation of Salesians of Don Bosco. Principles and Norms” and in “Criteria and Norms for Salesian vocation discernment. Admissions,” which complements it, a sure guide. The Ratio in fact “sets out in an organic and instructive way the complexus of principles and norms concerning formation which are found in the Constitutions, general Regulations and other documents of the Church and of the Congregation.” (R. 87)
The GC24 asked for a revision and an updating of the Ratio promulgated in 1985 (GC24 147). In making such a request, the Chapter took into consideration the guidelines of the Church on the consecrated life and priestly ministry which had appeared after the publication of the previous edition, particularly the apostolic exhortations Vita Consecrata and Pastores Dabo Vobis, the challenges of evangelization and inculturation, of considerable impact for a vocation which develops at world level in a variety of contexts, the new aspects of Salesian vocational experience underlined by recent General Chapters, the need to make a suitable response to present day requirements and to problems of formation. At the same time the Chapter members recognized the substantial validity of the structure, the criteria and the directives of the 1985 Ratio and emphasised the need for greater consistency in translating it into formation practice.
In carrying out the revision, the parameters of the task set by the GC24 have been faithfully observed and the comments and suggestions coming from both the Provinces and the experts consulted in this regard have been carefully considered.
Consequently, having obtained the approval of the General Council as prescribed by art. 132 §4 of our Constitutions, in virtue of the authority which belongs to my office, by this Decree, I promulgate today, 8th December 2000, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the “FORMATION OF SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO, PRINCIPLES AND NORMS” “Ratio Fundamentali Instituionis et Studiorum” the third edition, which is to be faithfully observed throughout the Salesian Congregation. It will come into effect according to universal law. This same act of promulgation extends also to the text of “CRITERIA AND NORMS FOR SALESIAN VOCATION DISCERNMENT. ADMISSIONS,” revised in harmony with the Ratio.
The Ratio which I now entrust to you is an expression of the care of the Congregation for the gift received and for the vocation of each member; it is an invitation to every Salesian to respond every day to the call of the Lord with the commitment to “an adequate ongoing formation” (C 96); it urges every Province called to accompany the vocation of each confrere in the different circumstances and stages of life to exercise its responsibility for the charism and to support the Salesian experience in the local communities.
I entrust this fundamental document to Mary the Immaculate Help of Christians so that “Don Bosco’s Teacher” may be the inspiration, the support, the guide of our formation and help us to follow with joy and renewed fidelity to our apostolic consecration for the young “our own way to holiness” (C 2) and our complete fulfilment in Christ (cfr C 22).
Rome, 8 December 2000.
Fr Juan Edmundo Vecchi
Rector Major
First Part
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3 SALESIAN FORMATION |
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4 IN GENERAL |
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We live as disciples of the Lord by the grace of the Father, who consecrates usthrough the gift of his Spirit and sends us out to be apostles of the young.
Through our religious profession we offer ourselves to God in order to follow Christ and work with him in building up the Kingdom. Our apostolic mission, our fraternal community and the practice of the evangelical counsels are the inseparable elements of our consecration which we live in a single movement of love towards God and towards our brothers.
Our mission sets the tenor of our whole life; it specifies the task we have in the Church and our place among other religious families.
(Constitution 3)
Second Part
Enlightened by the person of Christ and by his Gospel, lived according to Don Bosco's spirit, the Salesian commits himself to a formation process which will last all his life and will keep pace with his maturing in other ways. He learns by experience the meaning of the Salesian vocation at the various moments of his life and accepts the ascetical demands it makes on him.
With the help of Mary, his Mother and Teacher, he gradually becomes a pastor and community educator of the young in the lay or priestly state which he has embraced.
(Constitution 98)
Fidelity to the commitment made at our religious profession is a response which we continually renew to the special Covenant that the lord has made with us.
Our perseverance is founded entirely on the fidelity of God who loved us first, and is nourished by the grace of his consecration. It is sustained too by love for the young to whom we are sent, and is expressed in gratitude to the lord for the gifts that Salesian life offers us.
(Constitution 195)
