SALESIAN TERMINOLOGY
(for the general reading public)
Source: English translation of the Biographical Memoirs, Vol XI, Salesiana Publishers. New Rochelle, New York, 1964.
ANNUAL PRACTICE: a brief saying, in the form of a motto, summarizing the particular religious and spiritual program proposed by the Rector Major for a given year.
ARTISANS: trade school students.
ASPIRANTS: candidates for membership in the Salesian Society in the first period of their probation preceding the novitiate.
ASSISTANCE: Salesian method of supervision of boys and students, friendly and informal in manner, stressing the prevention of disorders rather than the punishment of offenders.
ASSISTANT: A Salesian engaged in supervising boys.
CHAPTER:
(a) House Chapter: members of a Salesian community who are entrusted with administrative duties and who assist the Director in the government of the House, namely, the Prefect, the Catechist, and one or more Councilors.
(b) Provincial Chapter: a group composed of Provincial Councilors, Directors,
and elected delegates of the Houses, under the presidency of the Provincial. It does preliminary work for a General Chapter and deliberates important affairs of the Province.
(c) Superior Chapter: the Council of the Rector Major, consisting of a Prefect, Spiritual Director, Economist, and five Councilors, who with the Rector Major ordinarily exercise supreme authority over the entire Society.
(d) General Chapter: a general assembly of the Rector Major, the Rector Major emeriti, the Superior Chapter and its Secretary, the Procurator General, the Provincials and delegates from each Province and the Director of the Motherhouse. It meets to elect a Rector Major and members of the Superior Chapter and to treat of matters that concern the Society in general.
CLERIC: a member of the Salesian Society training for the priesthood.
COADJUTOR: a lay member of the Salesian Society.
COMPANION OF YOUTH: a manual of devotion composed by St. John Bosco for the use of boys, originally entitled Il Giovane Provveduto.
COOPERATOR: a member of the Pious Union of Salesian Cooperators; one who contributes in any manner to the development of Salesian work.
DAILY PRACTICE: a religious practice or good work suggested daily during the period of preparation for a major feastday; a spiritual nosegay.
DON: a shortening of the Latin Dominus (lord, master), used in Italy in informal address of the clergy.
EXERCISE FOR A HAPPY DEATH: a monthly practice of piety that promotes spiritual recollection and fervor by meditation on one's eventual death. It stresses the reception of the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion as if for the last time.
GOOD NIGHT: a short talk, immediately after night prayers, given by the Director or someone in his stead. It consists of advice, exhortations, or occasional remarks.
MANIFESTATION: a monthly account of one's exterior life made by a Salesian to his Superior.
ORATORY: a Salesian work which offers boys and young men organized recreational, educational, and religious activities that otherwise would not be available to them.
(a) Day Oratory: conducted daily.
(b) Festive Oratory: conducted on Sundays and festive days.
THE ORATORY: abbreviated form of "Oratory of St. Francis de Sales," the Motherhouse of the Salesian Congregation.
PRACTICAL TRAINING: the period in the training of a Salesian cleric, following his completion of philosophical studies. During this time he devotes himself to teaching and supervision of boys' activities.
PREVENTIVE SYSTEM: the Salesian method of education and discipline, based on reason and religion. It stresses vigilance, guidance, and sympathetic understanding in the training of the young.
SONS OF MARY: delayed or adult vocations who, as aspirants, follow an educational and training program suited to them.
THE SALESIAN HOUSE
DIRECTOR: Superior of the House which he governs with his Chapter.
HOUSE CHAPTER: Prefect: entrusted with the administration of temporal affairs. Catechist: in charge of spiritual matters. Prefect of Studies (one of the Councilors) : in charge of scholastic matters.
THE SALESIAN PROVINCE
PROVINCIAL: Superior of an entire Province, which he governs with his Council.
PROVINCIAL ECONOMIST: a member of the Provincial Council entrusted with the financial affairs of the Province.
THE SALESIAN SOCIETY
RECTOR MAJOR: Superior of the entire Society which he governs with the Superior Chapter.
SUPERIOR CHAPTER:
Prefect: vicar of the Superior General.
Catechist: entrusted with the spiritual and moral matters of the Society.
Economist: entrusted with administration of material goods belonging to the Society as a whole.
Councilors: five in number. Some are given a special charge, as (1) academic schools, (2) technical and agricultural schools, (3) the foreign missions, (4) parishes, oratories and alumni, (5) Salesian Cooperators and the Press.
PROCURATOR GENERAL: a priest elected by the Rector Major and his Chapter to act as liaison officer between the Holy See and the Salesian Society.
VISITOR: a superior appointed by the Rector Major with the consent of his Chapter to make a formal visit to determined Salesian Houses.
