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Wandering Oratory;
A resource for sharing the Salesian story
By Martin Poulsom SDB and James Trewby (Bosco Volunteer Action)
Six readings to tell some of our Salesian story in a simple but dramatic way.
1. Introduction
Read by narrator
The key dreamer in our Salesian story is Saint John Bosco, who started the Salesians. We tend to call him Don Bosco, Don being Italian for Father.
As a newly ordained priest, Don Bosco found himself in Turin in north of Italy in the midst of the industrial revolution. Relations between church and state were strained, working conditions in the factories were harsh, many young people flocking into the city from the surrounding countryside were sleeping rough on the streets, there was frequent civil unrest and rumours of revolution filled the air.
What was Don Bosco going to do, now that he had realised his childhood dream of becoming a priest? He had a feeling that he wasn’t called to be a typical parish priest, and that God wanted him to do something with young people. As he visited the factories and the prisons, he found that he got on really well with the youngsters there, but his attempts to gather them together seemed to be frustrated at every turn – after all, a priest belonged in a church, didn’t he? Every time he took a step forward, he seemed to be forced to take two steps back….
2. Letter from Don Bosco to his mother
Read by male voice
Turin, December 1841
Dear Mum,
As you know, I’ve been a priest for a bit now, but something happened a couple of weeks ago that’s helping me start to make sense of the dreams I had when I was young. It’s not just about being a priest – that’s a big part of it, yes, but I think God wants me to work with young people.
I met this boy before Mass – but I think he probably only came into the church because it was so cold outside. Someone else asked him what he was doing there, and I could see it wasn’t going well, so I went over and started to talk to him. Something clicked, and before I knew it, he was telling me his life story, how he was struggling to survive having come in from the country looking for work. I asked him to stay for Mass and I’d get him something to eat afterwards, but he looked embarrassed and said he didn’t really know his prayers – it had been a long time since he’d been to church. It was going downhill rapidly, so, I don’t know why, I just said ‘You must be good at something – can you whistle?!’ He laughed and said he’d teach me!
I invited him to come back the next Sunday and to bring some friends with him – and to everybody’s surprise, he did! The group’s growing really quickly, and I feel like this is kind of thing I’m supposed to be doing. Maybe those dreams really did come from God, after all. The only problem is finding somewhere that I can gather these young people – there’s already mutterings going round the church that I’m turning the place into a market.
Pray for me,
Your loving son, John
Fold and place into envelope, then sit down
3. Proclamation to the people of Turin from the City Council
Unroll as a “scroll” and read loudly like a public announcement
It is hereby decreed that the field next to the Dora Mills and the chapel adjoining it will henceforth be used by the priest Don Bosco for his work with youth.
As you are all aware, the young labourers he has started to gather together are struggling with difficult circumstances, being away from their families. They are vulnerable to gangs and to bad influence. The City Council appreciates the efforts being made by this young priest to respond to their needs.
Roll up the scroll and sit back down
4. An open letter to the City Council
Script put inside a newspaper, which is opened and read out – angry female voice
An open letter to the City Council regarding the activities of the priest Don Bosco.
We the undersigned, whilst we do have children ourselves, and to some extent understand Don Bosco’s concern for their welfare, have had enough. This latest episode in the terrorising of the city by his gang of ruffians has gone too far. People can’t sleep, we don’t feel safe, our home-grown vegetables mysteriously disappear when they’re around. They’re reducing every scrap of green in the whole district to dust. We can’t even put out our washing or allow our children to play in the street any more.
While well-intentioned, he’s a disgrace to the dignity of the church and is putting the welfare of his youngsters
above the welfare of the community. Isn’t the City Council meant to protect its citizens? We demand that you put a halt to him and his feral youth immediately.
Close the newspaper and sit down
5. Diary entry of a young person
Male voice, script placed inside a notebook/journal
Monday 30th March 1846
I mustn’t write for long, the candle is expensive and I don’t want to disturb anyone. But I’ve just got to ask you, God, what do you think you’re doing? It’s been great being with Don Bosco on Sundays for the last couple of years. The rest of the week is a real struggle, but at least I’ve got a regular job now, thanks to Don Bosco putting in a good word for me at the factory.
He’s been pretty much the only good thing that’s happened to me since I came to Turin, and I’ve come to depend on those Sunday afternoons with him and my friends. He’s not like other priests – he really seems to care about us and tells us we can do great things with our lives.
But yesterday, he told us we’re being pushed off the land we’ve been using since the start of the year. Next week’s the last time we can meet there. And he doesn’t know where we’re going next! He tells us to trust in God and be patient, but we’ve been pushed from pillar to post I don’t know how many times. He’s doing your work, Lord, why do you make it so hard?
Close the notebook and sit down.
6. Letter from Mamma Margaret to Don Bosco
Female voice
April 1846
My beloved son John
What wonderful news to receive from you, and on Easter Sunday, too! I must be the proudest mother in the village! You’ve become a priest, against all the odds, and now your dreams about working with young people have finally found a home. It’s great that Mr Pinardi has leased you the shed and the field, and I pray that the Lord will let you stay in that place for a good while. He sounds a good man, from what you say of him, and pleased to have a chapel next to his house. What a blessing that is, to him and his wife, and to the whole area, too.
The Lord has led you through a difficult time this Lent, but now Easter has come and, with it, new life for you and your boys. I have been praying for you these last weeks, as I always do. I know how much your work with the young means to you – that dream you had in this very house when you were just nine years old. It’s coming true! So keep trusting in God, John – he will lead you on the right path and guide your steps when they falter. You don’t need any encouragement from me to look after your boys – the love you have for them shines out of the words you wrote to me, and I am deeply grateful to God for that. But do please look after yourself, too – after all, you can only carry on this great work if you’re healthy. Make sure you get enough sleep!
God bless, and much love,
Your Mamma, Margaret
Fold and place into envelope, then sit down
