How we do it

The Salesian Congregation in the world

Charism, style and Salesian educational system
The Salesian charism, matured from the spiritual and pastoral experience of Saint John Bosco, integrates the spiritual and educational dimensions into a unified plan oriented to the integral growth of the young, with particular attention to the poorest. This plan is expressed in a style of life, in a specific spirituality and in a pedagogical method defined as the “Preventive System”.

1. Inspiring sources and spiritual references
Salesian spirituality is rooted in the Gospel and recognises in Jesus Christ the model of pastoral action: gratitude to the Father, predilection for the little ones, apostolic zeal, the attitude of the Good Shepherd who educates with gentleness and self-gift, the search for communion.
Alongside the Christological reference, a central role is attributed to Mary, venerated as Help of Christians and considered a guide in the educational work. Don Bosco recognised her as a determining presence also in the founding of the Congregation and of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Marian devotion is expressed in filial trust, in prayer – in particular the Rosary – and in the imitation of her faith and openness to God’s plan.
Saint Joseph too is indicated as a model of obedience, industriousness and discretion, especially for his educational responsibility towards the adolescent Jesus.

2. Unifying centre: pastoral charity
The synthetic element of the Salesian spirit is pastoral charity, understood as concrete dedication to the salvation and human promotion of the young. It guides choices, relationships and educational structures. Apostolic action is not separated from spiritual life: educational work is lived as cooperation in God’s work and as a place of union with Him, according to a logic of “contemplation in action”.
This approach entails a strong ecclesial sense: collaboration with the local Church, communion with the Magisterium and attention to the formation of the young towards a mature ecclesial conscience.

3. Traits of the Salesian style
The educational style is characterised by certain recurring attitudes:
– Preference for the young, regarded as the privileged interlocutors of the mission.
– Loving kindness, that is, an educational relationship founded on respect, cordiality, capacity for initiative and a climate of trust.
– Family spirit, which aims to create environments in which educators and young people feel co-responsible and welcomed.
– Optimism and joy, as an expression of trust in the resources of the person and in the grace of God.
– Work and temperance, understood as tireless industriousness joined to balance, sobriety and self-mastery.
– Creativity and flexibility, with attention to the “signs of the times” and to the concrete needs of youth settings.
Daily life is considered the ordinary place of spiritual growth: holiness is proposed as joyful fidelity to the duties of one’s own state of life.

4. The Preventive System
The educational method elaborated by Don Bosco is called the Preventive System. It is founded on three principles: reason, religion and loving kindness.
– Reason calls for the value of dialogue, persuasion and personal responsibility.
– Religion indicates openness to the transcendent dimension and the explicit reference to the Gospel.
– Loving kindness expresses an educational presence that is close, sharing and capable of making itself loved.
The system is not limited to a pedagogical technique, but shapes an integrated spiritual and educational experience, in which evangelisation and education sustain one another. Salesian youth spirituality in fact proposes a synthesis between faith and life, friendship with Christ, ecclesial commitment and responsible service in society.

Taken as a whole, the Salesian charism presents itself as a permanent formative project, which unites the spiritual dimension, apostolic commitment and concrete attention to the integral growth of the young.