Don Bosco was a prolific author, but he wrote very little about his own educational style.
He said it was a matter of the heart, a way of loving,
But love alone was not enough. He was adamant that the young people in his care should not only be loved but that they should also know that they were loved. Therefore, love had to be given practical expression.
PREVENTIVE?PREVENTIVE?
Rather than implying something negative - to stop or hinder something - it expresses the intention of foreseeing and forestalling anything that would give rise to destructive experiences. This is more clearly seen when the derivation of 'preventive' is understood. It derives from the Latin praevenire:'to precede', 'to anticipate', 'to go before’. It is a positive word.
FREEDOMFREEDOM
The preventive system challenges educators to see and celebrate the goodness they find in the young. It awakens creativity in the adult to find new ways of developing and celebrating the gifts they find in young people. Respect for an inner freedom at the heart of each person is central to the preventive system.
THREE KEY WORDS FOR THREE KEY WORDS FOR DON BOSCODON BOSCO
The young person is drawn to goodness of their own free choice through Kindness, Reason and exploring the mystery of their life as a Religious Journey.
BASED ON THE GOSPELBASED ON THE GOSPEL
The practise of the Preventive System is based on the words of St Paul: 'Love is patient and kind. It is always ready to excuse, to hope, and to endure whatever comes’ (Don Bosco, 1877). This love, expressed in pastoral care, leads the educator to love the young person in whatever state they may be found, so as to lead them towards the fullness of human living which is modelled on the Gospel.
REASONREASON
In line with the optimistic humanism of St Francis de Sales, the term "Reason" refers to that whole range of activity which brings people to life and safety. "Reason" emphasises basic values such as the freedom and dignity of the individual, the primacy of conscience, the goodness of creation and culture, and the value of work and community living.
RELIGIONRELIGIONWhile reason refers to human activity and
human relationships, the second term of Don Bosco's trilogy, "Religion", indicates that his approach emerges from and is oriented towards relationship with God. Don Bosco did not make sharp distinctions between the 'sacred' and the 'secular,' but believed that the human life could not reach its fulfilment without a lived and lively spirituality based on the Gospel.
KINDNESSKINDNESS"Loving-kindness" is the most unique (and perhaps
the most misunderstood) element in Don Bosco's system. Don Bosco used the Italian word "amorevolezza“; there is no English equivalent for this word and it is often simply translated as loving kindness. This can be misleading because the concept describes an act of the will, a choice to want the best for someone else. It describes love as a choice rather than a feeling.
Some Salesian Skills
Reason Religion Loving Kindness
ListeningAwareness of one’s own
spiritualityCheerfulness
Thinking ahead and evaluating later
Recognising the spiritual in the lives of the young
Making the first move towards others
Knowing the world of young people
Ability to forgive and encourage Empathy
Remembering one’s own childhood
Able to share one’s own faith appropriately
Giving praise and recognition
Challenging young people at the right time
Respecting the freedom and conscience of young people
Being optimistic about the goodness of young people
Managing one’s own anger and enthusiasms according to the
needs of the young
Ability to celebrate life, change and success
Withdrawing affection when appropriate
Discerning danger and opportunities ahead
Creativity in opportunities for service of others
Being able to ask forgiveness of young people
Making rules clear and simple and sticking to them
Recognising young people’s gifts and drawing them out
Helping to form positive emotional groupings for vulnerable
young people
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RESPECTRESPECT
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RESPECTRESPECT
UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING
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RESPECTRESPECT
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AFFECTIONAFFECTION
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RESPECTRESPECT
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HUMOURHUMOUR
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InspirationInspiration
SpiritSpirit
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RESPECTRESPECT
Consistency
Reasonableness
Reasonableness
Remembering
promisespromises
Protecting the Protecting the vulnerablevulnerable
RespectRespect
UnderstandingUnderstanding
Consistency
Reasonableness
Reasonableness
Remembering
promisespromises
Protecting the Protecting the vulnerablevulnerable
ListeningListening
ChallengingChallenging
CompassionCompassion WisdomWisdom
RespectRespect
UnderstandingUnderstanding
AffectionAffection
HumourHumour
Consistency
Reasonableness
Reasonableness
Remembering
promisespromises
Protecting the Protecting the vulnerablevulnerable
forgivenessforgiveness
warmthwarmth
kindness
kindness
gentlenessgentleness
ListeningListening
ChallengingChallenging
CompassionCompassion WisdomWisdom
Consistency
Reasonableness
Reasonableness
Remembering
promisespromises
Protecting the Protecting the vulnerablevulnerable
forgivenessforgiveness
warmthwarmth
kindness
kindness
gentlenessgentleness
ListeningListening
ChallengingChallenging
CompassionCompassion WisdomWisdom
FunFun
Cheerfu
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Celebration
CelebrationSmilesSmiles