DMA 2015

Personal and community promote a culture of Peace. The page journeys this year will be guided by the on The Word contributes toward Chapter event, defined as an facilitating prayer with the young people experience of the Holy Spirit and and the laity, while the article Charism ongoing education. To each FMA and Leadership presents the community it entrusted concrete choices characteristics of a person who fills a and action steps for the future. The title dual role as animator and community of the Chapter Document Broaden the member, with efficacious leadership Vision-Missionaries of Hope and Joy with charismatic reference to some FMA with the Young is a call and commitment models. The themes on Consecrated Life to bring to reality the lived experience find a place in the articles in Women in the characterized by a strong missionary Context with the presentation of the beauty dynamism. The DMA magazine places and richness of a femininity which, itself in this view, and will accompany knowingly accepted, give color and warmth the FMA, laity, and young people in the to the joy of one’s identity of consecrated. In the Communicating section, however, the process of the assimilation and theme of consecration is compared to translation of the vital content that today’s society and with the Magisterium of emerged from the recent GC XXIII held the Church. in Rome Finally, in the Insert of each issue the Some aspects of the document will be Millennium Development Goals are studied especially in the Dossier entitled presented from the struggle against hunger Broaden the Vision. This will serve as a and poverty to environmental protection, leitmotif and will urge us to scrutinize the from the promotion of women’s rights to the reality and the world with new eyes. The defeat of infant mortality…challenges that historic moment in which we are living is cannot be ignored. also rich in signs and invitations. In Our magazine wants to broaden our vision, particular, the Year of Consecrated Life to be a formation tool not only for the FMA, and the Bicentennial of the birth of Don but also for the many laypersons and young Bosco are gifts and appeals to render people who frequent our houses. our identity as consecrated persons Furthermore, it can also become a help for more luminous in the Church and community animators, and educators who today’s society. are called to be, with the young, missionaries of hope and joy. This year DMA presents new articles Have a good year, therefore, in company that touch topical issues. Peace is the with the DMA magazine! Way to get to know actual situations of conflict through the witness of FMA and The Editors laity who are taking concrete steps to

Peace is the Way

Peace is Not a Dream

Emilia di Massimo, Gabriella Imperatore

Peace is the Way

Peace is Not a Dream

"Stop, please, I beg you with all my those in which no one is interested because heart, stop." This was the heartfelt there are no economic interests, they may appeal of Pope Francis in the Sunday arise as a question or an apparently local Angelus against the wars that are event, but they always possess international ravaging the Middle East, Iraq and the or global aspects. The media revolution has Ukraine. It is a peace that is missing not produced a series of social, economic, and only in the territories in the news during political changes, thanks in great part to the recent time, because the places where advent of digitization of the access to bloody conflicts exist are scattered information; it has contributed toward around the whole world. There are profoundly changing the very concept of dramas that are not always told, that communication. The development of draw an impressive geopolitical map interactive means has led to the proliferation because the number of seemingly and the multiplication of channels for access intractable, lasting conflicts, also due to information, and these have changed the because international diplomacy that is way in which the act of communication often inconclusive. takes place.We are informed every day about Islamic terrorism and 'global warfare', The world is at war. Never, since the end of even though the reports may be biased and World War II, has it been so true like today. often exist for mere propaganda purposes. The world has not known a day in which Yet no one speaks of the dozens of other each country has lived in “peace”, conflicts that are fought in the poorest understood not as the absence of war but peripheries of the global village, where as an attitude, both in personal and social globalized information does not arrive.Then behavior. Looking for the causes of failure is we ask ourselves: "Are we really better not simple. Nelson Mandela, the great informed and freer in our choices?” A map African leader, defender of human rights synthesizing the current conflicts could be and Nobel Peace Prize winner, argued: an evalution that everyone can make “Peace is not a dream; it can become a personally to answer the question. Presently reality, but to keep it you have to be able to 62 nations are involved in international or dream”. Attention, however, must be paid internal war, to which we must add 549 not only to the great conflicts, those that militias, drug cartels, independence groups, become a media phenomenon and turn into separatist groups and anarchist groups spectacles, but also to the unknown involved. Hot spots are: Egypt (popular conflicts, uprising against the government), Libya (war against Islamic militants), Mali (war against the Tuareg and Islamist militants), Nigeria (war against Islamic militants), continued on this path the whole world Central African Republic (Civil War), would go blind Republic of Congo (war against rebel groups), Somalia (war against Islamic Will we ever succeed to look beyond our militants), Sudan (war against rebel groups), blindness to create a global community of and South Sudan (civil war). The number of interconnected humanity? Terrorist attacks, current conflicts is really incredible. Trying hidden or declared wars, small and great to understand a conflict means attending acts of violence that touch every part of the the school of 'faces', to avoid the risk of world must bring to birth in us the desire to focusing attention only on the facts, live for peace above all else. Often acts of forgetting that the protagonists are people violence are rampant because of the lack of who have feelings, emotions and harbor in education, of harmful nationalism, their hearts many desires, just like each one ignorance, and deep economic disparities of us. between social classes. There are root causes, but there is hope that these causes Peace is still the answer can be changed, using but peace as a means against war. Given the failure of many peace initiatives, Deepak Chopra - an Indian doctor - offers Words of Peace an alternative strategy to defeat the culture of war, the same one that Mahatma Gandhi proposed: "There is no way to peace, peace is the wayThe Indian doctor said: “Like any habit, war has dug a furrow in our minds. We are looking for the war like a cigarette smoker constantly looks for a cigarette while complaining that we must stop. War has become a habit, a vice. To defeat it, one must assume the habit of peace”.

The episodes of war, violence, and terrorism arouse fear and anguish in the soul of our contemporary society. All over Each of us can help to promote a culture of the world people yearn to find peace, and Peace, multiplying ordinary daily actions: be able to give comfort to the suffering and oppressed. However, it would be naïve and . being Peace superficial to attempt to define these . thinking Peace episodes as examples of pure evil and . feeling Peace . speaking Peace depravity. In reality we are all involved in the . acting in Peace violence that takes place in the world. . creating Peace Everyone is involved in the intricate network . sharing Peace of social injustice, economic disparities, ecological disaster, war, and terrorism. Mahatma Gandhi declared that if we

Women in the Context

Women in Joy-filled Lands

Palma Lionetti

Starting a new column dedicated to women response of the feminine genius. A certain while avoiding repetition and clichés is no completeness will come about when easy undertaking. Using a literary metaphor, women's contribution will be fully there could be a repetition of what recognized alongside male consciousness. happened in the well-known novel by Jules However, to make this journey, which is Verne "Journey to the Center of the Earth", more an inner pilgrimage as Pope Francis in which all of the tools that the protagonists says, we need to take on a state of have at the beginning (the barometer, the "listening" before we get into those precious weapons, the picks ..) are lost during the and fruitful lands of the great resource that trip, leaving the person naked before the is femininity. forces of nature. There is an odyssey, therefore, telling of Certainly, it is always risky writing about women far from any presumed heroicity, women, but this notwithstanding, it is always linked more to ordinary life, the struggle of "amazing, magnificent, and splendid," as the condition of women; a more inner one of the protagonists of the journey, in an apparent immobility, yet free aforementioned novel expressed or noted at from the constriction and imprisonment of the conclusion of every undertaking, her freedom. because one faces it with the confidence and optimism with which he/she looks at the Therefore, moving in the lands of a possibility of penetrating into the mysteries conscious and joyful femininity perhaps of a different dimension, and in our case, means leaving behind common sense, and that of femininity beginning from the recovery of an authentic sense of self worth. Unfortunately, to our The wealth of feminity innate sense of "guilt" at times is added the We will be accompanied on this journey fear of not succeeding, a lack of recognition "into the lands of joy", by following a that makes us timid in going forward, in semantic pattern of the points explored in advancing, in desiring, in willing. the circular letter entitled "Rejoice”, Fear also involves a judgment on personal addressed to consecrated men and women merit. We women usually feel less capable for the year of Consecrated Life. We will than men; we fear their judgment, even explore the richness of the femininity which, though often we fear so much more that of when consciously accepted, gives color and other women. Side by side, however, with warmth to the joy of consecration. The this “fragility" there are luminous urgencies of the present world ask for the "strengths", like the joy that comes when the woman feels deeply inhabited by love, the love that makes her s brave, and bold - casting aside the feeling of being a victim - that contrasts aggression with the practice Then there will be women who are a of a power that generates joy, because she treasure for humanity, even though being a is capable of working as a team, giving woman was not easy...as it was not for responsibility to others without feeling Mary of Nazareth, Catherine of Siena, belittled, giving substance to words, those Teresa of Avila, Maria Domenica words that know how to create a positive Mazzarello; as it was not for Indira Gandhi, atmosphere. Marie Curie, Jane Austen, María Zambrano, A trap for us as women Simone Weil, Maria Callas, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe. Being a woman is a Playing the victim, a real trap for us as privilege…a privilege which, as Irina, a women, creates in us a very particular citizen of Europe who immigrated to Italy for sentiment, that of rancor. Interestingly, the a job (that she has since lost) said one etymology of the word in Italian is enjoys in her own intimacy, in confidence resentment, from the Latin rancere, (rancid) among other women, or in the company of that refers to spoiled food, having an men who are aware, or in great trials. In unpleasant smell, and the sour taste that we short, it is one of the most feminine traits all know. We must, then, be careful about that catches all of its luminous power of the what we harbor in our hearts and minds! encounter of ordinary events and Similar sentiments gradually remove the happenings of life and reaches to those that inner energy in gaining for us a different are extraordinary! form of leadership, one composed of freedom and lightness, a leadership that is clean, elegant, such as the vaporization of a delicate fragrance in the environment that does not stun, but delights.

Ecological Education

Ecology at the Center of the World Scene

Julia Arciniegas – Martha Séïde

Consistent with the recorded data, the A look at the latest, best-known international General Assembly of the United Nations magazines or even a brief search on the has proclaimed 2015 to be the Internet helps us to see that the ecological "International Year of Light and Light- theme occupies a central place in world based technologies (IYL 2015)." This is a public opinion. Safeguarding Creation global initiative that aims to increase becomes a meeting point among the knowledge and awareness of each person different religious denominations that on the way in which light-based technologies promote sustainable converge in demanding urgent and concrete development and provide solutions to global interventions against climate change, and in challenges such as in the fields of energy, favor of the various plans for the protection education, communications, health and of the environment. agriculture (cf http://iyl2015.inaf.it/).

2015 an ecological year France will host the 2015 Paris Conference on Climate Change (COP21). This The year 2015 will see the unfolding of appointment scheduled for December 2015, numerous international events focusing on will mark a decisive stage in the initiatives aimed at engaging in the negotiations of the future international promotion of environmentally sustainable agreement post 2020. The purpose of the Conference will be that all countries commit and lasting development. The UN has themselves to a universal agreement on arrived at the point of saying that the climate constricting (cf http: Millennium Development Goals have not //www.ambafrance -it.org/La-Francia- been achieved because they have not been ospitera-la-COP21). integrated into the economic, social and environmental sustainable development as The concentration of greenhouse gases in much as had been expected. The new post- the atmosphere has reached the highest levels in 800,000 years. Global emissions 2015 agenda should take into account the must be reduced from 40 to 70% by 2050. results following Rio + 20 toward a "green "We must act now to contribute to economic economy" that is not merely an prosperity, better health, and to make cities environmental improvement, but a new more livable," said the secretary general of paradigm that seeks to alleviate global the United Nations, Ban Ki -moon threats such as climate change, loss of (11/02/2014). biodiversity, desertification, depletion of natural resources, and at the same time, The central event of this year will undoubtedly be the "Expo Milano 2015". It promote social and economic welfare. will be a Universal Exposition with absolutely unprecedented and innovative

characteristics. It will be not only an On the margin of some events for 2015 exhibition, but will also offer a participatory process that aims to actively involve many view of sustainable development, namely participants around a crucial theme: the development towards the promotion of "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life". From the whole person in harmony with creation May 1 to October 31, 2015, 184 days of the (cf. Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, 14). It is event, more than 130 participating countries and 20 million visitors from around the world an invitation to take on the task of education will be involved in a discussion on universal from the ecological perspective in order to themes related to nutrition and sustainable form to the love and protection of creation in development (http: // www .expo2015.org / the commitment to make the planetary en / cos-e). citizenship effective.

Reasons for hope An event to be followed: Don Bosco at Expo Milano 2015 Attention to the integrity of Creation is a sign of the times. It not only responds to The Salesian presence at Expo 2015 will be emerging problems, but also becomes the an event to be followed. It will have a possibility of forming alliances between structure of approximately 350 square groups, movements, and different religious denominations. Bartholomew, the meters, on a plot of 747 square meters, for Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople has the whole time of 6 months. The pavilion will called for a June 2015 conference in Fanar, have the name of "CASA DON BOSCO" Istanbul, on the theme: "Theology, Ecology and will develop the theme "EDUCATING and Logos, dialogue on the environment, YOUNG PEOPLE, ENERGY FOR LIFE". By literature and the arts." He spoke with Pope this presence the Salesian Family give Francis several times on this issue and, in their meeting in the Holy Land, they signed commemorate to the Bicentenary of Don a joint statement in which, at Article 6, they Bosco and the Strenna of 2015 and, above wrote: "We are deeply convinced that the all, will draw the world's attention to young future of the human family depends also on people, "the most delicate, most precious how we will know how to wisely and lovingly part of human society" as Don Bosco said. safeguard with justice and equity the gift of creation entrusted to us by God” (May 25, It will be a unique opportunity, a providential 2014). With great hope, therefore, we await challenge to interact with almost the entire the encyclical on ecology, announced world (more than 140 participating nations), repeatedly by the media and now confirmed on several occasions by the Pontiff himself. to offer our cultural and educational contribution inspired by Don Bosco, to make Taking a chance on education understood and to witness to how important young people are for the life of every social Today there is the shared idea that solving and ecclesial community and for the entire the ecological problem without a profound planet (http://www.infoans.org/, cultural change and a rethinking of lifestyles 11/07/2014). is unthinkable. Therefore, it becomes urgent to educate to a new ecological awareness in

Arianna’s Line

Encounters and Clashes

Giuseppina Teruggi

Life is composed of relationships, this linked to the genetic or inherited makeup of seems to be an obvious statement. Actually, each person. It is inevitable that we it is a fundamental truth: what would life be, influence each other in interpersonal or the world, without someone to talk to, to relationships. Even in the mother-child meet, to understand, or even to argue with? relationship, from the time of gestation. In We can be more or less sociable, relationship situations, people modify one sometimes even preferring to be alone, but another’s inner contents, their reactions and generally all admit that what matters is the quality of the communication network in behavior. which we are immersed at all times. And that quality depends in large part on us. Relationships becomes interaction, i.e. relationship between the ways of interacting The process of the relationship with another as a person. Especially when you meet them. Attention to the human dimension of relationships dates back to Sigmund Freud, I-Thou the founder of psychoanalysis. He was the We owe to Martin Buber the specification of one who developed the intuition that two or the human as an individual and as a person. more persons in a relationship form a Individuality is expressed in the distinction different context from two or more persons from other individuals, while personhood is who are independent or detached. manifested by entering into relationships Consequently, the positive development of with other people. It is precisely in the human being is linked to good relationship that the ego becomes real. The relationships; pathological behavior I-Thou relationship is necessarily reciprocal, depends very much on experiences of because the I works on the Thou as the difficult or defensive relationships. Thou on the I. Each I stands before the Self-awareness, self-esteem, the reason for Thou as radically another and confirms it as acting and planning for the future have as such, in authenticity and reciprocity. their foundation the relationship with parents For the Viennese philosopher the or parental figures, and with the first fundamental meaning of human existence educators. lies in the principle of dialogue, i.e. the Today there is a consensus in attributing to ability to be in relationship with other a good relationship an essential value for people, with nature, with spiritual entities, in the balanced growth of the person, while in a I-Thou relationship. The authentic human the conviction that there are no model being is defined as "the person in the I-Thou solutions for a harmonious formation of relationship who becomes aware of self as personality. In fact, other factors are also subjectivity" (Garzanti Encyclopedia of Philosophy). According to Buber, we are experiencing a raising one’s voice, the strong use of the deep crisis caused also by the disintegration pronoun "I", opinions presented as facts and of the traditional forms of social life: the requests as duties. Sometimes even the use of sarcasm. Examples can be multiplied family, the village, work associations which even in our communities. Like when Mary allowed establishing an authentic personal exclaims impatiently: "But Anna, why don’t encounter with others, an almost automatic you ever do this right? “ Anna, irritated by involvement of others. The current culture is the generalized criticism not recognozingg characterized by sociological situations and her work done with commitment, reacts: the new media, which tend to leave the "Evidently you never explain to me exactly person in a social loneliness, which can be what I need to do." Maria pursues the question, even more tensely: "Ah, now it overcome only through interpersonal and would be my fault? I remember very well community relationships. Only in the what I said; I have an excellent memory ". encounter with the '' other ', in fact, can the Anna, increasingly distressed and person enter his/her true reality and go exasperated responds: "Do you think I beyond loneliness and isolation. It is in an invent things? I understand that ... “And encounter that the individual becomes Mary: "With you it’s always the same person argument.” In relationships, there are those who resort Pitfalls in relationships to a passive communication style. One stays in the background, giving to other An inadequate way of communicating person power over the situation. The goal is between people can complicate our lives to protect themselves from a feared danger: and ruin our encounters, turning them into "I lose, you win." In this case the expressive clashes. Also because, as with the verbal style is free from personal statements and relationships, what is perceived is not only assumes a vague, elusive form. The the message itself, the words we use, the pronoun "I" appears very little, there are truth of what we say. What strikes most frequent references to duties and terms of strongly is the emotional state, the intention justification, self-pity, and minimizing of their with which we relate to each other in trying needs. If there is dialogue, it tends to end to give them the message, and how we the conversation quickly and to escape place ourselves before the person rapidly into the situation of anxiety psychologically. The influence of these generated by an encounter. The person aspects is so great that often it ends up wants to "be in Peace", to avoid conflict. being the driving force of communication, It deals with a form that sometimes attracts one that gives the effective or destructive the sympathy and good will of those to result. whom it is convenient to be submissive In a relationship in which the listener. However, the price be paid is that communication is aggressive, for others often end up imposing their will and example, one tends to influence the other even becoming bullies. Interpersonal person, even unknowingly. The implicit goal problems are not addressed or handled with that is transmitted is wanting to assert a passive attitude. Rather, they tend to themselves and their own reasons, not deteriorate with a negative impact on one’s listening and understanding others. In this self-esteem and the possible risk of slipping situation the rule "I win, you lose" sooner or later into an aggressive style. dominates. It is also shown by an Guilt, low self-esteem, or even excessive expressive style: an authoritative tone, rapid correctness can lead to living situations of rhythms that leave little room for reflection, this type. One does not experience a tendency to interrupt the other person, even genuine "interpersonal" relationship.

“We both win”: assertive communication

How are we to react to difficult when we express ourselves clearly, with an communication situations without becoming expressive voice, looking at the face of aggressive or passive? In our educating another, without intimidating them. We are communities it is normal to have to deal with so when our opinions are not offered as people of different characters, education, indisputable facts, and our requests are and styles. At times we find ourselves with presented as such, that is as desires, ways that are quick, immediate, and without obligation or claims. The invasive manipulative, and/or prying. Or we suggestions are given in a free and are so ourselves. We are aware of the need liberating way, without constraint or guilt, to know how to manage our relationship and the criticism is constructive. The styles, not to get involved in useless questions are motivated by wanting to better discussions or unpleasant tensions. understand the other, rather than by Although it is not always possible to curiosity, and the proposed solutions are transform a relationship into a pleasant and designed to solve problems of their mutual satisfying communication, we all want to live interest. Assertive communication rests on meaningful, serene encounters, or at least the premise, “We both win”, and at its basis survive them with the least possible there is the awareness of the emotional damage. In fact, sometimes our rights of every person. relationships cause an aftermath of suffering, of misunderstanding, of bitterness In the fabric of daily life, in the face of There are relationship strategies that have manipulative or unjustified attacks, it is in common being neither aggressive nor useful to try to shift the attention from passive, while protecting our needs and oneself to behavior or the actual situation, aspirations inherent in assertive and to accept the possibility of making communication. mistakes without taking it for granted. This Aggressive and passive styles of way even a clash can be transformed into a communication lead to dissatisfaction in at constructive opportunity for mutual growth. least one of the parties. Assertive communication - which this magazine has We again find Mary who exclaims to Anna: covered in a previous article to those of the "Come on! Why don’t you ever do this right? other person, to their needs and states of ". Anna, trying to focus on the problem soul, and this is due to encounter, to instead of on her irritation, replies: "I have listening , to an honest ,transparent worked hard, but there must be some agreement, the ability to "let go and allow details that I did not yet have clear. Tell me others the possibility of making a mistake." what's wrong, so we can move on. "

We are assertive when we express Probably this kind of response would help ourselves clearly, with expressive voice, 'every Mary' to re-dimension her findings, looking into the face of another, without evaluation, and style. And, instead of a intending to intimidate. We are assertive clash, it would allow for creating an encounter.

Dossier

Broaden the Vision

"Open your hearts to receive the interior the world. Stopping in order to awaken in all movements of God's grace; widen your the great passion for young people, for the eyes, widen your eyes to recognize the Salesian charism and the great love for the most authentic needs and urgencies of a Institute which, despite various "ailments", is society and of a generation that alive and working for the good of so many change.”(Pope Francis’ address to young people around the world. Chapter Members, November 8, 2014) Look Faces, hopes and smiles; listening, Stopping is only a first step of the path that dialogue, mutual understanding; different leads to the next one, watching. Recalling a languages, ways of being and thinking , this phrase of David Cooperrieder that says: is the mosaic that characterized the XXIII "Our world is not a problem we have to General Chapter of the FMA. It was a great solve, but a miracle that we must embrace" assembly in an attitude of listening to the helped us to realize the importance of Holy Spirit trying to understand what the looking at the world with tenderness, Lord wants to do with each person and with embracing the miracle, and not defending the Institute today. The experience at the ourselves from it. After all, the world is the chapter can be told with three words: stop, place where we are called to exist, to look, go. witness to and to proclaim the good news of Stop the Gospel. For this reason we looked at the challenges of the current environment in Arriving from different situations which we live as calls from God. He speaks experienced in their respective provinces, to us and invites us to find new appropriate with daily challenges that question our life, answers to the times of continuous change our mission, our being with young people, we are experiencing. Let us look to our created the need to stop. The journey that communities, not to see the flaws and took place, of the recent six -year period just problems, but to love them as they are, and ended, the processes set in motion, those with that love to heal them, give them a new concluded and those that are foreseen, impetus. It means looking at every young everything was in need of a great, new person with hope, witnessing to the joy of understanding. Stopping to become aware having met the Lord of our life, without of self and moving from a vision linked to whom our lives would be gloomy and dark. their local provinces to a universal vision in which every part fits into the whole Go composed of 83 provinces in 94 countries The whole experience lived during the time around the world, with approximately 13,000 the Chapter was a continuous invitation I FMA. continue to go with young people, in a Stopping to meet one another, to learn what mission that leads to being in a permanent and how the charism creatively continues to state of "outgoing". Faced with so many incarnate and acculturate in many areas of calls from God that challenge us continually with what is happening around us and within us, we being with young people a home that cannot stand still, helpless. It is important to evangelizes. Five questions starting from feel a strong desire to leave 'without delay', the Working Document, allowed for the without fear of leaving one’s own safety, to exploration of the theme articulated in five leave the mediocrity and courageously nuclei: How to proclaim Jesus in a changing pursue new paths that open up at the world, to a generation that changes? What moment in which we return to be in contact new vision of community with young people with people. Going out with young people is needed to be a prophecy of Salesian towards a true encounter with Jesus, to religious life today? How are we to take our rediscover the joy of the proclamation. place in the culture of communication? How Going with the little ones and the poor. Only is it that with all the formation we receive life in daily contact with them we will have a does not change? Are we just “restoring” or look at the reality that begins with meeting are we doing something new? their needs, a look that is "converted" and evangelized by littleness, poverty, insecurity The beauty of our Institute, also seen with wounds and fragility, encourages and The starting point continues to embody the charisma, alive and prophetic, in the various countries of The reflection begins from the life of the the world where many FMA live and work. Institute, the world, the young, the poor, Today it is necessary to believe that the setting the goal to seek together a way of Institute has an original word to say. The world asks us to witness our "difference", and disappointed eyes at the facts of the and for us this becomes a commitment to death of Jesus on the cross, allowed remain consistent and faithful to the Truth of themselves to be approached by a stranger the Gospel. The desire to look at the to whom the opened their hearts, challenges as a call from God and as an confessing their doubts and their opportunity of faithfulness becomes a melancholy. While listening to the stranger response to the call to be with young people who helped them to read their reality in the and adults, to seek and work together for light of the Scriptures, their heart started to the benefit of other young people, so that burn, so much so that they did not want to more and more arrive at a vital, humanizing let him go. In his own words this man was encounter with Jesus in the different able to touch the most intimate part of their experiences of life. lives. They were afraid of the advancing darkness and of losing even that small light A word that often echoed during the time of they had glimpsed in the words of the man CG XXIII, both among the chapter members who became their neighbor. They invited and those who followed it from their homes, him into their home for dinner. Jesus broke was the word 'new'. What is new? What is the bread and their eyes opened. They were the “newness” of this chapter? ready, had been prepared on the way to a Newness cannot be fabricated, newness change, to leave aside the sadness and to must be allowed to emerge and grow, welcome the news of the Kingdom of God. newness needs space and confidence, They recognized him and their joy was courage and foresight, personal and immense. The outside world with its community journeys. To be a new contradictions, its lights and shadows was community, you need to decisively the same, it was they who were new, and different. They let themselves be implement a change of mentality to prepare encounter us to set aside established and sometimes transformed by an that life a little outdated patterns, and to start changed forever because it was authentic. looking at our educational mission with new Together they left for Jerusalem: every gift eyes. Only a new glance, which begins from of grace that cannot t be buried and a perspective of hope and joy, can promote guarded with jealousy, but must be shared new choices and concrete steps with the whole community. Then the two implemented at different levels: local, disciples who returned to the others told of provincial, general what had happened in them, and began without delay to be missionaries of hope Like the disciples of Emmaus and joy.

The present moment that we are living in A new glance consecrated life, and as an Institute, often leads us to be like those disciples who, after Poverty, the perspective of the peripheries, the death of Jesus on the cross, thought it being with young people, our relationships was all over, that their hopes for the future made new by a profound life of communion were forever unfulfilled. with the Lord, our passion for education and evangelization, push us to scan the horizon Their experience, however, tells us of a for a glimpse of what the world and young change. The disciples who looked with sad, people expect from us. It is important to know how to accept the It is life with them, with the least, with those unexpected in the world, in the life of every who are on the margins of society for FMA and of the communities, in the entire whatever reason, which will teach us to be poor, to look at the world and ourselves with universe of youth. We must welcome and new eyes. As it is written in the Working understand it in order to act with evangelical Document of the CG XXIII: “the periphery is courage, with charismatic answers and with not just a geographical place, but also a the passion of the DMA. perspective from which to look at reality, to welcome the mysterious wisdom that the Becoming aware that all around us there Holy Spirit communicates through the poor are urgent situations of poverty, does not who identify, for us, with young people most leave us indifferent. The contact, being with in need. " the poor, having compassion for them, This is the "perspective", "the view of the suffering with them, helps us to grow in peripheries" to which Pope Francis so often love, to become more human and to have a invites us, who makes us fear only the different perspective on education! For us to be preventive means to dream of a more "tranquility" and the search for the "quiet just and peaceful world for all, a world in life". To be happy for us does not mean not which everyone can freely do their part, a finding difficulties, because our joy comes world in which all humanity will find from the hope and faith in the One to whom themselves well in order to give the best of all things are possible. That's why we themselves. We dream of the best for our should learn to thank God for all the times young people we dream of a happy life for that we are uncomfortable! them, one of commitment, full of love and solidarity, the result of a life of true, deep The horizon faith. It is precisely the young people who teach "I hope that all communities will act so as to us the meaning of a Christian "difference". implement the necessary means to advance in the way of a pastoral and missionary that the religious life may become true conversion which cannot leave things as prophecy. they are. (...) Let us establish ourselves in all regions of the earth in a "permanent For a new evangelization it is important to state of mission '" (FRANCIS, Apostolic be aware that only a personal, authentic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium n. 25-27, encounter with Jesus, at different stages of November 24, 2013). These words of Pope life, transforms us from within, makes us live Francis are a call to renew the passion and new relationships, leads us to communion commitment to the educational mission of between ourselves and with young people, evangelization, in any situation, in any work, and gives us the courage to dare to travel traditional or heretofore unprecedented, that new paths. It is necessary to have the demonstrates the Salesian charism. contribution of each person in order to carry out a true pastoral conversion. There are no We have to feel that the appeal of Pope alibis of age, roles, places, and Francis is addressed directly to us, to the circumstances. Each person, beginning whole Church to get moving and get out of from self can implemher its reality more the zone of our security. The Church, in evangelical. fact, by its nature cannot help but be missionary, and must have "open doors" to "go out to others" and” to reach the human peripheries". For Pope Francis, in fact, a Church that does not proclaim the Gospel is a church that remains in the empty rooms of a spiritual worldliness that does not produce results, indeed, is more likely to produce harm. It is because we are loved by God that we are renewed in His image and empowered to be witnesses and instruments of his mercy. We love because God first loved us (cfr. 1 Jn 4:19), and we need to recognize ourselves to be continually thirsting for this love, constantly in need of conversion. Here is the beating heart of the perennial renewal of the Church! And also our own. Familiarity with

Jesus and a profound knowledge of the mystery of his existence, in fact, constitute Given all of the above there are three great the foundation of shared pastoral choices that GC XXIII entrusted to the discernment. This is why the horizon from Institute: Transformed from the encounter, which concrete steps and important choices Together with young people; Missionaries of flow is that of pastoral conversion. It is a hope and joy conversion that urges us to leave our mediocrity, and to choose authentic life so The road opens as we are walking This is just the beginning. The journey I cannot help but encourage you to go begins and continues in the various locales forward with enthusiasm along these lines where each person is called to be that the Holy Spirit is suggesting to you. transformed in order to be together with the Open your hearts to receive the inner young missionaries of hope and joy, as movements of God's grace; broaden your advocated by Mother Yvonne Reungoat vision to recognize the most authentic during her closing address to the members needs and urgencies of a society and a of General Chapter XXIII. "The heart opens generation that is changing. Be prophetic to gratitude for the wealth of experience that witness and educational presence we have lived and shared. It is a wealth that everywhere, with the unconditional we will gradually discover when we will go acceptance of young people, facing the back to daily life. We have had an challenge of interculture and identifying experience made up of mutual listening, ways to make your apostolic work effective dialogue, discernment and prayer, and in a context - that of youth - permeated by especially of great hope. Throughout its the virtual world and the new technologies, development the Chapter has been an especially those digital. (...) important time of continuing education, and definitely something has changed in us”. You should always put Christ at the center Even the DMA Magazine, in the next of your existence; allow yourself to be dossier will follow this path to share together shaped by the Word of God which along the journey that the Institute wants to enlightens, guides and supports; nourish undertake as the Mother invites us to do: "... your missionary spirit with persevering let us reaffirm together trust in the prayer, adoration, with that "wasting time" wonderful action of the Spirit working in the before the tabernacle. Be for all Church, in the Institute, in humanity and missionaries of hope and joy, witnessing to especially in young people. Let us continue the values of your own Salesian identity, to decipher his voice among the many we especially in the category of the encounter, hear every day, to discover his call to "go a fundamental aspect of your charism: it is a out", to free ourselves from our schemes source that is always fresh and vital where and fears to be true collaborators of the you can tap into that love which revitalizes a Spirit in evangelizing, and helping young passion for God and for the young. The people, especially the poorest, to meet inevitable difficulties, encountered in the Jesus in the Church and to be evangelizers journey, should not slow down the of other young people. A new door opens enthusiasm of your apostolic action. Indeed, today on our steps: they are steps that lead the example of St. John Bosco and St. Mary us out in the midst of the world to turn on a Mazzarello urges you to contribute even new light, to be an effective educational more enthusiastically to the new presence among the young and to offer evangelization with your activities in the field everyone a prophetic witness. Jesus of education and schools, of catechesis and reaches us as we journey. Our hearts will the formation of youth to the apostolate. be able to recognize him, but we must (Pope Francis, address to the Chapter always be alert, like sentries”. members, November 8, 2014)

Go Forward with enthusiasm… Four pillars of being a home Welcome Prayer

The young person who crosses the threshold of First we need to be authentic women of prayer. an FMA Community must feel and experience This is a challenge, in a time in which to that they are center of attention of each Sister; propose a faith that is not “do it yourself”, nor they must feel important, necessary, the favorite purely functional with regard to the sacraments in the manner of Don Bosco. Today more than or geared toward a “quid pro quo” and ever there must be a decisive personal immediate satisfaction and has the direct accompaniment, giving those who are growing consequence of the distancing from those who the certainty of being loved, understood and "use" God. At the same time, a spirituality of this welcomed in their innermost being, in a pure, kind draws close to and involves in a clear way genuine way. The young person who is being those who experience contact with a “genuine”, welcomed must find people willing to be close to deeply-rooted faith, not one that is mediocre, but their situation and able to love them in their is in continual seeking for a profound dialogue. poverty; a welcome that must avoid "playing the game" of reaching everyone, but struggles with The true home is the one where a family lives, creativity to make different proposals, focusing builds relationships based on familiarity, i.e. the on the maximum for each person. ability to be comfortable with the young, putting them at the center to learn being with them, and Motherliness only after this, concerning one’s self with doing. This means having the courage to open the Being women implies the natural inclination to structures, minds, and hearts; sharing the daily be mothers, and it is this desire and ability to life of the community with the many who cross carry in self, to support, to nourish and then, your threshold; opening the times of prayer, and also to let go, that must be apparent from the showing the beauty of Christian, consecrated relationship with a Daughter of Mary Help of women ; rediscovering the value of collaboration Christians. A hard skin, but a tender heart; the with the Salesians not only at the level of ability to follow rules, but only in view of a activities and ministry but also towards the greater good, that of a single young person; to building of a home for the whole Salesian make as explicit as possible the Love that Family; truly accepting the very poor, even with invests and permeates the relationship with respect to the new poverties which are not young people. material but spiritual and existential; while rediscovering poverty as a charismatic given, Witness without which we would not even be able to live One witnesses by direct, personal knowledge. It in the Salesian spirit; reaffirming courageously is therefore necessary that Christ shines forth in that the least are favored , because they are the each of the actions, movements, thoughts of a "first wounded " by life. Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, because, thanks to her special consecration, she has direct knowledge and undertakes to transmit this (Young people to the Chapter members, knowledge (which should not only be October 11, 2014) theoretical) to anyone who crosses the threshold of the house. He is the center of every FMA life, and thus, like Him she loves, rejoices, and hopes for every young person. MiILLENIUM GOALS FOR DEVELOPMENT

A CHALLENGE THAT WE CANNOT MISS The Millennium Development Goals sanctioned by the UN General Assembly were the most ambitious ever established by the International community. They were to be achieved by December 2015

The fight against hunger and poverty, to environmental protection, promotion of women’s rights, to the defeat of infant mortality, AIDS and Malaria…

The results heretofore obtained were diverse and “unequal” in different continents and nations. The International community is called today to the drawing up of a new Agenda that will constitute the frame of reference for development during the years following 2015 .

Gift and Culture

Taking a Chance on Gratuitousness

Mara Borsi

For some time now there been has the logic of competition dominates in the established a culture of crisis: one lives popular mentality. in a climate of widespread unease and malaise. There is the discomfort of those Precisely in times of crisis conflict seems to who realize that "having" does not pay, temper all. The times of conflict are finished and the discomfort of those who cannot even for many for the young people. In the deal with the problems that life poses. family and at work, in the group as at There is the sarcastic nihilism of one school, an attitude of tolerance dominates in who feels mocked by life, and there are a large way. In the family they are trying to those who preach the abandonment of a live what unites them as affective level, new consumerism. However, in this moving beyond divisions, still present on the context, there are some emerging values level of positions, are interpretations and to which young people are very models of life. At work and at school the sensitive. Among them is 'gratuity'. goal has become the creation of a human environment especially through improved In an era of disillusionment and anguish interactions with peers. gratuity is an original way to cling to life in its spontaneity, against the logic of A eye to the young people domination and appropriation, against the If we look attentively at the world of young materialism of life and the destruction of people it seems that they will recreate the natural resources. Gratuity says seeking choice between two existential ideas, that of and having a love affair with life in all its having and the being. forms. Gratuity supports and affirms the gift culture. The context of the logic of possession in life is basically designed as a void to be filled. Gift and the marketplace One lives by calculation administering all as Giving a gift is a unilateral, asymmetrical a kind of double entry made up of give and gesture, expressing gratuity, and in this way take, always as a balance. it contradicts the law of the market as an In a logic of life inspired by gratuity, self and equivalent exchange. The gift created is a others are seen as a wealth that comes new society that was not there before. from the unfathomable mystery of life. The Today, the marketplace has become a logic, relationship with others is not ruled as a a set of ideas and categories in people's double entry, but on the need to "offer" minds and, therefore, the it is much more one’s inner wealth. Life is not meant as a than economics, finance, multinational or void to be filled, but as a richness, a other material realities. The person is mystery to be discovered and reduced to homo economicus, and the communicated. world is reduced to commerce. That is why

VIDES International: the word to young people

The slum 22 de Enero is all gray and muddy. Poverty goes beyond material and is a given in discomfort and delinquency that govern the district. Not all eyes are as beautiful and profound as those of the children with whom we spent the days; some are dark, dark as the shacks around us. Despite everything, however, something allowed us Flavia and Lavinia to admire enthusiastically everything that surrounded us. Three FMA, Sisters Vilma, Tati, and Marta Riccioli, accompanied the VIDES volunteer experience.

At the beginning we asked ourselves: "What can we give? If giving means receiving, what shall wetake home with us? “This is the answer to our questions: the ability to give unconditionally and to internalize of the And our gift to them? It was in the "thank uniqueness of our dedication. Gifts for us you" to everyone, big and small, thanks to began the first day: the extreme hospitality of the locals, the essentiality of the shacks the enthusiasm that only two girls, just a bit constructed with sheet metal, odor-scented older, could give. garbage burned to provide heat and light, the smile of Peace, and a meal always Our experience did not end with our return ready to say thank you. to Rome, but continues to grow and mature, to observe and listen, to discern and learn, But the greatest gift that no one can take to decide and act. from us, we received from the children and was ASSURANCE. We often feared not These are the key words of the formation succeeding, of taking a wrong step. But we period: "education" to human rights and to were protected by the children Juan, the relationship with the world. In Argentina, Milagros and Wanda, who placing their little but also among the local volunteers, who hands in our own, told us by their silence,: continue to act in our city at the center of a "Be at peace; we are there." So many refugee children, it was essential to beautiful things: the merendero at 5 p.m., understand the meaning that VIDES gives the songs, the dances, the asado, the slum, to these words: everything is and Vilma, Tati, Marta. interconnected, from observance to action, to dialogue with each other.

It was an experience that continues, that has not changed our lives, but the way we live it.

The Word

Emmaus 1: A Stranger Approaches Eleana Salas

Setting:

- A large Bible and on it a crucifix and nearby the paschal candle At this a stranger approaches, and - Arrange the chairs in a circle around the Bible successfully takes part in the conversation. - You may draw a path on the floor on pieces of paper, The text is proclaimed clearly by a reader. Each participant silently reads the text again. After this, we will speak out the most Invocation to the Holy Spirit: significant sentences. Come, o come, Spirit of love, come, rest Luke 24, 13-19 in us. 13 On that same day two of them went to a Jesus' death on the cross (not only for the village called Emmaus, which was about terrible suffering that it entailed,but also for threescore furlongs from Jerusalem; 14 and the “civil death", canceling also a memory of they spoke to each other about everything the person), was a profound crisis for the that had happened.15 While they were first Christian communities. In addition, the talking and discussing, Jesus himself came fate of the Master could even touch his up and began to walk with them. 16 But followers; for this reason in the Garden "all their eyes were impeded to such a point that (the disciples) abandoned him and fled" (Mk they did not recognize him. 17 He asked 15, 50); others left Jerusalem and returned / them, "What were you speaking about as fled to their countries. This was probably the you traveled along the way?" And they case with these two disciples. stopped and were sad. 18 One of them, Some sensed that these, "two of them" Cleopas by name, answered him, "Are you were actually a couple: Cleophas, and among the strangers in Jerusalem, who Mary, his betrothed, who were, according to does not know the things that have John 19:25, near the Crucified, and happened there in these days?" 19 He said probably were also among the group of to them, "What things " They said: "The fact disciples who went to the tomb, at the time of Jesus of Nazareth, who was a mighty of sunrise on Sunday. Certainly the prophet in word and deed before God and conversation between them began from all the people. different points of view. a. Reading: the text in itself Their eyes and hearts were still in the dark. Emmaus. Various locations are competing attitudes, from the openness and trust that to be the place indicated by Luke. Look for inhabit our hearts; let us be grateful for the explanations of the notes on your Bible and bridges that we are capable of offering, let possibly on the maps of first-century us ask for the ability to go out like Jesus, Palestine. In any case, it is far from and approach others with much refinement, Jerusalem. The Disciples. To discover what kindness, as He did ...Do I allow myself to was said to them, what they did with inner be reached, to be touched by Jesus and by attitudes (such as their eyes, their hearts). my Sisters, by the young people, by the What it was that overwhelmed them...Jesus. lives of people ? May prayer prepare me for Follow attentively what He does: “Jesus meaningful and authentic encounters, Himself”: “He who was absent is now according to the DMA... present” , “in person”. “Draws close”. He seems to have hastened his steps to be Let us share some echoes from our prayer. close to them. Cf Phil 3,12“Begins to walk with them.” Before speaking, He listens to Contemplation – commitment their experience. “Asks them”: What were It is not enough to study and pray the Word you speaking about along the way ? What of God; it is important that it should flourish did you have in your heart? The questions allow them to open their inner self to share in our life. Which attitudes must I nourish in what they have within. my heart to approach that of Jesus in this step? How can we better express in Meditation: The text for us today community this “going out to the encounter” to the Emmaus of our time? Emmaus: at a time in which the Church and Pope Francis invite us to “go to the Final Prayer: peripheries”, we indicate what are the “Emmaus”, from where do the young people Along the way to Emmaus, I journeyed and others come and where they are going? Are our eyes, our interest open to find the with a pilgrim. I did not recognize Him “Emmaus of our time? Which attitudes along the way, now, I do, in the breaking toward those who are different (persons, of the bread. age, culture, style) do we have before us? Let us compare our attitudes with those of Jesus in relation to His two disciples. How do we receive those who question us or our ideas, pastoral styles, ways of working, etc?

Prayer

Let us speak with the Lord in silence beginning from this text:

Let us pray for Emmaus: Recall to mind the images of the areas frequented by our young people, including those which are now considered "refuse" ... Let us exercise "opening our hearts and broadening our vision," as Pope Francis asks of us.

“Jesus Himself approaches and began to walk with them”. Let us begin with our Charism and Leadership

Being Father and Mother: identity and his sons, for the educators and directors of mission the first Salesian houses. He formed them to responsibility to give a solid foundation to Piera Cavaglià the Congregation, today we would say that Don Bosco, who experienced the drama of he formed them to incarnate and inculturate growing up without a father since his early the charism in the various environments. childhood, was able to channel all his Every director was, at that time and in energy into expressing a deep paternal successive times, a leader, (not a affection for his young people and his spectator!) of the process of the foundation Salesians. He recognized that paternal of his work, and so Don Bosco authority is authentic only in God, and by recommended to the directors in the April 6, God, and was passionate about His 1869 evening meeting in the library: “ Let us Kingdom of love and mercy. He therefore seek to become worthy founders of the wanted the transparency of this love even Society of St. Francis de Sales, so that those who read our story later on can find in with his human resources. His was a us models, and will not have to exclaim: paternity in the faith, like that of St. Paul when he wrote to the Galatians: "My little ‘What kind of founders were they!’ Help me children, for whom I suffer again from the with your good will and obedience in this great undertaking. It is up to you to make pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in my task easy” you" (Gal 4:19). (MB IX 600).

Don Bosco’s deepest identity was revealed It is true that the charism of the Founder in his being father, friend, brother. For him, was given to Don Bosco by the Holy Spirit, animation and government not just any role, but in a certain sense it was up to each but a spiritual generation. member of the Salesian Congregation, especially those who had the task of Being and Acting like Don Bosco animation, to implement the commitment to guard, renew, develop, and make it visible The first Salesians learned almost by on the local level . The charism shines forth osmosis from Don Bosco how to be especially in those who open their hearts to directors, to animate and to govern the the Spirit, becoming the transparency of His communities that were gradually being love, manifesting to all the genuineness of opened. His testimony was for them a daily this love that helps to grow, give trust, and itinerary of formation. His very person, all promote life. given to the good of young people, his style of guiding the community, his strong sense Fr. Paolo Albera wrote: “We need to say of communication, his wisdom imbued with that Don Bosco favored in us in a unique charity and family spirit, his passion for the way that was all his own: one could feel an Kingdom of God, all became a school for irresistible charm. I felt that I was loved in a way like never before, singularly, superior to any affection. We were all surrounded almost entirely in an atmosphere of friend "(Letter of August 10, 1873 in contentment and happiness. It could not be Epistolario edited by F. Motto IV 142). any other way because from his every word Revised and expanded in 1870-'71, the and act there emanated the holiness of letter would become a formation document union with God who is perfect charity” ACS entitled Confidential reminders for directors, 1 (1920). Don Bosco identified the basic and it is still a major source of the spirituality attitude of those who had directive of Don Bosco, founder and formator of responsibilities in "charity and kindness." educators.1Francesco Motto wrote in his These should be the characteristics of each commentary to this letter: "Our father's heart director towards the confreres, young and - why not? - his maternal solicitude people, and collaborators, as much as to reached the point of worrying about the every person encountered. physical health of the Director and his brothers, their hours of sleep ("Each night Formation guidelines for Salesian you should have seven hours of rest"; "Do Directors not ever command things that are harmful to health, or what would prevent the necessary Don Bosco formed the directors using varied ways: personal encounters, rest "),of their treatment at the table (" Avoid especially the private talk, letters and austerities in food. Your mortifications are annual community meetings at Valdocco, diligence in your duties and bearing the harassment of others usually around the feast of St. Francis de "), the risk of excessive work (" Seek to share things so Sales. In these “conferences” Don Bosco 2 was the teacher, but he favored subsidiarity that no one has too many burdens "). and complementarity. At times he left the Unlike the socio-cultural animator, the presidency to Fr. Rua, and invited every Salesian director wanted by Don Bosco was director to present the respective schools to be the person totally consecrated to God and communities, bringing out difficulties, that was the awareness of being a docile hopes and future prospects. Expert in instrument of His love, helping each and involving youthful energies and in showing everyone to live the plan that the Father has trust to every person, for Fr. Giovanni for each of His children. His vocational Bonetti he traced out a very concrete identity, assumed and expressed with total program of action: "Remember that the responsibility and with a fatherly/motherly Director need not do much, but should work heart is the basic condition for properly that others ay do so, taking care that each carrying out his mission of service for the person complies with his duties "(letter of 19 joy and hope of individuals and April 1871 in Epistolario edited by F. Motto communities. III 324). Today we would call it subsidiarity or coordination for communion. The terms change but the spirit is similar: it was the condition for a family atmosphere where everyone feels loved and valued. Don 1 Bosco wrote to the young director Michael Cf MOTTO Francesco, I “Ricordi confidenziali ai Rua what the synthesis of his life program direttori” di don Bosco, in Don Bosco educatore. was : "In omnibus caritas. Act in such a way Scritti e testimonianze, a cura di P. Braido, Roma, LAS 1992, 173-186. 'that everyone you talk to becomes your 2 Ivi 174-175. A glance at the world

The Courage to Leave Anna Rita Cristaino

Rich in history and natural beauty, Mexico is They bring with them the baggage of one of the most important nations in the affection, of family relationships, of friends, world. Despite the economic progress of of places visited and loved, a baggage full of well known maps. But in that baggage, a recent years, the country still experiences big space is left for big dreams. There is the severe problems of instability and social dream of being able to work to support inequality. Beyond the big city, there are one’s self and not to be a burden on the places in the country where it is more family, to learn Spanish well, without difficult to find work, where one struggles forgetting the local language of the parents, every day for survival and this leads many to learn to read and write, or to progress in their studies, to be aware that you have people to leave their country of origin. In many skills and still unexplored potential . addition to the significant migration to the United States there is, in fact, a substantial internal mobility. Thousands of older This is what Modesta said: "For us, people adolescents leave their villages and go on from the countryside, there are many to overpopulate big cities. What drives a girl difficulties because Mexico City is very large to leave her family, village, habits, and and many, like me, arrive not knowing how friendships? to read or write. Then we do not know where to live. Many have no relatives with Rosalia and Modesta told us what it means whom they can live. This is one reason why to have the courage to go alone, to leave the majority of young people, women and everything, driven by a strong desire to men who come to this city look for a job that discover new possibilities for existence. offers a place to live because we have They left very young for a life to which to nowhere to go. " give their energy, choosing unknown paths. Mexico City is enormous. It is a micro-world Rosalia tells us of her departure: "I came of cultures, customs and traditions, of here when I was 17. It was not easy. I people who are rich or poor, of happy arrived at the home of one of my brothers. I lived there. I did not how to travel on the families and single men. It is a small subway, I barely knew how to read. Coming universe that leaves the person who arrives here alone and starting to study has given from places where everything was close me more confidence, it opened me to other and known breathless. The way one ideas and I grew up; yes, even in fear I speaks, moves, looks at life, the way one always went on. I am from a village called dresses, eats, everything is different. San Bernardino Laguna. Eight sisters and brothers grew up there. We did not have Arriving makes one feel like they are being many resources. My dad worked the land, catapulted the middle of an ocean, and one my mother was devoted to the housework. My brothers and sisters helped my father, just has to learn how to swim so they do but now they are all here in town. " not drown. One arrives with the memory of a mother’s tears, the proud faces of fathers who wanted to give and do more for their here to work as domestics, so we children so as not to force anyone to leave. appreciate the fact that they devote their One still feels the warmth of fraternal only day off to better themselves embraces. Immediately one realizes that the professionally.” L’Obra Social Auxilio, path to be traveled is all uphill. The person (OSA), each year accepts about six has to find work, hopes to find lodging, to hundred fifty beneficiaries; reaching even to make new friends, to take every opportunity 1,000 registrations. Formation courses to learn something new about the city, to include: academic training, apprenticeship learn something from every acquaintance. for work, human development, educational psychology, sex education, appreciation of "For many years”, says Modesta, “I felt the the culture of origin, and critical approach to need to leave so as to grow. I come from a communication. It is a meaningful space for family that does not have many economic integral human development, an important opportunities, a large family. I have six point of meeting and acceptance. Rosalia brothers. It was one of the things that further tells us: "This is also a religious inspired me to come here. I arrived in this environment. I am Catholic and being here city to work as a maid for a family, doing the has enriched me and helped me to grow. housework. After I grew in the intention to Now that I'm already completing classes of continue to study, but I did not know how to the Secondary School, I will continue to go about it. My only day off was Sunday. those of the Preparatory, and this is helping Then I discovered that there was a school me very much. This school is my home ". where they gave lessons on Sundays, and I got in touch with them. " Modesta also studied at the OAS: "When I arrived the school was entitled " Centro In 1970 the FMA of the Mexican province of Juvenil Maria Auxiladora ". At the time, it Our Lady of Guadalupe began the Mary offered courses to prepare for work, and Help of Christians Youth Center which in Primary and Secondary School, and since I 2001 took the name of Obra Social Auxilio. had not yet completed the Primary classes I Here every Sunday thousands of young began to study to become a secretary in a women who are are were welcomed. Over course that lasted three years. Then I was the years, in addition to young women, they offered to stay on as a volunteer ". Sr. have also welcomed children and adults, Neida explains: "At the Auxilio Social Work migrants employed as workers in private there are about eighty volunteers who come homes or in workshops. to collaborate Sunday after Sunday to help Sr. Neida Julieta Carriedo, one of the FMA in a gratuitous way: teaching lessons, and who worked in OAS, explains: "Young giving support to all young people and people who are assisted in this center need adults who are cared for in this center every help in many areas, and this is why we try to week." Rosalia and Modesta, are building offer the best possible solutions in terms of their future day by day. What is striking professional preparation, intellectual, about these girls is their willingness to spiritual, and moral study.They come from commit and sacrifice themselves. They work different places of the countryside, seeking hard and work well. improved opportunities for life. They come

Modesta has been working at the Social During our stay in Mexico we visited one of Rehabilitation Centre for five years, as the largest cities in the world, a nation rich secretary of the director of the Centre and at in possibilities for development and in the same time she also attends the contradictions, where you can touch the University. The following is how a typical thread that binds together people from very day for Rosalia unfolds: "I start work at six different backgrounds. We met hardworking in the morning. I get up at half past five and Sisters who were fraternal, and at six I begin to do what is necessary to sympathetic; and we met young women and clean and keep the house in order, and this girls who are not afraid to take their lives in takes me almost all day. I finish at ten or ten hand. We have proof that when one is really thirty for dinner. All day I go up and down, committed, even Providence will come to but I like my job because it helps me our aid helping to realize ideas and projects. financially and with what I earn I can help To whatever each of us aspires, we must my family to build their home ". begin to do it because it brings it bring with itself daring, genius, and strength!

Consecrated Life

Communication and Communion with God

Patrizia Bertagnini

Closeness with God is like the idea of no trenches to defend and no value for the rays of a circle. As they approach the which to give one’s life; they are judged to center, the distances between them be victims of “psychological dysfunction". shortens, allowing for the overcoming of In their place "celebrities", come to the fore, fragmentation. In continual dialogue with the stars, and the new heroes of songs, the Lord vocational identity is sports, cinema, and finance. They are strengthened and one learns to listen to celebrities that wear out quickly to make the brothers and sisters. room for other celebrities, other stars, which A world in pieces act as social glue for the masses.

The world in which we live has a common denominator that is generally referred to by Each piece in its place the word fragmentary. It indicates the gradual disappearance of communities Is it possible to meet the challenge of the contemporary world and escape the logic which were once real points of reference. just described? The group, the church, the village, the people with whom we shared daily life are God's relationship with man was, from the community realities, which in the face of very beginning, in the name of urbanization, the spread of the means of communication, the Dei Verbum begins in a mass communication, the homogenization paradigmatic way : God is revealed, and isolation of metropolitan life, all seem manifests his will, through Christ he speaks, he has relationships with persons, invites destined to disappear. In this context the and admits to communion with himself "(cfr. person is reduced to the status of a mere DV, 2). Revelation has the aim of allowing individual, a fragment struggling to find a each person to become a participant in the social position; the loss of the physical life of God himself, permitting each person community is matched, in fact, by the crisis to enter into the relationship of love communication and solidarity. expressed by the divine Trinity and, therefore requires the free accord of man to From a social point of view, the person is God's initiative. forced to abandon "solid" modern standard with its codes, norms, values and But it is before the historical Jesus spoken of in the Gospels that the miracle of perfect constraints, to migrate toward a "liquid" communication between God and man is society (Bauman), where everything is carried out; the Incarnation is the space in uncertain, fluctuating, detached from any which God is present to the person calling reference; in a liquid life neither heroes nor him/her to a deeper relationship with martyrs are of any value, because there are Himself, a relationship in which there appears in all its evidence the attention of God to make the relationship with the human person a virtuous circle that involves, as a final goal, the free, human response to God. The historical event of the life of the Son of God, while on the one side it exalts a higher Will of communication, on the other side it is proposed as the most fertile ground for this communication to come about in all its fullness.

A workshop of communications

Each religious community is, by its nature, a witness of the words and gestures with which Jesus involves humanity in His plan of salvation. This is why it "exists to communicate to people of every time the good news. If you do not commit to it with all your strength in communicating what the On 25 March 1996, John Paul II signed the Lord has entrusted to you it would fail in its Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consecrata, a mission "(Card. Ruini) document clarifying the doctrine or theology Drawing closer to the Lord and allowing self of the VC. N. 36 reads: to be caught up in deep conversation with Him allows for the solidifying of vocational "Every charism has [...], as its source, a identity, an identity that we are called to three-fold approach: to the Father, first of guard, and which is based on fidelity to one’s own vocation story, on the awareness all, the filial desire to seek His will through a of the uniqueness of the value and on the process of continual conversion, in which need for authentic relationships that obedience is the source of true freedom, broaden perspectives. An identity that is chastity expresses the tension of a heart authentically centered on discipleship unsatisfied by any finite love, and poverty becomes the gift of self, because when we nourished by that hunger and thirst for give ourselves to others we discover the justice which God has promised to satisfy meaning of our own choices and consecration. (cf. Mt 5: 6). [...] To the Son, by which we The challenge of fragmentation requires of are led to cultivate an intimate communion the religious community a special care of of inner life and joy at the school of communication, both internally, as it is generous service of God and neighbor [...] koinonia, fellowship, intimate bond, fraternal to the Holy Spirit, insofar as it disposes the relationship of solidarity, shared person to be guided and supported by Him, responsibility and participation; and externally, because it presents itself to the both in one’s own spiritual journey as well world as actually engaged in an explicit as in the life of communion and in apostolic proclamation of salvation, as a reality in the action order to live in that attitude of service service of the person, as a sacrament of which should inspire every choice the union with God. authentic Christian”.

Parents and Children: love and conflict

Mariano Diotto

Music has always told of family events with its unforgettable, beautiful moments, but also of the saddest facts of conflict and resentment or "things unsaid."

Children and parents Instead, in 2004 Bono of the group U2 wrote The relationship with a loving mother is told the song Sometimes you can't make it on by Cat Stevens in his song entitled My your own which is his own personal Mother. She found herself raising a child remembrance toward his father who as a single parent because her husband disappeared three years earlier. “We fight abandoned her before the child was born. all the time, You and I / and that's alright / The result was this song inspired by a 19th We're the same soul / I don't need to hear century Madrigal: I know what my life is you say / That if we weren't so alike / You'd worth/I know what it cost you/I will treat you like me a whole lot more / Listen to me now well/because it is all that you ask of me”. / I need to let you know / You don't have to go it alone».4 “O Dad, sit down and hear my song/and if you feel like it, then please sing along / and The suffering of being a parent if you feel like it then please sing along / No, there’s nothing that I want to say that I Life always reserves big surprises, and at haven't said before /But to use your words, ‘ the end of a long tour with the Beatles John you can never be too sure’ /Look, even Lennon realizes that he was an absentee though I don't always show it, I'm glad that father to his first child Julian, and he wants you're around. / I'm glad that you’re to wants to heal the relationship by not around»3. making the same mistakes with his youngest son, Sean. So he retires from the These are the words that Alain Clark uses in music scene to be with his family and wrote the Father & Friend to tell the story of his the masterpiece Beautiful Boy (Darling relationship with his father who is seen to be Boy). In this song, Lennon describes his a friend who remains close even when you love for his son, and the small and great have grow to adulthood.

4 3 «Litighiamo tutto il tempo tu ed io / va bene / Siamo «Oh papà siediti e ascolta la mia canzone / e se te la senti la stessa anima / Non ho bisogno di sentirti dire / Che cantala anche tu per favore / no, non c'è niente che voglio dire che non abbia già detto prima ma, per usare parole tue, se non fossimo così simili / Ti piacerei molto di più / "non puoi mai essere troppo sicuro"./ Vedi, nonostante io Ascoltami adesso / Ho bisogno di farti sapere / Che non lo dimostri sempre sono felice che tu sia qui». non devi fare tutto da solo». son, and this shows that sometimes a song is not "a simple song", but speaks of one’s own life, one’s emotions, and of their intimacy

Being part of the world

Some songs also tell of forms of special parenting: ,a feeling that they are part of a world in need of individuals who know how to guide teachings that a parent has to give, from the other people. simplest recommendations :“Before you cross the street, take my hand»5 to the This was the case of the Italian singer, point of saying : «Life is what happens to Fiorella Mannoia who sings of this form of 6 There is no child you while you're busy making other plans» . love in the song Luce: “ who is not my own nor injury of which I do But being a parent means also losing not feel the pain. There is no land that is not children to a tragic, unjustified death. This my land, and there is no life that does not is what Eric Clapton sings about in his deserve love. There is no voice that is not famous Grammy Award song: Tears in my voice, nor injustice of which I do not Heaven. In this ballad of voice and guitar, bear the offense. There is no Peace that is the musician tells us of the death of his not my Peace, and there is no war that has young son Connor who fell from the 53rd an excuse”. This form of love overcomes floor of a New York skyscraper. It is the the degrees of parentage and makes us all desperate song of a father who hope to children of the same land and the same again meet his son in Paradise where all God. difficulties will finally disappear. So it is that songs at times become a «Time can bring you down; time can bend message from parents to children and vice your knees / Time can break your heart, versa. Because at time it is easier to sing of have you begging please, begging please / some sentiments that to speak them: Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure / And I know there'll be no more tears in And daughter, daughter , / I do not want you 7 to be happy,/ but always “against”/ As long heaven». Clapton has not played this song 8 for many years, sincel he felt that he had as you have a voice” ». finally overcome the pain at the loss of his

5 «Prima di attraversare la strada, dammi la mano». 6 «La vita è ciò che ti accade mentre sei impegnato a fare altri progetti» 7 «Il tempo può buttarti giù; il tempo può piegarti le ginocchia / Il tempo può spezzarti il cuore, farti implorare pietà, implorare pietà / Oltre la porta c'è pace ne sono sicuro / E lo so non ci saranno più lacrime in Paradiso». 8 Roberto Vecchioni nella canzone Figlia Camilla

RE-CREATION

Dear friends, whether we want to admit it or For an active person who is constantly busy not there are some things in our lives that with a thousand occupations, who does not are typical, real entrustments from our have time to breathe, to eat, to pray...those Founders that we are betraying! The twenty minutes closed up in a room where situation is deteriorating as time goes on, no one does anything essential, where there and I feel a moral obligation to report the are those who tell jokes, who crochet, who risks to which, in my humble opinion, we are transmit a news story in which one has an exposing ourselves. interest, who ask for help in carrying out small jobs for the next day, who inform the If we cast a glance on our community, we group on the health of an elderly person, immediately notice that there are many and even those who play checkers or cards, Sisters affected by the virus of well, believe me, to that person those “optimization”. It is fairly easy to glimpse the twenty minutes that are “time lost” bring an symptoms of this disease: we are always in indescribable suffering. a hurry, we scarcely focus in certain environments, and we quickly pass people Clearly, I am not speaking of those Sisters by, moving about the house always with who need to carry out a determined task something in hand. We always have at right at that time, but of those who take off least two commitments to be carried out as soon as the clock strikes. If the simultaneously, and we say that we community is lucky, they will see them at scrupulously avoid downtime… the beginning of the Good Night, otherwise they’re gone until tomorrow! There is a sign by which we can be sure that we are in the presence of the disease: Now, I tell you, if that is the time when we the “sick” Sister always has a reason for regain a bit of lost energy and we deserting recreation. strengthen our ties, evidently these others re-create elsewhere with something or There are Sisters who are never at someone else, because no one can live recreation, and do you know why? Because alone, much less if she has chosen to live in they are victims of “optimization”. Those community! twenty minutes when we finally meet those whom we have not seen since breakfast, is I, instead, love recreation very much, but as a real torment for them. I mean it! soon as the Good Night begins, I fall asleep!

Could it be that I’m “sick”, too?

Camilla’s Words...

In the next issue

DOSSIER: Broaden your vision...Encounter

Only a real encounter with Jesus leads us to “re-view” reality and allow it to transform us from within. Our change is a transforming force of reality. Ordinary Salesian spirituality nourishes a culture of encounter that brings us close to young people and to the laity, and makes us solicitous in Mary’s style.

Ecological Education: Toward something new

The theme of Expo Milano 2015 is "Feeding the Planet; Energy for Life". This will be expressed through the principles of awareness and interaction that are feasible thanks to new technologies. The thematic areas constitute a real network that interfaces with the things of the world, by helping people to understand that it is important to know and perfect each stage of the food chain, since each depends on the success of the entire process.

ARIANNA’S LINE: Behind the mask

The article presents the various defense mechanisms with particular reference to the experience of leadership: the sense of superiority, imposition, rationalization, identification with the role, projection and analysis proposed through some solutions.

COMUNICATING: Communication and charism

The text expresses the need to understand that being present on the world stage today is not an optional choice but a duty, a way to be heard (provided you know how to do it). The need to review and renew language, and to find new ways to communicate well in tune with the laity

CHARISM and LEADERSHIP:

Accepting self and forgiving through faith

The issues discussed in the text, with reference to the charism of Mother Mazzarello, are: authentically communicating, conflict resolution, and assertiveness.