In the article Fr. Christopher Ford investigates the theme of “culture of education” in Catholic schools, and shows how the charism of Don Bosco impacts teachers and students alike.
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Rik Biesmans – Aesthetics in Don Bosco’s educational system
The word “Aesthetics” sounds somewhat abstract in English, but it represents a theme that has been explored in European formation and educational circles. Fr. Biesmans uses the term to include education in music, drama and fine arts, as well as physical education through recreation, gymnastics and sport.
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Piera Cavaglià – Dall’affidamento all’accompagnamento l’esperienza formativa di santa Maria D. Mazzarello
L’articolo fa parte di un volume che offre al lettore la possibilità di accostare alla realtà dell’accompagnamento da diversi punti di vista e da differenti approcci disciplinari.
Questo articolo si sofferma sul tema dell’accompagnamento nell’esperienza di santa Maria D. Mazzarello, confondatrice dell’Istituto delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice. L’Autrice mette in evidenza il contesto storico-ecclesiale in cui la santa ha formato la sua personalità di educatrice e di sapiente guida dei giovani e di consorelle, e in seguito evidenzia alcuni tratti del suo essere un’esperta accompagnatrice.
Pietro Braido – Don Michele Rua primo autodidatta «Visitatore» salesiano. Relazione di «ispezioni» nelle prime istituzioni educative fondate da don Bosco
Sembra ormai accertato che don Bosco è all’origine di una straordinaria esperienza educativa più che di una teoria pedagogica sistematica. Può ritenersi altrettanto indubitabile che la sua effettiva comprensione non possa essere garantita dalla sola analisi (teologica, filosofica, pedagogica, psicologica, sociologica e simili) dell’apparato concettuale ad essa soggiacente. Integrativa, anzi primaria, dovrebbe considerarsi l’attenta ricerca dei fattori contestuali che le conferiscono la caratteristica fisionomia vitale, esperienziale. Tra essi entrano certamente in gioco le persone, l’ambiente (o gli ambienti), la temperie culturale e affettiva. Continue reading “Pietro Braido – Don Michele Rua primo autodidatta «Visitatore» salesiano. Relazione di «ispezioni» nelle prime istituzioni educative fondate da don Bosco”
Giovanni Bosco – Summary of goodnights to the boys at Valdocco (1864-1877)
Amongst the more original practices put in place as part of the educational praxis at Valdocco, and maintained in the Salesian tradition that then followed from it, we would have to highlight the “Goodnights”: brief “talks” or “short speeches” after night prayers. Don Bosco addressed the pupils in the presence of their educators (superiors of the house, teachers assistants), in a familiar way using simple and attractive language.
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Giovanni Bosco – Guidelines for running salesian houses (1863-1887)
The origin of this authoritative document, the Confidential Reminders, is a letter written to Fr Michael Rua whom Don Bosco called on to take up the running of the first Salesian house outside Turin in autumn 1863: the college or junior seminary of St Charles in Mirabello Monferrato. In a letter sent to the young Rector/Director, Don Bosco wanted to pass on pedagogical and spiritual guidelines which had already been in practice at Valdocco. These were to also characterise the apostolic and educational work in the new foundation.
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Giovanni Bosco – Prevention and education (1877-1878): The Preventive System in the Education of the Young
The Preventive System in the education of the young (1877) is one of the most important and widespread documents by the founder of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. It is the first more or less complete account—despite its small size—that Don Bosco had put together on his educational approach. It is with this “small treatise” that his reputation as educator and pedagogue became so intimately linked.
Maria Dosio,Maria Gannon,Maria Marchi,Maria Piera Manello – «Io ti darò la maestra…». Il coraggio di educare alla scuola di Maria. Atti del Convegno Mariano Internazionale promosso dalla Pontificia Facoltà di Scienze dell’Educazione “Auxilium” – Roma, 27-30 dicembre 2004
Il volume presenta gli Atti del Convegno mariano internazionale, svoltosi a Roma dal 27 al 30 dicembre 2004 sul tema: “Io ti darò la Maestra …”. Il coraggio di educare alla scuola di Maria.
Giovanni Bosco – Spiritual formation of the young through preaching, “goodnights” and dream accounts
In Don Bosco’s educational system preaching has special importance, both that which is bound up with the liturgical or catechetical context, and that of the informal, familiar kind. The saint often addressed the community of young people with brief and fervent talks aimed at stirring up their emotions, nurturing their minds, encouraging good resolutions and devout sentiments, and looking ahead to stimulating horizons.
Giovanni Bosco – Sodalities and spiritual friendships
Christian education of youth in popular works with a markedly missionary character like the Oratories on the outskirts of Turin, frequented by boys who were mostly abandoned and uneducated, required processes that were gradual and geared to each one’s possibilities. The Companion of Youth offered a complete but essential proposal adapted to everyone. Starting with this, Don Bosco used the sacrament of penance, personal chats, suggestions of optional and practical devotions and offered books to read and meditate on. He set up personalised processes which were more adapted to youngsters who were more capable of greater moral and ascetic effort. Continue reading “Giovanni Bosco – Sodalities and spiritual friendships”