Salesian Accompaniment of the Young, Part 2
January 5-9, 2009

Don Vecchi extracted from Vita Consecrata a spiritual itinerary for the Salesian Family. He underlined the pastoral dimension of Salesian Spirituality with an emphasis upon accompaniment: Service to the dimension of spirituality goes beyond the confines of the Christian community and appears as an accompaniment and support for all who are seeking sense and direction. "All who embrace the consecrated life, men and women alike, become privileged partners in the search for God which has always stirred the human heart and has led to the different forms of asceticism and spirituality." These "privileged partners" in Salesian spirituality are those who choose to journey with the young in their path to holiness. More than simply a commentary, Don Becchi set a course and a direction for his years as Rector Major. The primary purpose of this inter-session course is to examine the themes of Salesian spirituality set down by Fr. Vecchi as part of the ongoing effort to "return to Don Bosco" and to deepen the fire of innter conversion linking us to this spiritual heritage. 

This course will be presented by Fr. John Roche, SDB.

Spiritual Identity of the Salesian Brother

January 12-16, 2009

The course begins with an examination of Article 45 of the Salesian Constitutions, expressing the complementary identities of brothers and priests in the Salesian community. It then investigates how this article grew out of Don Bosco's idea of the Salesian Brother. More material comes from documents issued during the Vatican II renewal period in Salesian history. The course looks at how the brother’s spiritual identity came to be theologically expressed in the Constitutions and practically applied in formation and vocation ministry, and concretely in the life of Blessed Artemide Zatti. It will conclude with reflection on how to apply the Salesian brother’s identity to study local problems in formation and vocation ministry.

This course will be presented by Bro. John Rasor, SDB.

Media Literacy for Youth Ministers
January 19-23, 2009

Fr. John Roche, SDB begins by examining the moral elements of communications media. We move from the theory to the practice with a session presented by Br. Al Vu, SDB on how to use media in youth ministry. The last component is with Duoc Le on actual manipulation of the software available for putting together media for use in ministry.

Wednesday Afternoon Dialogs

On Wednesday afternoon of each week there will be dialogue forum with Fr. Arthur Lenti, SDB, related to the topic being presented that week.