S

:'''sacerdote''':''priest'' :'''sacramento''':''sacrament'' :'''Sacro Cuore''':''Sacred Heart'' :'''sala della comunità''':''Parish hall'' The new concept of the parish hall (there could be a better translation) as found in the Italian term here does not exist in English. It really means a place where many things could happen, film, video, theatre, music, tied to the role of the parish as a community of faith. Umberto Eco credits DB as having founded, in the Oratory, a concept akin to what the ''sala della comunità'' is intended to be :'''Salesiane Oblate del Sacro Cuore SOSC''':''Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart '' Founded in Reggio Calabria in 1933 by Bishop Cognata. Member group of the Salesian Family :'''Salesiani di Don Bosco SDB''':''Salesians of Don Bosco SDB'' :'''salesianità''':''Salesianity'' :'''salesiano''':''Salesian'' :'''Salesianum''':''Salesianum'' The Salesian Holiday House in Rome, attached to the Generalate. In fact more often used for major conventions. Other provinces use the term for a particular establishment or work (e.g. in Germany in Munich there is a Salesianum as well, but it is a work for refugee youngsters) :'''sanità sapienza e santità''':''Health, wisdom, holiness'' One of Don Bosco's linguistic devices based on three S's, which we cannot quite reproduce in English :'''salvezza''':''salvation'' The basic theme of DB's spirituality was the salvation of souls, and it is in this phrase, salvezza delle anime, rather than as a lone term, that we often find the term in early Salesian discourse. More - he would add ''eterna'', in other words, eternal salvation. Or we find an even more complete phrase, ''alla maggior gloria di Dio e alla salvezza delle anime'' :'''san Giuseppe''':''St Joseph'' St Joseph, husband of Mary. St John Bosco chose St Joseph as one of two patrons (the other being St Francis de Sales) of the Salesian Society, while the chief Patroness was Mary Help of Christians. We do not know explicitly why he made this choice. He also saw to the establishment of the St. Joseph Sodality at the Oratory, for working boys, and in each church he built there was an altar dedicated to St Joseph. At the Oratory he celebrated the Feast on 19th March at a time when it was not listed amongst the principal feasts :'''santità''':''sanctity, holiness'' :'''Santo''':''Saint'' :'''Santo Padre''':''Holy Father'' :'''santuario''':''shrine, sanctuary'' :'''Savio, Domenico''':''Dominic Savio'' 1842-1854. The first Saint in the Salesian Family, and the youngest Saint in the Church at 15 years of age :'''scelta vocazionale''':''vocational choice'' :'''Scholasticus S.''':''Seminarian S'' Found in the Yearbook :'''scientifico''':''scientific (in a very general sense - cf comment) or often, in a Salesian context, 'scholarly''' The English term means what it says - not so the Italian. ''scientifico'' may be applied to a general range of well-prepared items or discussions, not only science or scientific in nature. ''Congressi scientifici'' in the 19th century often could deal with politics rather than strictly with science, so scholarly affairs, in fact :'''sciuscià''':''shoeshine boys'' In 1948 Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco opened in Rome specifically for street children. While some of those who attended the Oratory in DB's time were of this kind, it is too facile to assume that most boys who frequented the Oratory were street kids. In fact many had paid work. The fact that they were found on the street had more to do with a place to congregate than a state of existence :'''scritture contabili ordinarie''':''daily accounts'' (accounting) :'''scrutinium''':''[LA]] ''scrutiny'' Besides the more general use of the term there is a ''scrutinium paupertatis'', for example, as a community exercise to review its actions of poverty. Also a review for those in initial formation - more likely termed as periodic evaluation or check-up in this latter context :'''scrutinium castitatis''':[LA] ''scrutiny on chastity'' There is no specific mention of ''scrutinium castitatis'' in the C&R. It is mentioned in the index to the Rectors Manual 1982 but not in the paragraph it refers to - at least not in the precise words :'''scrutinium orationis''':[LA] ''scrutiny on prayer'' There is no specific mention of ''scrutinium orationis'' in the C&R. It is mentioned in GC21 however, which required each community to make a periodical review of its prayer life (GC21 60b) :'''scrutinium paupertatis''':[LA] ''scrutiny on poverty'' The term finds mention in a circular letter by Fr Ricceri on poverty, and was then followed up further by Fr Viganò. The concept, rather than the precise term, is contained in R 65 :'''scuola''':''school'' 'School' in English may refer to a secondary school or at times to a faculty at University level - but the Italian term would not be used of a 'school' at tertiary level, where ''facoltà'' is the term. But ''facoltà'' is not plain 'faculty' - a school of liberal arts may also have separate faculties in English, so one needs care with the term :'''scuola di fuoco''':''accelerated course/learning, intensive training programme'' :'''scuola di...''':''school of....'' The term ''school of'' (Don Bosco, prayer, spirituality, faith, holiness....) has been a frequent reference in recent years where school here takes on a symbolic meaning for all that Don Bosco's method and approach and style means. Different variations have received emphasis at different times: GC21 - school of work. GC23 - school of faith, school of prayer, school of holiness, and so on :'''scuola agricola''':''agricultural school'' :'''scuola professionale''':''trade school training institute'' Cf. discussion of ''professionale'' elsewhere. Be aware that in parts of the English-speaking world ''professional'' really means as applied to law, engineering, medicine etc, which would make a professional school something more than Don Bosco might have had in mind. The ''scuola professionale'' is distinct from the technical school, but this latter term may sometimes be applicable :'''scuole domenicali''':''Sunday classes'' Not 'Sunday school' as understood in the normal context of 'after Mass' catechism, but actual classes Don Bosco set up for students who could not attend school during the week :'''scuola di fede''':''school of faith'' The term came from GC23 and was one of three related terms offered to described the Salesian community today: sign of faith, school of faith and centre of communion and participation :'''scuole serali''':''evening classes'' An idea which DB borrowed and which turned out to be one of his most successful educational ventures in the early Oratory days :'''secolarismo''':''secularism'' As used in Salesian texts, ''secolarismo'' has a negative sense, the opposite to the primacy of the religious dimension in our lives :'''secolarità''':''secularity'' The generally positive employment of this term in Salesian literature is a phenomenon of Vatican II. Prior to that, the term had the sense of 'fuga mundi,' flight from the world, and was generally a negative thing. Salesian secularity is a phenomenon that we now see in groups such as the Volunteers of Don Bosco VDB and the Volunteers With Don Bosco CDB. It does not stop there - there are many other groups along these lines. As used in Salesian texts from Fr Ziggiotti onwards, In Fr Ricceri's period of leadership the SGC took up consideration of the range of terms: ''secularisation, secularity, secularism''. The first of these terms is indicated as an historical process by which men and women take up responsibility in the world. Note the term ''secularity'' most often collocates with ''consacrata'' or ''consacrazione'', in post-Vatican II texts, therefore is seen as a positive dimension of human existence. Not to be confused with ''secularisation'' (as now understood in negative terms) or with ''secularism'' which either in English or Italian are perceived to be negative :'''secolarizzazione''':''(1) A technical term in canon law for a priest who leaves his Congregation and is incardinated in a diocese (2) There is also another meaning of 'secularisation' referring to a supposed process in the contemporary world'' :'''Sede Apostolico''':''Apostolic See'' In Canon Law the terms ''Apostolic See'' and ''Holy See'' refer to the Pope (Roman Pontiff) and the Roman Curia together as the form of Government of the Catholic Church. A synonym, ''the See of Peter'', is more personalised but the reference is still administrative. But the term ''Apostolic See'' is theoretically more embracing in that it could originally have applied to five Sees founded by the Apostles (Rome, Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria). Certainly within Salesian documentation its main reference is to the Roman See :'''segno e strumento''':''sign and instrument'' Not to be confused with signs and bearers... this reference comes from ''Redemptoris Missio'' 18 when it speaks of the "seed, sign and instrument" which is the Church in its mission to build the Kingdom of God :'''segni dei tempi''':''signs of the times'' The term has its origins in Scripture: Mt 16:4 You know how to read the face of the sky but you do not know how to read the signs of the times. Pope John XXIII made the first use of the term in modern Catholic social teaching to refer to the principal characteristics of the age emerging from the collective unconscious in the human community in forms of shared understanding and social movements. ''Pacem in Terris''. He identified items like the women's movement, movement for workers' rights and the end of colonialism :'''segni e portatori del amore di Dio ai giovani''':''signs and bearers of God's love for the young'' Readily recognised as a line from the Salesian Constitutions, often shortened to signs and bearers, or signs and bearers of God's love :'''Segretaria esecutiva mondiale (SEM)''':''World Executive Secretariat (WES)'' Term and acronym used by Salesian Cooperator governing struc tures :'''segretario generale''':''secretary general'' A role at the service of the Rector Major and Council :'''segretario ispettoriale''':''provincial secretary'' :'''selvaggi''':''savages'' A term to be found in DB's time and certainly in his own use as he looked toward mission territories like Patagonia, Australia. A definition from a dictionary of his own time (''Dizionario di cognizioni utili'', Torino 1864) attempts to describe 'savages' as ''having broad shoulders, enormous heads, black curly hair, short beard, expressionless face, and around three metres tall''! The question is how to translate this term today, since 'savages' sounds too strong. The term did have an ambiguous feel even for Don Bosco, since there was still the Romantic period sense of the noble savage in the literature of the time, nor should we forget that the concept first came to Don Bosco in the context of a dream about peoples who could be saved, and that one of these people, Ceferino Namuncurá, is on the road to the altar! We might consider reference to ''tribal peoples'' or something similar :'''senso di appartenenza''':''sense of belonging'' :'''sequela Christi''':[LA] ''the following of Christ'' The term is more often left in its Latin form. Note that the Italian form is almost identical, differing solely by an 'h'. It is an ancient term in Christian spirituality, in reference to either the apostolic following of Christ, or the ''imitatio christi'' in general Christian life. Today used more frequently in reference to consecrated life :'''servizio ai giovani, servizio dei giovani''':''service of the young'' One of the terms used to describe the Salesian project (cf. C.21). Understood to be an ecclesial service since Salesian activity is part of the Church's ministry :'''servizio di animazione''':''service of animation'' A reference to the twin service of animation and government carried out by authority :'''servizio di autorità''':''service of authority'' The phrase comes directly from the Constitutions, and has behind it the sentiments of C.121 which indicates that authority is exercised in the name of and in imitation of Christ as a service to one's brothers in the spirit of Don Bosco to help them follow out God's will :'''Servo di Dio''':''Servant of God'' A cause can only be introduced if the person has gained fame already for holiness (in general opinion), has practised Christian virtues to an heroic degree and if there are no insuperable obstacles to canonisation :'''sessennio''':''six year period'' Refers usually to the six year period between general chapters :'''settore''':''sector'' A sector is a key area of Salesian mission - there are seven such currently defined. Reference is sometimes made to ''settori di attività'' or sectors of activity :'''settore d’animazione pastorale''':''pastoral animation setting'' This term is defined in the Youth Ministry Framework. It refers to the multiple activities or educative and pastoral arrangements to be found across all our works and the more traditional sectors (YM, Formation, Communication, Missions, Economy, Salesian Family). It is an open set, depending on cultural circumstances and needs. :'''significatività''':''meaningfulness, significance'' Mandated by GC23 as a criterion for evaluating the value and impact of each Salesian work. The word had appeared earlier during Team Visits :'''significatività della presenza salesiana''':''significance, impact of the Salesian presence'' The Italian word, ''significatività'' borrowed from the world of statistics, refers to statistical significance, but note that Vecchi in his description, links it to 'signs.' :'''significità''':''meaning, meaningfulness, significance'' :'''sinergia''':''teamwork, synergy'' :'''sistema''':''system'' Most frequently applied to the preventive system but in recent years has been used in a wider sense e.g. the Salesian system of social communication. It was Don Bosco himself who offered this wider perspective when he referred to 'an ordered system' of communication :'''sistema preventivo''':''preventive system'' :'''sistema salesiano di comunicazione sociale SSCS''':''Salesian Social Communication System'' The term ''communication system'' gained its first use in Salesian circles through Fr Antonio Martinelli in preparation for the World Gathering of Salesian Bulletin Directors 1998. Today it is explained also in terms of ebing an ''ecosystem'' :'''Sisters of Charity of Miyazaki CSM''':''obs.'' ''Sisters of Charity of Miyazaki CSM'' Now referred to as the ''Sisters of Cahrity of Jesus CSJ'' Member group of the Salesian Family :'''Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SIHM''':''Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary SIHM'' Member group of the Salesian Family :'''soci esterni''':''extern members'' DB had attempted (without success) to have Rome recognise a form of external membership in the Salesian Constitutions. Even some of his early ''ascritti'' (we would say novices) had such a long novitiate that they were really a kind of ''socio esterno'', e.g. ''coadiutori'' or ''famigli'' without vows (while some, obviously, also took vows) :'''società''':''society'' DB claims that Pius IX advised him to use society since it indicated a group of citizens freely associating and could therefore avoid the suppression laws. DB fought strongly to retain 'secular' elements to his organization but was gradually forced by Rome to change this :'''società dell'allegria''':''Society for a Good Time'' A group of friends formed by the young John Bosco into a group with a handful of rules. Though it was a small, boyish effort at the time, and soon dissolved once John Bosco entered the seminary, the concept behind it ultimately developed into Don Bosco's extensive work for the transformation of society. When he developed his idea of the 'good Christian, honest citizen', he gradually widened his understanding of this phrase to include the transformation of society more generally :'''Società di mutuo soccorso''':''Mutual Aid Society'' The full title of this society was ''Società di mutuo soccorso di alcuni individui della Compagnia di San Luigi eretta nell'Oratorio di S. Francesco di Sales''. We note immediately that it was an offshoot of the St. Aloysius Sodality. Members had to be members of this and paid 5 cents each Sunday. A member who fell sick was given 50 cents a day until recovery :'''Società Salesiana di San Giovanni Bosco''':''Salesian Society of St John Bosco'' :'''Societas Sancti Francisci Salesii''':[LA] ''Society of St Francis de Sales'' :'''socio''':''member'' Plural ''soci''. The term was used by Don Bosco to refer to members of the Society of St. Francis de Sales and has continued in use in more formal settings e.g. C&R R. 52 :'''socius''':[LA] ''socius'' The term tends not to be translated since its translation would need to be descriptive, e.g. assistant to the director of novices :'''sogno''':''dream'' Whatever the more complex analyses of dream might be, for Salesians, the reference is especially to the 1st dream of Don Bosco at age 9 and the many (hundred or more) recorded subsequent dreams. The 1st dream, then, has a foundational role in the Salesian story :'''solidarietà''':''solidarity'' While not a 'Salesian' word (it belongs rather to JP II), in the late 1990s the RM introduced a Solidarity Fund and provinces were encouraged to have a solidarity plan - all as a way of helping out in situations that needed financial assistance :'''Sommo Pontefice''':''supreme pontiff'' This is the formal term expected in, for example, letters from the Holy See to the Congregation. Don Bosco tended to use this reference more than ''Santo Padre'' or ''Holy Father'', though he would have used the latter in conversation either with the Pope or about the Pope :'''SPCI''':''SPCI Salesian Provincial Conference of India. Conference of the Provincials of the Indian provinces. After GC25 changed to SPCSA - Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia'' :'''SPCSA''':''SPCSA Salesian Provincials' Conference of South Asia. Conference of the Salesian provincials of the region of South Asia. It includes the provinces/vice-provinces of India and the vice-provinces of Sri Lanka (LKC)'' :'''spedizione missionaria''':''mission(ary) expedition'' Something of a technical term and certainly a Salesian tradition since a missionary expedition has been sent most years since DB began the practice in 1875 :'''speranza cristiana''':''Christian hope'' The phrase is redolent of Vatican II but more recently appears in GC25 documents, not just as a vague hope for the future but a tireless, working hope which is characteristic of the New Evangelisation :'''spirito del Signore''':''Spirit of the Lord'' The term is an ancient one, intended as a synonym for the Holy Spirit. Don Bosco employs it several times :'''spirito di Don Bosco''':''spirit of Don Bosco, Don Bosco's spirit'' In his letter in 1981 on the Spirit of Mornese, Fr Viganò takes up the term 'spirit of..' especially as applied to Don Bosco. It is synonymous with spirit of Valdocco, Salesian spirit, all with reference to the charismatic spirit of Don Bosco Founder. He points out, however, that scholars prefer to speak of charism in reference to God's initiative, and spirit in reference to the heart and mind of the Founder, the human response to God's initiative, then :'''spirito di famiglia''':''family spirit'' Term referring to the style of putting into practice the Salesian mission, and a traditional reference based on the Valdocco reality in its early days with Don Bosco and Mamma Margaret. The family atmosphere was regarded by Don Bosco as one of the essential elements of the Preventive System and means of developing the attitude of loving-kindness :'''spirito di Mornese''':''spirit of Mornese'' A term coined especially by Fr Viganò in his letter of 1981 containing that phrase in its title. Cf ''spirito di Don Bosco'' for the background, especially because the spirit of Mornese and the spirit of Valdocco (and of Don Bosco) are inseparable. In fact Fr Viganò distinguishes between the Salesian charism, which is the common gift of the Spirit to all members of the Family, and the 'spirit of...' which is the human response :'''spirito salesiano''':''Salesian spirit'' :'''Spirito Santo''':''Holy Spirit'' :'''spiritualità''':''spirituality'' :'''spiritualità giovanile salesiana''':''Salesian Youth Spirituality'' GC23 produced a brief outline of Salesian Youth Spirituality with its important dimensions of daily life, encounter and friendship with Christ, gradual introduction to the life of the Church and a life of service :'''spiritualità salesiana''':''Salesian spirituality'' A term of general reference to the style or spirit of Don Bosco, but we should not forget the history of this term within the Congregation. It goes back to the famous promise of charity, the occasion when DB first gathered a group of his boys with the proposal to form a Society. They took the name ''Salesian'' after the example of St Francis de Sales :'''Srugi, Simaan''':''Simon Srugi'' Simon Srugi was born at Nazareth on 27 June 1877, as the last of ten children. An orphan of both the parents already at the age of six, he was sent by his aunt to the Catholic Orphanage of Bethlehem in 1888. It was run by Canon Belloni and from 1891 by the Salesians. He felt so much at home that at the age of 16 he asked to become a Salesian. Thus he became a Coadjutor-aspirant in the Agricultural School of Beitgemal. He spent the rest of his life in that house, exactly 50 years :'''sta allegro''':''Be cheerful'' Frequent spoken admonition of Don Bosco to his boys at the Oratory :'''stage''':[FR] ''period of practical training or preparation'' :'''stato ecclesiastico''':''ecclesiastical state'' One normally meets the term in a longer phrase such as vocation to the ecclesiastical state. This term was used especially by Don Bosco. Technically the sign of the ecclesiastical state used be the tonsure. Today it is a paraliturgical ceremony in the seminary which has a candidate formally declare himself to be a candidate for the priesthood :'''stemma''':''coat of arms'' The Salesian Coat of Arms (not to be confused with the Logo), designed by Professor Boidi, appeared for the first time in a circular letter of Don Bosco on 8 December 1885 :'''Storia dell'Oratorio di San Francesco di Sales''':''History of the Oratory of St Francis de Sales'' Written by Fr Giovanni Bonetti, based on the ''Memoirs of the Oratory'' and published in the Salesian Bulletin serially over a number of years at a time when DB had forbidden publication of the MO :'''strenna''':''Strenna'' The term is not translated in English. A Salesian tradition from DB himself whereby the Rector Major offers a 'gift' by way of a word or two. It should not be translated as a motto or slogan :'''strutture di governo''':''structures of government'' In the documents of the Congregation we also find the term structures of animation, understandable given that animation and government are often linked as a term in its own right :'''studente S = Salesiano studente (seminarista)''':''Student, seminarian'' Here the Italian suggests that it is 'student in the sense of a seminarian', and as the term 'student' in English is rather broad, 'seminarian' seems the better gloss in this case. The other curious thing to note here is that if we turn to the Annuario (Year Book) instead for its 'sigla' or abbreviations, we see that S= scholasticus (ch). If anything, this suggests a minor lack of consistency between the two books :'''studentato''':''studentate'' This term usually does not turn up in dictionary checks on computers - refers normally to places like studentates of philosophy or theology :'''studio (studiare)''':''concern, interest in (and of course 'study' - depending on context)'' In modern Italian the verb studiare would mean what it appears to mean - to study. But in the context of a famous saying of Don Bosco ''Io studio per voi'' there would be an argument that his Piedmontese linguistic context meant he was indicating to his boys that ''I am concerned about you'' or ''My interest is all for you'' :'''subalterno ''':''subaltern'' A most interesting term! In fact it was used by Don Bosco in its conventional meaning of a subordinate (in the Confidential Reminders to Rectors, written initially for the young Don Rua in his first job as Rector. Strangely its most recent meaning is borrowed from the Italian term ''subalterno'' as appropriated by the Marxist historian and philosopher Antonio Gramsci (who developed his socialist leanings at the University of Turin), and developed in the 1980's as a form of postcolonial academic response especially in India - and from where it has also developed in Ireland, Latin America, wherever there have been dispossessed groups or peoples. The word was already part of Indian literary vocabulary with its more conventional military meaning as in Rudyard Kipling's short story ''Only a Subaltern'' :'''superiore''':''superior'' :'''superiore maggiore''':''Major superior'' The term is a canonical one pertaining especially to government of a juridical circumscription C.620. Also known as Religious Ordinary (C. 134,1) because he enjoys the 'ordinary' power of jurisdiction and government in the internal and external forum over members and communities in matters established by law :'''sussidio''':''handout (hand-out)'' In the sense (usually) of printed materials