P

:'''Pacificatori''':''Peacemakers''' A role at the Oratory in DB's day :'''Padre''':''Father'' Salesian priests do not normally use ''Padre'' in Italy, but ''Don''. DB preferred to use the term used by secular clergy rather than the term for religious priests :'''Padre e Fondatore''':''Father and Founder'' A classic phrase in reference to Don Bosco by Salesians, favoured especially by Fr Viganò and to be found in other documents (e.g. GC24). Usually capitalised and nearly always expressed as our Father and Founder :'''Padre e maestro''':''Father and teacher'' A title that was applied to DB already by Card. Cagliero in 1922 and finally 'crowned' by JPII in 1988 in his letter ''Iuvenum Patris'' where he bestowed the title of Father and Teacher of Youth on Don Bosco :'''padre, fratello, amico''':''father, brother, friend'' A trinomial that often came to DB's lips and which we retain today :'''Parola di Dio''':''Word of God'' Synonymous with the Gospel. It is God's initiative, challenge, gift. Don Bosco used the term often enough and made it prominent in his expression of his educational method. He commented that Dominic Savio had understood that the Word of God was guide for man and the way to heaven :'''parolina all'orecchio''':''word in the ear'' A simple ploy of DB's to pass on a word of comment, encouragement or even reproof in the midst of a game or other activity :'''parrocchia''':''parish'' The parish is one of the main mission settings for the Salesian mission. A Salesian parish is distinguished by its popular nature, its attention to the young. It regards the oratory/youth centre to be an integral part of its pastoral plan (R. 26) :'''parrocco''':''parish priest'' :'''partita doppia''':''double accounting'' (accounting) :'''passeggiate autunnali''':''Autumn walks'' Occurred over three or four weeks in September-October from 1847-1864. Particularly aimed at the dangers of the holiday period, but also as an opening to apostolate (the boys would do useful things and edifying things for the villages they visited) and to demonstrate how God could be served cheerfully :'''passione''':''passion'' What is of interest is the increasing importance of this term in Fr Chávez' period as Rector Major. He draws it from GC25's reference to the 'evangelical passion of the ''Da mihi animas''. The term has a long pedigree in Greek and Latin predating its Christian usage. What we need to be aware of is the 'Enlightenment' derailing of its meaning from a deep positive rage and energy which gives dynamism to the human spirit, to something much more low key, low energy by way of 'mood' :'''passività''':''liabilities'' (accounting) :'''pastorale''':''ministry'' ''Pastoral'' to be avoided especially in the phrase ''youth pastoral'', since ''pastoral'' is an adjective in English :'''pastorale giovanile PG''':''Youth Ministry YM'' One of the key sectors of the Salesian mission under the direction of a Councillor :'''pastorale giovanile salesiana''':''Salesian Youth Ministry'' :'''pastorale organico''':''integral ministry, holistic ministry, structured ministry, systematic ministry'' But NOT ''organic ministry'' which sounds like an agricultural venture! The term is relatively new in our discourse :'''pastorale vocazionale''':''vocation ministry'' :'''pastoralità''':''pastoral work'' :'''paternità''':''fatherliness'' Beware glossing as ''paternity''! Favorite term of Fr. Rinaldi, who had been a Superior for something like 48 years, so naturally enough saw Don Bosco's qualities through that prism :'''patrimonio''':''patrimony, heritage'' In English, the term ''patrimony'' is more often applied in a canonical sense to the material goods (including land, buildings) of an Institute or House. When we meet the term in Salesian literature in Italian. however, it almost always means ''heritage'' in the broad sense of values, charism. Hence we find: spiritual heritage, heritage of values, of Saleisan holiness, precious Salesian inheritance (or heritage), cultural heritage etc :'''Patroni''':''Patrons'' A role at the Oratory in DB's time, (but also refers to the patrons of the Society such as St. Joseph).... :'''peccato''':''sin'' :'''pedagogia''':''pedagogy, education'' A need for some caution when translating this word since it is more widely in use in Italian, especially in its derivatives, than in English. Frequently in English, ''pedagogia'' can be rendered by ''education'' :'''pedagogia della preghiera''':''pedagogy of prayer'' In fact there are a number of ''pedagogia di/della...'' expressions in Salesian literature, of which pedagogy of prayer is one :'''PEPS''':''SEPP'' Progetto educativo-pastorale, or Salesian Educational and Pastoral Project. :'''penitenza''':''penance'' When this term is encountered in Salesian discourse, at least in traditional discourse, it will almost always refer to The Sacrament of Penance (Confession, Reconciliation), and hence will be capitalised in English :'''pensionato''':''hostel'' There are several categories of Salesian hostel - junior, middle, senior, university and worker level :'''Perfectae Caritatis''':[LA] ''The Perfection of Charity'' The Decree on the adaptation and renewal of religious Life proclaimed by Pope Paul VI on October 28th 1965, at the Vatican Council II. Literally 'on the perfection of charity', a phrase which harks back to one used by St Francis de Sales :'''pericolante''':''at risk'' When DB first used it of a certain group of young people there was negative reaction. But he means those who are at risk of becoming anti-social because neglected :'''pericolanti e pericolosi''':''at risk and risky'' Implies youngsters without work and education,, just hanging around and exposed to problems, who could therefore be problems to society itself. The use of this terminology in a circular on 20th December 1851 caused some offence, it seems. In fact DB did not use the term ''pericolosi'' very often in this way. His view of young people was generally more positive :'''perquisizione''':''search'' The famous House Searches of the Oratory in 1860, organized by the local police, fearing that DB was involved in revolutionary tactics that might influence politics. School inspections by the Education Ministry also formed part of this intrusion :'''personal media''':''personal media'' Term introduced into Salesian discourse by GC26. In fact it came from the floor during a discussion on social communication, and was offered by a German Chapter representative. The term then found its way into the Chapter documents in a somewhat negative comment, ''La cultura della personal media può compromettere la maturazione della capacità di relazione..''. Shiregu Miyagawa, professor of linguistics and communication at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, presents the concept of Personal Media thus: 'an emerging digital communications media, incorporating interactivity in its design, and allowing users not only to consume media products, but also to create them'. The discussion of personal media, then, as a formation theme, should not be limited to its negative effects, but might objectively consider several other factors: creativity, and the fact that human beings with access to personal digital devices are now creators. And perhaps the most significant issue here is to ask what personal media are in function of. They are in function of social media :'''persona umana''':'human being, person'' The term is spread evenly across the range of Salesian documentation from Vatican II onwards. Don Bosco employed the practical formula honest citizens and good Christians, where today he might have spoken of the dignity of the human person :'''pia''':''pious'' The term collocates most typically with Società as in Pia Società or the full term La Pia Società Salesiana. It was dropped from any official reference to the Salesian Society from 1926 onwards, given that by this time society was not considered to give any cause for wrong interpretation. Don Bosco used add it in to make it clear that his 'society' was not one of political or even of secret leanings, but a society interested only in good. The Superior Chapter in 1925 decided that ''Pia'' would be attached only to the ''Pia Unione dei Cooperatori Salesiani'' :'''Piano di Azione del Settore PAS''':''Sector Action Plan'' Strategic device developed by the General Council in recent years to plan activities of a Sector (e.g. Social Communications) for a six year period :'''Piano di qualificazione''':''Qualification Plan'' A plan for the formation of the formators. Referred to in the Regulations but reinforced by Fr Vecchi in his Letter Io per voi studio, For you I study. It was further reinforced by GC25 :'''Piano di Regolamento per la Casa annessa all'Oratorio di S. Francesco di Sales''':''Draft Regulations for the Annex to the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales'' First sketched out in 1853-54. Spelt out in more detail both in the short work on the Preventive System 1877 and in the Regulations for the houses of the Society of St. Francis de Sales :'''Piano Ispettoriale di Comunicazione Sociale PICS''':''Provincial Social Communication Plan PSCP'' :'''Piano Ispettoriale di Formazione PIF''':''Provincial Formation Plan PFP'' :'''piccolo clero''':''altar boys, Altar Boys Society'' :'''PICS''':''PSCP'' Progetto Ispettoriale Comunicazione Sociale, or Salesian Social Communication Plan :'''pie, devote, attente''':''piously, devoutly and with care'' It comes from DB's Confidential reminders to Rectors and is the third reminder: celebrate Mass and recite the Breviary ''pie, devote, attente'' :'''pietà''':''piety, devotion'' Traditionally one of the terms that most readily distinguished the Salesian spirit from any other. Therefore the term needs to be understood in context. Part of the problem for us in English is that our piety loses much of the richness of the Latin pietas and the Italian pietà, even today. For us it is devotions - for Latin and Italian it is first of all devotion, and there lies the difference! There are practices of piety, but these are informed by true piety :'''POI''':''OPP'' Progetto Organico Ispettoriale, or Overall Provincial Plan, but perhaps even better expressed as Salesian Strategic Plan :'''Polaris''':''Polaris Investment S.A'' (anonymous society) A society for common Investment Funds registered in Luxemburg for the management of Common Investment Funds. Salesian involvement has ceased :'''Pontificio Ateneo Salesiano PAS''':''obs.'' ''Salesian Pontifical Athenaeum'' Now the ''Università Pontificia Salesiana, UPS'' :'''portale''':''portal'' The term is applied to the Congregation's website www.sdb.org. 'The Portal' is all that is contained within the web-space that opens up when one clicks on the address www.sdb.org :'''positio''':''dossier'' A term used in canonical processes (e.g. for approval of a Congregation, or in the process for canonisation) to indicate a collection of relevant documents, protocols. In his Don Bosco History and Spirit series, Arthur Lenti calls it a 'docket', but in fact the official Vatican translation is 'Position', which seems to be almost a calque taken directly from the Latin. :'''postnoviziato''':''postnovitiate'' A phase in continuity with the novitiate where one deepens one's common understanding of religious identity and takes up a preparation to be an educator and pastor. Normally at this stage candidates for Salesian priesthood and Brother candidates are to be found in the same formation community at this stage. It is worth noting that the English term postnovitiate, written as a single word, is unusual and will not normally be found in a dictionary. it would normally be hyphenated, but our Salesian literature in translation rarely hyphenates the term :'''postulancy''':''postulancy'' Not an official term in the Salesian Ratio but some provinces designate the advanced stage within the pre-novitiate (which is an official term) as postulancy, and even have two stages, that of pre-postulancy and postulancy-e.g. in the Philippines :'''postulatore generale''':''Postulator General'' Person nominated by the Rector Major to follow up all causes for canonisation :'''poveri''':''poor, the poor :'''povertà''':''poverty'' :'''pratiche di pietà''':''practices of piety'' :'''predilezione per i giovani''':''predilection for the young'' A term contained in the Constitutions (C.14) and descriptive of DB's comment that 'it is enough for you to be young for me to love you very much' :'''prefetto''':''prefect'' The bursar, in today's terminology :'''prefetto generale''':''obs.'' ''Now rendered obsolete in the post-conciliar revision of terminology for Salesian leadership'' :'''preghiera''':''prayer'' :'''prenoviziato''':''prenovitiate'' One of the official stages (the first) of initial formation :'''presbiterio''':''sanctuary, presbiterium (body of priests)'' Note: 'false friend.' Not presbytery, but the sanctuary surrounding the altar in a church, or a reference to the 'presbiterium' :'''Presbyter P''':''Priest'' As found in the Yearbook :'''presenza''':''presence'' The Elementi Giuridici (2004) suggests by implication that a 'Salesian presence' may be simply that-an 'opening' of a house involving Salesians in a determined place for a particular mission (with due permission of RM and Council) [8.1.1]. But the term applies equally to canonical erection of a house. Should there not be a more precise definition of this use of 'presence'? In some parts of the Salesian world 'presence' implies the widest sense, e.g. as used in #391 of SGC, where it is an educational or otherwise Salesian witness outside the normal structures, or on the other hand the stricter 'presence' that comes from a regular community. Another favourite Salesian reference is to 'presence' as a style, e.g. presenza animatrice or animating presence (of a Salesian community) :'''presenza di Dio''':''presence of God'' :'''presenza salesiana''':''Salesian presence'' The term is employed in two ways - to mean either a particular physical presence of a community of Salesians (a work, e.g. a school) or something more descriptive of the whole: a dynamic reality, a network of relationships, the set of projects and processes motivated by pastoral charity, carried out amongst and with young people, lay people, the Salesian Family :'''preside scolastico''':''principal, headmaster'' Different parts of the English-speaking world use different terms :'''Presidente confederale''':''Confederal president'' The term applied to the leader at world level of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco :'''presidenza''':''presidency, executive committee'' The Italian term has wider extension than its English equivalent. ''Presidency'' refers to the office of president and/or to time spent in high office. Salesian Regulations 120-124 employ the term but with its Italian extension of meaning to group leadership in 120 and most likely also in 124. This is pushing the boundaries, although the Mormon Church already uses presidency in this way, and there are indications that EU countries (some) think of presidency as a group :'''prete''':''priest'' In DB's day mothers would tell their children not to use this term. But it was in frequent and correct use to describe the priest. It is just that it was also used as a disparaging term. Preferred Italian term is ''sacerdote'' :'''preventività''':''prevention'' Avoid ''preventivity'' :'''preventivo''':''preventive (adj), budget (n.)'' :'''primato di Dio''':''primacy of God'' The term hardly needs definition. Note that it appears in the Ratio, and is an important thrust of Fr Chávez as Rector Major :'''prior''':''prior (n.)'' It may seem strange to find this term amongst a list of Salesian terms! Interestingly, it is applied, as far as we know, in just one situation. The Rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Bandel Shrine in Hooghly, (Kolkata) is also known as the Prior. The Bandel Church became a minor basilica in 1988. Today it is a vibrant Salesian parish with many groups and associations :'''procura''':''Mission Office, Mission and Development Office, Planning and Development Office'' Mission Office is the original term (1947, New Rochelle), then translated into Italian as 'procura'. A Planning and Development Office or PDO is synonymous though may in fact exist as a distinct entity alongside a Mission Office. There are other possible variations of the original term such as missions office or missionary office. ''Procure'' simply does not exist as a noun in English and should be avoided in this sense The task of dealing with the Apostolic See is ordinarily entrusted to a procurator general who is appointed by the Rector Major with the consent of his council and remains in office ''ad nutum'' :'''professio fidei''':''profession of faith'' Canonical requirement for those accepting ecclesiastical office, e.g. rector. Also prescribed by C. 121 :'''professionale''':''professional, technical'' Cf. also ''formazione professionale'' :'''professione''':''profession'' In context of religious life, a reference to the act whereby one dedicates oneself to God formally by vow, to imitate Christ obedient, poor and chaste :'''professione perpetua''':''perpetual profession'' A synonymous term is final profession, often used in common language but lacking the full significance of the other term :'''professione temporanea''':''temporary profession'' The third period of formation (after prenovitiate and novitiate) is known as the period of temporary profession. This is normally divided into two sets of triennial vows, but can vary (annual vows initially, gradually increasing in number. Normally this period is of six years, but can be extended to nine as a maximum :'''professore''':''professor, teacher'' While the term can mean ''professor'' mostly it does not! In Italian a teacher, any teacher, is a ''professore''. It can also be used in casual comment like ''Buon giorno, professore''! The term is even used in non-academic situations, like a visit to the dentist where one could be going to see one's ''professor''e :'''profetico''':''prophetic, inspired'' :'''progettazione''':''planning'' :'''progetto''':''project, plan, enterprise, proposal'' A favourite word in Salesian Italian one has to say. Has a number of possible glosses in English, however, not just ''project'' :'''Progetto Africa''':''Project Africa'' 1978 GC21. The Salesians launch into Africa. Was officially closed in 2007. By then more than 30 countries in Africa had Salesian presences, and African Salesians outnumbered the missionaries in most countires :'''progetto apostolico di Don Bosco''':''Don Bosco's apostolic project'' Another way of speaking of C .96 which speaks of our living out our Father's project as apostles of the young. Variants of this, or more correctly synonyms, are terms such as The Founder's Project, or The Founder's apostolic Project :'''progetto comunitario''':''community project'' This term is often found in its more profound significance of the entire project of community life or even of evangelical and consecrated life, as incarnated in a particular group or place. The Salesian mission is a community project brought about by a local educative and pastoral community :'''Progetto Cina''':''Project China'' A dream of Fr. Viganò as expressed in his letter to confreres entitled ''Da Pechino verso l'88'' or 'From Peking toward '88.' This dream is now much closer to realisation given the gradual opening-up of China, and remains under consideration at General Council level :'''Progetto Europa''':''Project Europe'' A dream of Fr Chávez', put into place by GC26, deliberation 115, under the coordination of the three ''departments of the Salesian mission'' :'''Progetto di Animazione e Governo del Rettor Maggiore e suo Consiglio per il sessennio''':''Project of Animation and Government of the Rector Major and his Council for the Six-year period'' This project first came into being with Fr. Vecchi. It would seem that it will continue as a regular practice after each General Chapter :'''Progetto di Vita''':''Project of Life'' The Commentary on the Constitutions, though it could also refer to a personal or community plan of life :'''Progetto Educativo Pastorale Salesiano PEPS''':''Salesian Pastoral and Educative Project SPEP'' Often shortened to PEP or EPP :'''progetto evangelico''':''evangelical project'' Usually part of a more extended phrase: Gospel project of a particular Institute, of the Founder, of Don Bosco, of the ''sequela Christi'', of the Constitutions, of life (and action) :'''Progetto Ispettoriale di Formazione''':''Provincial Formation Plan'' :'''Progetto Marketing Istituzionale''':''Institutional Marketing Project'' Born from collaboration between Missioni Don Bosco Media Center and Telepace ...a project of communication, education and propaganda, with the purpose of giving information on the Congregation's activity, highlighting certain aspects of Salesian work, spreading Salesian educational method and spirituality, educating to a sense of mission and solidarity :'''Progetto Organico Ispettoriale (POI)''':''Provincial Project or Overall Provincial Project or plan (OPP)'' Cf. discussion on ''organico''. In ordinary discussion mother-tongue English-speaking provinces tend to prefer 'Provincial Plan' and be done with it! But bearing in mind discussions above, it may still be useful to gloss the Italian POI with OPP by saying 'Overall Provincial Project (or plan)' :'''progetto personale di vita salesiana''':''Salesian personal project of life'' :'''Programmazione''':''planning'' :'''promessa di carità''':''promise of charity'' On 26th January 1854, according to a note by Don Rua, four young men along with Don Bosco came together in DB's room and were invited to undertake a proving period in the practical exercise of charity toward neighbour, which would then be a promise but ultimately would be vowed. Instead of using the word novitiate which may have frightened them off, Don Bosco cleverly used proving time. Note how he had in mind, however, (after a year of proving time!) the professing of a vow :'''promozione della donna''':''advancement of women'' Avoid glossing with 'promotion'. The theme of advancement of women is an important one in contemporary society. The issue of women's position in modern culture is at the roots of the crisis in contemporary culture :'''promozione integrale cristiana''':''Christian holistic growth. all-rounded Christian development'' Avoid simply transliterating into ''promotion'' cf. SGC's explanation of the meaning of the whole term - (''promozione'') development of the person, including everything from divine sonship to holiness (''integrale''); with the charity of Christ as the source of it all (''cristiana'') :'''promozione umana''':''human advancement, development, progress'' The Italian term ''promozione'' entered ecclesial language at the time of Vatican II and Salesian language shortly afterwards (SGC, 1971). It is often accompanied by the adjective ''umana''. English perhaps best glosses this with development rather than promotion though context could recommend the latter at times :'''promozione vocazionale''':''vocation work'' :'''proposta pastorale''':''pastoral suggestion'' Proposta can be glossed as proposal but often in English suggestion or offering will do just as well, unless it is more formal :'''proposta vocazionale''':''vocation proposal, suggestion, guidance'' Vocational guidance (again understood broadly) is regarded as the summit and crowning of our educational and pastoral activity. Hence this term may be regarded as synonymous with our educative and pastoral proposal :'''protagonismo''':''taking the initiative'' Difficult to translate in a single word and we need to see the context - could be main actor in a situation (as in the theatre but not only). The derivative ''protagonista'' is often 'chief character, chief actor' :'''protocollo''':''protocol, register'' e.g. ''protocollo ispettoriale'' is the file which registers all correspondence relating to provincial offices. In practice it may be a number or code assigned to an item. There is a Registry Office (''Ufficio Protocollo'') which links the ''ufficio anagrafico'' and the archives :'''protomartiri''':protomartyrs'' The term is in more general use in the Church, but is applied in the Salesian case to Versiglia and Caravario, the Salesian proto-martyrs in China. 'proto' meaning first. The first Salesian martyrs for the faith :'''providenza''':''Providence'' Or its more complete term: Divine Providence :'''provincia''':''province'' The Salesians SDB employ the term ''ispettoria'' in Italian but always 'province' in English. Most other groups in the Salesian Family employ the term ''provincia'' in Italian :'''Provveditore''':''assistant (to bursar); superintendent of schools'' We meet this word no fewer than 321 times in the MB, but in 90% of those it forms part of a phrase such as ''regio Provveditore agli studi'' of Turin or Genoa or wherever, in other words a superintendent of schools. But Don Bosco did call his key Brother, Giuseppe Rossi, the 'provveditore delle nostre case', and in a letter authorising Rossi to work on his behalf in France he describes his role as that of buyer, one who sets up business contracts and markets industrial goods (e.g. those from our trade schools) :'''PVA Progetto di Vita Apostolica''':''PAL Project of Apostolic Life'' Official document of the Salesian Cooperators which contains the Statutes and Regulations