Don Bosco Dreams - published 18 essays
Rome, Italy, 11 January 2018 -- 'We were dreamt by Don Bosco' or 'We lived as part of Don Bosco dreams!' : these are the strongest convictions shared among the Salesians of some EAO provinces. Indeed among the dozens of different dreams of Don Bosco recorded in the 'Memorie Biografiche' (Biographical Memoirs) or in other not-yet-published sources we find also five Missionary dreams (1872, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886).
One of the 18 essays of the recent publication of the LAS Publishing in Rome 'I Sogni di Don Bosco' (Dreams of Don Bosco, 606 page, 35 Euro) does reflect the inspirational energy of these dream for the Salesian missionary life today. Based on his own missionary experience, the author points to five common messages at the heart of all Don Bosco Missionary Dreams:
- Missionary dreams point at the Salesian mission extended between various generations: one of the main Salesian principle to 'live and work together' (C 49) is not understood only in the sense of space (local communion) but also extended to the continuity in time (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 222: time is more important than space)
- Missionary dreams always reveal 'crowds' of the young people: an apostolic vision or missionary passion is always widely open towards many young people, who didn't yet meet Jesus Christ, in any part of the world. The educative and animation approach of Salesian community in the mission becomes crucial.
- Missionary dreams are about the Proclamation of the Gospel: starting from the friendly approach to the young people of other continents, cultures and religions the Salesian missionary is always focused on the building of civilization of love. Primacy of witnessing and proclamation of Jesus Christ is clearly underlined.
- Divine presence in the missionary dreams always comes before any human missionary activity. Don Bosco always recognises explicitely that God is present amidst the Salesian missionary community. There are many hints at Salesian missionary who prayes and overcome all difficulties in his mission land.
- Missionary dreams and international geography: In his dreams Don Bosco recognizes specific mission lands, but always maintains his universal missionary outlook from America, Africa and Asia to Australia and farest islands of the Pacific. Don Bosco's mission always goes beyond national boundaries. Also today this is a strong invitation to foster true inter-cultural missionary communities in the whole Congregation.
The whole new research book on Don Bosco Dream's contains a large variety of old and new approach to this Salesian patrimony. It's enough to listen to long list of the authors: Luisa De Paula, Michelangelo Pavotto, Marco Pavan, Marco Rossetti, Cristian Besso, Aldo Giraudo, Ezio Bolis, Matteo Bergamaschi, Andrea Bozzolo, Stefano Mazzer, Roberto Carelli, Linda Pocher, Morand Wirth, Francesco Mosetto, Michal Vojtas, Mario Fissore, Francis Gatterre, Michele Ferrero and Natale Maffioli.
We hope that soon some of these reflections on Don Bosco Dreams would be available also in English and other EAO languages. It's a good news for January - the month of Don Bosco!
