Salesian future depends on more 'Cafassos' in each province
EAO, 23 June 2018 -- Today - June 23rd - we celebrate the Memorial of Don Bosco's Mentor, Confessor and Spiritual Guide , Saint Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860).
For the China provinces today is the installation day of their new provincial, Fr. Joseph Ng in Hong Kong and for 10 Salesians in Paranaque is the day of their deacon ordination - 5 from TLS (Timor Leste), two from INA (Indonesia) and one each from Cambodia Delegation (THA), FIN and FIS provinces. The Rector Major today concludes another course of new provincials and remembers 25 years of death anniversary of Fr. Egidio Vigano (7th successor of Don Bosco).
Fr. Cafasso was only 4 years senior (*1811) to Don Bosco (*1815) and both were born in the same parish of Castelnuovo. There is no doubt, without Cafasso there would be not Don Bosco as we know him. And indeed the art of listening and accompaniment that makes so characteristic our Father was learnt also from his 'compaesano' in the weekly confession and guidance encounters for many years. And we would never forget it was Fr. Cafasso who introduced Don Bosco to the prisons of Turin - where he discovered the abbandoned youth of his times.
The EAO Salesians may recall this question: "Who is your Cafasso?" - during their extraordinary visitations, as question about their spiritual guide and accompaniment.
Here are some frequent reply to this question:
- My Cafasso is usually one of our senior Salesians (confession and spiritual guidance)
- My Cafasso is one Salesian Brother or FMA Sister, other religious priest or lay person
- For the it's about spiritual sharing (occasional) between the same batch-mates
- For me only through regular confession & sincere sharing with own novice batch-mates
- I'm expecting this help from my rector, but he is always busy and does focus on work
- I have just make the first appointment with my spiritual guide, after two hours confession talk
- We have many (good) confessors but very few good spiritual guides. Why?
- Only when I hit the bottom (=vocation crisis) I have start to look for a spiritual guide
- Personal encounter is difficult due to distance, so I use call more frequently by phone
- During confession get only appreciation and felt lack of honest fraternal correction
- Longing for the Salesian role-models to look upon
- Since my novitiate with many excuse I have not yet any Cafasso (practical trainee)
- For few Salesians their Cafasso is a diocesan priest as spiritual guide
On the memorial of Saint Cafasso is a good occasion to take this questions: Who is my Cafasso? and Where is my prison? in order to reconnect to the spiritual wave of Don Bosco today.
May this prayer after Communion guide our steps: "Father, you have invited us to your table; grant that we may follow the example of Saint Joseph Cafasso, who dedicated himself to you with his whole heart, and spent himself tirelessly in counselling his brethren in their doubts and trials."
Related materials:
Liturgy - Biography - Benedict XVI talk
Good Night Talk: Who is your Cafasso? Where is your prison? (2014 December)
