In all this context that seems like rowing against the current, the young Salesian Congregation is born and consolidates thanks to the intervention of Providence, to the strong and rich personality of Don Bosco, and to the help of small and great collaborators, which eventually manages to give a particular identity to this flourishing project for the good of the youth.
Among other gifts, Don Bosco had all the talents of an extraordinary “leader”, and was a unique example of creative entrepreneurship, which today is pallidly represented by people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Sergio Marchionne. Two hundred years after its birth, the “enterprise” created by Don Bosco enjoys a great vitality and a strong regenerating capability.
Above all, Don Bosco also had an amazing overall vision. Fr. Giovanni Battista Francesia attests: “When Don Bosco first visited that place which later was to become the oratory, he had to pay attention not to break his head; its floor was bare soil, and when it rained, water leaked from all parts. Don Bosco felt big rats running at his feet and bats flying over his head”. But to Don Bosco, that place was the most beautiful in the world.
He undoubtedly had a personal appeal, which he however turned into human warmth. He knew how to gain the trust of his collaborators, for whom he was an absolute security. He had managed to create a granitic resilience. He was not only the first one to have new ideas, but he actually leapt forward when he was faced with an obstacle.
He worked with the best, whom he knew how to choose with fine intuition. He favoured face to face encounters; aimed at perfection; kept the general vision without neglecting the details, with explosive will power and positiveness: “We never stop. There is always something that come up and is pressing. Now it would seem necessary to better consolidate and not to expand so much; and yet I see that if we stop, the Congregation would begin to decline. We must not halt, not even for one day!”.
It is out of question that even today we are in the midst of radical changes in society, changes that affect, as never before, persons and institutions; society is once again becoming liquid and in this scenario, Salesians are rethinking their presences and activities so as to respond in each part of the planet to the needs of our beneficiaries. Because of this, the example of leadership of Don Bosco is an invitation to continue to respond with serenity and courage to the new contexts.
There are no ready-made recipes; each moment is unique and unrepeatable; but this is certain, that the model of leadership Don Bosco exerted allowed the Salesians to respond in a creative way under all circumstances and to sail in this society.
The “Carabiniere” who once saw Don Bosco playing with his boys was right when he exclaimed: “This strange general is creating an invincible army”… at the service of God and of the happiness of the youth all over the world.
