According to the story that most of us are familiar with, Don Bosco was preparing to celebrate the feast-day mass of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the Church of St Francis of Assisi. He had been ordained to the priesthood only four months previously and was still searching for a way to fulfil his childhood dream: a dream that was to follow him through life, a dream that was to guide his vision of care and education of young people in an atmosphere of fun.
However, 182 years ago that youth group was more of a dream than a reality—until he heard a huge row coming from the main church, and discovered the sacristan chasing a young boy around the building with a broom! Although he had never seen the boy before, he realised that this was a young person who was in trouble and who needed support and encouragement. The boy was not there to go to mass, rather he was sheltering from the cold Turin winter—at least the Church was warm. The pious and rather officious sacristan could not cope with this—the child needed to be punished. "Is this any way to treat a good FRIEND of mine?" asks Don Bosco to the embarrassed sacristan and the confused child. Some eminent Salesian historians see this event as a literary device to include all the young people that our founder tried to reach out to in those early days; the boy, 'Bartholomew Garelli' is presented as an amalgam of these young people.
The approach of Don Bosco is very important. Bartholomew's encounter with Don Bosco reflects a reality that needs to be imitated. Don Bosco takes the initiative; he does not care that this youngster is not there to serve mass or sing in the choir. Don Bosco had that ability to offer welcome and hospitality. In the conversation, Don Bosco discovered that Bartholomew had so much weighted against him: he was homeless, poor, lacked proper food or clothing and had no formal education. Society was not on this child's side: he had been dealt a bitter blow, sharing the fate of thousands more like him on the streets of Turin. Bosco never saw the negative, he discovered that one deeply hidden talent that Bartholomew had, and he chose to focus on that. By highlighting the positive, Bartholomew was able to realise quickly that his life was not a failure.
In this simple meeting on this important day 182 years ago, Don Bosco showed a willingness to share his wisdom and listen to the dream of the young person. Sadly, the angry sacristan displayed an attitude that so many show in the world today: if you cannot get your way, then bully, shout and turn to violence. Don Bosco was able to begin his mission on this day with a simple prayer with Bartholomew — that 'Hail Mary' was for the millions of young people who would remain FRIENDS of Don Bosco across the globe and throughout time.
Don Bosco used the 'Accompaniment' model of Jesus that is seen clearly in the resurrection account of the 'Road to Emmaus'. On the way to Emmaus, the disciples are so full of grief that they cannot recognise the risen Lord; undeterred, Jesus uses it as a chance to help them in their understanding of what death and new life meant for Jesus and the infant Christian community. This walking together prompts the disciples to invite Jesus to their table at home. Don Bosco saw this friendly meeting as his model of encounter with the unchurched and spiritually illiterate youngsters he was called to work with.
Don Bosco listened to the young people, to know them and their dreams and aspirations for the future and make sure that the young people are cared for and encouraged to reach their God-given potential. This is the model that Don Bosco offers us. All our efforts to accompany, educate and empower the young begin with this welcoming attitude, openness to listen and understanding that should accept the young person without any prejudices. The key to the Salesian Oratory and the mission are the words of Don Bosco, “Let the young people know they are loved”. On this birthday of the Oratory we need to tell the young people, that we listen to them and trust in them.
