A true Bosconian

Before the boys left for their summer vacation, Don Bosco gave them a timely warning on not succumbing to human respect. He told them: Bravely say with St. Paul: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel." [Rom. 1, 16] Be men, not weaklings. Keep your head high; practice your faith undauntedly in private and in public, in church and on the street. Human respect is but a paper monster which cannot bite. The petulant words of the wicked are but soap bubbles that instantly vanish. Ignore them and their gibes. Their courage is based on other people's fear. Be brave, stand up to them, and you will see them pull back their horns. Be a good example to all, and the whole town or village will respect and praise you, all the more so because you are well educated. A farm boy who in his humble cottage lovingly kisses the crucifix captures my heart, but a teacher, officer, magistrate, or student who at the sound of the bell recites the Angelus or the De Profundis with his family for the souls of his dear departed ones earns my respect and arouses my enthusiasm. Be a credit, then, to yourselves and to the Oratory. Have fun, but do not neglect study and prayer. Have you any talents? Use them always to good purposes. Blunt the selfconceit of unscrupulous students who are home from other boarding schools. Remember that knowledge without morals is but the soul's ruination. In conclusion, so conduct yourselves that people, seeing you unafraid and faithful to divine and church laws, upon inquiring who you are, may be surprised to hear, "He is one of Don Bosco's boys." BM Vol. 8, ch. 13, p.89-90

Keep in mind that Don Bosco was a practical man. Moreover, he held great regard for physical and social manners, which he constantly reminded in the boys. Ultimately, even at home, he made sure that the boys would bring whatever good they learned and influence other people with their manners and exemplary behavior. By keeping good external behavior, there is a great assurance that one’s internal disposition is likewise beautiful.

Article 11: Christ of the Gospel the source of our Spirit “...Reading the Gospel, we become more aware of certain aspects of the figure of the Lord: gratitude to the Father for the gift of a divine vocation offered to all men; predilection for the little ones and the poor; zeal in preaching, healing and saving because of the urgency of the coming of the Kingdom; the preoccupation of the Good Shepherd who wins hearts by gentleness and self-giving; the desire to gather his disciples into the unity of brotherly communion.