Newness of Perspective

From Mornese, Don Bosco traveled to Modena on Dec. 19, 1867. Here he had an audience with Archbishop Emil Cugini as regards matters concerning the new Salesian Society. The Archbishop also voiced out his concerns about how to get vocations from his diocese, and this was graciously commented on by Don Bosco. He made a novel suggestion of making his priests offer masses for vocations, and therefore not only get spiritual graces, but temporal graces as well. The Archbishop hesitated at first, but after he wrote to Rome, he received it with approval. Meanwhile, a fitting conclusion to this volume is a miracle wrought by Mary, to the would-be-ordained Fr. Peter Racca. As he could not study for his ordination exams, he prayed fervently to the Help of Christians. One day before the test, he was able to understand everything he read, and passed with flying colors. BM 85

Keep in mind that Don Bosco was a man of innovation. He looked at things with great optimism. Because of this, he was a man of creativity, and was praised highly for it. Have you though about anything new today for reviving your apostolate? For reinvigorating your class? For rejuvenating your prayer life?

Article 19: Initiative and Flexibility “The Salesian is called to be a realist and to be attentive to the signs of the times, convinced that the Lord manifests his will also through the demands of time and place... Timely response to these needs requires him to keep abreast of new trends and meet them with the well-balanced creativity of the Founder; periodically he evaluates his work.”