Francis De Sales and Salesian spirituality : experiencing sainthood in everyday life

Abstract

Francis de Sales and John Bosco: two saints separated only by time but not by spirit. Francis offered to devout Christans a way and a method to live their life in an authentic way, according to the heart of God. John Bosco founded the Salesian Congregation with a special charism to work among emarginated young boys, and offered the path towards holiness to them. I use the term Salesian spirituality to refer to St. Francis' concept of seeing his relation with God and others and his way of living this relationship. However, in the part where I discuss Don Bosco I am referring to the way this Saint understood Francis de Sales' spirituality and how he adapted this spirituality and placed it into action, especially with the young. In fact, this work will attempt to show how Don Bosco, inspired by St. Francis de Sales, helped the young to be true Christians and consequently achieving their personal holiness. It will show that his approach was a simple one, characterised by the notion that holiness is a way of life. The method used in my approach is through reading the life of both Saints and examining and comparing their writings while supporting them by other writings of various authors. The first two chapters will treat the lives of both personages and their personal experience in holiness through their trials and difficulties. In the intent of this work, this is an important aspect since these chapters show how their personalities and spirituality were moulded. The third chapter will then move on to present how Don Bosco adapted the spirit of St. Francis de Sales to his own charism. The fourth chapter consequently deal with holiness as a call for everyone. It will present models of holiness that Don Dosco presented to his young, thus bringing out the charism he gave to the Church.