Catholic men and women sometimes look at teenagers in the world today and bemoan the state into which our culture has sunk. It would be remiss to say that the corruption of our youth has nothing to do with an already decayed moral order prevalent in our times. It has much to with it. Adults, then, must take responsibility for the breakdown of the social order which allows a barbaric youth “culture” to exist. Responsibilities demand action. There is a natural tendency to respond to the problems of youth with admonition and punishment. These may be necessary at times. However, we must also, out of charity, place teenagers in our care within an environment where civility and moral virtue can reasonably be expected to thrive. Providing that environment through the Salesian spirit of St. John Bosco is the educational approach at St. Gregory’s Academy.
In the Footsteps of St. John Bosco
In his introduction to the treatise on his philosophy of education, St. John Bosco says, “There are two systems which have been in use through all ages in the education of youth: the Preventive and the Repressive.” Of these two, the Preventive method was adopted by Don Bosco and is now practiced by his Salesians, an order he founded that is inspired by the spirit of gentleness, patience, and charity of St. Francis de Sales. Don Bosco often used St. Francis de Sales’ words to express his preference for the Preventive method: “You can catch more flies with a teaspoon of honey than with a barrel of vinegar.” Thus Don Bosco’s Preventive educational system developed as a product of his own tremendous love for youth and in the spirit of understanding inspired by St. Francis de Sales. The technique of the Preventive method consists chiefly in kindly supervision of the young with the aim of building character and keeping them from harmful influences. Don Bosco was convinced that this was the best process of conquering souls for Christ: the conjunction of vigilance and familial affection, to prevent infractions rather than punish them.
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“(T)his system,” Don Bosco wrote, “is based entirely on reason, religion, and kindness.” The first element of the Salesian educational system, reason, is the power to comprehend and understand the young and at the same time the ability to dialogue and communicate with them. These requisites call for an active and constant presence of the teacher with the pupil; a pleasant and unrestrained togetherness. Efforts are made to supply the legitimate emotional and psychological needs of the young, who seek “to belong,” “to be secure,” and “to be recognized.” These needs are attained by the confidence generated through this interpersonal relationship between pupils and teachers who, in Don Bosco’s words, are like “loving fathers” encouraging and praising at the proper moment. The needs for attention and recognition are fulfilled by wholesome outlets: sports, music, drama, field trips, and countless other interscholastic activities. The Salesian method seeks to minimize the negative effects of the “generation gap” by fostering the proper balance between authority and permissiveness, blending freedom with responsibility, and bringing together the old and the new.
To offer the student human values alone would be a severe injustice in the process of education. Therefore, great emphasis is placed on the second factor of the Salesian educational method: religion. The message of the Gospel is an integral part of the Salesian education, since the “good news” is the light that will lead individuals through the life of this world to the life in the next. In today’s world, the light of the Gospel is obscured by godless societies and materialistic values. These negative cultural factors touch the young with especial force. Corruption in government, breakdown in families, and disregard for moral restraint are realities that wreak havoc on the healthy development of youth. The remedy is religion, which can dominate the actions of the young and effect permanent change for the good of the individual and society. Salesian education, drawing always from the rich tradition of Catholic inheritance, places the utmost importance on the frequent use of the Sacraments—the ordinary channel ofGod’s grace and help. The liturgy is for youth a dynamic force for good.
To reason and religion is added kindness. This basic principle is not a weakness, but rather a show of strength and self-control. It seeks to create a persuasive atmosphere, where trust and communication is fostered. This kindness or charity generates that expansiveness and confidence so much needed by today’s youth. The element of kindness leads us to consider the relationship found on the other side of the educational fulcrum: the teacher, the pupil, and the family. The first school is the family and the first teachers are parents. The Salesian educators understand this important psychological fact and seek to develop in their school a “family spirit,” such as would exist in a truly Christian family where all are united in a spirit of joy, love, and peace.
Atmosphere of Friendship and Understanding
The preventive method of Don Bosco, therefore, consists in establishing an atmosphere of friendliness and mutual understanding, or the establishing of rapport. Rapport is the relationship wherein mutual trust and respect is nurtured in a spirit of friendship, sympathy, cooperation, and vigilance. The educator on the one hand is deeply interested in helping people solve their problems; and the educand on the other is appreciative of this attitude. To be effective, this relationship must take on a personalized and an individualized nature. Such rapport must have a “personal touch.” St. John Bosco insisted upon on the import of establishing rapport if a sound and lasting physical, emotional, intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation is to be imparted. Thus, the atmosphere that must pervade a Salesian school, and one that we strive to maintain at St. Gregory’s, is one conducive to affect this rapport. In every domain of activity nature decrees a certain scale of operation which must be obeyed if we would succeed. Human beings cannot be educated with the techniques of mass production. In the art of education, where a personal touch and repeated effort are essential, the small-scale operation is superior. St. Gregory’s is small by design in order to facilitate these goals. Each student receives the attention he needs to grow well. Also, that St. Gregory’s is a boarding school is very advantageous in pursuing this system, since a “family spirit” must always characterize any school employing the preventive methods of Don Bosco.
Following in the footsteps of this saintly teacher, the teachers at the Academy learn to speak to students in the language of the heart and can therefore exercise a positive influence over them. The students, in turn, are moved to look upon their teachers as friends and benefactors who seek their good. Even when correction and punishment are given, students avoid feelings of exasperation since such actions are accompanied by friendly warnings and admonishments which appeal to reason and the reaches of the heart.
