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| |
| For |
Women |
| Founded |
Founded in Turin, Italy by
Blessed Philip Rinaldli; approved as a secular institute of pontifical right in
1978. |
| Purpose |
To imitate the spirituality of
St. John Bosco and follow his charism in an effort to renew society from within. Members aim to
become the "salt of the earth and the light of the world," bringing their talents to a variety of apostolates, particularly on behalf of
young people. |
Contact
Links + Mail |
Cathy Sylvester
P.O. Box 300 H
Scarsdale, NY 10583
dockatie@aol.com
|
| Don Bosco Volunteers | |
The Don Bosco Volunteers is
a secular institute for women
who love Don Bosco's spirit and choose to follow in his footsteps for the glory of God and the
salvation of souls. In the19th century St. John Bosco had already envisioned a novel type of
consecrated life for "extern" Salesians living in the world. Historically the Don Bosco Volunteers
were founded as a lay association in 1917 by the Blessed Philip Rinaldi, Don Bosco's
third successor as Rector Major of the worldwide Salesian Family. After the Church's approval
of Secular Institutes in 1947, the Don Bosco Volunteers prepared a new text of their
Constitutions, in accordance with new papal documents (1956). On January 31, 1971, the
Cardinal of Turin established the Don Bosco Volunteers as a Secular Institute under diocesan
law.
Approved by Paul VI on July 21, 1978, the Don Bosco Volunteers became a Secular Institute of
Pontifical Right on August 5, 1978, the day before the Holy Father died.
The Volunteers will always remember this great Pope for the encouragement he gave to our
Institute; his memorable words shall always be inscribed in the hearts of its members:
In witness of the perennial, springlike vitality of the Church, especially in
these
days ... for the new blossoming of the new kingdom of God we salute, we encourage, we bless
the Don Bosco Volunteers..." Pope Paul VI
|
| Who Are They? | |
The Don Bosco Volunteers (DBV) are
consecrated women who live in the world, dress like other women, work among others; they
carry on a quiet and steady mission of making Christ and His message known through the
witness of their personal lives and apostolic response to the needs of the hour. More than
1300
consecrated persons are members of this secular institute worldwide. Following the plan of
holiness outlined in their rule, the DBVs receive spiritual direction and encouragement from
Salesian Priests, who support them in their efforts toward personal holiness and apostolic
activity.
|
| Where are They? |
| The Volunteers are scattered
throughout the world. You will find them in different countries and in diverse cultures. They are
in countries throughout Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, the Philippines, Central and
South American, the United States, Canada and among the African nations. |
| How are they organized? | |
The Volunteers are a part of
the Salesian Family which comprises Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Cooperators, alumni; hence, the
DBVs have great moral and spiritual assistance in their consecrated life. The Secular Institute
itself is governed by a president general and her council, all duly elected. Their headquarters are
in Rome. Constant communication is maintained by monthly letters which contain notes on
spirituality, in addition to news coming from all areas of the globe where members are engaged
in apostolic endeavors.
|
| What is their mission? The Volunteers are committed to
apostolic activity either in their own environment, or in the service of the local church, or within
the Salesian family. Simply, the Don Bosco Volunteers brings Christ with them wherever they
are.
| |
1. Environment:
The Apostolate of one's environment is
lived by aiming to reconsecrate earthly realities: "to restore all things in Christ." It is in the
workday world more than in any other environment that the Volunteer is able to represent the
Church and its teachings, especially in the areas of social justice and peace. The DBVs can be
found in diverse roles: executives, office managers, nurses, teachers, ordinary laborers, social
workers, etc. Simply, their mission is to bring Christ with them where they
are.
2. Local Church:
The call to build up the Body of Christ in one's own parish is very important, and
for those who
are called to this vital and sensitive area, their response takes on a pastoral, community-oriented
character. The DBVs become members of parish and diocesan councils. Many become involved
in religious education, liturgical committees, charitable organizations. Others look after the sick
of the parish and become ministers of the Eucharist. Still others give themselves to the
development of youth organizations and senior citizen's clubs.
3. Salesian Family:
The Apostolate in the Salesian family finds its fulfillment in schools, parishes,
youth centers,
Savio clubs, vocation clubs, missionary activities. Possibilities for apostolic work in our
Family are very numerous. The decline in the number of other religious vocations makes
it necessary to invite generous souls to come to our aid, especially in our work with
young people.
|
| To Become a Volunteer | |
Single, unmarried women who
feel called to this style of consecrated life can apply to become members. Potential candidates
must also possess the psychological and emotional maturity needed for apostolic mission as
consecrated women. Likewise, they must be financially self-supporting.
Women aspiring to enter this Institute must undergo a period of preparation called the
"aspirantate." While attending to the refinement and development of their human qualities and to
growth in their spiritual life, they are also trained for the consecrated and apostolic life in the
Salesian spirit, according to the teachings and example of St. John Bosco.
After the preliminary formation, members consecrate themselves by the vows of chastity,
poverty, and obedience. As full- fledged Volunteers, they continue to complete their formation in
a three year period; during this time they become more fully involved in the life of the Institute.
The initial consecration is temporary for the first six years; then the Volunteers are free to
commit themselves for life or to wait another three years before making a perpetual
commitment.
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| Reserve | |
One of the features of the Don Bosco
Volunteers is a spirit of reserve; they do not wear a particular habit nor carry any distinctive
insignias; they even prefer not to be known, in the places where they live and work, as being
consecrated women. "It is not," explains the current president of the Don Bosco Volunteers,
"simply a desire to have an easy way out or to avoid the commitment of an authentic witness to
the Gospel. The reserve is dedicated by the fact that if people with whom the Volunteer lives and
works should identify her as a consecrated person, they would feel that her response to any
question is conditioned by her life-style." It is a fact that the priest, for example, hears people tell
him at times: You're saying this or doing this because you're a priest. "The effectiveness of our
witness would be radically undermined," explains the president.
|
| Don Bosco Volunteers | |
The Volunteers claim their
Salesian character, of course, by the very name of their institute. "The Volunteer describes
herself before the Church and the world as a spiritual daughter of Don Bosco and as a witness of
his charism," as we read in their Constitutions. And the Institute is recognized -- along with its
necessary distinction and autonomy -- as part of the worldwide Salesian Family. Therefore, its
style is Salesian: "The Volunteer intends to live her entire mission in the sprit and in the style of
Don Bosco."
The Volunteers work with the young people, particularly the poor and the needy; likewise, they labor on
behalf of the working classes, and seek to foster vocations for home and foreign missions. If they
wish, the Volunteers may offer their services to the Salesians in foreign lands.
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| "Come, Follow Me" | |
Prospective candidates will do well to
reflect on some of the advantages of joining the Don Bosco Volunteers: a wide variety of
apostolates as Christian leaven in the great mass of secular society, the assurance of regular
spiritual direction and a sounding board from outside one's immediate environment, deep
personal friendships with persons of similar convictions, mutual support fostered by monthly
recollection days and yearly retreats geared to people having the same ideals, the graces proper of
those who are faithful to their profession of the evangelical counsels.
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Institutes
Rev.
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