I said that when I found the Salesian Decalogue among my things I would post it. As I had been cleaning and packing to go home for a month and then head to summer camp, I have had to root through many things that were buried in the bottom of my drawers. Among the many pieces of random paper I seemed to accrue (and which are now in the recycle bin), I found it! (Words in parenthesis are mine.)
The Salesian Decalogue
- Seek to please God. (In the end, His opinion is the only one that really matters…)
- Nothing by force and all for love. (We must respect the dignity and autonomy of others… and do whatever we do with love.)
- Ask nothing, refuse nothing. (Basically, if you do not create extra wants, you will not have so many extra needs. Be grateful for whatever you have.)
- Go from the internal toward the external. (Our goodness must come from outside of us and be deeply rooted in a living relationship with God.)
- Proceed tranquilly.
- Think only of “God’s today”.
- Begin again each day.
- Glean profit from all occasions. (Even if it is a “bad” experience, there is always something to learn.)
- Be happy!
- Live with a free spirit.
I think that it basically has to do with living in the present moment and having your priorities straight. I am trying to live in the present moment, but as I pack up all of my belongings and prepare to go home on May 25th for my home visit, I cannot help but wonder what is going to happen. Am I going to be accepted into the postulancy? What is summer camp going to be like? (We work at summer camp end of June - July.) I am trying to live with a free spirit, as well. The song from my childhood, “Que Serra”, comes to mind a lot these days.
Meanwhile I have been saying goodbye to unnecessary items, and trying to simplify. Thanks to the airlines only allowing one free checked bag, it is going to be interesting traveling from now on!
Religious Ed is over. The school year is winding down. Tomorrow is Mother Mazzarello’s feast day, so we have invited about 17 of our SDB brothers over to celebrate with us (somehow we will stretch the walls and fit). On Wednesday we are headed up north to another FMA convent/school for about a week for a class and to relax a little bit. (They have dogs… need I say more?)
Speaking of dogs, we were able to visit some benefactors the other day and they had this magnificent English Mastiff named Roxy. What a sweetheart. below is a picture of her and I.
I cannot believe that this year has gone by so quickly. It feels like I got here only a month ago, yet the abundance of experiences reassures me that it has been more than that. Time has never passed so quickly. Amid the laughters, tears, frustrations, joys and adventures, our group has really bonded and we have all grown. I am a stronger person now; I do not regret a moment.
Last week we went on an overnight retreat with our Intercongregational Novitiate Class. The Sisters of St Joseph of Orange lent us their house, which is right on the beach. (See picture) It was a lovely time, but being with the different Congregations only confirms that I could never be anything but Salesian. There are many groups that have education as their aposolate, but no one does it quite like us. The Oratory Model sets us apart.
Finally, because we are dorks, we wanted to share with you a little glimpse into our life… and what we do when we are bored and waiting for someone to show up. Please, do not be scandalized… I hope you feel pity for our poor Assistant who has to put up with our craziness.
