The Preventative Method
A Proven Solution
During his first priestly assignment in the city of Turin, Don Bosco witnessed the upheaval of society and industrialization creating widespread poverty. The set of principles that he and his Salesian Order have used to save thousands of boys from a life of degradation, sin, and despair on the streets is known as the Preventative Method. Read his "Letter From Rome" to understand Bosco's inspirations, and read below to discover the main principles!
The Core Principles
- Closeness Breeds Confidence
- In order for boys to be listen to the formation given to them by their superiors, they must be confident in them. In order to build that confidence, the superiors must have a friendly, informal relationship with the boys- not just be the one preaching from the pulpit.
- Confidence Breeds Love
- It is not enough for boys to just be loved, but KNOW that they are loved. The confidence created in their superiors opens them to experience that love.
- Love turns Sadness into Joy
- When boys experience the love of their superiors and superiors experience the subsequent receptivity of the boys, even the struggles can be offered up in joy for the glory of God.
Its Significance Today
The problems we are facing today- lack of vocations, broken families, men leaving the Church- can be traced to many things, but one root in particular is that men do not believe in a confident way that they can remain Catholic AND have true and lasting joy, even in their suffering. This problem needs a real solution: learn how Bosco Ministries is putting it into practice today to ignite the hearts of men with resilient joy.
