“Ecstasy of Action”

18.  Work and temperance

"Work and temperance will make the Congregation flourish",¹ whereas the seeking of an easy and comfortable life will instead bring about its death.²

The Salesian gives himself to his mission with tireless energy, taking care to do everything with simplicity and moderation.  He knows that by his work he is participating in the creative action of God and cooperating with Christ in building the Kingdom.

Temperance gives him the strength to con­trol his heart, to master himself and remain even-tempered.

He does not look for unusual penances but accepts the dally demands and renunciations of the apostolic life.  He is ready to suffer cold and heat, hunger and thirst, weariness and disdain whenever God's glory and the salvation of souls require it.³

We dedicate this day to our brother martyrs St Luigi Versiglia and St Callistus Caravario as living examples of work and temperance; indeed their martyrdom  has made “the Congregation flourish”. To remember them is to renew our missionary commitment, a commitment that is disposed of laying down our lives for the Glory of God and the salvation of souls.

These two particular qualities of work and temperance that go hand in hand are mention in the dream of the Ten Diamonds which has a particular significance for our Province. Fr Wade, the first Salesian to arrive in Nigeria , had a special devotion  for  this dream,  following the words of the young visionary in Nigeria who on being asked what advice did our Lady have for them, she replied to be faithful to the dream of the diamonds .

In the letter which the Rector Major wrote in March reflecting on the significance of the 150^th anniversary of our Congregation, he makes particular reference to the dream presenting it as a important aid in our renewal process:  “It ought to be the guideline for our life and the subject of our meditation, so as to walk in the spirit of ‘Salesian consecrated persons.’”

This is not the first time the Rector major makes reference to this dream and he  seems to attach particular importance to it.  When he preached the retreat to the Rectors around the different regions, one talk was dedicated entirely to the dream. 

It is good to see what  the Rector Major himself  had to say on these tow qualities when he gave the retreat to the Rectors.

In the dream about the wild bull (1876) we can read about the conditions for the future of our vocation: “Look here: you need to print these words that will be like a coat of arms, your password, what makes you distinctive. Note it well: work and temperance will make the Salesian Congregation flourish. You must explain these words, repeat them, insist on them. You must print a handbook that explains them and get people to understand well that work and temperance are the heritage that you leave to the Congregation, and they will also be its glory” (MB XII, 466-467).

The diamond of Work put on the right shoulder as if to indicate, for us, the primacy of that “ecstasy of action” which St. Francis de Sales speaks of in the ‘Theotimus’ and which is completely driven by profound energies of Faith, Hope and, above all, Charity. This type of action does not simply make the Salesian a “workaholic”, but a genuine “worker for salvation”, working in the area of education by means of constant and up-to-date human development.

The diamond of Temperance, (…) is there … to indicate general self-control in a spartan lifestyle, made up of sacrifice, a demanding schedule and accompanied by a sense of balance and good measure, fruit of our ability to reign in our reactions. This attitude of temperance is joined to a certain general popular attitude of pleasant style and bearing, full of common sense and with adequate room for a healthy dose of shrewdness.

 Later on in his talk he dwells on the second part of the dream, which revelas the dangers and risks the Congregation faces:

(…) In front: instead of the diamonds of Faith, Hope and Charity, there are sayings indicating the complete weakening of a spiritual sense of meaning, with a consequent serious spiritual collapse. In the place of Work and Temperance idleness had entered along with pastoral negligence and comfort-seeking with a fickleness and superficiality stemming from consumeristic living and waving the flag of passing fads.

(…) The risk that the Congregation runs is not an imaginary one. Do certain ‘load-bearing’ elements, so intensely nurtured at the beginnings, like work and temperance, have today the meaning and clarity they had in Don Bosco’s day?

                       St Luigi Versiglia and St Callistus Caravario are the patron saints of our Post Novitiate in Ibadan. Please, elevate a prayer for this formation community. May the members of this community emulate and imitate the courage of these two saints. May they see sufferings through the eyes of The Lord as they did. May the celebration of the 150 years of our foundation be the beginning of a new missionary spirit in our AFW Province.

- That in imitation of Don Bosco who was concerned only with the salvation of youth, we may respond generously to your call and dedicate ourselves with tireless energy to the mission you entrust to us.

That we may understand the greatness and beauty of apostolic work, which makes us participants in your creative activity, and collaborators of your Son in the construction of the Kingdom.

That we may be always able to unite our work with Salesian Temperance and be convinced that in ‘work and temperance’ lies the secret of the apostolic success and fruitfulness of the Congregation.

That without seeking extraordinary penances We may accept the daily demands and renunciations of apostolic life and make them an instrumentfor your greater glory and the salvation of the young.