Salesian Snapshot

by Sr. Theresa Lee, FMA

Area of Refuge. I was bemused the first few times I saw these signs posted by various doors of Newman residence. One time, I cracked open a door just to see what lay on the other side. A stairwell. Then, it hit me… Oh, that’s right, I’m now in the Midwest…Tornado Territory.

Since arriving on August 6, 2011, after three years serving at one of our ministries in New Jersey, I’ve been truly delighted to experience that, in many ways, not only Newman Hall, but all of St. John’s Catholic Newman Center, is indeed an “area of refuge”, an oasis, for the approximately 600 young men and women who reside here, and for a few more hundreds (thousands!) who pass through here daily. But you already know the tremendous richness that exists here at the center of this sprawling, picturesque University.

As curious as I have been during these first months to learn more about SJCNC – its history, its people, its incredible mission – I have found that students, staff, and just about everybody, are just as curious to learn more about us, the Salesians!

“I want you to be happy – in time and in eternity.” That passion for God and for the salvation of souls – that others, especially the poor, abandoned, orphaned, and/or exploited youth of his 19^th century Italy should experience, here on earth and forever, the deep love of God – compelled John Melchior Bosco to unreservedly dedicate his life to God and to his boys as a priest, teacher, mentor, and above all, friend. From his humble beginnings in Becchi, a farming hamlet, little Johnny Bosco began drawing souls to God by walking a tightrope in order to attract the neighborhood kids while he recited from memory the Sunday sermon (rarely ever shorter than an hour). At his death on January 31, 1881, Don Bosco (Don means Father in Italian) left behind 64 works (oratories, professional trade schools, churches, schools, boarding homes), 700 Salesian priests, missions in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, as well as three groups who worked with him in continuing the charism entrusted to them: Salesian priests, Salesian Sisters, and Salesian Cooperators.

Those who knew him said of St. John Bosco that “...he lived in this world as if he were seeing the invisible.” It was this deep, mystical union with God throughout his life that girded him with unshakeable faith and hope-filled joy in the midst of extremely turbulent times, personal attacks, and desperate situations. His single-minded focus on the things of God and God’s glory guided his every decision, including naming the congregations of men and women he founded after St. Francis de Sales, who was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1877 and was known as the “Gentleman Saint” for his extreme kindness and gentleness.

As a Salesian Sister, I am deeply grateful for my vocation and membership in this worldwide family of over 16,000 priests and brothers; 15,000 Sisters; 35,000 Cooperators; and many other groups today. My prayers of gratitude in these days have been, however, for the great joy in sharing in the lives and faith journey of people here at SJCNC and the University, for the gift of being for one another not only “an oasis”, a place of refuge, through our friendships and many kindnesses each day, but also for the mutual daily encouragement we give to one another to be leaven for the world... as good Christians and honest citizens.