Central
Idea:
Don Bosco and the Salesians walking with the
young through the world.
An Overall Description
The LOGO of the Salesians of Don Bosco is
made up of two superimposed images: in the background a stylised
"S" (Salesians) in white is formed within a sphere
like a globe marked to the right and left by two cuttings between
the hills/dunes The second image is in the centre of the globe
bridging the "S" road. This is an arrow pointing upwards
resting on three perpendicular legs on top of which are three
closed circles making a stylised image of three people: the
first of these in the midde and taller than the others is the
point of the arrow, and the other two beside it appear as it
were to be embraced by the central figure. The three stylised
figures with the arrow pointing upwards can also be viewed as
a simple dwelling with a sloping roof (the arms) and with pillars
holding it up (the bodies of the three people).
In
the colour version the logo is in the single colour, WARM RED
(6% cyan, 100% magenta, 82% yellow, 0 black).
The
main sources of inspiration for these elements are the articles
in the SDB Constitutions: 7, 21 and 38-40:
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Don Bosco our model:
"The Lord has given us Don Bosco as
father and teacher. We study and imitate him, admiring in
him a splendid blending of nature and grace. He was deeply
human, rich in the qualities of his people, open to the realities
of this earth; and he was just as deeply the man of God, filled
with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and living "as seeing
him who is invisible". These two aspects combined to
create a closely-knit life project, the service of the young.
He realized his aim with firmness, constancy and the sensitivity
of a generous heart, in the midst of difficulties and fatigue.
"He took no step, he said no word, he took up no task
that was not directed to the saving of the young... Truly
the only concern of his heart was for souls." (C21).
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Presence among the young marked by reason, religion and loving
kindness:
"Don Bosco has handed on to us his Preventive System
as a means for carrying out our educational and pastoral service.
"This system is based entirely on reason, religion and
loving kindness." Instead of constraint, it appeals to
the resources of intelligence, love and the desire for God,
which everyone has in the depths of his being.
It brings together educators and youngsters in a family experience
of trust and dialogue. Imitating God's patience, we encounter
the young at their present stage of freedom. We then accompany
them, so that they may develop solid convictions and gradually
assume the responsibility for the delicate process of their
growth as human beings and as men of faith (C 38).
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Active journey involving the
young:
"The practice of the preventive system demands
a fundamental disposition on our part: an empathy with the
young and a willingness to be with them: "Here in your
midst I feel completely at home; for me, living means being
here with you". We are actively present among youth in
brotherly friendship, helping them in their efforts to grow
in what is good, and encouraging them to cast off every form
of slavery, so that their weakness may not be overcome by
evil. This presence affords us a true understanding of the
world of the young and unites us with them in all the healthy
aspects of their restless energy. (C 39).
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A home to meet, for education and evangelization:
"Don Bosco lived a pastoral experience in his first Oratory
which serves as a model; it was for the youngsters a home
that welcomed, a parish that evangelized, a school that prepared
them for life, and a playground where friends could meet and
enjoy themselves" (C 40).e) Effectiveness of the salesian
charism in the world and in history. "Our vocation calls
us to be deeply united with the world and its history. Open
to the cultural values of the lands in which we work, we try
to understand them and make them our own, so as to incarnate
in them the message of the Gospel. The needs of the young
and of working-class areas, the desire to work with the Church
and in her name, inspire and shape our concrete pastoral activity
so as to bring about a more just world and one of greater
brotherhood in Christ." (C 7).
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