Questionnaire Salesian Brothers Salesian Brothers in Specific Formation

DIREZIONE GENERALE OPERE DON BOSCO Via della Pisana, 1111 P. 18333-00163 ROMA - Tel. 06.656.121 Fax: 06.65612556 http://www.sdb.org DEPARTMENTS FOR FORMATION AND YOUTH MINISTRY General Councillor for Formation, Fr. Ivo Coelho, SDB icoelho@sdb.org General Councillor for youth Ministry, Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB fattard@sdb.org Questionnaire Salesian Brothers Salesian Brothers in Specific Formation Dear Confreres, The Formation and the Youth Ministry Departments together are conducting an international survey in order to strengthen the personal accompaniment of the Salesians in the initial stages of the formation: from Pre- Novitiate to the first five years of the Priestly Ordination. The specific formation for the Salesian Brothers after their Perpetual Profession is also taken into account. This research is a first of its kind, which is focused especially on the personal accompaniment and the spiritual growth of confreres. We ask you sincerely to collaborate in this research, which is in continuity with the process started with formation houses at international level. Please go through carefully the questionnaire given below, and fill up with sincerity and accuracy. Your contribution will be of great help to respond to a line of action proposed by the 27th General Chapter. The individual privacy is respected and guaranteed. The filled-in questionnaire is to be handed over unsigned in a sealed envelope to the person in charge of the survey. The answers will be analyzed and elaborated only in the statistical format by our Salesian University in Rome. In the name of Don Bosco we greet you and thank you for your availability, Ivo Coelho, SDB Fabio Attard, SDB SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 1 OF 17

According to the Constitutions, the specific formation of the lay salesian offers him the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of the spiritual heritage of the Congregation. He receives an adequate theological preparation appropriate to his consecrated lay status, and completes his formation with a view to his subsequent apostolic work of education (C 116). The time of specific formation, seen in the context of a definitive option for the Salesian life, offers the Salesian Brother the opportunity for (a) evaluation and integration of an educational and vocational journey; (b) reaffirmation of one s own identity, lived in complementarity with the priest, and of one s motivations; (c) a time of reflection, study and qualification in the Christian, theological and pastoral fields, and in Salesian consecrated life; (d) a time of consolidation of an attitude and a pedagogy of ongoing formation. The confrere then qualifies himself in his specific professional field and in the skills necessary for the accomplishment of various tasks or roles that will be assigned to him, for example, the vast field of education and technology, social communication, animation techniques and various aspects of administration and management. 1. Starting from the personal and community experience you are living today, what are the qualifying and positive strengths, in your opinion, that help you to grow in the Salesian vocational journey during this period of specific formation? [one response per line] (1) The journey to spiritual growth through silence, prayer, meditation (2) The ability to acquire a true formative attitude towards myself (I as being the first one responsible for my formation) in relation to others (3) The help to mature in my affective life and in living relationships with others in a serene way, consistent with the vocational choice I'm making (4) The regular personal meeting with a spiritual guide who helps, counsels and corrects me (5) The good relationship with the children and young people, especially the poorest, in my animation activities and service (6) The possibility to learn more about the Congregation, theology and catechesis, through study and training activities typical of the specific formation (7) The possibility to live in community with confreres of other nationalities (8) Reflection on the apostolic and educational experiences lived so far, shared with the other confreres (9) Study and reflection on the specific salesian identity that characterizes my vocation as a Salesian Brother If there are other things that have helped you to grow, you can freely add them [please write in capital letters] Not true at all Slightly true Mainly true Very True SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 2 OF 17

2. The Constitutions say that after practical training the Salesian completes his initial formation with specific formation. The Salesian vocation is always specific and the different forms of the same vocation lay, priestly and diaconal constitute a lifelong dimension of formation. In this sense, at no time is there a generic salesian nor a generic formation. However, there is an appropriate period of specific formation, placed around the perpetual profession, that supplements the basic formation of the educator-shepherd Salesian made during practical training. Try to indicate how you evaluate yourself as a Salesian until today with regard to the progress in your journey and your spiritual growth under the following elements: [choose a response for each line] (1) Fidelity to the daily time of personal prayer. (2) The importance of having recourse to a spiritual guide. (3) Active and conscious participation in the daily celebration of the Eucharist. (4) Regular celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation / confession. (5) Active and attentive participation in the Liturgy of the Hours. (6) Meditation lived as an intense moment of prayer, listening and spiritual renewal. I have not yet acquired a conviction and a strong motivation to grow in this direction. I feel like I'm making good progress along these lines It's becoming part of my lifestyle and am faithful SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 3 OF 17

3. Among the various practices lived during the period of specific formation what has helped you most and what you found more enriching for achieving the specific objectives of that phase, i.e., an adequate theological preparation in the line of consecrated lay life and a more complete formation in view of the educational and apostolic ministry? [Cross the square, it is possible to mark more than one response] (1) Daily Eucharist. (2) Monthly recollection. (3) Members of the community (other Salesian Brothers). (4) Formative meetings. (5) Openness to others, to other cultures. (6) Atmosphere of listening, acceptance and sharing. (7) Spiritual direction / accompaniment. (8) The structure itself at my disposal (house, ambient ). (9) Community life. (10) The Word of God. (11) Community prayer. (12) Personal prayer. (13) The sacrament of reconciliation. (14) Meditation. (15) Annual retreat. (16) Fraternal correction. (17) Formators. (18) Silence. (19) Lessons in the classroom. (20) Ministry or apostolate with the young. (21) Personal study of authors. (22) Friendly chat with the rector. (23) Salesian material on which I have reflected this year. (24) Reading, reflection and personal study on salesian pedagogy and the preventive system. Others you wish to add [write in capital letters] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 4 OF 17

4. The spiritual accompaniment has been a fundamental source and strength for the growth in the life of St. John Bosco (Example: Don Calosso, when John was an adolescent, Don Cafasso when he arrived in Turin) and it is an essential element of the Salesian system (example: St. John Bosco guided Dominic Savio and Michael Magone) Evaluate your own experience of personal spiritual accompaniment up to now. [one response for each line] (1) I have had the opportunity to be accompanied by a soul-friend (as Don Bosco used to say) already during my adolescence. (2) Spiritual accompaniment is a help towards personal growth that I discovered during the phases of my initial formation. (3) The rector of the community is my spiritual companion / guide. (4) The one who accompanies me spiritually is not the rector of the community but another person. (5) I took the first step and I asked to be accompanied by a guide. (6) My friendly chat with the rector and spiritual accompaniment are practically the same thing. (7) My friendly chat with the rector of the community is different from spiritual accompaniment (two different things). (8) The last time I met the spiritual guide was about a month ago (more or less). (9) The last time I met the spiritual guide was about three months ago (or once in the last three months). (10) I have met the spiritual guide a few times but without a regular interval between one meeting and another. (11) My encounter with the priest in the sacrament of reconciliation and spiritual accompaniment take place together: the confessor is also my spiritual guide. (12) The sacrament of reconciliation and spiritual accompaniment are two distinct things for me and I have recourse to different persons for these two moments. (13) My spiritual guide is another Salesian Brother. (14) My spiritual guide is a non-salesian priest. (15) My spiritual guide is not a priest nor a salesian. Not true at all Slightly true Mainly true Very True Anything else you wish to add [write in capital letters] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 5 OF 17

5. In order to better understand today spiritual personal accompaniment for the Salesians of Don Bosco, it is very important to focus on what you share during the meetings. Express your stand in regard to the following statements that describe personal spiritual guidance. [one response per line] (1) It is a moment in which I can narrate freely all that has happened to me, expressing my sentiments, doubts, joys and difficulties My daily experience of life is what emerges principally in the dialogue. (2) Attention goes above all to my life of prayer and the way of living my relationship with God, the commitments of spiritual life etc. (3) The one who accompanies me has a word or a counsel to offer me for everything I say to him. (4) I feel at ease and have no fear to open my heart even about very personal things which I normally do not tell anyone else. (5) About myself, I speak only that which I consider necessary to tell at that moment. (6) I esteem the one who accompanies me but I do not have complete confidence yet and I am not ready to tell him all my secrets. (7) The one who accompanies me spends a major part of the meeting time to listen to me attentively. (8) It is a help of which I now feel personally the need and usefulness and am convinced that I will continue to search for the help of a spiritual guide and be faithful in meeting him even after having completed initial formation. (9) I do not think that I will look for someone who will continue to accompany me as a spiritual guide after the conclusion of initial formation. (10) I have recommended and will recommend to other friends to look for a guide to accompany them in their spiritual life, having seen the good it has done to me. (11) I have never recommended and would never recommend to friends to look for personal spiritual accompaniment: it may be useful but not that important or indispensable. (12) The Word of God is often part of the dialogue that takes place during the spiritual accompaniment as I am experiencing it. Not true at all Slightly true Mainly true Very True Other aspects that characterize my meetings of spiritual accompaniment which have not emerged in the preceding points and on which I wish to express my opinion are the following: [please write in capital letters] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 6 OF 17

6. Based on the experience you have lived or are still living, feel free to suggest changes or new ideas you consider relevant for the betterment of the formative experience of Salesian Brothers specific formation, in the areas of [Write in capital letters] (1). Community life and the rapport between Salesian Brothers and Formators (2). the proposed contents and the modality of teaching (3). the pastoral activities with young people (4). Any other (specify) The Rector of the House, the Spiritual guide and the Confessor are called to make a very important contribution to the growth of each confrere during his formation, each according to his skills and areas of his Ministry. In many cases different persons offer these specific forms of assistance. Sometimes the same person can be point of reference for the younger brother, who entrusts himself to him as a guide and as instrument of God's mercy. 7. What is your personal opinion and your experience with regard to having contact predominantly with a single person who assumes different roles (rector, spiritual guide, confessor) or with many persons, each with his distinct role? [write in capital letters] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 7 OF 17

8. According to the Salesian tradition found in the experience of Don Bosco and in the Constitutions the Rector of the house has the duty to assist the confrere to realize his personal vocation. He recognizes the friendly talk as his first and most important commitment in the community. He manifests his availability for the friendly talk, receives the confrere with affection and listens to him willingly showing his concern. Being aware how precious familiarity and trust are for the success of the friendly talk, the Rector commits himself to earn and nurture them day after day. In addition, Don Bosco learned the art of spiritual guidance from the practice of his life, from allowing himself to be guided. The experience he had of entrusting himself to the guidance of friends of the soul, especially Fr. Cafasso, has left an unmistakable mark on his style of spiritually accompanying youngsters and confreres. According to the Salesian tradition, the Rector of the formation community, master and spiritual guide, leader of the community and master of the spirit, is the spiritual director proposed to the confreres (R 78), though they have the freedom to choose another spiritual director (Ratio 262). Among the various aspects of the role of the Rector of the house (if he has to carry out different duties and functions simultaneously in the community) what importance would you give to the following? [only one response per line] (1) Animation and guidance of all and each one for growth in salesian life in the community and in the individual confreres. (2) Guidance and spiritual accompaniment. (3) The periodic friendly talk with the confreres. (4) Animation and care of the fraternal relationship among all the members of the community. (5) The exercise of fatherliness that opens hearts and generates confidence and esteem. (6) The service of authority, taking necessary decisions to give a common direction to the life and mission of the community. (7) Fraternal correction when necessary (to the community and to individuals). (8) The care for unity and coordination among persons (salesian family, confreres, collaborators, the young ) and the sectors in which the community carries out its mission. (9) Respect for the roles and responsibilities that the confreres carry out in the community, in fraternal life and in the mission. Not important at all Less important Important Very important 9. Among the various aspects listed above choose the most important that the Rector must never neglect and write it below [you may write only the number in brackets or in full] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 8 OF 17

10. In what measure do you sincerely appreciate the following characteristics of the figure of the Rector of the house in which you are for specific formation? [only one response per line] (1) Humanity rich in spiritual and salesian experience. (2) Goodness that inspires trust. (3) Capacity for dialogue. (4) Patience and listening. (5) Attention to confreres. (6) Organization of apostolic or pastoral activities. (7) Fraternal correction. (8) Capacity to unite and carry forward together. (9) Propensity to be non-judgemental. (10) Priestly and religious witness. (11) Competence in recognizing the needs, points of view and sensibilities of the Salesian Brother. Anything you wish to add [write in capital letters, specify below)] Not at all Very Little Fairly enough Very much 11. Are there instead some things that you do not appreciate? [only one response per line] (1) The many things he has to do. (2) The little time for dialogue. (3) I feel more being watched and checked rather than being accompanied. (4) The meeting with the rector is more a duty to be fulfilled than an encounter looked for in order to share what one really feels (it is more formal than spontaneous). Not true at all Slightly true Mainly true Very True Anything you wish to add [write in capital letters, specify below] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 9 OF 17

12. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a great gift for spiritual growth. Consider the following statements and try to express what you think and live and in what way the sacrament is of help to you. [only one response per line] (1) It has been many years from before beginning the journey of salesian formation that I approach the sacrament of reconciliation with a certain regularity: about once a month or once in two months. (2) I was used to making my confession to the same confessor already from before the novitiate (permanent confessor). (3) The sacrament of confession is becoming more important for me now during the period of specific formation than it was previously. (4) Normally I go for confession to the same confessor. (5) I am of the opinion that confession and spiritual accompaniment are almost the same. (6) I am of the opinion that confession and spiritual accompaniment are different and distinct even though both help in spiritual growth. (7) I have great trust and confidence in the confessor and it is not very difficult for me to tell him all that weighs on my conscience without fear and shame. (8) I find it difficult and it costs me a lot to be truly sincere in confession. (9) I have had negative experiences in the past with some priests and this is for me an obstacle that prevents me from trusting and opening my conscience with full sincerity in confession. Not true at all Slightly true Mainly true Very True Other aspects regarding confession which have not emerged in the above points and on which I would like to express my opinion [please write in capital letters] 13. In this house where you prepare yourself by deepening and perfecting some elements of the lay salesian religious life, you are living an intense experience of community with other companions with whom you share your formative journey. Other formators, although they are not permanent members of the community, can be of immense help for the journey. Which among the following persons is a significant presence and what is the intensity of the impact that the person has on your formation? [only one response for each line] (1) Teacher or professor. (2) External confessor. (3) External spiritual guide. (4) Confrere, member of the formation team. (5) Confrere of the house, not member of the formation team. (6) Confrere in the place of your apostolate. (7) Another person in the place of your apostolate. Not at all Very Little Fairly enough Very much SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 10 OF 17

14. The specific formation of the lay salesian offers him the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of the spiritual heritage of the Congregation. He receives an adequate theological preparation appropriate to his consecrated lay status, and completes his formation with a view to his subsequent apostolic work of education. (C 116) At this point, if you evaluate the journey you have made with the help of the one who has accompanied you until now (1) How do you manage to hold together the importance of your lay, salesian, consecrated vocation with the requirements of professionalism that you put in the service of the young and the community? [write in capital letters] (2) What aspects of discipleship and mission do you feel and live within you as authentic and what instead do you perceive as external only, like a dress that is put on? [write in capital letters] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 11 OF 17

15. With what frequency have your experienced the positive effects of the following relationships? [only one response per line] (1). Informal conversations with other salesians, with the laity in the field of your apostolate (e.g., weekends, Sundays ) every day many times a week once a week two or three times a month once a month a few times a year (2). Personal meeting with the spiritual guide ogni giorno più volte la settimana once a week two or three times a month once a month a few times a year (3). Meeting with the priest in the sacrament of reconciliation chosen personally ogni giorno più volte la settimana una volta la settimana più two or three times a month once a month a few times a year (4). Friendly chat witht the Rector of the community ogni giorno più volte la settimana once a week two or three times a month once a month a few times a year 16. In your present house you are living an intense experience of community with other confreres and Salesian Brothers with whom you can share the journey. It is a mutual accompaniment which without doubt can influence very much the growth of each one. Show in what measure the following attitudes and behaviors seem to be influential (as a positive push or as a difficulty): [one response per line] (1) The support of true friendship. (2) The possibility to speak of one s own concerns with freedom. (3) Giving and getting help in facing and solving difficulties. (4) Sharing on deeper aspects of one s personal journey. (5) Fraternal correction. (6) Help to resolve conflicts. (7) Sharing on faith and spiritual life. (8) Sharing of the mission and passion for serving the young. (9) Misunderstandings with someone that has made living together difficult. (10) Differences of character and of opinion that have made relationships cold and only formal. (11) Very superficial sharing (camaraderie). (12) Negative criticism and gossip as prevailing elements. (13) Presence of attitudes and behaviors contrary to salesian life. Not at all Very Little Fairly enough Very much SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 12 OF 17

17. Usually during other stages of initial formation (novitiate, postnovitiate, practical training) various methods, techniques and models are presented and used to know, deepen and grow in the spiritual life. Which of these tools do you continue to use? [only one response for each line] (1) Autobiography. (2) Exercises of individual analysis and personal evaluation. (3) Personal project of life. (4) Daily Diary. Not true at all Slightly true Mainly true Very True 18. Taking a summary look at your personal experience of salesian spiritual accompaniment, try to express what has helped you more to grow. [only one response for each line] (1) The freedom to choose the spiritual guide. (2) Trust and openness towards the guide. (3) Openness and trust of the guide towards me. (4) The fatherliness with which I was received. (5) The transparency and sincerity that I have had with the guide. (6) Attention to the growth journey without distractions from outside. (7) Initiative from my part to have the meeting without waiting to be called by the guide. (8) The positive attitude and the great respect of the guide towards me. (9) The guidelines given to me during the meetings of spiritual accompaniment. (10) Keeping a notebook / diary. (11) The guide is sharing of his personal experience during the meeting. (12) The absolute confidentiality with regard to what I shared in the meeting. (13) An atmosphere of freedom. Not at all Very Little Fairly enough Very much SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 13 OF 17

19. Now try to express what has created problems and difficulties in your personal experience of salesian spiritual accompaniment. [only one response for each line] (1) Lack of trust from the part of formators. (2) Meetings that are not so frequent. (3) The guide wants to hear what he likes and not what I want to say. (4) The guide does not pay attention and does not listen patiently to what I have to say, giving preference to his advice or directions to teach me. (5) The guide appears not to be convinced of what I say and gives signs of lack of confidence during the meeting. (6) The guide uses information given by me with others and sometimes against me. (7) The fact that my formator and spiritual director is the same person. (8) Often I am misunderstood. (9) As soon as I came, I was asked to speak of very personal things, which I did not want to reveal. (10) The fear of opening myself. (11) Making me do things, I do not like for obedience. (12) Too much attention to questions of character, of psychology, of behaviors. (13) Little attention to questions of faith, prayer and spiritual journey. Not at all Very Little Fairly enough Very much SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 14 OF 17

20. What could have gone better from your part and/or from the part of the guide? [write in capital letters] 21. For those who will be doing the specific formation after you, what would you suggest to change in order to make spiritual accompaniment more useful? [write in capital letters] 22. How do you receive or have received the scrutiny / evaluation from the Rector / community? (1) A written text of evaluation is read out to me or commented upon. (2) A copy of the printed evaluation is given to me. (3) It is referred to me orally, but I am not given a printed copy. 23. How do you evaluate the practice of evaluation/scrutiny? [only one response for each line] (1) A moment of fraternal help for my growth, through encouragement and fraternal correction. (2) An instrument of vocational growth, which I make use of during spiritual direction. (3) I experienced it more as a judgment on me, not objective, and which takes into consideration only something that I do and not what I am really. (4) The link between trimonthly evaluation and admission in view of the renewal of vows, made/makes me afraid of evaluations more than appreciating them. Not true at all Slightly true Mainly true Very True SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 15 OF 17

24. At this stage of your salesian life in what measure do you come across young people who approach you to confide important things about their life? never almost never sometimes often very often 25. What are the contents that are usually proposed to your attention from those who come to talk to you? [write in capital letters] Some very simple data to conclude: 26. Your age [indicate the number of years] 27. Academic Qualification [write in capital letters] 28. The date of your first profession [indicate the year] 29. Do you have brothers and sisters in the family? (1) No, I am the only child. (2) Yes, I have brothers [indicate the number]; (3) Yes, I have sisters [indicate the number]; 30. If you have answered yes to the previous question, please indicate your birth position among your brothers and sisters: [indicate the number in order, eg. 2 ] 31. As you are answering this questionnaire at what stage of your experience are you in? [indicate the month or the year in which you find yourself (e.g., first or third etc.)] SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 16 OF 17

32. Before entering into the novitiate, what were you doing? [one answer per line] (1) University studies (2) Work / Job (3) Searching for work / Job (4) Studying to find a job / non formal courses / professional training course (5) Full time in voluntary service (6) I was not working, I was not studying Anything you wish to add [Write in capital letters] YES NO 33. If there are other things - thoughts, reflections, experiences, etc. - that are important for you and you what to share them, feel free to do so. [please write in capital letters] The questionnaire is completed. Thank you! SDB QUESTIONNAIRE: SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS - 17 OF 17