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3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JANUARY 2021 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Don Bosco's teaching DON Bosco was not an intellectual priest, even if he wrote books. His style as a writer was subject to his aim: to instruct the young in Christian doctrine. "My endeavour in preaching and in writing," he said, "was always uniquely directed to making myself understood by all, both in the exposition and also in the use of the most simple and known words." His advice was: "Speak in a pop- ular manner! Instead of arguments, stick to examples, to simple and easy fables." This seemed to be the echo of what St Bernard recommended four centuries earlier: "It is necessary that our speaking be understood. Do you know how? Let us speak clearly, clearly so that those who listen to us go away happy and not confused." He wrote in a clear manner, and spoke in such a way that his listeners did not remain confused and lost by difficult reasoning. He wrote things which are easy to read: a history of the Church, the lives of the Popes of the early centuries, the history of Italy. He founded Catholic readings, in monthly issues and a library for Italian youth. With the same practical and simple mentality, he organised institutes which had a popular function. He founded workshops for shoemakers, tailors, bookbinders, printers, carpenters, black- smiths, so that youngsters could learn an art and "honestly gain their own bread". A great and ingenious educator, he did not leave behind treatises or disserta- tions of pedagogy. Following his practical character, consisting of love towards the young and of good sense, he made use of the "preventative system" offered to him by tradition preferring it to the "repressive system", which is not based on piety and love. But even regarding this method, he left no important writings. He used to say to anyone that asked him: "Do what you see Don Bosco doing!" On this argu- ment, only a few thoughts arrive to us, characterised by simplicity and conven- ience, with the addition of some advice on punishment, which is sometimes necessary to apply. The functioning and meaning of his pedagogical method can be reassured in this manner: "In the preventative sys- tem, the youngster sees a demonstration of love in the gesture of the person that warns him. It is not rare, in fact, that the boy commits offences just because there is not a friendly person who calls his at- tention to the gravity of his determined behaviour." "The system also serves to tune the spirits of the student in care as well as the educator. It serves furthermore to win more easily the heart of the young- ster, thus opening the way to a greater and deeper influence, lasting throughout his whole life." "It is therefore necessary that there is in the educator, a greater diligence and a full dedication to his mission, a solicitous attention in exercising continuous vig- ilance, which is not heavy but watchful and participating in the entire boy's life including his play." Which were the practical aspects and the normal instruments of Don Bosco's system of education? They were often simple things: a little word in the ear of someone who needed some advice; a holy picture consigned at the opportune moment; by bringing together the well-behaved boys to those less well-behaved who needed direc- tion so that they were drawn to good example; a spiritual thought left in the evening before going to sleep. To these were added initiatives of a recreative and cultural character, excursions and visits to famous places, to sanctuaries and castles; formation of musical bands and theatrical companies; the setting up of libraries and the diffusion of books for reading. Obviously, major attention was given to spirituality, to religious practice and the sacraments. To Lord Gladstone who one day asked him, which was the secret of his excel- lent results achieved in his institutes, Don Bosco answered: "I do not know but there are two methods of educating youngsters: communicating with them and the stick. I have renounced the stick and have chosen the method of commu- nicating." Fr Charles Cini SDB Sliema Abortion opinion MR Azzopardi (31 JANUARY 2021) is perfectly entitled to his opinion regard- ing abortion but he and his ilk should take a look at catholicsforchoice.org. He might just learn something. Prof. Isabel Stabile, Doctors for Choice Malta