Apostolic consciousness of Don Bosco. A hermeneutical-phenomenological approach to his spirituality

Abstract

In this brief article, the author seeks to evince the structure of Don Bosco’s apostolic cons- ciousness through a hermeneutical phenomenological analysis of a sample of first-hand writings, discourses and narratives of Don Bosco. These texts cover a span of over thirty years (1847 to 1879) which represent the phase in which Don Bosco (aged 32 to 64) was actively involved in youth apos- tolate. Insofar as apostolate or mission implies the conviction of being sent, “apostolic consciousness of Don Bosco” can be understood to comprise the consciousness he manifests about the reality of youth, about himself, and about God, in realizing the ultimate scope life. Such an apostolic consciou- sness can be regarded as the core of Salesian spirituality.

Keywords

• consciousness
• apostolate
• apostolic spirituality
• Salesian spirituality
• youth
• Don Bosco