(ANS - Rome) – Fr Peter Braido’s outstanding text on the preventive system of Don Bosco has now been published in English, under the title “Prevention Not Repression”. The original in Italian was entitled “Prevenire non reprimere: il sistema educativo di Don Bosco”. The main thrust of the second year of preparation for the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth was precisely to explore the theme of his pedagogy.

This English translation, printed in India by Kristu Jyoti Publications, is intended to make it easier for English speaking Salesians to access a text that has, over time, become a cornerstone of Salesian formation, both initial and ongoing.

Edited by Fr Vinicio Zuliani and Fr Julian Fox, the book was officially launched by Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Regional Councillor for South Asia, during the Extraordinary Visitation of the Province of Bangalore to which Kristu Jyoti publications belongs.

Fr Braido wrote in his introduction to the book: "Don Bosco’s 'education system' or, more comprehensively, his experience of preventive education, is a project that has grown and has gradually expanded and found expression in a variety of institutions and works started by his many collaborators and disciples. It is obvious that its operational viability can be guaranteed over time only by fidelity to the law of all genuine growth: constant renewal, deepening and adaptation".

With a view to further deepening our understanding of the figure of Don Bosco, now that we have begun the third year of preparation for the bicentenary – the year dedicated to a study of his spirituality  –  another book is currently being translated into English. It is Fr Aldo Giraudo’s Insegnamenti di vita spiritual, (Teachings on the Spiritual Life) which is an anthology of the writings of the spiritual father and teacher of youth.

Published 10/10/2013