THE PERSONAL PLAN OF SALESIAN LIFE

I. SALESIAN SOURCES

1. GENERAL REGULATIONS, 99: Ongoing formation requires that each

confrere... should form in himself an open and discerning mentality and a spirit
of initiative, and in this way conveniently renew his own plan of life.

2. GENERAL CHAPTER 25, 14: The confrere, as the one primarily responsible
for his own formation, is invited to give importance to the ‘Personal Plan of
Salesian Life’, bearing in mind the following elements:

 a continual evaluation of the human, spiritual and salesian maturing process, by

means of self-assessment procedures, openness to the Word of God and
acceptance of fraternal correction;

 knowledge and practice of the spirituality of the preventive system as the source
of new relationships in fraternal life;

 the progressive growth in maturity in salesian charismatic identity;

 an active and wholehearted presence at the ordinary and extraordinary

meetings of the community;

 cultivation of openness to others and availability for sharing.

His personal plan of life can become part of his friendly chat with the Rector. (GC 25,
62)

Fraternal dialogue will facilitate the participation of all and harmonize personal life
projects with that of the community. (GC 25, 74)

3. GENERAL CHAPTER 27, 67.1: To be Mystics of the Spirit... we commit

ourselves to: Living the grace of consecration with joy and authenticity by
drawing up or redefining our personal plan of life and the community plan.

II. WHY MAKE A PERSONAL PLAN OF LIFE

1. Life is always a constant process of growing in holiness.

 2. Holiness needs to be planned so that our gifts of nature and of grace do
not become fragmented or dispersed. The plan gives that direction.

3. The plan is an instrument for integration of our past, present and

future into a new vital synthesis.

4. The plan becomes a point of reference for conversion and renewal when
we realize shortcomings to that new shape or vision we have of ourselves
in obedience to God’s call.

5. Through the plan we take our life in our hands and assume
responsibility for our vocation and for our growth towards holiness.

III. CHOICES OF TEMPLATES / FRAMEWORKS FOR THE

PERSONAL PLAN OF SALESIAN LIFE

1. ASPECTS OF FORMATION: Ratio Fundamentalis, pp. 57-138 (preferred template for

those in initial formation)

God’s call: Where is
God calling me?
Where am I now at the
moment?
Assessment and interpretation
of the situation, both positive
and negative
What does God want
me to do?
Success indicators which are
few, reachable, & verifiable
How do I monitor my
fidelity and
fruitfulness?
Evaluation of the quality of
my commitment, tracking if I
am on target, and refinement
of my plan with new
situations

1. Human: good health and

the capacity to work;
psychological balance;
affective and sexual maturity;
relational ability responsible
freedom; openness to reality

2. Spiritual: Giving the

first place to God and his
design of salvation; sense of
the Church; the presence of
Mary; young people as the
meeting place with God; the
experience of God in
community life; following
Christ in his obedience,
poverty and chastity; in
dialogue with the Lord

3. Intellectual: as a way
of living and working by
learning from life; salesian
complexion of intellectual
formation; specialization and
professionalism

4. Youth Ministry:
preventive system; pastoral
activity proper to the period
of formation

2. ELEMENTS OF SALESIAN LIFE: SDB Constitutions, articles 26-119 (for both in initial and
ongoing formation)

God’s call: Where is God
calling me?
Where am I now at the
moment?
Assessment and interpretation
of the situation, both positive
and negative
What does God want
me to do?
Success indicators which are
few, reachable, & verifiable
How do I monitor my
fidelity and
fruitfulness?
Evaluation of the quality of
my commitment, tracking if I
am on target, and refinement
of my plan with new
situations

1. Sent to the young:

Apostolic Life

2. Living in a fraternal
community: Fraternal
Life

3. Following Jesus
through the vows:
Vowed Life
4. Prayer: in dialogue
with the Lord: Prayer
Life

5. Continuous
formation: Formative
Life

3. PROFILE OF THE SALESIAN TODAY: General Chapter 27, pp. 19ff (may be preferable for
those on ongoing formation

God’s call: Where is God Where am I now at the
calling me? moment?
Assessment and interpretation
of the situation, both positive
and negative
What does God want
me to do?
Success indicators which are
few, reachable, & verifiable
How do I monitor my
fidelity and
fruitfulness?
Evaluation of the quality of
my commitment, tracking if I
am on target, and refinement
of my plan with new
situations

1. MYSTICS OF THE SPIRIT

– Remain in Jesus:
vowed life and prayer
life

2. PROPHETS OF
COMMUNION – Love one
another: fraternal life

3. SERVANTS OF THE YOUNG

– Bear fruit in the
mission: apostolic life

4. ONGOING FORMATION
– Hear from the
Father: formative
life