The concept of ‘menein’ in the Gospel of John : a source of inspiration for Salesian Youth Ministry

Abstract

The concept of menein in the Gospel of John runs throughout this gospel like a golden thread, and though it presents us with various possible interpretations, it culminates in the love that exists between the Son and the Father, which in turn is shared with the disciples in a relationship of friendship. This friendship has inspired many Christian authors and saints, amongst them St Francis de Sales. This saint made use of the Johannine menein concept to present a spirituality based on the loving union of hearts. St John Bosco, commonly known with the familiar name of “Don Bosco,” was intrigued and inspired by this spirituality. It led him to start a Religious Congregation that bears the name of St Francis de Sales, the “Salesian” Congregation. His Preventive System, which serves as basis for all Salesian youth ministry, is rooted in this spirituality. This study looks at how St John Bosco’s friendship with and abiding in God matured in such a way that he was led to propose this same friendship with God to the young persons he encountered, so that they too could abide in God, in time and in eternity. He achieved this through a pastoral method to which today we refer to as ‘Salesian youth ministry.’ It is a pastoral proposal, a journey that enfolds and embraces various dimensions that can find a central point: menein – inhabiting a safe place, a place that favours growth and maturity. It is characterised by four dimensions: 1) education to faith, 2) educational and cultural formation, 3) the communal and social experience, which together ultimately lead to 4) discover God’s call from within the intimate experience of “abiding” with God. John’s concept of menein offers a privileged standpoint to contemplate the charism of St John Bosco. From this contemplative stance one can enter into the depth of the Salesian charism which is entrusted to us today for the benefit of so many young people who are asking the same question that the first disciples in John’s Gospel put to Jesus: “Where do you abide?” The answer to this question expects educators and witnesses to help the young generation and accompany them on this journey of discovery.