THE SALESIAN FOUNDATION OF THE THIRD SECTOR PATHWAY
«The Third Sector is defined as the body of private entities established for the pursuit—on a non-profit basis—of civic, solidarity-based, and socially useful objectives; in implementation of the principle of subsidiarity and in accordance with their respective statutes or founding documents, these entities promote and carry out activities of general interest through voluntary and unpaid action, mutual aid, or the production and exchange of goods and services». (art. 1, paragraph 1 of Law 106 of June 6, 2016).
One day in 1857, therefore, Minister Rattazzi—who was beginning to fear the spread of subversive ideas among the masses—summoned Don Bosco, to whom he had written a letter shortly before (I). After conversing with him for some time about the outcome of the lottery, the work of the Oratories, and the benefits the Government might derive from them, he spoke to him in words more or less like these:
- I pray that you, Don Bosco, may live many years to nurture so many poor young men; yet you are mortal like everyone else, and should you pass away, what would become of your work? Have you considered this eventuality? And if you have, what measures do you intend to adopt to ensure the survival of your Institute?
To this unexpected remark, Don Bosco replied, half-seriously and half-jokingly:
- To tell the truth, Your Excellency, I do not plan on dying so soon; while I have indeed sought out a few helpers for the present, I have not yet found a way to continue the work of the Oratories after my death. Now that you have raised the subject, may I in turn ask what means—in your opinion—I might adopt to secure the future of this institution?
- In my view, replied Rattazzi, since you do not wish to have the Oratory recognized as a *Pia Opera* [charitable foundation], you should select a few trusted laymen and clerics, form them into a sort of Society governed by specific rules, imbue them with your spirit, and train them in your system, so that they might serve not merely as assistants but as those who carry on your work after your departure.
At this suggestion, a faint smile played upon Don Bosco’s lips. The Minister had been instrumental in enacting the first law suppressing religious congregations—institutions that had existed for centuries in the Sardinian States—and so it struck Don Bosco as odd to hear that very man advise the founding of yet another such group. He therefore added:
- And does Your Excellency believe it possible to found such a Society in these times? And could it endure without its members being bound together by a religious tie?
- A bond is necessary; I agree; ...but of such a nature that the assets do not belong to the community as a moral entity.
- Yet the Government suppressed several religious communities two years ago—and is perhaps preparing to dissolve the remaining ones—so will it really allow another one to be founded that is no different from them?
-"I am familiar with the suppression law," Rattazzi continued, "and I know its purpose as well. It poses no obstacle to you, provided you establish a society that meets the demands of the times and complies with current legislation.
-"And what sort of society would that be?
- It would be a society characterized not by 'dead hand' ownership, but by 'living hand' status—a society in which every member retains their civil rights, submits to the laws of the State, pays taxes, and so forth. In short, in the eyes of the Government, the new society would be nothing more than an association of free citizens uniting and living together for a charitable purpose.
-"And can Your Excellency assure me that the Government would permit the establishment of such a society and allow it to continue?
-"No constitutional, lawful government would hinder the founding and growth of such a society—just as they do not hinder, but rather promote, commercial, industrial, financial, and mutual-aid societies. Any association of free citizens is permitted, provided its purpose and actions do not run counter to the laws and institutions of the State. Rest assured—make your decision; you will have the full support of the Government and the King, for this is an eminently humanitarian undertaking.
-"Very well," concluded Don Bosco, "I shall reflect on this; and since Your Excellency shows such kindness toward me and my young charges, I shall not hesitate to turn to your wisdom and authority should the need arise".
Rattazzi’s words were a ray of light for Don Bosco; by revealing the Government's intentions, they fully reassured him. The Society proposed to him was a purely human civil society; however, Don Bosco did not broach spiritual matters. Instead, he warmly thanked him for the suggestion without mentioning that he had already fleshed out those very ideas in the text of his Constitutions—particularly regarding the observance of the vow of poverty. It was important that Rattazzi regard the suggestion as his own, so as to secure him as an ally. And so it happened; indeed, on occasion, when receiving Don Bosco at the Ministry, Rattazzi would actively urge the implementation of the plan. In January 1876, Don Bosco remarked in our presence: "Rattazzi wanted to work with me on drafting various articles of our rules concerning how our Society was to conduct itself in relation to the Civil Code and the State.
One can truly say that certain safeguards—designed to protect us from interference by civil authorities—were entirely his own idea.
(Biographical Memoirs, Vol. V, pp. 696–699)