Christian quotations by Don Bosco: Coadjutors

"[In 1883 to Coadjutor Novices:]
I will give you two thoughts. The first is to tell you what my idea of the Salesian Coadjutor is. I have never had the time and opportunity to explain it well. You are gathered here to learn the art and practice of religion and holiness. Why? Because I need helpers. There are things priests and clerics cannot do, and you will do them.

I need to be able to take one or other of you and put him in a printing establishment and say to him: “You look after things and see that all goes well,” to send another to a particular house and say, “Take care of that workshop or those other workers and make sure that the work is done as it should be.” I need to have someone to whom I can confide tasks of greater trust like the management of money, contentious matters, and representing the house before outsiders. You are to be these people. Indeed, people on whom I can rely for the smooth running of the kitchen and for the task of door keeper; those who will see to the provision of whatever is necessary and that nothing is wasted…

I need people to whom I can entrust tasks like these, and you must be such people. In
a word, you must not just be people who work or labor, but people who direct matters.
You must be managers and supervisors of other workers, not just employees. All of this, of course, according to a rule and within the necessary limits; but all of you must play a part in the directing process as though you yourselves were responsible for the workshops. This is the idea of the Salesian Coadjutor, and I have a tremendous need for many who will come and help in this way!

And now I give you the second thought that is more challenging. Because you will have to help me in this way in larger enterprises, your work will also be a delicate one. You must acquire many virtues. Because you will have to oversee others, you must first of all give good example. The presence of one of your must be an automatic guarantee of order and of morality and that good is being done. Because if salt loses its flavor [of what use is it?].

And so let me conclude. Nolite timere, pusillus grex. “Do not be afraid, little flock,” you will grow in number, but more especially you must grow in goodness and strength. Then you will become like unconquerable lions and will be able to do a great amount of good."

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"[Referring to the Coadjutors:]
The Church needs all kinds of laborers, and I mean all kinds."

"A very large field is open to the Coadjutor Brothers: directing and managing the various undertakings of our Society, instructing in our workshops, teaching catechism in our festive oratories, and especially working in our missions abroad."

"[Speaking to the artisans:]
The Congregation is not just for priests or aspirants to the priesthood; it is also for artisans. It is a society of priests, clerics, and laymen – especially artisans – who wish to work together for the common good and the welfare of others. [1876]"

"[In response to a priest who said at a plenary session: “We need to downgrade the Coadjutor Brothers, to form a separate class for them,” Don Bosco responded, upset and visibly distressed:]
No, no, no! The Coadjutor Brothers are the same as the others!"

"A very large field is open to the Coadjutor Brothers to exercise charity by becoming catechists in the oratories….Let it not be forgotten that an oratory was once the cradle of our Congregation."

"The Congregation makes no distinction among members; all are treated equally be they Coadjutor Brothers, clerics, or priests. We regard one another as brothers; meals are the same for all; the wine that is given to Don Bosco is the same as that served to all members of the Congregation."

"In our own times more than at any other, Catholic workers as those of our Congregation can get very effective help from lay people [the Coadjutors]. I’ll go further and say that there are times when lay people can do more good than priests can."

"[Don Bosco recommended that]
They do everything well, like the watchmakers in Geneva [Switzerland]."

"The Coadjutors have the jobs of being cook, waiter, [and] porter. They will help each other in all those things which are compatible with their own obligations and occupations. [1867]"

"The Coadjutors who belong to the Salesian Congregation must keep to the practices of piety listed in the rule. [1877]"

Read other quotations by Don Bosco

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