The Salesian Lay Brother

Bro. JP and I have been discussing terms and labels last night. We were asking ourselves how should we call those in formation just before the novitiate. Are we to call them aspirants or seminarians, postulants or pre-novices? It was then that I learned from this jolly brother that, as for Don Bosco Formation Center, we call them aspirants and postulants in sensitivity to those aspiring to become Salesian Lay Brothers.

Not everyone is aware that there are two kinds of Salesians: the clerics and the lay brothers. The clerics are those in view for the holy orders, or in short those who want to live their Salesian vocation as priests. The lesser known group are the Salesian Lay Brothers, those who want to live their Salesian vocation in the lay state or in their field of profession and won't become priests in the near forseeable future.

I have always admired our Salesian Lay Brothers. Most of them, if not all, are known for their hard work and dedication. They work silently, albeit they are plagued with questions of when they will become priests since they have been called brothers for decades. They are known for their forte in their respective fields and they have worked for the young like horses without the limelight of priesthood. Such humble and silent dedicated work inspires me a lot. In my novitiate, I thought for months before handing my application to first profession on which path I should take. I would very much like to spend my life as a Salesian Lay Brother but God has other plans for me.

Several of the Salesians I deeply admire and idolize are Lay Brothers. One of my closest friends here in the Post Novitiate is a Lay Brother. Coming back from a national convention he came home silently and upon noticing him back, I could not help myself but welcome him with a tight hug. These breed of Salesians translate Don Bosco's Da Mihi Animas in the lay state, working for young people in their own field of work. You can see them in the shops, in classrooms, in choirs, in soccer fields, in offices, and at the chapel, faithfully living their consecrated life for the love of God and of young people.

This touches a deep chord in me because the Salesian Lay Brother offers everything who he is, his person and skills, and lives like an ordinary professional while living his vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty out of his belief in the mission of Don Bosco. Clerics and priests enjoy attention because they wear the cloth, but the Salesian Lay Brother works in the background without much fuss. They don't wear the clerical, the cassock or the stole. They go about in plain clothes, but if you look carefully, you notice that they are wearing the Spirit of Don Bosco. Kudos to the Salesian Lay Brothers!

Schwarz Football Club

Saturday mornings in the Post Novitiate are more lively than the other days, not because the brothers are high on caffeine, but because in the adjacent Savio field young people are running back and forth with their football. It is energizing to hear the shouts and laughter of these young sportsmen as they play their hearts out. What is called noise by grumpy old women is music to my ears.

They young people come early in the morning at around 6:00 as we are about to end our mass in the chapel. If I am not mistaken, they are members of the Schwarz Football Club here in Don Bosco Canlubang. Some Saturdays, high school members come as early as 5:00 in the morning to train. Their own determination and sacrifice has always challenged me to do better in my religious life especially when I fall into laxity and complacency.

It is interesting how I am able to draw energy from these young people. I think this is the blessing of the Salesian life, that as I spend my life for the young people entrusted to my care, their own energy and optimism replenishes mine starting a positive cycle.

Sports also has its educative aspect. I have seen the energy and effort those young men who come early in the morning put into their football drills. It teaches them discipline, perseverance, self-control, and many other values applicable to real life. I can relate because I have changed since I embraced sports when I entered the aspirantate. And this is a big challenge for me to be at home with sports so that I can give it to the young when my time for practical training comes.

As I type this short essay, I still could hear the shouts and laughter outside. I'm tempted to join them but I would stand out tall against a sea of small boys with their footballs.

Don't Let Me Wait

Don't Let Me Wait

Please just show me if you really love me

Don't let me guess

Don't give me a smile that'll last only a while

Please let it stay

'cause this heart's ain't gonna last forever

Waiting for a love that won't come

But this heart is yours forever

and it beats more than it's ever done

And I love you, I really do

With my heart and my soul, forever

In my heart, I really care

Should you bleed it dry forever

And I'll live for you and I'd die for you

And I'll sing for you and I'd fly for you

Don't let me wait

Can you tell me if you also love me

I'd like to know

Will you take me and will you keep me

Please take me home

-o0o-

Lyrics and Music: Bro. Keith J. Amodia, SDB

In Video

All Production: Bro. Keith J. Amodia, SDB

-o0o-

I wrote this song when I felt really down in life. I had a fight with one of my friends and I really wanted to make things right. Somehow, everything got complicated so even reconciliation did not work right. I thought of the many others who long for their relationships to smooth sail, even for just a day. So I wrote this song in behalf of all the lovers out there who long to be loved in return and who are challenged to be faithful despite the apathy.

I believe this is the first love song that I ever wrote. I even had the reservation to finish this since I am already a professed religious. What would people think if a religious would start writing love songs? But even so, I argued, I still am human and Christ would permit me to be in touch with the humanity within me, a nature shared by all men and women. This is my tribute to the love that binds couples together to form families.