Interpersonal Relations

Salesian Correction

St. John Bosco, in instructing the teachers of his order, was of course referring to a relationship between teacher and pupil. Some particulars may be different in the home, especially in working with the very young. However, his general principles and attitudes can be as helpful to parents as to teachers in classrooms.

The Saint's Views on Punishment

1. Before punishing, ascertain all the facts.

2. Be sure that the guilty one knows why he is being punished.

3. Never turn a pupil out of the classroom. In more serious cases have the lad accompanied to the principal.

4. Justice must always be used when punishing.

5. Never make use of general punishments.

6. Never make use of corporal punishments.

7. Punishments must be few and never prolonged.

8. Written punishments are generally to be discouraged.

9. Never make use of the reflection room where the pupil remains in idleness.

10. Always inspire the hope of pardon."

The Saint on Correction and Counseling

"...I assure you, real success can only be the result of patience. Impatience merely disgusts the pupils and spreads discontent among the best of them. Long experience has tuaght me that patience is the only remedy for even the worst cases of disobedience and irresponsiveness among the boys."

"...Charity is the cure-all though it may be slow in affecting its cure."

"At times a boy seems to reap no fruit from our corrections; yet deep down in his heart a wonderful change is taking place."

"Be exacting when it is a matter of duty, firm in the pursuit of good, courageous in preventing evil, but always gentle and prudent..."

Conclusion of the Saint's Letter on Education

"Remember that education is a difficult art, and that God alone is its true Master. We will never succeed in it, unless He teaches us the way. While depending humbly and entirely on Him, we should try with might and main, to acquire that moral strength that is a stranger to force and rigor. Let us strive to make ourselves loved, to instill into our pupils the high ideal of duty and the holy fear of God, and we will soon possess their hearts. Then, with natural ease, they will join us in praising Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Who is our model, our pattern, our exemplar in all things, but especially in the education of the young."

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