.. .150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE SALESIAN CONGREGATION

... On the evening of 18 December 1859 at the Oratory of Saint Francis in Don Bosco’s room a group were gathered together, their intention “to promote and maintain the true charity that is needed in the work of the festive Oratories for  youth abandoned and in danger”; as Fr Alasonatti writes in the minutes of this meeting. In the same minutes we then read: “The above mentioned participants decided therefore to band themselves into a Society or Congregation while, while aiming at the sanctification of each member by mutual assistance would strive to promote God’s glory and the salvation of souls, especially those in greater need of instruction and formation.” ....

Don Pascual Chavez

Recteur Majeur

WHO ARE WE?

The Salesians are a religious Congregation of priests and brothers founded by Saint John Bosco in 1859. They were named after Francis de Sales, the saintly bishop of Geneva renowned for his kindness and meekness. We are present in 128 different countries, with 16,560 members.

OUR FOUNDER DON BOSCO

Our Founder is Saint John Bosco, better known as Don Bosco (Don is the Italian for Father). He lived in Turin, in the North of Italy at the time of the Industrial Revolution. Even before becoming a priest, he used to gather poor and abandoned boys from the streets, educating them to becoming “good Christians and honest citizens”. He used to say: Education is a matter of the heart.”

WITH AND FOR THE YOUNG

In the footsteps of our founder, we, the Salesians of Don Bosco (S.D.B.), work preferably among the young as educators. Our educational practice rests on three pillars, inherited from Don Bosco: reason, religion and loving kindness. The foundation of that system wants to be a sympathetic understanding of the young and an active presence among them, helping them to grow.