Abbreviated as SDB

Spread in 134 countries around the world.

The Salesian Society of Saint Francis de Sales

was founded by Saint John Bosco in the Italian city of Turin in 1859 with the aim of educating young people in need and fighting against their exploitation in society.

Don Bosco wanted his society to be a living image of the spirit of tolerance, humility, and love that Saint Francis de Sales embodied. Its goal is to serve deprived youth, and Don Bosco built many institutes and youth centres (oratories) that aim to bring young people together, teach them a trade or profession, or simply gather children and youth to educate them in values and virtues. In 1874, the order was officially recognized by the Church.

The Salesians continue the educational mission of their founder through the same educational approach that Don Bosco devised, known as the “preventive system,” which is based on three keys: reason, religion, and loving kindness. The Salesian order spreads throughout the world.

The motto of the order is “Give me souls and take the rest.”

This spirituality stems from a thirst for the salvation of youth, especially by following the example of Christ, the Good Shepherd who knows his flock and gives himself for them, as Saint Francis de Sales did, the patron saint of the order, who is a model of love, apostolic zeal, and self-sacrifice.

Just as Jesus Christ is the sign of God’s love for humanity and the instrument of their salvation, so Don Bosco wanted young people to discover the extent of God’s love through his comprehensive and continuous service. He said, “I have made a pact with God to offer my life to the last breath for the sake of my disadvantaged youth.”

The Salesian Society has followed in the footsteps of its founder not only in addressing youth issues, but also in other areas where Don Bosco was a pioneer.

The rules of the order define its current mission as follows: “Faithful to the commitments we have inherited from Don Bosco, we proclaim the good news to young people, especially the poorest among them. We focus on the apostolic calls with special care, nurture faith in popular environments, especially through the media, and proclaim the word to the people who are ignorant of it” (Article 6 of the Salesian Rules).

The types of activities and projects are detailed by the rules as follows:

• Oratories (Salesian centres), centres for youth.
• Schools of all kinds, especially vocational schools.
• Homes, caring for special social cases.
• Missions and apostolates.
• Educational and spiritual development centres.
• Various types of media: publishing houses for books, magazines, religious, educational and entertainment publications, production of all audio-visual media, broadcasting stations (radio, television) (Articles 42-43).

These activities and projects are subject to specific standards that directly stem from Don Bosco’s test and fundamental choices, which include:

• Achieving educational and pastoral goals simultaneously.
• Listening to the needs of the environment and the Church by recognizing the signs of the times.
• Spirit of initiative and flexibility.
• Adapting to the world of youth while maintaining a distinctive educational presence among them.

Salesian Spirituality Pillars:

• Youth Spirituality: Don Bosco knew how to live and help young people live the Gospel.
• Spirituality of living in the presence of God through daily life: Union with God during play, work, study, and daily duties.
• Spirituality of joy and optimism: One of the famous sayings of Don Bosco is “Our holiness lies in always being joyful.”
• Spirituality of friendship with Jesus: Talking to Him in prayer, finding Him in the Holy Eucharist, in others, and in serving those around us.
• Church Community Spirituality: Living in groups, especially in the educational community, where young people and educators gather in a family environment around a comprehensive educational project for youth.
• Spirituality of service: Don Bosco summarized this spirituality by saying that his approach aims to make young people good citizens and true Christians.
• Marian Spirituality: The Virgin Mary is the example of listening, loyalty, purity, self-sacrifice, and service. She is the help of Christians in moments of difficulties and life experiences.

Website, Social Media Accounts and contact numbers:

Donboscomor.org

Email: info@donboscomor.org

+20 127 3551615