The Salesian Family

The Salesian Family is a worldwide network of priests, consecrated religious and lay people under the inspiration of St. John Bosco who have committed themselves to living the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, practicing Don Bosco’s educational and ministerial approach and focusing primarily on the young and the poor through youth formation and young adult outreach. The Salesians create an ‘Oratorian heart’ in personal spiritual development and inspire ministerial environments that embody a culture where the young, those involved in the apostolate and every person connected to the enterprise strives to build “a home that welcomes, a faith-filled community, a school that expands the mind and a playground where all can experience fun and cheerfulness”. 

Salesians of Don Bosco

The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) is a religious congregation of men in the Catholic Church, founded in the late 19th century by the Italian priest Saint John Bosco to help young people, especially those who are poor and abandoned by everyone else.  The congregation is  named after Saint Francis de Sales, a 17th-century bishop of Geneva, known for his kind and gentle manner and a simple everyday spirituality.  The Salesians own and operate the Marian Shrine.  In all, 124 bishops are Salesians, as is one in 40 priests worldwide. With over 14,000 professed members, the Salesians of Don Bosco are the Church’s second largest religious institute of men, exceeded only by the Jesuits.  Because of their concentration in mission territories, they are present in only 19 of the nation’s 176 dioceses.  Despite their worldwide presence and influence, they are unknown to many Catholics in the United States.

Salesian Sisters

By far the largest women’s religious institute in the world, with 14,665 members, is the Salesian Sisters (FMA) are formally the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, founded in 1872 by St. John Bosco and St. Maria Mazzarello. Particularly devoted to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and the pope, the Salesian Sisters educate and otherwise work with youth in 92 countries. Three quarters of Salesian Sisters serve in Europe, North America, and South America, with a strong presence in Italy, Brazil, Argentina, and Spain.  cf: Catholic World Report, May 12, 2011

Salesian Cooperators

The Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) is the movement of laity of the Salesian Family of Don Bosco and is the third order of the Salesian Order. It is also one of the three main branches of the Salesian Family founded directly by Don Bosco in 1876. The movement was created with the purpose to share the ideals of the Salesian Preventive System in the education of young people, especially those who are poorest, without the need to be a priest or a lay religious.  There are over 30,000 persons affiliated to this movement around the world. Priests and bishops of a diocese can join this movement, sharing the ideals and educative philosophies of Don Bosco.

The Cooperators study the Salesian spirituality and style of ministry of Don Bosco.  They make a public Promise to live according to a Project of Life.  Don Bosco was ahead of his time including lay men and women as well as diocesan priests and bishops into the Association when he founded it in 1844, before the Salesian Society. The Marian Shrine is home to a unit of Salesian Cooperators.

ADMA or The Association of Mary Help of Christians

The Association Promoting Devotion to Mary, Help of Christians (ADMA) also traces its roots to St. John Bosco who began the group in 1869. After having the “Dream of the Two Columns” in 1868 which highlighted the Universal Church as a boat, with the Pope at the helm anchored by two columns. The Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother crowned each column. Don Bosco was convinced that he must form an Association of lay faithful to promote devotion to the Eucharist and to Mary, Help of Christians needed in the dangerous world of his time which still remains today. 

Salesian Lay Missioners

The Salesian Lay Missioners (SLMs) is a Catholic association of men and women seeking to answer God’s missionary call in their own lives by dedicating themselves to works of education, evangelization and human development among poor youth. SLMs share in the tradition, prayer, work, family spirit, community life and educational method of the Salesians of Don Bosco, while living in community with Salesians and other missioners.