Frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.)

Frequently asked questions

What does the acronym “SDB” mean?

“SDB” is the acronym of Salesians of Don Bosco, the Salesian Society founded by Saint John Bosco.

What does it mean to be a Salesian of Don Bosco?

To be a Salesian of Don Bosco means to belong to a religious Congregation of the Catholic Church that consecrates its entire life to God through:
– the profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience;
– fraternal life in community;
– the educational and evangelizing service of the young, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
The Salesian lives according to the charisma of Don Bosco, drawing inspiration from his educational and pastoral style, centred on reason, religion and loving-kindness.

Where does the name “Salesians” come from?

The name “Salesians” derives from Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church, known for a spirituality marked by gentleness, humanity and Christian hope.
Don Bosco chose this saint as patron of his congregation because he wished his collaborators to imitate his pastoral style: firmness in faith, kindness in manner, personalized attention to the young.
The full title “Salesians of Don Bosco” identifies those who live Salesian spirituality according to the specific charisma of the founder.
The appellation “don” in the Italian language means priest.

Are there other groups called “Salesians”?

Yes. Saint Francis de Sales originated a school of spirituality that is normally recognized as “Salesian Spirituality”. There are some twenty groups who live this same spirituality and consider themselves “Salesians”; they belong to the Salesian Family in the broad sense.
Distinct from it, the Salesian Family of Saint John Bosco explicitly refers to the charism of Don Bosco and is made up of 32 officially recognized religious institutions and movements, to which are added a further 27 groups that have requested affiliation.
However, the expression “Salesians of Don Bosco” refers specifically to the Society founded by Don Bosco in 1859.

What is the legal status of the Salesians of Don Bosco?

The Salesians of Don Bosco are a clerical religious Congregation of pontifical right.
In Italy, the Central Headquarters is recognized civilly as a non-profit organization under the name of: Direzione Generale Opere Don Bosco, whose seat is at Via Marsala 42, 00185 Rome, Italy.

Where are they present in the world and how many are there?

The Salesians are present in 137 countries.
At present the members number around 13,000, engaged in approximately 1,800 educational and pastoral works.

What is their mission?

The mission can be summarised as follows: “To be signs and bearers of the love of God to the young, especially the poorest”.

In which areas do they operate?

Salesian work is carried out in many educational and social fields:
– Oratories and youth centres
– Schools of every order and level, from kindergartens to universities
– Vocational training centres
– Boarding schools and student residences
– Parishes and missions
– Centres for street children
– Family homes and reception centres
– Development projects and social promotion
– Publishing and communication works
– Sports, theatre, music, cultural, recreational activities and more.
The integral education of the young is always the focal point.

Do Salesians marry?

No. Salesians are consecrated religious and live the vow of chastity in celibacy, dedicating their entire lives to the good of the young.

What does “consecrated life” mean?

In the Catholic Church, consecrated life is a stable form of following Christ through the public profession of the three vows: poverty, chastity and obedience.
It entails total dedication to God and to the mission of the Church.

Are vows temporary or perpetual?

The path includes:
1. Temporary profession (a period of testing and maturation);
2. Perpetual profession, by which the Salesian consecrates himself definitively.
The initial journey up to perpetual vows normally lasts about 7 years.

Are all Salesians priests?

No. The Salesian vocation is realised in two complementary forms:
– Salesian priest
– Salesian Brother (consecrated lay person)
Both live the three vows and share the same mission and community life.

What characterises the Salesian coadjutor?

The Salesian Brother is a lay religious who is consecrated.
He works mainly in educational, technical, professional and social fields: educator, teacher, technician, administrator, youth leader, professional in the most diverse sectors.

What characterises the Salesian priest?

Beyond the educational mission common to all Salesians, the priest exercises the priestly ministry as proclamation of the Gospel, celebration of the Sacraments and pastoral guidance.

How does one become a Salesian?

The formation path comprises several stages:
For candidates to the priesthood, formation continues up to ordination.
– The pre-novitiate: to deepen the initial vocational option and prepare for the novitiate
– The Novitiate: as the beginning of religious experience
– The post-novitiate: which helps to grow in the integration of faith, culture and life.
– Practical training: which aims at personal synthesis in the vital and intense encounter with Salesian work
– Specific formation which completes initial formation and, for seminarians, is prolonged until priestly ordination
– A period of preparation for perpetual profession which verifies the spiritual maturity it requires and leads to a definitive commitment.

What are the signs of a Salesian vocation?

Some significant indicators:
– A deep desire to follow Christ
– Concrete love for the young
– Openness to community life
– Spirit of sacrifice and generosity
– Trust and pastoral creativity

What are the minimum requirements to become a Salesian?

– 18 years of age
– To be a Catholic
– Basic educational qualification
– Good health and good character
Further criteria depend on the individual Province.

And women?

Women may belong to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), founded in 1872 by Don Bosco together with Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello.
They share the same Salesian charism and devote themselves in a particular way to the education of girls.

Can married people live the Salesian charism?

Yes. They may belong to the Association of Salesian Cooperators, founded by Don Bosco for lay people (single or married) who live Salesian spirituality in ordinary life.

Is another kind of consecration in the world possible?

Yes. There are:
– the Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB)
– the Volunteers with Don Bosco (CDB)
These are secular institutes whose members profess vows but live in their own professional and social environment.

I am a former pupil of the Salesians or of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Could I take part in Don Bosco’s mission?

Don Bosco was most happy to have his former pupils as collaborators in the mission to poor young people after they had left the educational institutions and entered the world of work. Thanks to the initiative of a former pupil, Carlo Gastini, he saw this dream come true. The World Federation of the Former Students of Don Bosco, which brings together former students of the Salesian and FMA works, promotes various initiatives throughout the world on behalf of young people in difficulty.

If I am not Catholic, can I still collaborate?

Certainly.
Many lay people, including non-Catholics, collaborate in the Salesian works as educators, professionals or volunteers. Don Bosco’s educational mission is open to all who share the commitment to the integral growth of the young.