Who we are

The Salesian Congregation in the world

The Salesian Society of Saint John Bosco, commonly known as the Salesians of Don Bosco, is a male religious congregation of the Catholic Church. It was founded on 18 December 1859 by Saint John Bosco and was approved as a clerical religious institute of pontifical right on 1 March 1869.

Its purpose is the instruction and education of the young, especially the poorest and most abandoned, in schools, vocational institutes and the various youth institutions. It also carries out its educating mission among the working classes, especially in the most distant and neglected areas.

Pastoral activity is carried out in collaboration with the local Church and is rooted in the cultural contexts of the countries where the Salesians operate, valuing their traditions and promoting dialogue between the Gospel and local cultures.
The Salesians are present in numerous countries on five continents.
This official website of the Central Headquarters offers information on the activities, aims and operating methods of the Society.
The Salesian Central Headquarters is located in Rome, Via Marsala, no. 42.

Identity
Salesian identity is founded on consecration to God in favour of the young. Members live in community and share the educational and pastoral mission according to the charism of Don Bosco, inspired by the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales, from whom the Congregation takes its name.
Salesians profess the evangelical counsels through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The life of prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit and adherence to the magisterium of the Church constitute the fundamental references of their religious experience.
The preferential option for the young, especially for the poorest and most abandoned, guides the educational, pastoral and social activities. The traditional expression that defines them as “signs and bearers of the love of God for the young” sums up the spiritual and operational horizon of their mission.

Community
The Congregation is composed of members from different nations, languages and cultures, united by a common Salesian vocation. The communities are made up of clerics and consecrated laymen (Salesian Brothers) who share the same mission and collaborate in a complementary way.
Community life is an integral part of consecration to God and includes daily fraternity, co-responsibility in the mission and the educational commitment among the young.
Carismatic mission, fraternal life and the practice of the evangelical counsels constitute inseparable elements of the Salesian experience and are integrated into a single orientation of service to God in favour of the young.