Salesian Family Spirit
The Salesian charism encourages a family spirit. Wherever Salesians go, we are known for having a special talent for making others feel at ease in our presence. For the Salesian Sisters the call to manifest the love of God to the young meets its fruition in our particular feminine expression of “Salesianity.” Taking it upon ourselves to seek out the young in every situation, we make it our joy to share in even the simplest activities of life with others. Through respect, sincere interest, and cheerfulness, we are able to draw the young to God, who is the source of every good thing.
Don Bosco wanted everyone to feel at ease at the Oratory. And in the Salesian family there is a place for everyone. Together with the Salesians of Don Bosco (priest and brothers) and the Salesian Cooperators (lay helper) we make up the three founding groups of the Salesian Family. We were founded directly through the intervention of Don Bosco and, as such, are responsible for animating and sharing the Salesian spirituality with others. It is part of our mission to be examples of Salesianity to others.
Unlike other religious families in the Church, ours has remained united through the Rector Major, Don Bosco’s successor. We always work closely with one another in our ministries and where one group is, the others usually follow to help tend to the harvest given to us by Christ.
All in all there are over 20 groups that make up the Salesian family with a total of over 400,000 members, with another 26 groups seeking admittance. No wonder Don Bosco once said that being a Salesian would one day become synonymous with being a faithful Christian!
