The Salesian Sisters have a coat of arms which depicts our mission and our primary devotions. Below is a guide to the meaning behind each element of the Salesian Sisters’ Coat of Arms:
- The dove represents the Holy Spirit who is the source of the spiritual life that animates our Salesian mission.
- Mary Help of Christians, our Mother, is pictured as well. Her direct intervention brought our congregation into existence.
- Lilies signify our consecrated chastity that enables us to give ourselves totally for the young.
- A forest is shown because of a play on words in Italian. “Bosco” means forest in Italian. This represents our founder, St. John Bosco.
- The well represents the early life of our co-foundress, St. Mary Mazzarello, who grew up in the humble Italian town of Mornese.
- The anchor stands for hope. We live this virtue trusting in Divine Providence, with courageous daring, like St. John Bosco.
- The star is the symbol of the virtue of faith. This helps us to serve the Lord in joyful fidelity and to see holiness achieved in everyday life.
- The heart represents the charity that Salesians have for the young people they serve.
- Roses symbolize the loving kindness that we learn from St. Francis de Sales, and which animates our relationships with one another and the young.
- The motto of the Salesian Congregation is Da Mihi Animas Caetera Tolle! This means: “Give me souls…Take away the rest!” It was the battle cry of Don Bosco that he left as a legacy to us.
