TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT US
1. Salesian
The title was chosen by St. John Bosco because of the esteem he had for St. Frances de Sales, and his desire that his Sisters, Priests, and Brothers to imitate the kind and gentle ways of this saint.
2. Founders
St. Mary Mazzarello (1837-1881) worked with St. John Bosco (also known as Don Bosco) and found the Salesian Sisters in 1872. Today, our Order numbers more than 16,000 Sisters in 96 countries.
3. Mary Help of Christians
This title for the Blessed Mother dates to 1571 and Pope Pius V. Don Bosco believed, "Our Lady wants us to honor Her under the title Mary, Help of Christians. Times are so bad that we need Our Lady to help us to be faithful and defend our faith."
4. FMA
Our official initials represent our official title in Latin: FILIAE MARIAE AUXILIATRICE. This translates, DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS, the formal name of the Salesian Sisters.
5. SPR Province
The Salesian Sisters is an international congreation, and is geographically divided into provinces. The South Pacific Region (SPR) Province currently have communities of Salesian Sisters living in Australia, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands.
6. Mission
​The mission of the Salesian Sisters, Priests, and Brothers is to educate young people, especially the poor.
7. Vocation
With the declining number of young women and men choosing religious life in the Catholic Church, we feel fortunate that our Order is growing around the world.
8. Laity
Salesian Cooperators are lay people who work with us to bring the Salesian Spirit to their families and work place. Volunteers of Don Bosco are lay woman with vows who carry out the Salesian Spirit in the same fashion.
9. Family Spirit
An atmosphere of warmth and love permeates our Salesian convents, schools, youth centers, and camps. We're a welcoming, extended family.
10. "Da mihi animas ceatera tolle!"
The motto of our Congregation, which means: "Give me Souls...Take Away The Rest!" It was the battle cry of Don Bosco that he left as a legacy to us.
Our Salesian Family has a coat of arms which summarizes our Salesian mission and devotions. Here is a guide.
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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, whose direct intervention brought our Congregation into existence. Lilies signify our Consecrated Chastity that enables us to give ourselves totally for the young. A Forest, through play on words, represents our founder, Don Bosco. "Bosco" means forest in Italian. The silouhette of Mornese represents the Italian town, Mornese, birthplace of our foundress, St. Mary Mazzarello. The Anchor stands for the Hope that fills our spirit with courageous daring. The Star is the symbol of the Faith that impels us to serve the Lord in joyful fidelity. The Heart represents the Love Salesians have for the young people the serve. Roses symbolize the Loving Kindness that imbues our family spirit.
