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EnglishWho Are the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco?
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The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco—formally the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians—are a Catholic congregation of women religious dedicated to evangelizing and educating young people. According to the congregation's website, they are the largest congregation of women religious, with over 10,500 Sisters serving in 97 countries. They were founded in 1872 by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello and describe their approach as evangelizing the young through "reason, religion and loving kindness."
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Formal name | Daughters of Mary Help of Christians |
| Common name | Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco |
| Founders | St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Size | Over 10,500 Sisters |
| Reach | 97 countries |
| Communities in mission | 1,265 |
| Novices in formation | 262 |
| Focus | Evangelization and education of young people |
What Distinguishes Their Mission
The congregation's stated mission is "rooted in the very heart of Christ Himself" and modeled on Mary's motherly care. Through an "educational presence with and among the young," the Sisters aim to be signs of God's foreseeing love. Their educational method rests on three pillars: reason, religion, and loving kindness—a framework inherited from St. John Bosco's approach to working with youth.
Community Life and Spirituality
Community is presented as essential to the vocation rather than incidental to it. The Sisters describe living and working together "in the name of the Lord" as forming "one heart and one soul," which in turn fuels their missionary zeal.
Their spirituality centers on the idea that holiness is attainable for everyone through doing "the right thing, at the right time, for the love of God." They characterize themselves as "active contemplatives"—combining prayer with active ministry among young people.
What the Website Offers
The site is organized around several purposes:
- Learning about the life: A section on "The Life of a Salesian Sister" explains the vocation.
- Exploring a calling: A dedicated section asks "Are You Called to Give Your Life to the Young?" and invites women to consider joining, quoting St. John Bosco: "For you I study, for you I work, for you I live, for you I am ready even to give my life."
- News and stories: Updates on provincial gatherings, final and first vows, and community milestones.
- Supporting the mission: A donation section states that contributions support the mission in the United States and worldwide, and that donors may direct gifts to specific areas.
Who This Information Is For
This overview suits anyone researching the congregation—whether for general background, academic or journalistic purposes, or personal discernment about religious life. Those interested in vocation should use the site's "called" section as a starting point; those interested in supporting the work can review the donation page, which notes that gifts may be designated for particular areas. The site does not publish financial details or eligibility requirements beyond what is summarized here, so specific questions about formation or giving are best directed to the congregation itself.