About Us

	Founders and History
	Our Spirituality
	10 Things You Should Know About Us
	My Story

Top 10 Things You Should Know About Us!

"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.

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.

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."

F.M.A. 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.

PROVINCE. The Salesian Sisters in the United States belong to two provinces, the East and the West. We belong to the Eastern Province, known as St. Philip the Apostle Province. Our schools, youth centers, camps, and convents are located in New Jersey, New York, Florida and Louisiana.

MISSION. The mission of the Salesian Sisters, Priests, and Brothers is to educate young people, especially the poor.

VOCATIONS. 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.

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.

FAMILY SPIRIT. An atmosphere of warmth and love permeates our Salesian convents, schools, youth centers, and camps. We're a welcoming, extended family.

ADOPT A SISTER. A fund raiser with a personal touch and spiritual dimension, this program generates income for the Sisters and their new retirement home.

Our Salesian Family has a coat of arms which summarizes our Salesian mission and devotions. Here is a guide.

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" mean forest in Italian. The Well 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.

The Motto of the Congregation: 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.