Zgromadzenie Salezjańskie w świecie

Abstract

In its work the Salesian Society strives to meet human needs, especially the needs of young people, in order to help people free their own energies, enhance spiritual nobility and moral values, inform their lives with the spirit of the Gospel and show them the possibility of a better world, while educating them for authentic Christianity and full social involvement. The Society was established in 1859 and in this short time it has enjoyed expansive growth, so that it now pursues its apostolic activities on all continents. It numbers 17,618 members (data of December 31,1986), and is divided into 78 provinces and four visitatories. Its members are recruited from almost a hundred nationalities; they work in 1536 canonically established houses and in more than three thousand parishes and other posts; they are active officially in 92 countries. The Society’s essential task is the care and education of boys, especially materially or spiritually deprived ones. For this purpose the Society sets up oratories and youth centres, runs its own schools for all ages from primary school to university and takes active part in pastoral work in the parishes. It devotes much effort to missionary work. In Africa alone the Salesianas are working in 31 countries. Another important field of the Salesians’ work is the field of publishing. Through its publishing houses and bookshops the Society promotes religious books. It is also actively involved in the production and use of mass media materials in apostolic work (radio stations,films, video casettes, slides). The article aims at presenting not only the Salesian Society’s works but also its spirit. There is growing awareness among the Salesians of the modern needs of the Church and the whole world. The current renewal is a guarantee of effective action. St. John Bosco wanted everyone around him to feel at home. He created an educational system based on faith, reason and love. He set greatest store by mutual trust and kindness. The increasing presence of the Society in the world proves the important function entrusted to the Society by the Lord, who chose a humble priest of Turin to erect a work of evangelization and socialization of the young that is of tremendous importance to the modern world.