THE BEGINNINGS
The story of the Salesian Sisters begins with the meeting of two great Spirit-led visionaries, John Bosco and Mary Mazzarello.
Mary Domenica was born May 9, 1837 in Mornese, a quiet little agricultural village in N. Italy. Before meeting John Bosco she had been led by the spirit to begin a ministry similar to his in aims and approach.
John Bosco in a dream-vision saw a beautiful woman pointing to a group of girls left on their own in one of Turin's public squares. The woman told him,
" These are my daughters, care for them."
About the same time Mary while walking up the hill in Mornese saw in a vision a huge building before her. Many girls seemed to be playing in the courtyard and there were a number of enthusiastic young women among them. Mary heard a voice,
" I entrust them to you."
Girls at that time left school very young ( only 2 years of schooling was compulsory ) Mary saw the need and was inspired to begin the first workroom to teach the young girls how to sew, knit and 'prepare their trousseau'!!
In 1864 when John Bosco met Mary in Mornese the dream became a reality. An educational project similar to that of John Bosco's in Turin was set up for the girls. Based on a system of education known as the Preventive System the first educative community for the social, cultural and spiritual development of the young was established.
On August 1872 the first group of Salesian sisters also known as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (a title reflecting the role Mary played in the formation of the order) was formed.
DEVELOPMENT
When Mary Domenica died in 1881 the group of Salesian sisters had spread throughout Italy, France and Latin America. Today there are around 16,000 sisters in more than 80 different nations Education is still the main focus covering the broad spectrum of the child through to adulthood and ministering in the context of home, school, community and parish.
CHARISM: THE ORIGINAL INSPIRATION OF THE FOUNDER
Charism is the word used to describe the GIFT of a particular field of work in the Church's mission, given by the Holy Spirit to each congregation through its Founder/Foundress. The word is often used in this way:
" the Salesian charism is to work with young people and those who are poor".
Part of the Salesian charism is to share the Salesian spirit with lay people, so that, together we take responsibility for the Salesian mission.
