(ANS – Niterói) – On 14 July 1883, the first Salesian missionaries reached Rio de Janeiro. Today, 130 years later, the Salesian Family consists of a vast movement of people devoted to the education and evangelization of the young people of the country.  Salesian work in Brazil began at Niterói, near Rio de Janeiro, in the “Colégio Santa Rosa” which, in a few days’ time, will host the Salesian Youth Movement participating in the World Youth Day 2013.

When it opened, the school had only ten pupils. Quickly however, the Salesian work grew in strength and importance. The work developed, an oratory was opened, and, what were then called “courses in arts and trades.” were started. At the same time, general, cultural and religious education was offered.  Even at that time, they were offering students what we now call “holistic education”.

The education of children from the poorer classes, and in particular the children of former slaves and immigrants, was an important factor in the opening of the second Salesian work in Brazil in 1885 – the “Coração de Jesus” High School at San Paolo. A few years later, in 1892, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) arrived in Guaratinguetá, in the State of San Paolo and brought the educative charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello also to girls. June 1894 marked another significant development when a missionary was sent to the indigenous people of Cuiabá, in Mato Grosso, the start of the Salesian missionary apostolate.

The charism of Don Bosco and his pedagogy based on the three hinges of Reason, Religion and Kindness were gradually spreading throughout the entire country. Schools were opened, ranging from nursery schools to higher institutions and technical schools. Oratories were started and works for social assistance. There was a huge movement of missionary activity among the indigenous people and tens of parishes were entrusted to the care of the Salesians.

At present, the Salesians in Brazil are organized in six provinces which make up the Conference of the Provinces of the Salesians in Brazil (CISBRASIL). The FMA have nine provinces forming the Conference of the Provinces of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Brazil (CIB). Since 2012, these two conferences work together on various fronts through the Rede Salesiana Brasil (RSB) network and they make a real impact at national level.

For Fr Nilson Faria, President of CISBRASIL and of the RSB, Don Bosco remains a model and a paradigm for the whole Salesian Family today, especially for his ability to mobilize the various sectors of society of his time in support of the education and evangelization of the young. “Through these networks we are called, as Church, to commit ourselves to forming a vast movement of people devoted to evangelization and education, and to the salvation of the young.”

On 16 August next, celebrations will begin to mark the centenary of the presence of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the Amazonia region of Brazil.

Published 15/07/2013