WHO ARE THEY?
The Salesians of Don Bosco are an international organisation of Catholic priests and brothers dedicated to the service of the young, especially the disadvantaged and marginalised. They work in collaboration with their partners in schools, youth centres, hostels, camps, parishes and other contexts to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the lives of the young. Their primary purpose is to evangelise by educating and educate by evangelising. Thus, they accompany the young on the journey of life so as to enable them to grow and mature as "good Christians and honest citizens".
The Salesian coat of arms (pictured above) summarizes their 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 their Congregation into existence. Lilies signify our Consecrated Chastity that enables them to give themselves totally for the young. A Forest, through play on words, represents their founder, Don Bosco. "Bosco" mean forest in Italian. The Well represents the Italian town, Mornese, birthplace of their foundress, St. Mary Mazzarello. The Anchor stands for the Hope that fills their spirit with courageous daring. The Star is the symbol of the Faith that impels them 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 their family spirit.
HISTORY
Saint Don Bosco
Confessor, Father and Teacher of Youth
Born: August 16, 1815(1815-08-16), Castelnuovo, Piedmont, Italy
Died: January 31, 1888 (aged 72), Turin, Italy
Venerated: Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion
Beatified: June 2, 1929, Rome by Pope Pius XI
Canonized: April 1, 1934, Rome by Pope Pius XI
Major shrine: The Tomb of St John Bosco - Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy
Feast: January 31
Patronage: Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, young people
The Salesians were founded in the mid 1800s by St John Bosco, an Italian saint-educator. Don Bosco began his work for young street kids in one of Italy's rapidly industrialized cities. Over the years he developed an exceptional method of educating. This method was to become his way of being with young people. The spark of his charm and his presence ignited dream that has captured the inspiration of thousands of others. Under the invocation of Mary, Help of Christians, Don Bosco worked many miracles and laboured for the salvation of thousands of youth. He worked hard to spread this devotion, encouraging all to have confidence in Mary's intercession. "Have devotion to Mary, and you will see what miracles are," he often said.
Salesians of Don Bosco in the whole world number 16,234. They are present in all five continents of the globe in 129 countries. Their works can be grouped into Regions, Provinces and local Presences. There are 8 Regions containing 96 Provinces that together comprise a total of 2,040 works. They belong to the Salesian Family, which is a world-wide movement of people committed to the service of the young. They are faithful to Don Bosco's Preventive System of "reason, religion and loving-kindness" and strive to create environments characterised by a sense of welcome (home), a spirit of faith (parish), dynamic learning (school) and engaged social interaction (playground). The first Salesians arrived in Australia in 1922. The Salesian Family numbers approximately 402,500. It consists of 23 different organizations that have sprung up over the years that draw their inspiration from Don Bosco's style and charism. The first three that originated during Don Bosco's lifetime are The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (14,420), The Salesian Cooperators (about 25,000) and The Past Pupils of Don Bosco (about 97,357). There are 116 Salesian priests and brothers in this Province undertaking more than 60 different types of activities in 15 different centres.
In the Solomon Islands, the Salesians care for:
- Christ the King Parish, Tetere
- Catholic Communications Solomons
- Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson
- Don Bosco House of Prayer
- Don Bosco Rural Training Centre, Tetere
Don Bosco Technical School, Henderson
Don Bosco is a Secondary Technical School of the Catholic Church, Salesian community, and a full member of SIARTC. The Institute opened in 2000 and presently runs technical courses for boys and girls. It is located close to town but separate from it - a good flat site, within a few minutes of the Henderson Domestic Airport in Guadalcanal (just outside Honiara).
Don Bosco Technical School offers:
FOR FORM THREE PUSH OUTS it offers a two year complete Training Course in Auto Mechanics, Carpentry, Electricity and Home Economics.
FOR STANDARD SIX PUSH OUTS who are still young we offer a three year secondary academic-technical curriculum with a strong emphasis on basic technical skills. At the end of the three years basic Academic-technical course offered by the school, the students will have the option to continue in our Training Center Department for a two year professional course with more technology options than presently offered.
FOR STANDARD SIX PUSH OUTS who are older and willing to work immediately we offer an intensive three to six months Manpower Course in relevant technologies they can choose from.
What will the graduates do, will they find a job? We are confident they will, in fact, Self-confidence in one's destiny and faith, positive vision in life, credibility, honesty, competence and hard work, spirit of sacrifice and discipline is what any employer is looking for in a graduate. Properly skilled people are what foreign investors are looking for before investing or setting up companies requiring manpower. Export of man power can be one of the industries helping us to replenish our depleted foreign reserves. Self-employment and help is one of the possibilities too.
CONTACT:
P.O Box 566, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Phone: 677 36555
Fax: 677 36333
Email: ambrose@donbosco.org.sb