The Salesians of Don Bosco,(SDB) are not the only Salesians inthe world. There are over 20 branches of the Salesians. There are 23 officially recognized branches in the Salesian Family.

GROUPS IN THE FAMILY

There are 23 groups that are officially recognized as members of the Salesian Family
1.	Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)	16.645
2.	Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA)	15.074
3.	Salesian Co-operators	35.000
4.	Past Pupils of Don Bosco	197.730
5.	Past Pupils of the FMA	130.000
6.	Women Volunteers of Don Bosco	1.308
7.	Daughters of the Sacred Heart	404
8.	Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart	262
9.	Apostles of the Holy Family	100
10.	Caritas Sisters of Miyazaki	1.074
11.	Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians	700
12.	Daughters of the Divine Saviour	109
13.	Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary	109
14.	Sisters of Jesus the Adolescent	43
15.	Association of Damas Salesians	3.000
16.	Association of Mary Help of Christians	35.000
17.	Catechists Sisters of Mary Immaculate Help of Christians	500
18.	Daughters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate	57
19.	Volunteers with Don Bosco	62
20.	Witnesses of the Risen Lord TR 2000	650
21.	Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel
22.	Congregation of Sisters of the Resurrection	50
23.	Sisters Announcers of the Lord	23

(Source: Statistical data, GC 25, Rome 2002 – The value of the numbers are relative – Rome, 22/03/2006)

 

All of these different branches of the Family share in the mission of Don Bosco, the salvation of souls. Each branch of the Salesian Family must work together with eachother to fulfill this mission. In Matthew 12:25 the Gospel tells us that a house divded cannot stand. With this in mind i think that it is imperrative that we all stick together to complete this mission. The mission that we all work towards is the same, the salvation of souls, especillay the young. In the Chronicles of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, (FMA) Mother Mazzarello says this:

       “Dear Don Bosco!, He and his Salesians consider us part of their family! Our works would have neither life nor luck with out Don Bosco and his Sons. Woe to us if pride ever makes us think we can do with out them! We would be like a beanch cut off from the vine, nothing more.” (Chronicles FMA, Vol. II p. 333

I think that it is important for us to recognize the differnt gifts that each group has and for us to recognize that although our methods towards the mission are differnt, non is more important than the other. The mission is beautiful, the mission is strong! 

Let us remember our Strenna for 2009! Let us commit ourselves to making the Salesian Family a vast movement of persons for the salvation of the young

 

God Bless, 

Adam