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Blessed Fr Giuseppe Calasanz Marquès and 31 companions - Spain 1936-1939

Civil war in Spain

Between 1936 and 1939 Spain erupted into a bloody and dramatic civil war: It was a conflict which ignited ideological enmities, resulting in a battle between democracy and fascism, between republicans and rebels led by General Franco. The Spanish Church also paid the price, subjected as it was to anarchic... Read More »

Meeting Don Bosco as a boy

Louis Orione was born in Pontecurone, in the diocese of Tortona, 23 June 1872. As a youngster he helped his father mending roads until he turned thirteen. Louis wanted to study to become a priest and went to the Franciscan Monastery at Voghera, but he had to abandon his efforts because of serious illness.

He was then accepted at the College in Valdocco, where... Read More »

Early years

Leonard Murialdo was born in Turin in 1828, eighth child of a well-to-do family. He lost his father at just four years of age, however he received an excellent Catholic education at the Scolopian College in Savona. As a youth he went through a profound spiritual crisis which converted him and helped him discover his priestly vocation. In Turin he took up his philosophical and theolgical... Read More »

A priest for the young and the poor

Louis Guanella was born in Fraciscio di Campodolcino in Val San Giacomo (Sondrio) 19 December 1842. The particular geographical location where he grew up formed Louis into a solid character - firm, temperate and with a spirit of sacrifice. He was always distinguished for his great faith strengthened by popular piety, a faith alive for its closeness to the poor... Read More »

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In 1872 the first group of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) made their profession in the Congregation founded by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello. Both founders shared a dream to work for the good of young people and lead them to God.

Don Bosco wanted the Sisters to be a living sign of his gratitude to God for all that he had led him to be and do in his life. Our Lady... Read More »

My Salesian Story

I am Gill, I am 37, a Chelsea supporter and a Salesain Sister recently professed. My response to God's call has not been someting that just happened overnight, it has been a real journey of faith with many ups and downs. 

When I was 19 years of age, I spent the best part of a year with a religious congregation, as I strived to respond to what I believed was God's... Read More »

Me and my Salesian-ness!

My name is Rick Netherwood, otherwise known to most people in the world as "Woody"! I'm a twenty-five-year-old youth worker who's originally from the hometown of Streatham, where I grew up on a council estate as the youngest in the family of Mum, Dad, two brothers and one sister (with the Salesian sisters two minutes round the corner).

Since those days growing up in "the ghetto",... Read More »

Sam with Sr Cecily Dunn FMA, founder of the Bosco Centre, who died in 2016.

In 1984 Sr Cecily was sent to the Bermondsey area. She was given a hall to work in and there she began to create a Youth/Community Centre for the area. In 1986 she opened a nursery for low income parents to enable them to afford childcare. She used local parents as volunteers. This is where my journey with the Salesian Family... Read More »

Sharing my Salesian Story

My name is Anne Frances McNamee; I am 31 years old and I have been a Salesian Sister for just over 15 months. I am originally from Motherwell in Scotland but am presently based in Cowley, Oxford, where I teach Year 4 in the local Primary School. I first met the Salesians 9 years ago. I had been asked by a friend to join our Diocesan group travelling to Toronto, Canada, for... Read More »