Art. 1. The Founder: a man sent by God

• The Holy Spirit raised up St. John Bosco, through the maternal intervention of Mary.

• Founded the “Pious Union of Salesian Cooperators” as a Third branch of the Family (May 9, 1876)

• The Holy Spirit formed, in St. John Bosco, the heart of a father and teacher capable of total self-giving, and inspired him to adopt an educational method filled with the charity of the Good Shepherd 1815 - 1888

The Society of St. Francis DeSales (commonly known as the Salesians of Don Bosco)

December 18, 1859.

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (commonly known as the Salesian Sisters) with St. Mary Domenica

Mazzarello on August 5, 1872

» The Association of the

SalesianCooperators on May 9, 1876

St. John Bosco founded three groups during his lifetime:

Why the Salesian Cooperators?

• Don Bosco wanted a branch of Salesians with full rights in the Congregation though not bound by vows and not living in common.

• Don Bosco’s work for his boys expanded so rapidly he could not handle it all alone. He needed help.– His first helpers were priests: Joseph Cafasso, Peter

Merla, John Baptist Borel (his most faithful assistant).– They were assisted by outstanding laymen and

women: Count Cays, Marquis Frassati, Joseph Gagliardi, his own Mamma Margaret, and Marchioness Fassati.

•A way of life for secular members with an emphasis on the active life devoted in particular to helping the homeless young rather then doing exercises of piety.

Art. 2. Salesian Cooperators: Christians who have been called

§ 1. To take on commitment as a Salesian Cooperator is to respond to the Salesian vocation, and to take on a specific way of living the Gospel and of participating in the mission of the Church. It is a gift and a free choice which characterises one’s existence.

§ 2. Catholic Christians of any social and cultural circumstance may follow this path.

The Scope and Vocation of a Salesian Cooperator

• Operative word: Vocation!– A state of life

– A living out of one’s baptismal commitment according to Don Bosco’s charism

• Scope To becomes “signs and bearers of the love

of God” to young people Governed by the Project of the Apostolic

Life Requires a period of formation Becomes a member of the Salesian Family

The Salesian Family

* First LevelThe Salesians of Don BoscoThe Salesian SistersThe Salesian Cooperators

* Second Level

20 Groups recognized as members of the Salesian Family

* Third Level3 associations recognized

with particular qualifications* Fourth Level

20 groups waiting to be recognized* Wider Family

Salesian movementFriends of Don Bosco

Art. 3. Salesian Cooperators: Salesians in the world

The Salesian Cooperators live their faith in their own secular reality. Inspired by Don Bosco’s apostolic project they feel themselves to be in a living communion with other members of the Salesian Family. They take on the same youthful and popular mission, in a fraternal and associative manner. They work for the good of the Church and society, in ways adapted to their circumstances and real possibilities.

Art. 4. A unique vocation: two ways of living it

§ 1. Don Bosco conceived of The Association of Salesian Cooperators as being open to both laity and secular clergy.§ 2. The lay Salesian Cooperators put their commitment into practice and live the Salesian spirit in their ordinary situations of life and work, with sensitivities and characteristics which are truly lay, and they act in defence of values in their own setting.§ 3. The Salesian Cooperator who is a diocesan bishop, priest or deacon carries out his particular ministry inspired by Don Bosco, an outstanding model of priestly life. In pastoral choices he favours young people and the settings belonging to ordinary people.

What would be a good definition of a Salesian Cooperator?

A Cooperator is a true Salesian in the world, a Christian who follows this vocation to holiness by service to youth and working class people, in the spirit of Don Bosco, on behalf of the local church and in communion with the entire Salesian Family.