In brief, we are a significant worldwide community of men and

women, some 'vowed' or 'consecrated' in Religious Life within the

Catholic Church, some living out a 'secular' life, married, single

according to circumstance. The Salesian Religious Family owes its

existence to a kindly, energetic priest from Turin, Northern Italy whose life

and activity spanned the 19th century. His name - Fr. John Bosco, or

'Don Bosco', 'Don' meaning 'Father' in Italian. His work for poor and

underprivileged young people has inspired thousands of men and women to

join his ranks. He called them 'Salesians' after a Bishop

of Geneva, St. Francis De Sales, a man known for his extraordinary kindness and

holiness.