About
the
Salesian
Cooperators
The
Salesian Cooperators are Catholics who are living the gospel message
in the spirit of Saint John Bosco while choosing to live in the world.
The Salesian
Cooperators are the first group of youth ministers established by
Don Bosco. He began his work in 1841 by gathering street kids and
young workers on Sundays. Turin, Italy was an industrial town at the
beginning of the industrial revolution. Child labor was common and
because of the economic crisis in the agricultural areas of Italy
at the time, great numbers of children and young people were leaving
the farms to find work in the cities. The children worked six days
a week but had Sundays off. Don Bosco gathered these street kids in
vacant lots for a day of play. He brought them to Church for Mass
and a catechism lesson.
To help him with the hundreds of boys who came to him, he enlisted
the help of several people and a few local priests. Don Bosco knew
he would need the help of other committed people of good will to care
for the children. He invited people whom he felt had the talent and
the desire to minister to young people. His own mother, Margarita,
came to help him.
With the help of Pope Pius IX he formed the Association of Salesian
Cooperators in 1876. There were no vows. The Cooperators were lay
people who live their lives as Don Bosco himself described in the
little booklet, Salesian Cooperators, Or A Practical Way Of Leading
A Good Life And Being A Good Citizen.
The Salesian Cooperators
are single or married lay men and women, or diocesan clergy, who dedicate themselves to the
welfare of young people, and live guided by Don Bosco's Salesian Spirit.
Generally the Salesian
Cooperators are affiliated with a local Salesian school, parish and
youth center. Some of the Cooperators work directly in Salesian ministries
while others serve in their parishes or other ministries. Some Cooperators
do not work directly with any particular ministry but bring the Salesian
Spirit to their work place, profession and family.
The core of the Salesian Cooperator's commitment is to live his or
her life as a good Christian and a good Catholic. The Salesian Cooperator
embraces a Gospel way of life sharing in the Church's mission to bring
Christ to society, especially the young.
If you are interested in more information about the Salesian Cooperators
please contact
us.
