It is a question of men and women, young people and adults, consecrated persons and lay people, bishops and missionaries who, in historical, cultural and social contexts differing in time and space, have made the Salesian charism shine with a singular light. It is a heritage that plays an effective role in the life of the Salesian Family, in the community of believers, and for people of goodwill. Therefore, it is necessary to express profound gratitude and praise to God for the holiness already recognized in the Salesian Family of Don Bosco and for that which is in the process of being recognized. The Salesian Postulation includes 173 Saints (9), Blesseds (118), Venerables (18), and Servants of God (28). The Causes followed directly by the Postulation are 58 (plus 5 extra).
The Dossier, where the list and status of each Cause is reported, presents the events that took place in 2021, among which are worth mentioning: the Venerability of the Servant of God Felice Canelli (1880-1977), Priest of the Diocese of San Severo (Foggia-Italy), Salesian Cooperator; the delivery of the Positio super virtutibus of the Servants of God Carlo Crespi Croci, (1891-1982) Professed Priest of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, missionary in Eucador, and Antonio de Almeida Lustosa, of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, Archbishop of Fortaleza (Brazil); the opening of the diocesan inquiries of the Servant of God Mother Rosetta Marchese (1922-1984), Professed Sister of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and of the Servant of God Luigi Bolla (1932-2013), Professed Priest of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, missionary among the Shuar and Achuar Indians of Ecuador and Peru.
This is followed by the presentation of various dimensions of Salesian holiness such as the incarnation of the charism and the help to live the Salesian spirit in a realistic way, offering good practices. There is an apologetics of holiness that shows not with words or documents, but with life, the beauty and truth of the Gospel of Christ and the Salesian charism.
Finally, the commitment is recalled to spread the knowledge, imitation and intercession of the members of the Salesian Family who are candidates for holiness, valuing and taking care of different aspects: liturgical-celebrative, spiritual, pastoral, ecclesial, educational, cultural, historical, social, missionary...
The year 2022 is characterized by the remembrance of the IV centenary of the death of St. Francis de Sales, who in the history of holiness stands out for having highlighted and promoted holiness for all. Both Francis de Sales and Don Bosco make daily life an expression of God's love, which is received and also reciprocated. The saints of the Salesian Family wanted to bring the relationship with God closer to life and life closer to the relationship with God. This is the proposal of the "holiness next door" or the "middle class of holiness," of which Pope Francis speaks enthusiastically.
At the bottom of the page, you can download the Dossier of the Postulation - in Italian, English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese - updated to December 31, 2021.
