The Salesians arrived in the city in September 1897. Thanks to the generosity of Doña Dolores Quintanilla y Montoya, who donated one of her houses on Calle Paso de la Condesa, the first four classrooms were inaugurated, which then served as the starting point for an educational and pastoral project that would take root over time and bear abundant fruit.
After an unsuccessful attempt to start vocational schools, however, the Salesians obtained another piece of land for their new school, next to the church of St. Francis. It was there that Salesian activity in Carmona took place, starting in 1957.
Then, with Fr. Antonio Gutiérrez as Salesian Rector, in 1970, the current Salesian house facilities were inaugurated in a peripheral but expanding area of the city, on El Viso street. Since 1989 there has not been a stable community of the Sons of Don Bosco in Carmona, but Salesian activities have remained, carried on by lay collaborators in the mission and faithfully accompanied by Salesians from neighboring communities: first by those of Alcalá de Guadaira, then by the Theological Studentate community and the Provincial House in Seville, as well as the "Bartolomé Blanco" community.
To celebrate all this history of Salesian life, on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m., in the church dedicated to St. James the Greater, Fr. Fernando Báñez, Provincial Councilor with Delegation to the works run by lay people, presided over a solemn Eucharist, the starting point of a whole series of initiatives and events that will continue into 2023.
More than 500 faithful attended the celebration, which was musically animated by the "Uno Más" Youth Center of Carmona, and was also attended by numerous students and members of the Salesian Family - primarily members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians, Past Pupils and Salesian Cooperators - as well as representation from each of the city's fraternities.
Joining Fr. Báñez at the altar were other Salesians and local clergy, along with a large group of ministries, students from the center; while among the authorities were: the city's mayor, Juan Ávila, and the tourism alderman, Ramón Gavira, both alumni, accompanied by the titular rector of the House, Óscar González.
In his homily, Fr. Báñez reviewed the history of the center, thanking God for the abundance of graces received over the years and all those who have collaborated in the Salesian mission, and asked for forgiveness if at times something was not done to the best of its ability. He then cited Carmona as an example of good management, despite the fact that it has not had a Salesian community permanently present for more than 30 years.
Currently, the Salesian house in Carmona offers preschool, primary, and secondary schooling, and its educational work is highly regarded in the city. Carmona is the first Salesian presence in the Spain-Mary Help of Christians (SMX) province that has handed over its work to a team of lay people, educators and animators, who to this day continue to share the Salesian mission.
