Good to know
Amazon: Catholic population and communities
In the Amazon Region there are a total of 47 Salesian communities: 22 in urban areas and 25 in rural areas.
There are 245 Salesians currently present in the Amazon: 107 in rural areas and 138 in urban areas.
Both urban and rural areas have a Catholic majority.
“Certificate of Excellence 2019” for the Catacombs of Saint Callisto
- Since 1930 they have been entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco.
- They cover about 15 hectares.
- They were used as a cemetery from the 2nd to the 5th century.
- In the 3rd century they were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome.
- Half a million Christians were buried there.
- 16 Pontiffs are buried in the catacombs.
- The care of the catacombs today is entrusted to 15 Salesians and 15 laity.
- The pilgrim guide service is offered in 5 official languages and in more than 20 unofficial languages.
Conclusion of the General Council: what has been decided
The following were appointed during the summer plenary session of the General Council:
5 Provincials (FIN, ISI, COB, INB and AET),
26 Provincial Councilors,
163 Directors.
Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart: history
The Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart (SOSC) were founded on 8 December 1933 in the very small diocese of Bova, in Calabria.
The founder is Msgr. Giuseppe Cognata, then bishop of that diocese.
In 1935 the novitiate was opened in Bova Marina and on 8 December of the same year the first professions were celebrated.
In July 1952 the novitiate from Bova was transferred to Tivoli and the position of mother teacher passed to Sister Bice Giuseppina Carini.