The Association of Damas Salesianas "is a gathering of Catholic lay women that continues to grow. They engage with the world, the Church and the Salesian Family and are organized with an entrepreneurial mindset." (Ideario, art. 1). They are called the "Entrepreneurs of the Kingdom of God".
The founder of the Damas Salesianas, Fr Miguel González SDB, had always dreamed of their presence in Africa.
From 9 to 20 May, Ms Bienvenida Teston, Regional Leader of the Association of Damas Salesianas in Europe, together with Fr Eusebio Martinez, Spiritual Assistant of Damas Salesianas in the Saint James the Greater Province in Spain, travelled to Angola to realize the dream of their founder. They were welcomed by the Superior of the Salesian Vice-Province in Angola, Fr Victor Luis Sequeira and Fr Filiberto Rodriguez, Fr Santiago Chistophersen and Fr Manuel Ordóñez, who will be the spiritual assistants of the Damas Salesianas in the African country.
Three centres have been founded: Luanda-Sao Paulo, Luanda-San Jose de Nazareth and Benguela. The Damas of the Salesian mission will essentially focus on human development, evangelization, and the defence of human dignity, especially the dignity of women.
The three centres were started with sixty Angolan women who are interested and engaged in the project. They will receive training from their spiritual assistants and at the same time begin to give shape to social projects to meet the needs of children, young people and women in the country.
The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, encourages Salesianas Damas and all groups of the Salesian Family to undertake projects to help the most needy, and, at the same time, to grow in identity, authenticity and visibility.
