RMG – SDB Provinces: The "Saint Artemide Zatti" Province of Northern Argentina (ARN)

11 March 2025
RMG – SDB Provinces: The "Saint Artemide Zatti" Province of Northern Argentina (ARN)

(ANS – Rome) – The Salesians arrived in Argentina on December 14, 1875, as part of the first missionary expedition that Don Bosco sent outside Europe—an event that marks its 150th anniversary this year. Ten courageous Salesians (six priests and four coadjutors) crossed the Atlantic with a mission entrusted to them by Don Bosco: “Spread devotion to Mary Help of Christians, and you will see miracles. Dedicate yourselves to children and the sick. Seek souls.”

A few days after their arrival, some of these first missionaries settled in San Nicolás de los Arroyos, in the Buenos Aires Province, while others traveled to Patagonia in the south. This marked the beginning of the Salesian expansion in Argentina, which eventually covered almost the entire vast national territory.

However, the "Saint Artemide Zatti" Province of Northern Argentina (ARN) was established much more recently, in 2010, through the merger of two former provinces: "Our Lady of the Rosary," based in Rosario (ARO), and "Saint Francis Solano," based in Córdoba (ACO). Since then, Argentina has been divided into two major provinces: Northern Argentina (ARN), headquartered in Córdoba, and Southern Argentina (ARS), based in Buenos Aires.

The province is named after Saint Artemide Zatti, a Salesian religious and male nurse who dedicated fifty years of his life to assisting the poor and sick in Argentina. He was canonized by Pope Francis in October 2022.

Geographical Reach

The ARN Province covers the North, Cuyo, Litoral, Northeast, and Central regions of Argentina, spanning 15 of the country's 24 provinces.
The oldest Salesian house in the ARN Province is located in San Nicolás de los Arroyos (Buenos Aires), where some of the first Salesian missionaries arrived in 1875.

Leadership

  • The first Provincial Superior of ARN was Fr. Manuel Cayo, who served from 2010 to 2016.
  • In 2016, he was succeeded by Fr. Gabriel Romero, who led the province until 2020.
  • The current Provincial Superior is Fr. Horacio Barbieri.

Statistics

The ARN Province currently has:

  • 81 priests and 32 coadjutors
  • 112 perpetually professed members and 18 temporarily professed members
  • 3 novices

These Salesians are distributed across 36 houses, 21 directly managed by Salesians and 15 under lay leadership.

Educational and Pastoral Reach

The Salesians in ARN oversee 90 educational units, including:

  • 25 early childhood centers
  • 26 primary schools
  • 23 middle schools
  • 3 technical secondary schools
  • 6 agricultural technical schools
  • 4 secondary schools for youth and adults
  • 2 higher education institutes
  • 1 university
  • 17 vocational training and employment centers

These institutions serve over 28,000 children, adolescents, young people, and adults across Northern Argentina, supported by more than 3,100 educators and pastoral workers.

Salesian Family Groups Present in the Province

The ARN Province is also home to various groups within the Salesian Family, including:

  • Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA)
  • Salesian Ladies (ADS)
  • Volunteers with Don Bosco (CDB)
  • Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB)
  • Past Pupils of Don Bosco (Ex.DB)
  • Salesian Cooperators (SSCC)
  • Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA)

Key Projects and Institutions

1. Rodeo del Medio Salesian House – "Don Bosco Viticulture School"

Located in Mendoza, this Salesian work offers an educational and pastoral project closely linked to the region’s main economic activities: grape growing and olive cultivation. The center includes:

  • A winery, vineyards, and olive groves
  • Five high-tech laboratories
  • A sensory analysis room for food and beverages
  • An olive oil processing plant
  • A fruit and vegetable processing factory
  • A nursery and orchard

Graduates of the school earn the title of Technician in Agricultural Production and Oenology. Additionally, the institution provides higher education programs in agro-industrial production, including a Higher Technician Diploma in Oenology and Food Industries and three degree programs at the Don Bosco Faculty.

2. "Monsignor Angelelli" Salesian House – La Rioja

Located in La Rioja, a province in northern Argentina where 60% of the population lives in poverty, this Salesian house responds to the needs of young people facing substance abuse, lack of emotional support, precarious housing conditions, school dropout, unemployment, and underemployment.

Key initiatives include:

  • A youth oratory offering sports, cultural, recreational, educational, and pastoral activities
  • Workshops in weaving, carpentry, baking, and cooking

Through these projects, the Salesians of ARN continue Don Bosco's mission of serving young people, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

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