RMG - SDB Provinces: The "San Luigi Bertrando" Province of Colombia-Medellín (COM)

26 March 2025
RMG - SDB Provinces: The "San Luigi Bertrando" Province of Colombia-Medellín (COM)

(ANS – Rome) – The "San Luigi Bertrando" Province of Colombia-Medellín (COM) was canonically established on October 1, 1957, following the division of the Salesian Province of Colombia. The decision was made during the visit of then-Rector Major Fr. Renato Zigliotti, who suggested the separation due to the vast territory and the large number of Salesians in the country. The territorial division was based on the Magdalena River, and at its inception, COM had 193 Salesians in 13 houses.

The first Provincial was Fr. Carlos Julio Rojas, and the initial headquarters was the "El Sufragio" Institute in Medellín. Over the years, the Province has been led by various Provincials who have guided its mission and expansion. Following Fr. Rojas, the leadership was assumed by Fr. Ildefonso Gil, Fr. Gabriel González, Fr. Jorge Nieto, Fr. Darío Vanegas, Fr. Juan Bautista Calle, Fr. Marcos Barón, Fr. Vidal Niebles, Fr. Armando Álvarez, Fr. John Jairo Gómez, Fr. Luis Fernando Valencia, and currently, Fr. Ariel Guerrero Castro.

Currently, the Province has 97 priests, 9 coadjutors, 1 perpetually professed member, 13 temporarily professed members, and 4 novices.

Apostolic Activities

The Province carries out its mission through:

11 parishes 12 schools 7 Vocational Training Centers 7 oratories 2 inter-provincial formation houses 1 missionary work 4 social works

In total, the Salesians of COM serve around 15,000 people, supported by a team of 1,150 lay collaborators.

Educational and Social Initiatives

The "San Luigi Bertrando" Province carries out projects aimed at helping vulnerable youth.

"Ciudad Don Bosco" in Medellín and the Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Cali focus on reintegration programs for youth affected by armed conflict, school dropouts, or street situations, providing technical training and comprehensive support. Other institutions offering technical and vocational education include: "Centro Social Don Bosco" in Barranquilla, located in an area of high social vulnerability. "Escuelas Profesionales de Cartagena" "Instituto Don Bosco" in Popayán "Instituto Técnico Industrial" in Cali "Instituto Pedro Justo Berrio" in Medellín

In the school education sector, the Province manages institutions such as:

"San Pedro Claver" Institute in Cartagena "El Sufragio" Institute in Medellín "Centro Educativo Don Bosco" in Medellín "Santo Domingo Savio" Institute in La Ceja "San Juan Bosco" Institute in Dosquebradas and Tuluá "Don Bosco" Municipal Educational Institution in Pasto

Missionary Presence

The Province also carries out significant missionary and pastoral work, including:

"San José" Parish and "Casa de la Juventud Don Bosco" in Condoto "Santa Marta" Work in Minca Mission in Santander de Quilichao (Cauca), focusing on pastoral and educational activities.

Salesian Formation

For international Salesian formation, the Province hosts:

Novitiate in La Ceja Post-novitiate in Copacabana

These centers train young Salesians from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, and the Antilles.

Salesian Parishes

The Province oversees a wide network of parishes, including:

"El Sufragio," "San Juan Bosco," and "San Francisco de Sales" in Medellín "San Juan Bosco" and "San Francisco de Sales" in Cali "San Roque" in Barranquilla "Nuestra Señora del Carmen" in Ibagué "San Juan Bosco" in Pasto "María Auxiliadora" in Tuluá "La Encarnación" in Cartagena

Oratories and Youth Centers

The Salesian oratories in Dosquebradas, La Ceja, Popayán, Barranquilla, Copacabana, Armenia, Ibagué, and Tuluá offer Christian values formation, spiritual guidance, and healthy recreational opportunities for youth.

Salesian Family and Collaboration

The Salesian Family in the Province is coordinated through a Central Council, bringing together various groups:

Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) Salesian Cooperators Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) Past Pupils of Don Bosco Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB) Le Damas Salesianas (Salesian Dames) Luis Variara Association and Mamma Margherita Association (collaborators in Salesian spirituality and mission)

These groups actively organize retreats, formation events, apostolic activities, and the annual Salesian Family celebration.

Through its educational, social, and missionary efforts, the "San Luigi Bertrando" Province of Colombia-Medellín continues to uphold the legacy of St. John Bosco, ensuring that the most vulnerable youth receive opportunities for a better future.

To learn more about the Salesian reality of COM, click here.

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