However, their arrival was well-prepared by Fr. Antonio Belloni, founder of the Bethlehem Orphanage and the Congregation of the Holy Family. By 1893, Belloni himself and about half of his confreres had joined the Salesian Congregation, professing its vows and rules. By becoming a Salesian, Fr. Belloni brought with him not only the house in Bethlehem but also the Beitgemal Agricultural School, the novitiate in Cremisan, and the vast land where the house of Nazareth would later be built. Over time, the Province expanded to other countries in the Middle East and Africa: Egypt in 1896, Iran in 1937, Syria in 1948, and Lebanon in 1952.
Current Presence
Today, the Province consists of 13 locations distributed as follows:
– 2 in Palestine
– 3 in Israel
– 3 in Egypt
– 3 in Syria
– 2 in Lebanon
These presences are supported by 11 religious communities. Activities in Iran have been suspended since 2018.
The Province includes 64 Salesians (60 perpetually professed members and 4 with temporary vows):
– 53 priests
– 5 coadjutor brothers
– 1 post-novice
– 3 practical trainees
– 2 theology students
Unique Characteristics
This Province stands out for its interaction with various Christian rites and Islam, as well as its efforts to inculturate and adapt the Salesian charism to an interfaith and interreligious reality.
Its unique and challenging geopolitical context requires a strong spirit of faith and hope, along with flexibility and creativity. These qualities shape its pastoral charity and deep oratorian heart.
Salesian Works in the Middle East
Israel:
– Nazareth (Primary and technical school, oratory, public church)
– Jerusalem-Ratisbonne (International Theological Studentate with 38 students from 23 different Salesian provinces)
– Beitgemal (Guest house, St. Stephen’s Sanctuary, tomb of the Venerable Simaan Srugi)
Palestine:
– Bethlehem (Vocational Training Center, collaboration with Bethlehem University, oratory and scouts, public church, bakery)
– Cremisan (Provincial Center, family park, winery)
Egypt:
– Cairo-El Sahel (Industrial technical institute, vocational school, youth center, refugee assistance)
– Cairo-Zeitun (Parish, two oratories, refugee assistance)
– Alexandria (Kindergarten, primary school, technical school, two youth centers)
Lebanon:
– A single religious community serving Al Fidar and El Houssoun, which includes:
- A vocational middle school, technical high school, and post-secondary institute
- Refugee assistance programs
- Three oratories and two youth centers
- A school for Iraqi and Syrian refugees
Syria:
– Damascus (Oratory and youth center, public church, assistance for displaced persons)
– Aleppo (Oratory and youth center, public church, assistance for displaced persons)
– Kafroun (Oratory and youth center, public church, assistance for displaced persons, with laypeople running the work with the help of the Aleppo community)
General Overview
The Province operates:
– 4 Vocational Training Centers
– 1 kindergarten
– 3 primary schools
– 3 technical schools
– 1 parish
– 5 public churches
– 8 oratories and youth centers
– 7 hospitality houses
– 7 refugee and migrant shelters
– 1 bakery
– 1 winery
– 1 custodian of holy sites
It serves approximately 12,000 beneficiaries, with around 1,000 lay collaborators.
Salesian Family Groups
Three groups of the Salesian Family are active in the Province:
– Salesian Cooperators (7 centers)
– Past Pupils of Don Bosco (3 centers)
– Canção Nova Community (2 centers)
A Province on the Frontier
Operating in frontier territories, the MOR Province plays a crucial role in its sociopolitical and economic environment. Every country where it is present faces major challenges, including war, migration, and economic hardship. Large or small, Salesian works remain dedicated to serving these difficult situations and the people affected by them, making them highly significant.
At the same time, the Province carries out its mission of service to young people and the poor with love and respect, fostering inculturation and maintaining a strong missionary spirit. As a result, Don Bosco’s name is not only respected but genuinely loved by all.
A video showcasing the Salesian life in the MOR Province is available on ANSChannel.
