The decree signed by the Rector Major states that this decision was made following the request of Sister Lucia Barbosa de Oliveira, General Coordinator of IRIMEP, and after the positive opinion expressed by his Council, the bishops concerned and the Provincial of Brazil-Recife, as well as considering the history of the Institute, the foundation by a Salesian and the spiritual and apostolic relationship always maintained with the Salesians.
Entry into the Salesian Family has been a process that has lasted several years. The institute was founded in 1968 by Msgr. Antonio Campelo, Salesian and Archbishop of Petrolina (State of Pernambuco, Brazil); on his death, in 1984, the "Mediatrix Sisters of Peace", religious belonging to the Institutes of Consecrated Life of Diocesan Right, formally asked to become part of the Salesian Family.
In 1986 Fr Egidio Viganó, then Rector Major, replied to a letter from the same Sisters, and wrote: "I rejoice in your presence in the Church and I congratulate you on the progress you have made (in the meantime) that this experience phase end with the best results."
As is clearly written in the Salesian Constitutions: "From Don Bosco derives a vast movement of people who, in different ways, work for the salvation of the young." And this institute "shares the mission of Don Bosco to work for the poor, the abandoned, the people in danger and in areas where poverty is extreme," said Fr Joan Lluis Playá, who has visited some of the social works that the "Messengers of Peace" are developing in Brazil.
Fr Eusebio Muñoz, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, expressed his great joy in knowing that "the Salesian Family continues to grow, not only numerically, but above all at the charismatic level, because where there is a member who works as Don Bosco, these work for the salvation of the poorest young people."
Seventy religious are currently part of the institute, assisted by about 300 collaborators who share with the sisters the pastoral and socio-educational mission. "They were born with the concern to reach the most remote places in the Church, where poverty is really extreme," added Fr Playá. "I have visited, under the direction of the Rector Major, the places where they carry out their apostolate and they are evidently 'Salesians', being missions among disadvantaged young people."
More information on the 32nd group of the Salesian Family is available on their website: http://www.impaz.org.br/
