Association of Salesian Cooperators
The Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) is a lay association in the Catholic Church and the third order of the Salesians. It is also one of the three main branches of the Salesian Family founded directly by Don Bosco in 1876.[1] The movement was created with the purpose to share the ideals of the Salesian Preventive System in the education of young people, especially those who are poorest.
The ASC's superior is the Rector Major of the Salesians, inside a board of trust known as the World Council.[2] Priests and bishops of the dioceses can join this movement, sharing the ideals and educative philosophies of Don Bosco.
History
After John Bosco's ordination, he took up work in Turin, where he was friends with priest and social reformer Joseph Cafasso. In 1846, Bosco became ill and his mother, Margherita Occhiena moved to Turin to care for him. After he recovered, she stayed to assist him in his work with the poor and abandoned boys who were flocking to the city. For the next ten years she served as a surrogate mother for the hundreds of boys who called her "Mamma Margherita".[3] Occhiena is considered the first Salesian Cooperator.
In 1876 Don Bosco discussed his plan to create the Association of Salesian Cooperators, "It has hardly come into existence and it already numbers many members. Its aim is mutual assistance: spiritual, moral and also financial...[4]
Don Bosco formed the Association with the help of Pope Pius IX. The membership grew rapidly, and with their help, the Cooperators made it possible to create and develop workshops for arts and crafts, mutual aid societies, farm projects, printing shops, day and evening schools, oratories, homes and shelters, missions and orphanages.[5]
In 1877, Bosco created the Salesian Bulletin to "link Salesians and cooperators."[4] In the General Chapter of 1877 he reported the development of the cooperators and the Salesian Bulletin. He described the Association as people who wish to devote themselves to works of mercy in a specific rather than general way and he underlined that the mission of the cooperators is to take care of boys, who are exposed to immorality, catechizing them, keeping them happily busy on Sundays and holy days, finding them jobs with honest employers (...)[6]
Present day
Members are lay men and women, or diocesan clergy, who dedicate themselves to the welfare of young people, and live guided by Don Bosco's Salesian Spirit. As of 2023, ACS has a membership of about 30,000, and is present in 58 countries.[5] The headquarters are in Rome.
Generally the Salesian Cooperators are affiliated with a local Salesian school, parish and youth center.[7] In some situations, particularly in the Third World, they manage oratories, schools and family hostels.
Notable members
- Venerable Dorotea de Chopitea
- Servant of God Matilde Salem
- Sean Devereux
References
- ^ "Salesian Cooperators". Salesians of Don Bosco, Province of Mary Help of Christians, Melbourne. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ "Salesian Cooperators, World Council". Consiglio Mondiale dei Salesiani Cooperatori, Rome. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "Venerable Margherita “Margaret” Occhiena", Salesian Missions, New Rochelle, New York
- ^ a b Eugenio, Ceria; Diego Borgatello (1965). The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco. New York: Salesiana Publisher, Inc. pp. 45–71.
- ^ a b "Associazione Cooperatori Salesiani", Pontifical Council for the Laity
- ^ Eugenio, Ceria; Diego Borgatello (1965). The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco. New York: Salesiana Publisher, Inc. pp. 177–219.
- ^ "About the Salesian Cooperators", Salesians of Don Bosco in the United States (USA West Province)
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- St. Francis de Sales (Patron)
- St. John Bosco (Founder)
- Ven. Margherita Occhiena (Mother of John Bosco)
- Fr. Giovanni Melchiorre Calosso (Mentor)
- Luigi Comollo (Friend)
- St. Joseph Cafasso (Spiritual Director)
- St. Callistus Caravario
- St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello (Co-founder of the Salesian Sisters)
- St. Leonardo Murialdo
- St. Dominic Savio
- St. Luigi Versiglia
- St. Artémides Zatti
- Bl. Alexandrina of Balazar
- Bl. Józef Kowalski
- Bl. Pope Pius IX (Called John Bosco's Pope)
- Bl. Ceferino Namuncurá
- Bl. Luigi Variara
- Bl. Laura Vicuña
Rectors Major |
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- Salesian Sisters
- Salesian Cooperators
- Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel
- St. Mary's English High School, Maligaon
- Archbishop Shaw High School
- Cristo Rey Tampa High School
- Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Siu Ming Catholic Secondary School
- Don Bosco Academy, Pampanga
- Don Bosco College, Canlubang
- Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School
- Don Bosco Formation Center
- Don Bosco High & Technical School, Liluah
- Don Bosco High School (Imphal)
- Don Bosco High School, Lagawe
- Don Bosco High School, Tinsukia
- Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Dimapur
- Don Bosco Preparatory High School
- Don Bosco School Ernakulam
- Don Bosco School, Manila
- Don Bosco School, Park Circus
- Don Bosco Technical College
- Don Bosco Technical College–Cebu
- Don Bosco Technical High School (Boston)
- Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati
- Don Bosco Technical Institute, Tarlac
- Don Bosco Technical Institute, Victorias
- Don Bosco Technical Institute
- Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong
- Immaculata-LaSalle High School
- Saint Francis Central Coast Catholic High School
- Salesian College (Chadstone)
- Salesian College (Rupertswood)
- Salesian College Celbridge
- Salesian College Preparatory
- Salesian College, Battersea
- Salesian College, Farnborough
- Salesian English School
- Salesian High School (Los Angeles)
- Salesian High School (New York)
- Salesian High School (South Korea)
- Salesian School, Chertsey
- Salesiano Valparaíso
- Salesianum School
- Savio Preparatory High School
- St John Bosco Arts College
- St John Bosco College, Battersea
- St Joseph's College, Ferntree Gully
- St. Anthony's Higher Secondary School, Shillong
- St. Mary's Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School
- St. Petersburg Catholic High School
- Tang King Po School
- The Salesian Academy of St John Bosco
- Thornleigh Salesian College
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