About Us
DON BOSCO
Don Bosco was born in a tiny little village called Becchi in northern Italy, on August 16, 1815. From an early age, he was drawn toward helping poor children. At the age of 9 he had a dream in which it was revealed to him that his life’s mission would be to help poor and disadvantaged youngsters. In 1835 he entered the seminary and supported himself by working as a tailor, blacksmith, shoemaker, carpenter, violinist, acrobat, and magician. All these talents came in handy during his lifetime of working with youngsters. He was ordained a priest on June 5, 1841, and settled down in the city of Turin. On December 8, 1841, he met an orphan Bartolomew Garelli, who became his first pupil. From that day Don Bosco’s work grew rapidly and he set up several homes and schools for poor and disadvantaged boys in Italy as well as in other parts of the world. Don Bosco died on January 31, 1888, and was canonized in 1934 as the Apostle of Youth.
The “Salesian Society” is an International Religious Organization within the Catholic Church, founded by Don Bosco to serve youngsters, especially those who are poor and disadvantaged. The key characteristics of the members of this Society are:
A special concern for the welfare of young people.
An attitude of loving kindness, optimism and cheerfulness.
A realistic perspective on life coupled with creativity and flexibility in action.
The use of an educative method called ‘The Preventive System’ which based entirely on reason, religion and loving kindness.
A deep trust in God and in his loving care for all people.
Presently there are close to 17,000 Salesians working in 128 countries spread out in all the five continents of the globe.
The first group of Salesian to come to India landed in Mumbai on January 6, 1906, under the leadership of Fr. George Tomatis. From Bombay they travelled to Thanjavur in South India where the first Salesian Institution in India was established. In 1922 the second group of Salesians, under the leadership of Fr. Louis Mathias, arrived in India and they began working in Assam. During the past 100 years that the Salesians have been in India, they have established educational institutions and other works for youngsters all over the country. Presently the Salesians in India are divided into 10 regions called “provinces”. There are over 2000 Salesians working in close to 300 institutions across the country.
Salesian Province of St. Francis Xavier Bombay (INB)
The Salesians began their apostolate in the city of Bombay in 1928 and from there it spread to other places in Maharashtra, Goa, and eventually all over western India. Their ministry in this region was blessed with rapid growth thanks largely to the phenomenal work done by Fr. Aurelius Maschio.
The Salesian Province of Bombay was officially established on January 31, 1972. It comprises the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in western and central India. There are presently 210 Salesians working in 33 institutions spread out over these four states. These institutions offer a variety of services to poor and disadvantaged youth.
Societas Sancti Francisci Salesii (Society of Saint Francis de Sales)
Sigla
S.D.B.
Motto
Da mihi animas; caetera tolle
(Give me souls; take away the rest)
Principal Patroness
Mary Help of Christians
Titular
St Francis de Sales
THE SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO
OUR CORE TEAM
Provincial
Fr. Savio Silveira
Vice Provincial
Fr. Ashley Miranda
Provincial Economer
Fr. Manuel Murzello
Provincial Councillors
Fr Barnabe D’Souza
Fr Blany Pinto
Fr Gregory D’Almeida
Fr James Tuscano
Fr Michael Bansode
Provincial Secretary
Fr. Vinod Mascarenhas
FORMATION
Ashley Miranda
Banzelao Teixeira Blany Pinto
Brian Moras Ian Doulton
Royston Colaco Wyman Gonsalves
YOUTH MINISTRY
Coordinating Team
James Tuscano Councillor In-Charge
Leon Cruz Ratinam Delegate
Osborn Furtado Education to the Faith
Bernard Fernandes Education and Culture
Bryce Fernandes Social Experience
Ajoy Fernandes Vocational Guidance
SECTORS
Oratories and Youth Centres
Bryce Fernandes
Evangelo D’Souza Mavron Fernandes
Renold Lemos
Schools
Bernard Fernandes
Ajit Munis Ajoy Fernandes
Glen Fernandes Valerie Mascarenhas
Technical Institutions
Anaclete D’Mello
Amarr Prabhu Anto Thomas
Briston Britto Donald Fernandez
Melvyn Carvalho Sanjay Lopes
Higher Education Institutions
Barnabe D’Souza
Anthony Pinto Flovi D’Souza
Pearl Fernandes
Youth at Risk
George Miranda
Corlis Gonsalves Lester Fernandes
Roshan Gonsalves Xavier Devadas
Parishes
Isaac Arackaparambil
Dominic Martis James Nigrel
Richard D’Silva Royal D’Abreo
Solomon Rapol
Social Ministry
Manuel Murzello
Anto Thomas George D’Abreo
Mayank Parmar Pratap Damor
Surekha Pednekar
DIMENSIONS
Education to the Faith
Osborn Furtado
Ajit Munis Dominic Martis
Joy Fernandes Renold Lemos
Roshan Gonsalves Sanjay Lopes
Education and Culture
Bernard Fernandes
Aliester D’Souza Corlis Gonsalves
Donald Fernandez Evangelo D’Souza
James Nigrel
Social Experience
Bryce Fernandes
Joseph Braganza Lester Fernandes
Melyvn Carvalho Solomon Rapol
Valerie Mascarenhas
Vocational Guidance
Ajoy Fernandes
Ajay D’Monte Glen Fernandes
Mavron Fernandes Mayank Parmar
Xavier Devadas
MISSIONARY ANIMATION
Michael Bansode
Clarence Martis Jerome Aruldass
Nelson Mudaliar Ranson D’Souza
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
Gregory Almeida (Councillor)
Christopher George (Delegate)
Aliester D’Souza Joseph Braganza
Joy Fernandes Mayank Parmar
SALESIAN VOCATION PROMOTION
Blany Pinto
George D’Abreo Richard Burkhao
Richard D’Silva Royal D’Abreo
Shaun D’Lima Solomon Rapol
Velasli Bandya Vishal Lopes
ADMINISTRATION
Finance
Manuel Murzello
Corlis Gonsalves Ravi Panjabi
Roy Noronha Savarino D’Souza
Buildings
Manuel Murzello
Crispino D’Souza Gregory D’Almeida
Savarino D’Souza Sunil Pereira
Thomas D’Costa
Properties
Manuel Murzello
Anaclete D’Mello Anthony Santarita
Deepali Raut George Miranda
Savarino D’Souza Victor Samuel Francis
Vishwas Pereira
SALFAM CONSULTATIVE BODY
Diego Nunes Provincial Delegate/ASC Delegate
Ashley Miranda ADMA (Matunga)
Royal D’Abreo ADMA (Nashik)
Crispino D’Souza DBPP
Allwyn Misquitta MMA
Catherine Fernandes FMA-ASC
Shiny Alphonse FMA-PP
Sharmila D’Souza SMI
John Mathias ADMA (Matunga)
Beatrice Pinto ADMA (Nashik)
Jacinta D’Souza ASC
Rashmin Desai DBPP