On August 5, 1872, St. Mary Mazzarello, with the first group of 11 young women, became Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Today there are over 11,500 Sisters in 97 nations serving young people, the poor, and women at risk.
From August 3 - 6, 2022, we lived four beautiful days celebrating our 150th anniversary! This video contains some highlights from all of the festivities. To see more photos from the celebrations, scroll to the bottom of this page!
Perpetual Vows
We rejoice with Sr. Theresa Khong who made her Perpetual Vows as a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians on August 5, 2022 - exactly 150 years after the first Daughters of Mary Help of Christians made their first vows. The Daughters, later to become commonly known as Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, would become a living monument of St. John Bosco’s love for our Blessed Mother. Immersed in the charism of education and care for the young and the poor, their surrender to God’s love has borne abundant fruit for the world and the young. Thank you to St. Pius X Church in San Antonio for the beautiful video recording of the liturgy.
To watch the video of the Perpetual Vows Mass, click here.
First Professions
Congratulations to our three newly professed Daughters of Mary Help of Christians - Sr. Valeria Jimenez, Sr. Shaila Mathai and Sr. Claire Ramos! The Mass was presided by Fr. Ted Montemayor, SDB and concelebrated by seven priests that came to honor our newly professed Sisters. Thank you to St. Pius X Church in San Antonio for the beautiful video recording of their first profession Mass.
To watch the video of the First Professions Mass, click here.
Renewal of Vows
We continue to celebrate the journey of Sr. Cherilly Galley, Sr. Lien Pham, and Sr. Monica Wheeler as they renewed their vows as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on August 4, 2022. The Mass was concelebrated by Fr. David Wheeler and Fr. Gino Galley, brothers of Sr. Monica and Sr. Cherilly respectively.
Novice Ceremony
Congratulations to Sr. Alejandra Trevino, Sr. Desiree Barron, Sr. Lucia Ramirez and Sr. Rose Enyeart who entered the Novitiate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on August 3, 2022. During the next 2 years of their Novitiate, the Sisters will learn to center their lives in Christ, living and learning the spirituality of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello.
Family Fun Fest
Family and friends joined us to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at the Family Fun Fest on August 6, 2022. During the celebration, the Salesian Family welcomed two new members into the Association of Salesian Cooperators - Denise Marquez and Daniel "Mr. A" Arismendez!
Salesian Snippets on Facebook Live!
On the 5th of every month, Sr Monica and Sr Sydney interviewed different members of our Salesian family to learn more about St Mary Mazzarello as we prepare for our 150th anniversary. Click here to view the past episodes.
The Story of the Salesian Sisters
Pathways of Faith, by Sr. Mary Mullaly, tells the rich history of the Salesian Sisters since their arrival in the United States in 1908. This special anniversary edition contains events from the Sisters' expansion across the country, information about their service today, as well as many pictures of Sisters you know, Sisters who have passed on, and many you have yet to meet. Click here to acquire a copy of your own to share with your family and friends.
“Maìn – the House of Happiness
"Maìn: The House of Happiness": this is the title of a film on the life of St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello (affectionately known as Maìn), who helped Don Bosco found the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The charism of St. Mary Mazzarello and the first Sisters has blossomed into the vast missionary congregation that we have today in all 5 continents.
Youth Art Competition
We are excited to announce the winners from the Salesian Art Competition. Young people from all over the Western Province participated in this wonderful occasion to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Click here to see the results!
Upcoming Events
More information coming soon on the following events:
- Regional Marian Celebrations
- Regional Salesian Family Day Celebrations
- Pilgrimage to Italy: Mornese, Turin & Rome for benefactors, collaborators, and friends (dates: TBD)
In 2022 we, Salesian Sisters, will be celebrating our 150th anniversary! What better way to prepare than to journey with our co-foundress, St. Mary Mazzarello. What makes her story both fascinating and extraordinary is precisely the fact that it was ordinary.
To a Salesian priest, Mary Mazzarello wrote, “To say the truth, I remain both amazed and at the same time confused as I see these daughters always happy and tranquil. It is apparent that, in spite of my unworthiness, our dear Mother, Mary Help of Christians, gives us great graces. Please have the goodness to pray for me so that this spirit may be maintained and grow more and more and so that the virtues that are seen blossoming may be more internal than external.”
During this final year of preparation for our 150th Anniversary, the Salesian family is joyfully committed to re-discovering the spiritual greatness of Mary Mazzarello and dedicating ourselves to making her life-giving and richly joyful spirit our very own so that it may animate our mission written in our hearts.
Click here to learn more about the life of St. Mary Mazzarello
Prayer to St. Mary Mazzarello
Donation for Celebration
As we continue in our 150th anniversary, we invite you to make a donation to the Salesian Sisters for the events and celebrations being hosted throughout the Province during the remainder of the year. We are grateful for your generosity as we continue our celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Salesian Sisters!