The Community of Salesian Sisters was founded by St. John Bosco, in collaboration with St. Mary Mazzarello, on August 5, 1872 in Mornese, Alessandria, Italy. In 1908, the first Salesian Sisters arrived in the U.S.A. and settled in New Jersey. From there, Salesian youth and outreach programs spread to Canada and throughout New England, as well as other parts of the country including Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and California. In time, the one Province was divided into three: Canada, Eastern U.S.A. and Western U.S.A.
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Our Mission is to educate youth in the spirit of Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello |
In 1987, the Salesian youth works and outreach programs in Louisiana, Texas, and California joined efforts to form Mary Immaculate Province (the Western Province of the Salesian Sisters). In 1993 the Provincial Center was established in San Antonio, Texas. The Center serves as the administrative headquarters for the Western Province and a home for elderly, retired, rehabilitating, or ill Sisters. The Salesian Sisters began ministries in Arizona in 1997 and in Colorado in 2002.
The ministries of the Western Province include early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, Religious education centers, before and after-school programs, youth ministry, adult education, outreach programs for poor and disadvantaged women and children, boys and girls clubs, a lay young adult volunteer program, and summer camp programs. In addition to owning the Provincial House in San Antonio, TX, the Province owns three elementary schools: St. John Bosco in San Antonio, TX, Mary Help of Christians in Laredo, TX, and Salesian Elementary and Junior High in Corralitos, CA.
Today, there are 102 Sisters in the Western Province of which 91 are actively involved in ministries or administration in fifteen different communities. The remaining Sisters are either retired after a lifetime of service, recovering from health related illnesses or surgeries, or providing care to a family member.
One of our first graduating classes, San Antonio, Texas
