Calendar and Appeal

Salesian Calendar

June 23 -- St. Joseph Cafasso (1811 - 1860)

Fr. Cafasso was born in Castelnuovo d’Asti (now know as Castelnuovo Don Bosco) 15 miles east of Turin, Italy. He came from a well-to-do family and studied in the schools and seminary of Chieri. After ordination he dedicated himself to the teaching of catechism to children and prisoners. He became rector of the "Convitto Eccelsiastico" a center for advanced ecclesiastical studies. There he had his greatest influence on the young clergy and Don Bosco in particular. His approach to Faith and its practice was of common sense and the gentleness of St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Francis de Sales.

Monthly Salesian Devotions (as the Church calendar allows)

24th of each month — The feast of Mary Help of Christians falls on May 24th. Over the years it has become a practice to dedicate this day to Mary under this title. St. John Bosco owed all he did to her special intercession.

Last day of the month — St. John Bosco died on January 31, 1888. As each month ends we remind ourselves of the ideals and special apostolate that each member of the Salesian Family has been called to practice, inspired by this great saint.

The Power of One

St. John Bosco understood the Power of One, the tremendous power of a single person to change the world. This humble priest had a vision to serve, educate and care for poor children and youth through the power of reason, religion and loving kindness. db_paperdolls.gif (5117 bytes)

Today, 140 years later, his work is being continued by 40,000 Salesian priests, sisters and brothers, in addition to many dedicated lay people, throughout the world who staff and conduct over 3,000 schools and youth centers in more than 120 countries.

You, too, have the Power of One. Through a bequest or other tax-wise estate planning methods, you can enlist an army of dedicated people organized by St. John Bosco to help the young. Specifically, you will be helping the Salesians of the San Francisco Province shape the future by caring for our youth today through the schools, youth centers and parishes they operate throughout California, in Canada, Texas, New Mexico and in our mission of Sierra Leone, Africa.

Remembering the Salesians in your estate plan or through a charitable remainder trust will help guarantee the future success of Don Bosco's great dream and, at the same time, you may be able to actually increase your own income and reduce your taxes. (MM)

To obtain your free estate planning kit and tax-wise ways of including the Salesians in your estate planning, e-mail Bro. Joe Lockwood or snail mail us at

Or call the Salesian Development Office (415)-441-7144 and ask for the "Estate Planning Kit".