By our own correspondent

World Salesian Family, 27 November 2020 -- The great variety and charismatic richness of the Salesian Family is still to be explored. Among the 32 Groups officially recognized by the Rector Major are also 4 secular institutes: VDB (Volunteers of Don Bosco), DQM (Daughters of the Queenship of Mary), CDB (Con Don Bosco - Volunteers with Don Bosco, on their way to become an officially recognized secular institute) and The Disciples - Secular Institute of Women, Men and Deacons, founded in Chattisgarh, India in 1973.

The Disciples are also among the 10 Salesian Family groups born in Asia together with the Sisters Announcers of the Lord (China, 1931), Caritas Sisters of Jesus (Japan, 1937), Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Thailand, 1937), Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (India, 1942), Sisters of Mary Immaculate (India, 1948), Daughters of the Queenship of Mary (Thailand, 1954), Sisters of Mary Auxiliatrix (India, 1976), Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco (India, 1983) and Sisters of the Queenship of Mary (Thailand, 2008). Five of them born in the EAO region and five in the South Asia region.

The Disciples were founded by Fr Joe D'Souza, SDB in 1973 when the founder was the Vocation Director of the Krishnagar diocese (India). At present they are spread around 51 dioceses of India (majority), Italy and Peru. Their charism is simply 'to proclaim the Good News to those in need, especially in rural areas'. Following the example of Jesus' first disciples, they are sent two by two to serve the poorest. In this way they often reach the mission frontiers without any visible Church presence. There are 350 Sisters and 65 Brothers working in the 8 SDB provinces of India. In 1998 they were accepted by the SDB New Delhi province as Salesian Family members and since 2009 the Rector Major recognized them as the 24th official group of the Salesian Family.

If you are interested in their humble but very inspiring story, spirituality and mission, you can read their recent presentations available on the Boscolink website.

Photos:

Headquarters (Generalate) of 'The Disciples' in Kunkuri

Founder Fr. Joseph D'Souza, Disciples' Candidates and Disciples - Sisters

Don Bosco Khudgaon (mentally challenged patients)

Jeevan Sahara Orphanage center, Kunkuri, Jashpur.

• Resource materials - Presentation of 'The Disciples'

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