Salesians of Don Bosco: Pilgrims of Hope in Toronto

By Fr. John Puntino, SDB

(Etobicoke, ON – January 8) – The Salesians of Don Bosco first came to the Archdiocese of Toronto 100 years ago, administering St. Agnes Parish from 1924 to 1934. Parishioners were numerous and poor. The Salesians organized festive celebrations with musical and theatrical performances to lighten their burdens and give them hope. After ten years of service, the Salesians withdrew from the parish.

In 1977, the Salesians returned to the Archdiocese and along with Basilian Fr. Thomas Mohan were instrumental in establishing Don Bosco Secondary School in Etobicoke, which opened in 1978. They introduced St. John Bosco’s method of education, called the Preventive System, and formed staff to use reason, religion and loving-kindness with the students. Though the Salesians gradually withdrew from direct involvement with the school, and changing demographics caused it to close in 2017, the Salesian legacy continues to contribute to Catholic education in Toronto. Former staff members who became Salesian Cooperators continue to teach in Toronto Catholic District School Board schools. Salesian Leadership Retreats (SLR) continued to form student leaders in as many as ten secondary schools until the pandemic suspended the program.

Meanwhile, after discussions with the Salesian provincial, Cardinal Carter entrusted the administration of St. Benedict Parish, Etobicoke, to the Salesians. The gift they brought to the parish is the Salesian charism of being signs and bearers of God’s love for young people. They initiated the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Ministry; today, its atrium is a centre for the training of catechists.

The parish’s Salesian Youth Ministry (SYM) office runs programs for children, adolescents, and young adults. A popular program is SummerDaze Camp. Over the years. two of its coordinators moved on to positions in the Archdiocese of Toronto Office of Catholic Youth.

Currently, the SYM office is introducing a next-generation SLR program, the Valdocco Retreat, named after the section in Turin, Italy, where St. John Bosco began his apostolate.