Salesians of Don Bosco: New Provincial House Blessed in Johannesburg

by Fr Vaclav Klement SDB · November 3, 2025

Mass and blessing of the Salesian new provincial house in Booysens

By Fr Vaclav Klement – Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg, blessed the new Salesian Provincial House for Southern Africa (eSwatini, Lesotho, and South Africa). The ceremony took place at St John Bosco Chapel in Booysens, with a solemn Mass on October 29.

Celebration and History

More than 50 members of the Salesian Family (including Salesian Priests, Sisters, and Cooperators) attended the event. The Mass honoured Blessed Michael Rua, the first successor of Don Bosco and the one who sent the first Salesian missionaries to Cape Town in 1896.

Cardinal Brislin used his homily to praise the Salesians’ long-standing commitment to educating poor and needy youth. The Provincial Superior, Fr Vaclav Klement, spoke about Blessed Rua’s foundational spiritual growth of the Salesian worldwide family. The new house is built at the long-time Salesian base in Booysens, which they have occupied since 1952.

Launching the 130th Jubilee Year

The blessing kicked off a year-long celebration for the 130th anniversary of the Salesian presence in Southern Africa (1896–2026).

The Jubilee logo highlights three goals: ‘Give Thanks – Rethink – Relaunch’.
Plans include Youth Rallies, a Youth Synod, and a Symposium to revitalise the Salesian mission.

The Southern Africa Vice-province currently runs 6 parishes, 3 technical schools (TVETs), 2 Youth Centres, and 15 schools.

Provincial Assembly and a Special Visit

From October 28–30, about 30 Salesians held a Provincial Assembly at the Bosco Youth Centre. They focused on fraternity, self-care, formation, and Youth Ministry.

A moving moment occurred when the Assembly hosted an unexpected 8-member refugee family from Gaza. The family, on their way to Indonesia, were deeply grateful for the warm welcome and family spirit, which helped them begin to process the trauma of the two-year-long conflict.