National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Salesian Sisters Society in Nepal

By MEG DIXIT

In his childhood, St. John Bosco (Don Bosco), founder of the Salesian Society, dreamt of becoming a priest who would teach the Gospel to the youth. Guidance from church mentors such as senior member Urban Ratazzi, who in 1857 advised St. Bosco to choose people that would continue his work in different locations, and Pius IX, who in 1858 urged St. Bosco to form an organization that governments couldn’t interfere with, encouraged St. Bosco to develop the Salesian Society, a group that by its own efforts has evolved into a successful international endeavor. Before he died in 1888, the organization sprung up around Italy, as well as in France, Spain and England. Salesian Sisters are part of the legacy St. Bosco began.

Formally known as Figlie Di Maria Ausiliatrice (FMA) or The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Sisters was formed in Mornese, Italy in 1872.

The organization was borne out of the necessity to focus on the plight of girls and women, so together with Sister Mary Domencia Mazzarello, St. Bosco founded the Salesian Sisters. Today, this organization, is comprised today of 21 groups with over 18,000 members who work in 119 countries. It serves the needs of women through education and counseling all over the world.

Salesian Society entered South Asia with its operations in Madras, India in 1906, while the Salesian Sisters was established there in 1922. Jesuit priests then invited Sisters Mary U. George, Victoria Nunes and Emerencia Barra, to Nepal on February 11, 1997. This was three years after Catholic missionaries were allowed into the Hindu Kingdom. Nepal is part of the Kolkata province chapter of the Society, which also includes Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal. Salesian Sisters Society began operations inside St. Xavier’s school in Jawalakhel, and moved to their own establishment in Thecho, Patan in 2001. There are about 20 other Catholic organizations operating in Nepal.

“We work with youth to help them enhance their lives and prepare for the future by offering classes and workshops in many areas,” said Sister Celicia Kollappally, who manages the Thecho Center.

This Center provides skills training and education in health care and other subjects. Daily reading and math tutoring sessions for children are open to the public, as well as free workshops for adult women that include classes in sewing and knitting.

The Center doesn’t generate any profit so operating funds are formally requested from the Office of the Mother General of FMA Sisters in Italy which provides financial support to all Salesian Sisters groups around the world. Locally, the Lalitpur Village Development Committee (VDC) monitors the group’s activities, while the District Administration Office (DAO) acts as the national governing body. This office had to approve the group’s constitution before it commenced operations and it must approve all future amendments to the constitution as well.

The fact that the Society is a Catholic missionary organization operating in a predominantly Hindu country hasn’t hindered the group’s advancement.

“We come to places through invitation only, and we never force any religious conversions. Most people are friendly towards us, on the bus, the streets and thankfully, with our work,” states Kollappally.

The group’s future plans call for the development of more welfare programs for young girls. A training institute designed to prepare girls for adult and motherhood will be constructed in the near future. This center will offer more classes and workshops, along with counseling and job training.

“We are excited about our future programs because our focus will be to help young girls empower themselves to prepare for their future,” states Kollappally.

(Dixit is a journalist based in the United States)