Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco

What Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco does

The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, formally known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), is a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1872 in Mornese, Italy by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello. It is the largest congregation of women religious, with over 10,500 sisters serving in 97 countries across 1,265 communities. The Eastern Province (SEC), headquartered at the St. Joseph Provincial Center in Haledon, New Jersey, operates the US–Canadian arm of the congregation and oversees at least nine Catholic schools (K-12) across Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio, including Mary Help of Christians Academy, La Salle High School, St. John Neumann High School, Villa Madonna School, Academy of Our Lady, St. Anthony School, and Corpus Christi-Holy Rosary School.

The congregation delivers its mission through four primary program lines: Catholic education (K-12 schools), youth and family ministry (parish religious education, summer camps, retreat centers — including Sacred Heart Spirituality Center and Camp Auxilium in Newton, NJ), vocational discernment (Come & See visits, Mornese Experience retreats, Lenten retreats, the Mornese Project), and volunteer service programs (VIDES for 6-month to 2-year missionary commitments, Mornese Missionaries for short-term volunteers aged 18-30). The Salesian Sisters' distinctive pedagogical methodology is the Preventive System, built on Reason, Religion, and Loving-Kindness.

The congregation is funded through donations (Adopt-a-Sister, Partners Circle, Venezuela Fund, planned giving, memorial gifts), tuition from operated schools, and modest program fees for retreats and formation experiences. The Adopt-a-Sister program, founded in 1989 and publicly featured on ABC's 20/20 in 1999, is the flagship fundraising mechanism. Digital channels include the salesiansisters.org website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and a monthly vocation newsletter. Annual event presence spans NCYC, the National Eucharistic Congress, SEEK, World Youth Day, and vocation fairs. The congregation is led by Mother Chiara Cazzuola as Superior General globally and Sr. Colleen Clair as Provincial of the SEC Province.

Name

Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco

Legal name

Salesian Sisters, Incorporated as the Missionary Society of the Salesian Sisters, Inc.

Website

https://salesiansisters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) is a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1872 that operates Catholic schools, retreat centers, and youth ministry programs across the Eastern United States and Canada, serving children, families, and young adults through education, formation, and volunteer mission programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education & Youth Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC), Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Catholic education
• Youth ministry
• Spiritual formation
• Religious education
• Catholic retreat programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paterson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The congregation relies primarily on donations from individuals, families, and benefactors through programs such as Adopt-a-Sister, Partners Circle, Venezuela Fund, and general donations. Additional funding comes from memorial gifts, tributes, and mass enrollment offerings.
2. Educational Tuition: Operating Catholic schools including Mary Help of Christians Academy, Villa Madonna School, and others generates tuition revenue for educational services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) deliver Catholic K-12 education through affiliated schools, residential retreat programs and summer camps, vocational discernment retreats for young women, volunteer mission placements, and parish-based religious education. Their ministries operate across the Eastern United States and Canada under the Salesian Preventive System, a methodology grounded in reason, religion, and loving-kindness. Programs are delivered through the St. Joseph Provincial Center in Haledon, NJ, the Quebec Province office in Montreal, and a network of school, retreat, and convent locations across multiple U.S. states.

Product overview

The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco operates as a religious congregation, not a technology company. Their web presence serves as an informational and charitable giving platform. The organization offers educational programs through affiliated schools (Mary Help of Christians Academy, Villa Madonna School, and others), spiritual formation programs (Mornese Experience retreat, Fiat Project, Come & See visits), retreat facilities (Sacred Heart Spirituality Center, Camp Auxilium), volunteer opportunities (Mornese Missionaries, VIDES), and various charitable donation programs including Adopt-a-Sister and endowment funds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catholic K-12 Schools (Mary Help of Christians Academy, Villa Madonna School, La Salle High School, St. John Neumann High School, Academy of Our Lady, Corpus Christi-Holy Rosary School, St. Anthony School, St. Theresa School) Catholic K-12 schools operated by the Salesian Sisters across Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. Schools deliver academic education integrated with Salesian spirituality, faith formation, and character development grounded in the Preventive System (Reason, Religion, Loving-Kindness). Mary Help of Christians Academy and Academy of Our Lady serve young women; La Salle, St. John Neumann, Villa Madonna, Corpus Christi-Holy Rosary, St. Anthony, and St. Theresa provide coeducational or K-8 Catholic education.
• Sacred Heart Spirituality Center (Retreat Facility) Retreat facility in Newton, New Jersey offering day-long and overnight accommodations for youth and young adult groups, including programs and meals. Located at 14 Old Swartswood Road, Newton, NJ. Sr. Theresa Kelly serves as Retreat Director.
• Camp Auxilium (Summer Camp) Summer camp facility in Newton, New Jersey serving children and youth with programs focused on wholesome fun and faith formation. Located at 14 Old Swartswood Road, Newton, NJ.
• Mornese Experience Retreat Four-day active retreat for women ages 18-30 held at Camp Auxilium, Newton, NJ. Includes prayer, formation, fellowship, and outdoor activities. June 11-14, 2026 retreat priced at $175 per person ($55 non-refundable registration fee, balance due May 24th). Sponsorship available for those who cannot afford the full amount.
• Lenten Retreat Annual Lenten retreat for women ages 18-40 held at the Provincial Center in North Haledon, NJ. February 25-28, 2027 retreat priced at $70 donation per person.
• VIDES Volunteer Mission Program Volunteer missioner program partnering with the Salesian Family to promote social justice, solidarity, and generosity by living a simple Christ-centered life while serving the poor and marginalized. Volunteers (adults aged 21+) serve domestically in USA and Canada or internationally for placements of 6 months to 2 years.
• Mornese Missionaries Volunteer Program Short-term volunteer program for young adults aged 18-30 serving 1 week to 1 year at Salesian camps, schools, parishes, and retreat centers in the Eastern US and Canada.
• Come & See Vocational Visits Weekend vocational discernment visits for young women aged 18-30 to experience Salesian community life and ministry. Visits are offered across Eastern US (NJ, FL) and Canada (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal). Coordinated by Vocation Directors Sr. Elfie Del Rosario (USA) and Sr. April Cabaccang (Canada).
• Parish Religious Education Programs (e.g., St. Anthony Parish Religious Education) Parish-based religious education programs staffed by Salesian Sisters, providing catechesis, sacramental preparation, and youth ministry within parish structures. Sr. Betty Ann Martinez serves as Director of Religious Education at St. Anthony Parish Religious Education Program in Hawthorne, NJ.
• Adopt-a-Sister Program (Donor Program) Donor sponsorship program created in 1999 after Mr. Fortune Bosco of Tampa, Florida suggested adopting the elderly Sisters during a fundraising event. The program gained national attention when featured on ABC's 20/20 in 1999 and supports the care of elderly and retired Salesian Sisters.
• Salesian Sisters Website (salesiansisters.org) Official website of the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco providing information about vocations, spirituality, mission, schools, retreat centers, and donation capabilities. Functions as an informational and charitable giving platform for the congregation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving in 97 countries with over 10,500 sisters and 1,265 communities in mission
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Archdiocese of BostonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026The Salesian Sisters and Aspirants participated in the Boston Eucharistic Congress 2026, a multi-day Eucharistic procession and faith event organized by the Archdiocese of Boston.
• Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB (11th Rector Major)coreOthers · 25 March 2025Fr. Fabio Attard was elected as the 11th successor of Don Bosco, serving as Rector Major to lead the Salesian Congregation and the broader Salesian Family, which includes the Salesian Sisters as an integral part.
• Mother Chiara Cazzuola (Superior General)coreOthers · 21 September 2024Mother Chiara Cazzuola serves as Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters), the 10th successor of St. Mary Mazzarello, overseeing over 10,500 Sisters in 97 countries.
• United States Catholic Council of Bishops (USCCB)minorOthers · 1 July 2024The Salesian Sisters participated in the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, part of the three-year Eucharistic Revival initiated by the USCCB in 2022 to deepen Catholics' love for Jesus through the Eucharist.
• Salesian Schools of America (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024A collaborative network founded 30 years ago connecting priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people from across the Americas to support Salesian education. Hosts intercontinental conferences with 200+ participants from 40+ provinces representing four different orders in the Salesian family.
• VIDES (Volunteers In Development, Education, & Solidarity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIDES is a volunteer missioner program that works with members of the Salesian Family to promote social justice, solidarity, and generosity by living a simple Christ-centered life while serving the poor and marginalized. Volunteers are sent to domestic locations in USA and Canada, or internationally, with availability between 6 months to two years.
• Salesian Priests and Brothers (SDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salesian Sisters are part of the larger Salesian Family founded by St. John Bosco, which includes Salesian Priests and Brothers. Both congregations share the same charism and mission of youth evangelization.
• Salesian Sisters Western Province USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA separate province of the Salesian Sisters operating in the Western United States.
• Salesian Sisters CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA separate province of the Salesian Sisters operating in Canada with its own provincial office and mission sites.
• World Youth DayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Salesian Sisters organize pilgrimage programs for World Youth Day events, including the Mornese Pilgrimage to Seoul, Korea for WYD 2027.
• SEEK ConferenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual national Catholic conference where Salesian Sisters maintain a presence for vocation promotion and youth ministry engagement.
• National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor biennial Catholic youth conference where the Salesian Sisters host booths and conduct vocation presentations, reaching thousands of young people.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ): International women's religious institute operating Catholic schools and youth formation programs globally, comparable in education-focused mission and consecrated-life structure.
• Ursuline Sisters: One of the oldest Catholic women's religious orders, running schools, retreat centers, and youth ministry with parallel faith-based education mission.
• Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB): The Salesian Priests and Brothers congregation sharing the same Salesian charism and founder (St. John Bosco); the Salesian Sisters (FMA) operate as a parallel women's institute within the same Salesian Family ecosystem.
• Sisters of St. Joseph: Catholic women's congregation running schools, retreat centers, and parish ministries, with parallel structure of community life, formation programs, and youth/education mission focus.
• Benedictine Sisters: Women's monastic order with an extensive network of schools, retreat houses, and parishes, sharing the same Catholic consecrated-life structure and education-oriented mission.
• Franciscan Sisters: Women's Franciscan congregations running Catholic schools, retreat houses, and youth programs; share similar faith-based education, formation, and community ministry structures.
• Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Catholic women's congregation operating schools, retreat programs, and parish ministries with similar youth evangelization and education-centered charism.
• Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph: Catholic women's religious congregation running schools, hospitals, and social service ministries with similar faith-based education and community outreach programs.
• Dominican Sisters: Major women's religious order with parallel commitments to education, preaching, and youth ministry, operating schools and formation programs across multiple provinces.

Broad incumbents

• Sisters of Mercy of the Americas: One of the largest Catholic women's religious institutes in the US, operating schools, healthcare facilities, and social ministries with a comparable mission of serving those in need.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/happynun
• Facebookfacebook.com/Salesian.Sister
• Instagraminstagram.com/salesiansisters
• TikToktiktok.com/@salesiansisters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salesian-sisters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco