Jubilee Year of Mercy

December 8, 2015 - November 20, 2016

“We must put mercy before judgment; and in every case, God’s judgment will always be in light of His mercy.” Pope Francis

Mercy Guides the Salesians Every Day

Nearly 30,000 missionaries working in more than 130 countries worldwide. Learn more »

More than 5,300 primary & secondary schools with more than 1 million students. Learn more »

More than 330 orphanages & shelters for homeless children. Learn more »

Nearly 1,000 vocational, pre-professional & training programs. Learn more »

Extending God’s compassion to those in need

In declaring this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis invites us to witness – through our own individual actions – God’s boundless love, forgiveness and kindness

Indeed, for nearly 160 years, mercy has guided the vocations and defined the work of Salesian missionaries around the world. Our advocacy and actions in service to the poor, the disenfranchised and the most downtrodden among us, recalls what the Holy Father has deemed the “very foundation of the Church’s life” – those acts of corporal and spiritual mercy that embody God’s tender compassion.

Today, more than 30,000 Salesian priests, brothers and sisters extend this compassion daily to those in need – supporting the material, physical and spiritual needs of impoverished children and families around the world.

During this Extraordinary Jubilee Year, we invite you to encounter, with us, God’s incredible mercy.

Learn more & get involved

Mercy guides our mission. Here are some brief examples of how the Corporal Works of Mercy are woven throughout the fabric of our service to the poor:

Feed the hungry

In partnership with international aid organizations, Salesian missionaries offer nutritious meals in more than 5,300 primary and secondary schools around the world. In some cases, these meals are the only food a child eats in a day. Learn more »

Give drink to the thirsty

We are committed to ensuring that every child, and every adult, has an accessible, dependable and local source of clean water for drinking and growing food crops on which they depend. Learn more »

Shelter the homeless

In 330 orphanages and shelters for homeless and abandoned youth, we help young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. Learn more »

Bury the dead

Sadly, our missionaries are far too often surrounded by the death and despair caused by poverty, poor health care, natural disasters and war. Our priests comfort the bereaved while offering Mass and prayers for the departed.

Visit the sick

Salesian missionaries care for the sick in more than 150 clinics, hospitals and dispensaries located mostly in rural areas. In times of crisis, like Ebola in West Africa, we are also often among the first to respond – offering critical medical supplies and medicines to those in need. Learn more »

Clothe the naked

When disaster, war or other traumatic circumstances strike, we are often among the first to respond – with warm clothing and other material needs. Learn more »

Visit the imprisoned

Just as Don Bosco did in Turin, Italy, Salesian missionaries around the world visit prisons to offer spiritual support and guidance counseling to those behind bars – especially impoverished youth. Through vocational training programs that teach job skills, we give the imprisoned the chance to be contributing members of society once they are released. Learn more »

The support of caring friends like you is, in itself, an act of mercy – one that brings our mission to life every day. Learn more about how to join our family or the many ways to help.

Our Gift to You

Pope Francis asks us to “direct our attention and actions on mercy, so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s actions in our lives.” In celebration of this special Jubilee Year of Mercy, we would like to offer you a FREE Jubilee Year of Mercy Prayer Cards Gift Set to help you reflect on the meaning of mercy in your own life, and inspire you to action. Be sure to request your gift either through the mail, or as a digital download, today.

This special gift set includes 2 full color prayer cards and an informational brochure – with beautiful prayers and a guide on how to partake in the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

While supplies last!