(ANS – Rome) – Several months on from the last instalments, the “SDB Provinces” column is back in action. Originally launched in the run-up to the 29th General Chapter, it aims to showcase the diverse Salesian presence across the five continents. Here, then, are some new ‘snapshots’ of what the Salesians of Don Bosco have built up and brought to life throughout the world. Today we resume with the Holy Guardian Angels Province of Austria (AUS).

The History of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Austria

The Beginnings of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Austria

Between 1903 and 1906, the Salesians of Don Bosco launched their first projects in what is now Austria. In Vienna, so-called child protection centres were established. The first Salesians were mostly late vocations from Austria, formed in Turin. Due to the difficult political relationship between the Habsburg Monarchy and the Kingdom of Italy, official recognition in Austria-Hungary was initially not possible. Nevertheless, in 1905, the Guardian Angels Province was founded. With the help of Cardinal Nagl, the Salesians finally received official recognition by the Church and state in 1912.

A first milestone came in 1909 with the construction of the Salesianum in Vienna’s 3rd district for “poor boys.” In 1912, an institute for late vocations followed in Wernsee (today Slovenia), and in 1914, the Maria Hilf Mission House was founded in Unterwaltersdorf – a central formation site up until the 1970s.

Expansion after the First World War

After World War I, the Salesians continued their expansion: in 1919, institutions were established in Graz-Eggenberg and Vienna’s 18th district. Additional foundations followed in Fulpmes (1921), Amstetten (1925), Linz (1928), Klagenfurt (1934), Graz (1935), and Innsbruck. Due to the Great Depression, some houses had to be closed again.

An exception to usual Salesian practice occurred in 1919 when the Salesians took over a parish in Stadlau, Vienna – unusual, since Salesians typically do not run parishes. The church consecrated there in 1924 also included youth rooms and a theatre hall.

Development after the Second World War

Many institutions had to be closed during World War II, but from 1945 onwards, a new beginning emerged. Youth services were resumed and expanded, e.g., in Unterwaltersdorf (1964, 1969) and Fulpmes (1973). New institutions were added: student homes, apprentice residences, and youth housing in Landeck, Bludenz, Klagenfurt, Linz, Graz, Salzburg, and Vienna. Many of these no longer exist today, often due to staffing or financial reasons.

New churches and community centers were built in growing parishes, such as in Klagenfurt (1962) and Graz. The “Don Bosco House” in Vienna replaced the former student home in Unter-St. Veit in 1986 and served as the provincial house until 2022.

Statistical Data

Today, there are 46 Salesians of Don Bosco in Austria, working at six locations:

• The Parish of the Sacred Heart (Herz Jesu) in Amstetten with its youth center “JA – Don Bosco”
• The Don Bosco Student Residence in Fulpmes
• The Parish of St Joseph (St. Josef) in Klagenfurt with a parish center, kindergarten, and daycare, and the Don Bosco Student Residence
• The Don Bosco High School (Gymnasium) in Unterwaltersdorf
• The Parish of the Sacred Heart (Herz Jesu) in Stadlau Vienna with an attached youth centre
• The Don Bosco Social Services at various locations in Vienna, offering refugee support and youth centers
• The Salesianum in Neuerdberg, Vienna, which includes the Don Bosco Student Home, the Provincial House, the Salesian Youth Movement, youth ministry, a youth education centre, the Don Bosco Volunteers, Don Bosco Mission Austria, and the Parish of Don Bosco.

This work for young people would not be possible without the many dedicated volunteers and full-time staff working for the order. Currently, 181 staff members in Austria actively support the mission of the Salesians of Don Bosco.