Salesian Historical Institute Introduces Its Mission to Newly Appointed Provincials

(ANS – Rome) – El July 17, 2026, at the Salesian Pontifical University in Roma, members of the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) met with the nine newly appointed Salesian Provincials who had been participating in the orientation program held at Salesian Headquarters. The meeting provided an opportunity to present the mission, activities, and future vision of both the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) and the Association of Salesian History Scholars (ACSSA).

The participants included Fr. Ashley Miranda (India-Bangalore, INB), Fr. Peter Chinweike Morba (Nigeria-Niger, ANN), Fr. Amelito Mel Racelis (Philippines South, FIS), Fr. J. Gaston Harisoa (Madagascar, MDG), Fr. José Laventure Ignacio (Ethiopia-Eritrea, AET), Fr. Dariusz Bartocha (Poland-Krakow, PLS), Fr. Ronilo Aguilar Javines (Philippines North, FIN), Fr. Domenico Saraniti (Italy-Sicily, ISI), and Fr. Doss Kennedy Jegadoss (India-Tiruchy, INT).

The session opened with a welcome from Fr. Aldo Giraudo, who was recently appointed Director of the ISS. Participants also expressed their gratitude to his predecessor, Fr. Thomas Anchukandam, who led the Institute from 2015 to 2026 and guided it through the significant transition from its former headquarters on Via della Pisana to its current location at the Salesian Pontifical University.

Fr. Giraudo then outlined the history, mission, and current work of the Institute, highlighting its role in preserving, studying, and promoting the documentary heritage of St. John Bosco and the Congregación Salesiana. Established following the 21st General Chapter (1978) and inaugurated in 1981 by Rector Major Fr. Egidio Viganò, the ISS reports directly to the Rector Major and conducts research through its three sections: Don Bosco, Salesian Historyy Misiones Salesianas.

Among its principal commitments are the critical edition of Salesian historical sources, the promotion of scholarly research on Don Bosco and the Salesian mission, and the development of specialized bibliographic resources. The Institute also publishes the Sources, Studies and Bibliography series, along with the semiannual journal Salesian Historical Research (Ricerche Storiche Salesiane), and regularly organizes conferences and academic meetings.

Particular attention was given to the digital resources now available through the ISS-ACSSA website. Researchers and members of the Salesian Family can freely access an extensive collection of historical documents, including the critical edition of the first Salesian Constitutions, Don Bosco’s pedagogical and spiritual manuscripts, the complete 10-volume edition of his correspondence, and numerous documents related to the Misiones Salesianas. Fr. Francesco Motto also highlighted the scholarly significance of the online publication of Don Bosco’s complete correspondence.

The meeting also featured a presentation on ACSSA, which was founded in 1996 to foster historical research throughout the Salesian Family. Today, the Association has eight regional sections—Africa-Madagascar, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Italy, Polandy España—and brings together 240 members, including Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, lay scholars, and members of other religious congregations. As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Salesian Missions, ACSSA also organized five continental seminars, each attracting broad participation.

Among the priorities discussed during the meeting was the invitation for every Salesian Province to appoint a Salesian responsible for safeguarding archival heritage and promoting research into the history of the local Salesian mission.

The program concluded with a presentation by Fr. Stanisław Zimniak, ISS Coordinating Secretary, of the official ISS-ACSSA website. He emphasized that the portal has become an important international resource for Salesian historical research, providing free access to books, journals, and specialized resources while offering regular updates on the initiatives of both institutions.