{"id":32553,"date":"2026-07-17T19:15:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T02:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salesianbulletin.org\/?p=32553"},"modified":"2026-07-17T19:15:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T02:15:42","slug":"sdb-provinces-the-holy-guardian-angels-province-of-austria-aus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salesianbulletin.org\/es\/2026\/07\/17\/sdb-provinces-the-holy-guardian-angels-province-of-austria-aus\/","title":{"rendered":"SDB Provinces: The Holy Guardian Angels Province of Austria (AUS)"},"content":{"rendered":"

(ANS \u2013 Rome)<\/strong> \u2013 Several months after the previous installments, the \u201cSDB Provinces\u201d<\/strong> column returns. Originally launched in preparation for the 29th General Chapter<\/strong>, the series aims to highlight the diverse Salesian presence across the five continents. Here are new \u201csnapshots\u201d of the works and communities that the Salesians of Don Bosco<\/strong> have established and developed throughout the world. Today, the series continues with the Holy Guardian Angels Province of Austria (AUS)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Austria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Beginnings of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Austria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Between 1903 and 1906<\/strong>, the Salesians of Don Bosco<\/strong> began their first initiatives in what is now Austria<\/strong>. In Vienna<\/strong>, so-called child protection centers were established. The first Salesians were primarily Austrians with late vocations who had received their formation in Turin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of the difficult political relationship between the Habsburg Monarchy<\/strong> and the Kingdom of Italy<\/strong>, official recognition in Austria-Hungary<\/strong> was initially not possible. Nevertheless, in 1905<\/strong>, the Holy Guardian Angels Province<\/strong> was founded. With the support of Cardinal Nagl<\/strong>, the Salesians finally obtained official recognition from both the Church and the state in 1912<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A first milestone came in 1909<\/strong> with the construction of the Salesianum<\/strong> in Vienna\u2019s 3rd district for \u201cpoor boys.\u201d In 1912<\/strong>, an institute for late vocations was established in Wernsee<\/strong> (today in Slovenia<\/strong>), and in 1914<\/strong>, the Maria Hilf Mission House<\/strong> was founded in Unterwaltersdorf<\/strong>, which remained a central formation center until the 1970s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion after the First World War<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After World War I<\/strong>, the Salesians continued expanding their presence. In 1919<\/strong>, new institutions were established in Graz-Eggenberg<\/strong> and Vienna\u2019s 18th district. Additional foundations followed in Fulpmes (1921)<\/strong>, Amstetten (1925)<\/strong>, Linz (1928)<\/strong>, Klagenfurt (1934)<\/strong>, Graz (1935)<\/strong>y Innsbruck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the effects of the Great Depression<\/strong>, some communities and works were later forced to close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An exception to typical Salesian practice occurred in 1919<\/strong>, when the Salesians took responsibility for a parish in Stadlau, Vienna<\/strong>\u2014an unusual situation, since Salesians traditionally do not administer parishes. The church consecrated there in 1924<\/strong> also included youth rooms and a theater hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Development after the Second World War<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many institutions were forced to close during World War II<\/strong>, but a new beginning emerged after 1945<\/strong>. Youth services resumed and expanded, including works in Unterwaltersdorf (1964 and 1969)<\/strong> y Fulpmes (1973)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New initiatives were established, including student residences, apprentice homes, and youth housing in Landeck<\/strong>, Bludenz<\/strong>, Klagenfurt<\/strong>, Linz<\/strong>, Graz<\/strong>, Salzburg<\/strong>y Vienna<\/strong>. Many of these works no longer exist today, often due to personnel or financial challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New churches and community centers were also built in growing parishes, including those in Klagenfurt (1962)<\/strong> y Graz<\/strong>. The Don Bosco House<\/strong> in Vienna replaced the former student residence in Unter-St. Veit<\/strong> in 1986<\/strong> and served as the provincial house until 2022<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistical Data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today, there are 46 Salesians of Don Bosco<\/strong> in Austria<\/strong>, serving in six locations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n