The Rector Major, the superior of the Salesian Society, is the Successor of Don Bosco, the father and centre of unity of the Salesian Family. His main concern is to promote, in communion with the general Council, the constant fidelity of the members to the Salesian charism, so as to fulfil the mission confided by God to our Society.

(SDB Constitutions, Art. 126)

The current Rector Major of our congregation, Fr. Ángel Fernández  Artime, was born on the 21st of August, 1960 in Luanco-Gozon, Asturias, Spain. He made his first profession on September 3, 1978, the perpetual vows on June 17, 1984, in Santiago de Compostela, and was ordained a priest on July 4, 1987, in León. A native of the Province of Leon, he earned a degree in Pastoral Theology and a Licentiate in Philosophy and Pedagogy. Fr. Fernández Artime was a Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Director of the School of Ourense, a member of the Provincial Council, and the Provincial Vicar. From the year 2000 to 2006, he was the Provincial Superior.

After being part of the Preparatory committee which had prepared the 26th General Chapter in 2009, he was appointed the Provincial Superior of South Argentina, based in Buenos Aires. In this capacity, he also got to know and had a close working relationship with Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, today Pope Francis.

On December 23, 2013, he was appointed Superior of the new Province of Mediterranean Spain, dedicated to “Mary Help of Christians.” However, before his official appointment in this new role, on March 25, 2014, the General Chapter 27 elected him as the new Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, and the 10th Successor of Don Bosco.

The current General Council, the main body of animation and governance of the Congregation, is as follows:

  • Fr Angel Fernandez Artime – Rector Major
  • Fr Francesco Cereda  – Vicar of the Rector Major
  • Fr Ivo Coelho  – Councillor for Formation
  • Fr Fabio Attard – Youth Ministry Councillor
  • Fr Filiberto Gonzalez P. – Social Communication Councillor
  • Fr Guillermo Basañes – Councillor for the Missions
  • Jean Paul Muller – Economer General
  • Fr Américo Chaquisse – Africa-Madagascar Regional
  • Fr Natale Vitali – America South Cone Regional
  • Fr Timothy Ploch  – Interamerica Regional
  • Fr Vaclav Klement – East Asia Oceania Regional
  • Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga – Asia South Regional
  • Fr Tadeusz Rozmus – Centre & North Europe Regional
  • Fr Stefano Martoglio – Mediterranean Regional
  • Fr  Stefano Vanoli – General Secretary

Image result for Don Bosco embracing youth

“Tell my boys I am waiting for them in heaven”

Last words of Don Bosco