Centro Salesiano San Francisco de Sales

Hidden within Montevideo’s vibrant tapestry lies the Centro Salesiano San Francisco de Sales. It’s a place brimming with more stories than its walls can contain. The Centro Salesiano San Francisco de Sales isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to the Salesian mission in Uruguay, a story that began long before this structure stood. Let’s journey back to December 13, 1875. Picture Father Juan Cagliero, a Salesian priest, arriving in Montevideo. He was en route to Buenos Aires, where the first Salesian community was to be established. But Uruguay left a mark on him. He saw the potential, the need for the Salesian touch in this land across the Rio de la Plata. He wrote to Don Bosco himself, urging him to send personnel for a new college in Villa Colón. Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, heeded the call. On December 26, 1876, a group of Salesians, led by the young Father Luis Lasagna, arrived in Montevideo. They settled in Villa Colón and began their work at Colegio Pío in 1877. The Centro Salesiano San Francisco de Sales, while not directly mentioned in these early accounts, stands as a continuation of this legacy, a testament to the enduring impact of the Salesians in Uruguay. Their commitment to education and youth development, first kindled in Villa Colón, continues to resonate within the walls of the Centro Salesiano San Francisco de Sales. While the specific history of this particular center remains elusive in our current knowledge, the broader narrative of the Salesians in Uruguay provides a rich backdrop. The Centro Salesiano San Francisco de Sales is a thread in this larger tapestry, woven from the same commitment to service and education. The Salesian presence spread rapidly throughout Uruguay, reaching Las Piedras, Paysandú, and Mercedes, solidifying their educational and pastoral work. This growth speaks to the deep roots the Salesians established in Uruguay, a foundation upon which centers like San Francisco de Sales continue to build. The Salesian Sisters, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, also played a vital role. Arriving in Uruguay in 1877, they further enriched the Salesian mission, establishing schools and workshops. Their dedication to education and social work mirrors the broader Salesian ethos, a spirit that undoubtedly informs the work of the Centro Salesiano San Francisco de Sales.