Paróquia Dom Bosco

From a simple oratory to a vibrant parish, the Paróquia Dom Bosco has a captivating story. It’s a story of community, faith, and architectural innovation. The Paróquia Dom Bosco’s journey began in 1955 with the Oratório Casa Dom Bosco. This small oratory served the Alto da Lapa, Alto de Pinheiros, Boaçava, and parts of Lapa. The community played a vital role in fundraising for the first chapel. This replaced a small chalet used by the Oratório Festivo. With the chapel’s opening, the number of worshippers grew. The community became increasingly important to the neighborhood. Recognizing this growth, Cardinal Dom Ângelo Rossi elevated the community to parish status. It was separated from the Paróquia de São João Batista in Vila Ipojuca on October 8, 1965. The Paróquia Dom Bosco was entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco. Their focus was youth formation. The first priest was Padre Essetino Andreazza. He led the community for six years. A nearby SESI school, serving 186 students, was also annexed to the new parish. The parish, already holding regular masses, gained new rights and privileges. It started maintaining its own records of baptisms, marriages, and community events. The original chapel soon became too small. The community began planning a larger church. They envisioned a modern, liturgically designed church. The initial project faced obstacles. A second design adapted to the terrain was developed, resulting in the present-day church. Many features not in the original plan were incorporated. The building, innovative for its time, attracted architecture students from USP. The new church was officially inaugurated on August 28, 1977. However, it was still incomplete. The sacristy, confessional, lighting, sound system, tabernacle, canopy, and interior wall finishing were added later. The statues of Dom Bosco and Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora arrived from Italy on May 27, 1978. Their arrival coincided with a prayer vigil honoring Nossa Senhora. Today, the Paróquia Dom Bosco has a broad evangelization program. It involves over forty groups. It serves the communities of Nossa Senhora da Esperança and Mãe Rainha. It also serves as chaplaincy for the Instituto Anjo da Guarda and Instituto Teológico Pio XI. Weekend masses draw around 1500 worshippers.