World Confederation Mornese Past Pupils of the FMA

The Association is a group that, since October 29, 1988, became part of the  Salesian Family. By its very nature, the Association is promoted by the  Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), or Salesian  Sisters of Don Bosco. The past pupils and lay associates form a great  worldwide charismatic network. As part of the Salesian Family, the Rector  Major, Don Bosco's successor, is the father and center of unity. We express  our identity by our Identity Document and the Charter of the Salesian  Family. (Statute -Art. 1) 

St. John Bosco inspired this great Movement of past pupils, making his choice  that the Association becomes a direct extension of the work of the Daughters  of Mary Help of Christians. It finds its place in society as a leaven and  transforming force, which develops the charism of the FMA in creative ways  in the different socio-cultural realities and geographical areas. The  Association is nonpartisan and apolitical. 

And it is situated as the animating nucleus of the Movement that comprises,  without ethnic, social, cultural, and religious distinction, past pupils – that  is, people educated in an FMA work – and the lay associates who, duly  formed, are inspired by the charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.  

The Mission of the Association mirrors that of the Salesian Family, as it is  based on the same charism.  

As an Association, the strong commitment to service is inherent to the  spirituality of the Past Pupil of the FMA. Everyone contributes responsibly to  the affirmation of the values that underlie the dignity of the human person  operating in the different areas of activity in the Church, in the family, at work, in the political and social world, at school, at leisure, and in social  communication. 

Moreover, in the spirit of Don Bosco and of Mother Mazzarello, the Past Pupils pay particular attention to girls, women, young people. In a specific way, those in situations of poverty and exclusion. They get them involved and  make them protagonists of their integral education and vocational choice. 

The primary purpose of the Association is education, both at a personal level  and for the Association. 

Every level of the Association's structure, rich in Salesian values, promotes  the education of its members, making use of the service of animation and  collaboration of the FMA. 

Specifically: 

1. a) It updates and looks after the education of the associates, both Catholics  and of other religions, according to the values of the education received b) for the Catholic members so that they can commit themselves, by their  baptism, in a journey of faith that makes them credible witnesses in the  light of the Word of God and the Magisterium of the Church c) For the non-Catholic members so that in harmony with the education  received in the Salesian environment, they may deepen the human and  religious values of their own culture 
2. d) It takes care of courses, conventions, school camps, prayer meetings,  social days. 
3. e) It proposes to the associate's open, progressive, and continuous  educational paths, with particular attention to their real-life situations  and needs of the time. 
4. f) It pays particular attention to identifying specific itineraries for those  who undertake leadership roles within the Association at any  membership level.  
5. g) It promotes the dissemination of the Association's publications, and social communication means to enhance the human person.

Every Past Pupil, aware of the gifts received for the good of all, promotes the  growth of human values in oneself.  

Deepening and experiencing in everyday life the values learned during their Salesian education, they become personally responsible for their formation,  continuous and ongoing, towards a full lay maturity rooted in the Salesian  tradition. 

Relationships of Communion 

The Association works in communion with the Salesian Family Groups,  particularly with the Association of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, with which  it shares the common educational heritage. 

The Association also collaborates with other Catholic groups and civil  institutions with which it shares values and goals. 

Maria Carmen Castillon 

President,  

World Confederation Mornese Past Pupils of the FMA