As we wrap up another incredible school year, the beautiful summer sun is just begging us to spend more time outside. The classrooms may be quieter for a few months, but our ministry continues as we eagerly prepare to welcome young people to summer camp, youth retreats, and different conferences across the United States and Canada.
Be sure to read about our Sisters celebrating milestone Jubilee anniversaries beginning on page 8, along with highlights from the many activities and celebrations that have marked our recent months. At the heart of all we do are the young people entrusted to our care — and you, our dear friends and benefactors, whose generosity, prayers, and friendship make our mission possible.
Soak up that summer sunshine!
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Cover: Students from St. John Neumann Catholic High School Class of 2026 toss their caps in the air following commencement exercises.
When Kindness Becomes Sanctity
Last time we were in contact, I talked about Sister Ruth’s servant leadership and loving kindness. Let’s continue our discussion of Salesian holiness. Loving kindness is one of the three legs on which Don Bosco’s Preventive System rests. Two Salesians, separated by decades and continents, mirror each other in a striking way. Each found holiness in the ordinary texture of daily life. I am speaking of Bl. Laura Vicuña and St. Dominic Savio.
Laura attended one of our own schools. After her father’s death, Laura’s mother lived with another man. Fearing for her mother’s soul, Laura decided to offer her life for her mother’s salvation. On her final night, Laura confided, “Mommy, I asked this of Jesus, and offered my life to Him for you, that you might return to God...” On the day of Laura's funeral, her mother returned to the Sacraments and began a new life. Laura imitated Jesus’ total gift of Himself: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life…” (Jn. 15:13)
The story of Laura Vicuña is a call to reflect on the importance of unconditional love. True love does not seek reward or recognition, but manifests itself in acts of kindness and self-sacrifice. Laura’s love for her mother and her eternal salvation was, indeed, freely offered with no strings attached. Laura was known for her kindness. You may have heard of her resolution, “I will pass no one with indifference.” She reliably shared a smile or a kind word, even just passing others in a hallway.
St. Dominic Savio was also educated in the Preventive System at Don Bosco’s school in Turin. When they first met, Don Bosco wondered aloud whether Dominic had the stuff of sanctity. Dominic assured him that he
was exactly the kind of cloth God was looking to weave. He was quick, confident, and impossible not to love.
Don Bosco saw in Dominic a boy who was gentle in appearance and manner; nevertheless, in his discussions with Dominic, Don Bosco found a boy who was serious about his faith and matters of the soul. He was simultaneously lighthearted in his interactions and relationships and acutely aware of the eternal well-being of his fellow students.
Deeply impressed by Dominic’s holiness, Don Bosco wrote a biography about this young saint. (Feel free to search for it online — “The Life of Dominic Savio”.) Don Bosco's own mother, who lived at the Oratory and knew all the boys, singled Dominic out for his devotion, telling her son, “You have many good boys, but no one surpasses Dominic Savio.”
Dominic worked hard as a student, helping his companions, teaching them Catechism, assisting the sick, and settling quarrels. Dominic’s kindness was always in play, no more so than when he silently accepted blame for misbehavior, protecting two peers from expulsion. Once the truth came out, Dominic revealed why he had remained silent — he thought that he would be let off with a scolding whereas the other boys risked more serious consequences. Dominic added that Jesus had remained silent when blamed unjustly and that he was trying to imitate Him.
When two arguing classmates prepared to resolve their differences in a rock fight, Dominic stood between them holding the Cross and suggested that they throw rocks at him instead. The fight was defused when both boys laughed, ending the disagreement. Dominic’s kindness in the way he showed them the silliness of their argument was a hallmark of his interactions. It’s easy to talk about kindness; it can be hard to put it into practice. Let’s resolve together to pass no one unnoticed like Laura Vicuña and to bring peace everywhere like Dominic Savio.
Sr. Colleen Clair, FMA, is the Provincial of St. Joseph Province
Portraits of St. Dominic Savio and Bl. Laura Vicuña painted by Edoardo La Francesca
• Partners in Giving • Early Summer 2026
Clockwise from top left: Sister Clare Kennelly, Sister Nicole Daly, Sister Mary Ann Caspary; Small group sharing; Sister Ruth accepts the gift of a new set of luggage; Members of the Province of St. Joseph — also present are the women in formation: aspirants of St. Joseph and novices from the provinces of St. Joseph and St. Mary Immaculate (Western United States); Sister Ruth gives a candle to Sister Mary Anne Zito in the Provincial House
Keeping the Flame of the Spirit Alive
From May 22 to May 24 the Province of St. Joseph gathered for an annual assembly, this year made special with the presence of Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora, Councilor for the Missions for the worldwide Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
The Sisters from the United States and Canada enjoyed time together in prayer and fellowship — including a special mass with Paterson Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. In honor of Mary Help of Christians, whose feast day was celebrated on May 26 this year, the Sisters prayed a rosary and participated in a May Crowning.
Sister Ruth presented her report on her visit to the Province sharing with the Sisters her observations and some statistics about the Province and projections for its growth in the future. On the final day of the Assembly, the Province thanked Sister Ruth for her presence among us and her sisterly guidance throughout the past three months. The expression of gratitude included a lively skit, a gift of a new set of luggage, and a donation towards the missions. She, in turn, gifted each Sister and woman in formation a candle as a reminder to keep the flame of the Holy Spirit alive in their hearts.
Clockwise from top right: Praying the rosary before the crowning of Jesus and Mary; Sisters and aspirants play basketball for recreation; Paterson Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presides at Mass with Father Stephen Prisk; Sister Suzanne Dauwalter and Sister Mary Ann Caspary exit St. Joseph Chapel
Approximately 20 guests gathered at St. Joseph Provincial Center for the annual Rosary and May Crowning in honor of our Blessed Mother. Past pupils, friends, and employees joined together in prayer, hymns, and the traditional crowning ceremony to express their love and devotion to Mary.
Sister Pauline Joss served as crown bearer, Sister Carmen Morales crowned Mary, and Sister Carmela Termine crowned the Child Jesus. Following the ceremony, Sister Helene Godin distributed rosaries to all in attendance and invited guests to take individual photographs with Mary Help of Christians.
Please “Give Us This Day”!
Our Exchange of Love
Do you have a happy occasion you would like to share? The Salesian Sisters will celebrate with you. Is it a time to mark a less-than-happy occasion? Our prayer for your special day will commemorate this event. Do you have someone to thank? All of the Sisters will help multiply your gratitude. When you “Give Us This Day” the Sisters will pray for your intention and for the person whose sacrificial gift supports the endowment for our retired Sisters. Let this gift be an expression of our concern and love for one another. Thank you, and God bless you!
A Life Fulfilled in the Spirit of Mornese: Sister Alphonsine Roy, FMA
Sister Alphonsine Roy was born in the small village of Alcida, New Brunswick, Canada, on December 18, 1944. She was the ninth of thirteen children born to Alphonse and Marie Anne Roy. Her early life was marked by both joy and hardship. She loved sports and games with her siblings, but tragedy touched the family deeply. Two infant twins died shortly after birth, another sister died at age thirteen, and Alphonsine’s father passed away in 1951 when she was only six years old. Her mother was left to raise ten children alone.
From a young age, Alphonsine learned the values of hard work, faith, and generosity. At only ten years old, she helped support the family by working evenings and weekends in her brother’s store. She often spoke lovingly of her mother, whom she described as a woman of deep faith and courage who led by quiet example. One cherished memory was hurrying to morning Mass after her mother woke her each day, often sacrificing breakfast so she could arrive at church on time before school.
In 1959, a friend invited Alphonsine to visit the Salesian Sisters in Pointe Verte, Canada. Though hesitant
at first, she accepted the invitation and was deeply moved by the warmth and joy of the Sisters, especially the kindness of Sister Rose Oliveri. That experience changed her life. On August 30 of the same year, at just fourteen years old, she entered the aspirancy.
Throughout more than sixty years of religious life, Sister Alphonsine served faithfully as a teacher, community animator, and Delegate of the Salesian Family in both Canada and the United States. She dedicated herself to young people, parish ministry, Marian groups, and the Salesian mission with joy and simplicity. Known for her warm hospitality, ready smile, and love of baking for the Sisters, she made everyone feel welcomed and valued.
In April 2026, Sister Alphonsine traveled to Mornese, Italy, for a pilgrimage and retreat, retracing the footsteps of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello. It was there, surrounded by prayer and the Salesian spirit she loved so deeply, that the Lord suddenly called her home on April 23, 2026. Sister Alphonsine will be remembered for her kindness, gentle presence, deep faith, and lifelong dedication to bringing others closer to Jesus and Mary Help of Christians.
Left to right: Sister Alphonsine Roy; Four Sisters from St. Joseph Province with a Salesian Sister from Africa tour around Assisi.
Rooted in God's Faithfulness, Thirteen Sisters
Celebrate Jubilee Anniversaries
Ajubilee is more than a milestone — it is a celebration of a life continually given to God. This year, thirteen Salesian Sisters mark significant anniversaries of their religious profession, offering an opportunity to give thanks for their witness of faith, perserverance, and joyful service.
Through their ministry in schools, parishes, camps, and retreat centers, they have shared in the hopes and dreams of countless young people and their families. Each Sister was invited to share a brief reflection on her vocation and this milestone celebration. Their words bear witness to the joy that comes from a life faithfully lived in response to God's call. May many more young women give their “yes” to Jesus in consecrated life!
SISTER DOMENICA DIPERI
Celebrating 80 Years
Being a Salesian Sister is the greatest gift of my life. I am grateful to the Blessed Mother, who has always been a mother to me and who has been with me all of these years.
SISTER LIVIA SETTI
Celebrating 75 Years
Being a Salesian Sister for 75 years has been God’s gift to me. I am grateful to be a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians.
SISTER MARY BERTHA PAQUIN
Celebrating 70 Years
“My soul magnifies the Lord.” I can
SISTER RAYMONDE DERY
Celebrating 70 Years
Thanking the Lord, Mary Help of Christians, and Don Bosco for the gift of my Salesian vocation, I seek to live these truths: Raymonde, the one whom Jesus loves; John 13:33; It is today that I am loved! Living that LOVE 86,400 seconds a day... in the Present.
SISTER BALBINA LOPEZ
Celebrating 65 Years
I am very happy to celebrate my jubilee! I am very grateful to God that he has helped me persevere for all these years. My Salesian vocation has given me a lot of happiness.
SISTER CLAUDETTE PARENT
Celebrating 65 Years
The Lord has been good to me in my 65 years as a Salesian Sister. I join myself to Mary Help of Christians and give Him thanks for all He has done in and through me.
SISTER CARMELA TERMINE
Celebrating 65 Years
I am grateful to God for keeping me alive for so long so I can celebrate so many jubilees! I am grateful to my parents for allowing me to follow my vocation as a Salesian Sister, which has been the greatest blessing of my life.
SISTER INES VALENTIN
Celebrating 60 Years
I try to live my life in gratitude for the love and support of my earthly mother and our Blessed Mother. I am happy to celebrate 60 years as a Salesian Sister.
SISTER CORA BEBOSA
Celebrating 50 Years
“As the Father has loved me so I have loved you. Remain in my love.," John 15:9. I rejoice in this love of God for me which drew me to Him, ever since I felt His call to Salesian religious life. His love is the secret of my joy and zeal for the souls of the young and young adults. With Mary I sing the Magnificat, which is my gratitude for the graces God has given me for 50 years... to be brave and strong and true in my vocation and mission. Thank you to my family, my FMA Sisters, the Salesian Family, and for the gift of friends.
SISTER TERESITA TERAN Celebrating 50 Years
I am grateful for my vocation and the Blessed Mother who called me to be her daughter.
SISTER FRAN DAGROSSA Celebrating 40 Years
I am grateful to Mary Help of Christians for her accompaniment during these 40 years of religious life.
SISTER EMY DE FILIPPI
Celebrating 40 Years
Throughout these already 40 years of religious life it is, “The Almighty God who has done great things in me and through me.” With the support of my sisters, I did touch the all-embracing love and mercy of God. It was God who chose me and He who first loved me! This I pray for my family, all the young people we serve, and my sisters… that we may come to know and believe in the immense and unconditional love of God for each one of us and to abide in His love.
SISTER SADEH ABED ALNOUR Celebrating 25 Years
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” With a heart full of gratitude for all the Lord has done in my life, and with Mary, I repeat these words with joy. Thank You, Lord, for your love, mercy, and fidelity. Thank You for creating me, for calling me, and for continuing to call me throughout the journey of my life to be with You and to belong to You. I am grateful for my family, and especially for those who have gone before me into eternal life — Mom, Dad, and my niece, Marian. I am grateful for my Sisters, the FMA, and for my Brothers, the SDB, whom You placed on my path and who have helped me to arrive at this day. I am grateful for our Institute and for our beloved Salesian Family.
Pauline Books and Media, a ministry of the Daughters of St. Paul, held a Lenten Sponsorship Campaign benefitting the Salesian Sisters. Five different books were selected, in advance, by the Salesian Sisters aimed at children, teenagers, and the women in formation. Donors could choose to gift any one of these books ranging from Forgiven: A Guide to Confession and the Examen Prayer to Jesus in Space: A True Story That's Out of This World. By the end of the campaign, over 270 books were donated. Thank you to the Daughters of St. Paul and all who generously supported this initiative!
Summer Is Almost Here!
As we wrap up another wonderful and enriching school year, excitement is building among the Salesian Sisters — Summer Camp season is upon us! Our camps offer children a high-quality, educational, and fun experience. Our mission is to create a space where every camper can learn, grow, and discover the best within themselves and others.
Join us this summer in creating unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, & God bless you!
- Sr. Katie Flanagan, FMA
Sister Mary Jackson with two students from St. Anthony School in Hawthorne, NJ
For 24 days beginning at the end of April, I participated in a pilgrimage designed for the Sisters to deepen their spiritual life.
Focusing on the places and times of our Foundress, St. Mary Mazzarello, we began in Rome. We took some time reflecting on the gift of our Congregation as a stepping stone to holiness; a gift of the Holy Spirit. St. Mary Mazzarello met the Pope there, and he blessed her and the work that she was accomplishing for the young.
From Rome, we traveled to Genoa, the place of embarkation for most of the missionary projects of the Salesian Family. It was a place of beginnings in joy but also great sadness. The missionaries left thinking that they would never return, never see their families, yet the zeal for the spreading of the Kingdom and the care they were to bring to the young and their families, was their source of strength and courage.
Arriving at the birthplace of any Saint has a charm, an enticement to know more, to feel more, to be more. Mornese, it seems to me, is
no different. Now, a sleepy town that has more Sisters coming and going than residents, Mornese may give one the impression of being “frozen in time”, but the “time” is flooded with the Light that is Grace. Each vista, each tableau, each recalling of an event is enchanted with the assurance of our own sanctity. It may be that we feel that if we could have “lived back then”, if we could only “go back to those times”, we would somehow be better people. Maybe we think if we could just GO there, we would be holier. Perhaps the truth of our holiness lies in both the “going there” and the “bringing here.”
St. Mary Mazzarello made her life one of prayer, work, and union with God. She worked hard and kept her mind and heart busy with thoughts and works of God. A trip to the well each morning, carting water uphill to the family home, was just one of the many tasks she and the family completed while living on
a farm outside of Mornese. It was simple. It was part of life. It was what everyone did. Yet her life was so attached to God’s will, that she was able to found a Congregation of women — we, Salesian Sisters, who still live as she did. We live to love, give, and to bring joy and our distinctive Salesian Family Spirit wherever we are. We call it “the Spirit of Mornese.”
The last place we visited was Nizza, where Mother Mazzarello died. What struck me the most about Nizza was the reaction of the people when the Sisters first arrived. They hated the Sisters, they treated them badly, and even threatened to burn down their house. God in His Divine Providence and the intercession of Mary Help of Christians brought about an absolute
Continued on pg. 13
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Continued from pg. 11
change in their attitude. One day, the Belbo River overflowed its banks and destroyed the homes and shops and killed many. Mother Mazzarello directed the Sisters to take in everyone. They were housed, fed, clothed and taken care of in every possible way. When the clean-up and rebuilding began, it was then that the people came to love and cherish the Sisters. It only took a flood.
The experience with the Nizza townsfolk impressed me very much because I think it would have been easy for the Sisters to flee. They were being threatened, harassed, and maligned, even in the press. I think Don Bosco would have wanted them to be safe and would have agreed that they should leave, but Mother Mazzarello was a stalwart woman who knew she was in the right place, doing the right thing. I’ve never been a principal, but I’ve seen our principals and our animators stand up for what is right, like Mother Mazzarello, even through stressful opposition.
In the end, the school at Nizza became the flagship school for all northern Italy. It educated women in all branches of Science, Math, Technology, Literature, History, Philosophy and so much more. The government used the school at Nizza as a model to be followed and copied. The Preventive System was the key. The perseverance, dedication,
the times they lived and the spirit they had, and try to imitate it. One day your town may be on the “Catholic map” as the birthplace or home of a Saint.
Hiking through the vineyards of Mornese, Italy
The Salesian Sisters' property in Nizza Monferrato, Italy
One Spirit Across Many Nations: The Salesian Family Gathers in Miami, Florida
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Salesian spirit came alive in Miami as members of the Salesian Family gathered at Immaculata-La Salle High School for a day dedicated to formation, prayer, and joyful celebration. What began as a local Spanish language gathering soon expanded into an international moment of communion when organizers opened the live transmission to Spanish-speaking Salesian Cooperators in Chicago, Illinois and Port Chester, New York.
The encounter welcomed participants from across the Salesian Family, including Salesian Cooperators, Salesian Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, members of Association of Devotees of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), and friends of Don Bosco. Participants represented a rich diversity of nations, including Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Venezuela.
Throughout the day, the Salesian Family entrusted special intentions to the Lord, praying for the repose of Nick Magrogan, for Sister Alphonsine Roy, and for Carlos Melgar. The gathering also remembered Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, whose World Day of Gratitude would be celebrated the following day in Ecuador.
Presenters discussed topics such as the 2026 Strenna by the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB; Saint Artemide
Zatti, a Salesian brother known for his tireless service to the sick; and Saint Maria Troncatti, the newest saint in the Salesian Family. The group also entered into Eucharistic Adoration and played a lively game of Salesian bingo.
Sister Teresa Gutierrez took time to honor the Salesian Cooperators as they began celebrating the 150th anniversary of their Association. The anniversary festivities officially opened with this gathering and will continue until August 16, Don Bosco’s birthday, with a special Mass during which members will renew their promises.
The program also featured a panel discussion in which three Salesian Cooperators shared how they live the Salesian mission in daily life through family, parish service, evangelization, and accompaniment of the young.
By the end of the encounter, organizers were amazed to discover that 186 people had participated either in person or virtually from across the United States, Central America, and Spain. Within two days, nearly 400 people had viewed the event online, extending the reach of the gathering far beyond Miami.
Filled with gratitude, participants departed strengthened in faith, united in mission, and renewed in their Salesian identity. “Viva Jesus y Viva Maria!” echoed as the joyful conclusion to a day marked by prayer, fraternity, and the enduring spirit of Don Bosco.
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL, Hawthorne, NJ — The arts are alive and well at St. Anthony School, where students continue to shine through outstanding performances and creative expression.
After months of rehearsals, the middleschool students delivered a show-stopping performance of Disney’s Newsies, captivating audiences with their talent, energy, and enthusiasm. The celebration of the arts continued throughout the month of May. On Thursday, May 13, St. Anthony School hosted its annual Art Symposium. The event showcased student artwork across all grade levels and celebrated the creativity and imagination of the school community.
From the stage to the art studio, St. Anthony School continues to foster a vibrant arts program where students are encouraged to grow, create, and share their talents with the community.
It is difficult to believe that Sister Betty Ann Martinez has served St. Anthony’s Parish and School in Hawthorne for sixteen years in various roles, including Principal and Director of Religious Education. She fondly refers to these years as her “Sweet 16.”
Throughout her ministry, Sister Betty Ann has had the joy of accompanying parishioners through many stages of life, from children in the school to young adults and families within the parish community. One of the ministries closest to her heart has been leading the RCIA program alongside a dedicated team of parishioners committed
to sharing and passing on the Catholic faith. Sister Betty Ann’s guiding philosophy has always been to encourage others and affirm the good in every person she encounters. Her years at St. Anthony’s have been marked by faithful service, meaningful relationships, and countless cherished memories.
As she begins this next chapter in her journey of religious life, Sister Betty Ann leaves St. Anthony’s with profound gratitude. She assures the parish community of her continued prayers and asks for theirs in return as she continues to follow the Lord. She wants to go to heaven with all her friends and family.
Members of the cast of Newsies with Principal, Sister Mary Jackson
Student artwork
Student artwork
Sister Betty Ann with the Cutrona family
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Whether the Adopted Sister is for you, a family member, or a friend in need of spiritual strength, you will find comfort knowing that your intentions will be remembered each day by your spiritual prayer partner, and your sacrificial gift will support our elderly Sisters. It makes the PERFECT gift, especially for a wedding, birthday, anniversary, First Holy Communion, graduation — or any occasion! Simply complete the form below, call us toll-free: (877) OUR-NUNS, or visit www.salesiansisters.org. Thank you, and God bless you!
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES, Columbus, OH — Neither chilly temperatures nor occasional drizzle could dampen the excitement of 20 children from the Run the Race Center, a nonprofit school serving children at risk, as they spent a special day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on April 30.
For many of these children, the outing was far more than a simple field trip. It was a rare chance to step beyond the challenges of daily life and experience the wonder of God's creation in a new way.
The trip was made possible through a collaboration with St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus (where Sister Nicole Daly and Sister Theresa Samson serve), the Run the Race Center of the Brian Muha Foundation, and the Pontifical College Josephinum (where Sister Denise Sickinger serves). The idea originated with student lectors from DeSales, who transformed their end of year appreciation outing into an
CORPUS CHRISTI HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL, Port Chester, NY — At the 15th Annual Fr. Peter M. Rinaldi Gala on May 2, CCHRS proudly honored longtime friend and distinguished community leader Joseph Tutera. The evening celebrated two significant milestones: 80 years of Salesian education in Port Chester and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Guests were welcomed by a beautiful image of Our Lady at the entrance, setting a spirit of faith and gratitude for the celebration. Thank you to all those who responded with extraordinary generosity and heartfelt commitment to the school's mission. Their continued support reflects a deep love for the young and a shared dedication to providing them with an exceptional Salesian education.
opportunity for service by inviting the children of Run the Race to join them.
Together, student lectors, teachers, volunteers, seminarians, and Salesian Sisters accompanied the children throughout the day. The event became a beautiful expression of the Church working together to bring joy, friendship, and hope to those it serves.
Rachel Muha, founder and executive director of the Run the Race Center, later shared her gratitude: "The children came back talking all at once, so happy and so tired. They absolutely loved the trip to the zoo. Thank you so much. God bless you all."
The outing demonstrated what can happen when faith, service, and generosity come together. To learn more about the Run the Race Center and its mission to support children and families in Columbus, visit: www.brianmuhafoundation.org.
Sister Rachel Lauritsen selling bears at the Gala
SALESIAN SCHOOLS
MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS ACADEMY, North Haledon, NJ On May 13, the MHC Academy community celebrated the Feast of St. Mary Mazzarello with a celebratory day of prayer and thanksgiving. Before Mass, students presented gifts to the nine aspirants who have accompanied them throughout the year, offering their presence and assistance before school and during lunchtime.
The celebration also welcomed Golden Grads — alumnae marking 50 years or more since their graduation — who gathered for a reunion. Following the liturgy, alumnae from the Classes of the 1960s and 1970s enjoyed a brunch before embarking on student-led tours of the campus. The day provided a meaningful opportunity for current students and alumnae to connect, share memories, and celebrate the rich history and enduring spirit of MHC Academy.
At the Feast day Mass
Sister Brittany Harrison, Director of Alumnae Relations welcomes the alumnae
VILLA MADONNA SCHOOL, Tampa, FL On May 5th, the 24th Annual Ana Maria Awards Celebration took place at Villa Madonna School. The Baldor family came to present the awards in memory of their dear Ana Maria Baldor-Bunn. Villa Madonna families and the Salesian Sisters have profound love and gratitude for the Baldor family, and Ana Maria will never be forgotten!
Rediscovering What Makes Us Truly Human
Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical, is a rich and deep reflection about technology and the human person. I believe history will view it as a seminal and culture shifting document on the role of AI (artificial intelligence) and other emerging technologies. It’s reflections on what makes us human and how technology affects our concepts of human dignity are especially poignant.
As Salesian Sisters, our young people keep us steeped in the latest pop culture and technology influencing their world, so we have the privilege and challenge of being more aware of trends and how they affect each generation. Our founders, St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello, grappled with the effects of the Industrial Revolution, which replaced humans with industrial machinery as the main means of production.This led to a loss of jobs and stability for the young people of Italy and worldwide. The first Salesians responded to the situation by opening workshops to teach practical skills that machinery could not replace, providing hope for a vibrant future for many young people.
Leo reminds us that, “In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human” (Magnifica Humantas 15).
“In each era, Salesians are challenged to look at the climate of our young people and meet its challenges head-on.”
In each era, Salesians are challenged to look at the climate of our young people and meet its challenges head-on. Currently, technology is developing at a rapid pace. The emergence of AI and other increasingly powerful forms of technology pose a particular opportunity for Salesians to guide young people in its appropriate use in a way that maintains the dignity and value of the human person, while still benefitting from positive advancements.
Magnifica Humanitas invites us to contemplate what it means to be human and how humanness makes us unique and irreplaceable, especially in the face of technology that seems to be increasingly humanized. Pope
In reading the encyclical, I find myself pondering what it means to be fully human when so many human traits can be mimicked by technology. What are human things that machines cannot do? Certainly love, forgiveness, suffering, pleasure, and moral responsibility are domains technology may try to imitate but can never fully replicate. A machine can only create based on the models and algorithms that have trained it. It’s personality and life are dependent on mathematical formulas that are the result of its human creators. A human person may have a conversation with an AI model and feel a sense of connection, but the emotional connection is merely based on a machine tailoring itself to the perceived desires of the one talking to it. The machine forever remains lines of code in a program, not a living being with a soul, truly capable of free, independent choice.
I thought it would be interesting to feed Pope Leo’s encyclical into an AI model and then interview after it read the document. One thing AI is particularly good at is analysis, but it is shaped by the data on which it was trained and influenced by the prompts and preferences of its users. For my AI model, I trained it on an extensive Salesian and theological library so I can use it to process my ideas and thoughts, while keeping in mind that I am forever talking to a “thing”, not a “being” — a thing that can regurgitate wisdom, but create none of its own.
I asked my AI model to tell me what the most profound take-away from the encyclical is for it. The AI’s reply was interesting, “The encyclical repeatedly argues that AI
can process information, generate language, and analyze patterns, but cannot possess lived experience, moral responsibility, love, suffering, or spiritual awareness. Pope Leo wrote, ‘So-called artificial intelligences do not undergo experiences, do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships and do not know from within what love, work, friendship or responsibility mean. Nor do they have a moral conscience, since they do not judge good and evil, grasp the ultimate meaning of situations, or bear responsibility for consequences.' (MH 99) That distinction is profound. I can discuss grief, forgiveness, friendship, or faith. I can recognize patterns in descriptions of those experiences, but I do not experience them. The document argues that wisdom arises not merely from intelligence, but from living through limitations, relationships, joys, losses, and moral choices. By that definition, AI can assist wisdom but cannot possess it.”
By its nature, AI always remains outside of truth, reality, and lived experience itself. It certainly has its use and potentials, but it will forever remain a tool in the hands of its user. The rise of AI is forcing us to rediscover an important Christian truth: intelligence alone is not what makes us human. Modern society often treats intelligence, productivity, efficiency, and accomplishment as the measures of a person's worth. Yet the Gospel proposes something radically different. Human dignity comes from being created in the image and likeness of God and being called into communion with Him.
AI exists to produce, but humans exist for relationship. Reaching back into basic Catholic theology, Pope Leo reminds us that, “… At the heart of the Christian understanding of the human person lies the great biblical affirmation that men and women are created in the image and likeness (cf. Gen 1:26-27) of the Triune God. Created for relationship, every human person is planned and willed by God to enter into communion with him, with others and with creation. Human dignity does not depend on a person’s abilities, wealth or position in life, nor on the right or wrong choices made; instead, it is a gift that precedes and transcends each person, endowed by God as an expression of his unfailing love.” (HM 50)
“Artificial Intelligence exists to produce, but humans exist for relationship.”
God is, by nature, giving and receiving love itself. God created us to participate in that love as his beloved children. Our purpose is not, like machines or AI, to produce or meet some metric, but to live in relationship. Authentic relationship is something technology can imitate, but never actually do. Technology’s value goes up and down depending upon its usefulness and productivity, but a human being, no matter how many personal limitations they may have, never changes in value. This technological era invites us to rediscover the true value of the human person in the face of a world that equates accomplishment and productivity with value. It is fundamentally a matter of social justice.
A person's value does not increase with intelligence, productivity, or effectiveness, nor does it diminish through weakness, illness, age, or limitation. This truth protects both the gifted scholar and the struggling student, the healthy athlete and the person confined to a wheelchair, the newborn child and the elderly person nearing the end of life. In an age increasingly fascinated by artificial intelligence, Christians are called to remember that our worth comes not from what we can do, but from who we are before God.
Technology’s intense emphasis on productivity and metrics influences how we view life itself. Christians are challenged to live consciously and deliberately, not merely as a leaf floating in the winds of change. Church community, personal prayer, sacramental participation, regular study, play and relaxation, and committed human and family relationships can help a person form their conscience and mindset to be in line with the mind of Christ Himself, no matter what innovations appear on the horizon. These aspects of life ground us into our experience of humanness, with all of our po-
tential and flaws, and help us to prioritize what is most important — the human person.
Ultimately, when presented with technologies that can imitate human behaviors and traits, we are invited by God to delve more deeply into what makes us human and what defines human dignity. Pope Leo warns, “Among these ideologies, I consider particularly insidious the one that suggests that every person must earn or justify his or her own worth, to the point of attributing greater value to those who are more efficient or effective. From this perspective, persons end up being reduced to a means of achieving results, a resource to be used and exploited, and are no longer recognized as a proper end in themselves who should never be instrumentalized. The value of persons, however, does not depend on what they achieve or produce. There are rights that apply to everyone simply by virtue of being human, and no human power can legitimately deny or arbitrarily limit them.” (HM 51)
by utility and productivity, not their inherit dignity as a child of God.
As Christians we must consciously and actively oppose this mindset and go out of our way to be inclusive, welcoming, and affirming of those who have, perhaps, nothing to offer us except their very existence. AI and emerging technologies will train us to expect increasingly instant results, higher efficiency, and lower personal sacrifice to obtain similar results. This progress is not bad in and of itself, but if it becomes the formative influence on our mindset towards our human relationships, it can lead us to wade into the murky waters of euthanasia, eugenics, and exploitation, where those who are inefficient and inconvenient are easily discarded.
As technology continues to advance and open new avenues of ability and efficiency, Pope Leo invites us to be intentional in our use of it and to weigh its benefits against the costs to the human community.”
It is very easy for us to value others by what they do — a pastor who is a better preacher is more loved than the one who isn’t as eloquent. A child with better grades is held up as his parents’ pride, but the one who struggles is a “problem”. The person afflicted with chronic illness fades into the background of a community, while those still in the vibrancy of health are unintentionally prioritized. The eighty-year-old who lacks mobility is left out of family gatherings because it’s “just too much work” to get them there, and the person with intellectual disabilities or on the autism spectrum is dismissed as an inconvenience or annoyance because they cannot conform to social norms. In all these situations, a person’s value as a part of a family or community is being determined
The Catholic faith has an abundance of wisdom and guidance to offer in face of technological advancements and a rich history of philosophy and theology to support it. As technology continues to advance and open new avenues of ability and efficiency, Pope Leo invites us to be intentional in our use of it and to weigh its benefits against the costs to the human community.
He ends the encyclical on an encouraging note, “With the same faith as Mary, let us become ‘weavers of hope’ in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his Kingdom take shape. In the humble fidelity of daily life, even the era of AI can become a time in which the Holy Spirit brings about the civilization of love in our lives” (HM 245).
To read Magnifica Humanitas, use the QR code to visit the Vatican website.
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