The Contemplative Fraternity of Mary of Nazareth was born from a concern of Archbishop Nicola Cotugno SDB, now emeritus archbishop of Montevideo. It was a concern that he had since the time of his novitiate when he showed an inclination for the contemplative life but was encouraged to remain in the Salesian Congregation.
The urgent need for contemplation in the Salesian charism was confirmed over the years by various Salesians, including, in 1964, Fr Egidio Vigano who would later become the seventh successor of Don Bosco.
He received encouragement from Bishop Giuseppe Gottardi, auxiliary bishop of Montevideo, who is also a Salesian. On 14 August 1977 the first member of the Contemplative Fraternity of Mary made the promise during Mass. "What I can say with certainty is that this contemplation in action, which is the aspiration we want to live our lives, is deeply rooted in Salesian spirituality" Fr Cotugno said on that occasion.
In 1986 the Fraternity was recognized by the local Church and in 1993 it received juridical recognition as a private association of faithful.
The charismatic identity of the fraternity is based on contemplation in action. "Living contemplation is, for Christians, an experience of union with God in all activities and expressions of life ... Mary of Nazareth, the everyday woman, is our model of contemplation," according to the website of the Fraternity.
The fraternity is made up of lay people, religious and priests and is widespread in Uruguay, Argentina, Italy, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The Moderator of the Fraternity is Mrs Silvia Ourthe Cabalé.
The decree of aggregation, signed by the Rector Major, can be found on the sdb.org site. In it is written, among other things: "this fraternity, with its testimony of contemplative spiritual life and its educational and pastoral activity and social assistance, carried out in the Salesian style, makes a valuable and original contribution to the Salesian Family, enriching it with their own charism of contemplative in action, in the spirit of Don Bosco and in fidelity to the Founder."
