Ecuador – 106 years sowing the seeds of education, faith and culture: the legacy of the Don Bosco Publishing Group

24 March 2026

(ANS – Guayaquil) – 19 March 1920 marked the beginning of a story which, more than a century later, remains alive and constantly evolving. In the city of Guayaquil, at the then-newly established Cristóbal Colón School, Salesian priest Luis Natale Strazzieri wrote the Manual of Ecuadorian History for children, considered the first educational text printed by the Salesians in the country.

This achievement was not only a feat for its time, but also the starting point of a publishing tradition deeply committed to education.

Father Strazzieri, who arrived in Ecuador in 1909, distinguished himself not only as an author but also as the driving force behind the Salesian typography and printing workshops. His educational vision, inspired by the charism of Don Bosco, promoted a holistic education that combined the pedagogical, the cultural and the spiritual, laying the foundations for what is now the Don Bosco Publishing Group.

Over the course of these 106 years, cities such as Guayaquil, Riobamba, Quito and Cuenca have witnessed the tireless work of Salesians and lay collaborators who, in the early days, took on the dual role of authors and printers. Their objective was clear: to provide relevant educational materials, aligned with the reality of the country and the pedagogical trends of each era.

Today, the Don Bosco Publishing Group comprises Editorial Don Bosco, the Don Bosco Salesian Centre for Pastoral and Audiovisual Publications. Together, they have consolidated a comprehensive offering that encompasses school textbooks, literature, digital solutions, pastoral resources and audiovisual production. All of this is underpinned by the Salesian Preventive System, whose aim is to communicate, educate and evangelise.

More than an institution, the Don Bosco Publishing Group represents a living tradition. Every publication, every technological innovation and every project reflects a mission that transcends time: to form people, support educational processes and convey hope. In this continuity, built on commitment and vocation, lies the greatest richness of its legacy.

Celebrating 106 years is to acknowledge a history of evangelisation and education in the service of Ecuador, which has impacted entire generations and continues to be written day by day.

Source: Salesians Ecuador

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".