PHOTO ARCHIVES
Ramos Mejía, Argentina - 1949 - In 1949 Jorge Mario Bergoglio attended the Wilfrid Barón de los Santos Ángeles Salesian school in Ramos Mejía, near Buenos Aires. There he attended the sixth year of primary school, class 6 B. In this photo, taken during a holiday period in Bernal, young Jorge Mario is portrayed with his classmates. He appears behind Father Cantarutti, the school principal at the time, wearing a dark grey apron.
Madrid, Spain – 1948 – This photo captures a large group portrait of members from the “Domenico Savio” Club, posed in front of the Salesian house in Atocha in 1948. The image seems to mark a significant moment for the Salesian community, bearing witness to the commitment and unity that defined the era. The “Domenico Savio” Club is a youth movement rooted in Salesian spirituality and inspired by the life of Saint Dominic Savio. Through gatherings and apostolic activities, the group strives to live out their faith with joy and enthusiasm in everyday life.
Cusco, Peru – 1905 – This photograph, published by the Historical Archive of Peru, captures the arrival of the Salesians in Cusco, also known as the “Navel of the World,” in 1905. Featured in the Picture are the Rector of the Cusco school, Fr. Miguel Ferrucio Baldi (center), and Salesian Francisco Paglia (who would go on to become the first Rector of the Salesian Agricultural School in Yucay), together with the first students of the Salesian School of Cusco.
Valsalice, Italy – 1892 – During the 6th General Chapter, held in Valsalice from August 29 to September 7, 1892, the decision was made to send at least four Salesians to Mexico. On September 5, 1892, Fr. Raffaele Piperni, on behalf of Fr. Michele Rua, sent a confirmation letter to Lascuráin, informing him of the Salesians’ impending arrival. In the end, five Salesians departed from Turin on October 19, 1892, marking the beginning of the Salesian mission in Mexico.