by Joseph A. DiMauro, OSFS

Itroduction:

The goal of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales is expressed in the first paragraph of the Constitutions which reads: “Their wholehearted endeavor will be to sanctify themselves, in order to aid more efficaciously the sanctification of their neighbor, through the different functions of the sacred ministry, the Christian education of youth, and missions in foreign lands” (Dufour, 1933/1994, p. 53). Since the 1903 foundation of Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware, the Oblates continue to commit themselves to the work of Catholic education in America.

Subjects:

• Introduction
• A Call for Concern
• Decrease in the Number of Oblate Educators
• Table 1. Five Year Comparison of Oblate Faculty to Lay Faculty from 1970-2000
• The Oblate-Salesian Tradition
• Educating the Administrators
• The Salesian Philosophy of Education
• Themes of Salesian Educational Philosophy
• A Need for New Leadership Formation Programs
• References