March 25, 2025. Turin, Italy. At the conclusion of the 29th General Chapter in Valdocco (Turin), 220 provincials and delegates elected Fr. Fabio Attard SDB as the new Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco—marking him as the 11th successor of Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Congregation ([sdb.org][1], [sdb.org][2]). Born on March 23, 1959 in Gozo, Malta, Fr. Attard’s journey through seminary in Ireland, theological studies, missionary work, and educational leadership—culminating in a doctorate in theology—positions him to guide the global Congregation into its next phase ([sdb.org][2]).
The role of Rector Major as Don Bosco’s successor has been a continuous lineage of leadership in the Salesian Society since his passing in 1888 ([sdb.org][3]):
- Saint John Bosco (1874–1888) – founder and first Rector Major
- Blessed Michele Rua (1888–1910) – “The Living Rule,” led explosive growth across Europe and abroad ([infoans.org][4])
- Fr. Paolo Albera (1910–1921)
- Blessed Filippo Rinaldi (1922–1931)
- Fr. Pietro Ricaldone (1932–1951)
- Fr. Renato Ziggiotti (1952–1965) – first to resign and first to visit every Salesian presence worldwide ([en.wikipedia.org][5], [infoans.org][4])
- Fr. Luigi Ricceri (1965–1977)
- Fr. Egidio Viganò (1977–1995) – mission-driven leader and theologian, confessor of Pope John Paul II ([infoans.org][4], [en.wikipedia.org][6])
- Fr. Juan Edmundo Vecchi (1995–2002) – first non-Italian successor, Argentine by birth ([en.wikipedia.org][7])
- Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva (2002–2014) – first Mexican in the role, the last to be re-elected under the old term rule ([en.wikipedia.org][8])
- Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime (2014–2025) – first Spaniard and a respected cardinal since 2023 ([donbosco.lk][9])
Fr. Attard succeeds Cardinal Fernández Artime and is now responsible for shepherding a Congregation of approximately 13,750 Salesians across 92 provinces in 136 countries ([sdb.org][2]).
Fr. Attard’s election is historic not only because he was the first Rector Major elected from outside the Chapter assembly—receiving the news by phone due to his absence—but also for embodying a vision rooted in theological scholarship, missionary dedication, and deep pastoral care ([zenit.org][10]).
In his first significant act, Fr. Attard presided over the opening Mass at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, inviting the Salesian Family into a new season of fellowship, dialogue, and commitment ([infoans.org][11]).
As the 11th Successor of Don Bosco, Fr. Fabio Attard is poised to guide the Salesian Family with renewed purpose and pastoral energy. His leadership promises to uphold Don Bosco’s charism—especially in serving the most vulnerable youth—and to reinforce the global mission of Salesian education and pastoral care.
Excerpted from ANS
