Fr. Fabio Attard is the New Salesian Rector Major

Don Bosco’s 11th Successor Elected

Fr. Fabio Attard Is the New Rector Major

(ANS – Turin – March 25, 2025) - The 29th General Chapter of the Society of St. Francis de Sales has elected the new rector major, Fr. Fabio Attard, after an intense period of synodal discernment. 220 provincials and delegates were gathered at the historic motherhouse of the Society at Valdocco in Turin.

As the 11th successor of Don Bosco, Fr. Attard is called to lead the Salesian Congregation and to perpetuate its charism in the service of young people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, in 136 nations around the world. He fully embodies the contemporary Salesian identity. With his charism, Fr. Fabio will animate and govern a community composed of 13,750 consecrated members (priests and brothers), organized into 92 provinces across six continents.

[Editor’s note] Fr. Attard’s election was a historic first. After serving 12 years on the general council (2008-2020), he was not a member of this chapter and wasn’t present. He had to be summoned from Rome to take his new office. He is a native of Malta.

Fr. Fabio (2d from right) with New Rochelle's SDBs at GC29:
Fr. Mike Pace (translation staff), Bro. Travis Gunther (province delegate),
and Fr. Dominic Tran (provincial)