The Salesians are an ecclesiastical order exclusively focused on the upbringing and welfare of male youth. These monks came to Rijeka on January 6, 1918, at the end of World War I, summoned by a representative of the Association of Mary, Matija Balas. The need for their activity was obviously great, because after 1870 there were great migratory movements in Rijeka, and workers from all over the Monarchy were rushing to the city, and this caused many social problems. The greatest victims of these events in society were children, especially males, often brought up completely neglected and left in despair.