Saint John Bosco

At the beginning of the 19th Century, social concern was almost nonexistent, and poverty was considered an insoluble problem, with children as the great victims. Especially in cities, they grew up in alleys and slums, roaming the streets. Turin had thousands of them. Don Bosco took the initiative to care for these neglected children and youth. His sensitive heart and firm guidance could bring them together, providing them with shelter and an education. He understood them and made himself accepted by them. He had a hard time changing the mentality of politicians and Church leaders and spurring them to do something about the problem, but he succeeded little by little. In all his difficulties, he kept his good cheer.

John Bosco was born in 1815 in Northern Italy. As a boy, John dreamed that he stood in a crowd of children who were fighting and cussing and he was failing to quiet them. A mysterious lady appeared and told him, “You will have to win these friends of yours not with blows, but with gentleness and kindness. Take your shepherd’s staff and lead them to pasture.” As he matured, he chose to become a priest to minister to the poor and neglected boys who lived in Turin, Italy. He opened several centres where young people could come to play and pray.

He founded an order of priests to assist in this work with children. He named it the Salesians, after his favourite saint, St. Francis de Sales, and founded another order of women to work with girls, called the Daughters of Our Lady, Help of Christians. The Salesian family also includes a community of brothers.  The work of these orders continues today.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
with you and with your Son Jesus
Don Bosco loved the young
and dedicated his life and that of his Congregation
to their education and care.

Dispose your Church and its leaders
and also all parents,
to pay very much attention
to the formation and development of the young,
who are our hope for the future.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.