St. John Bosco

John Bosco was born in Piedmont, Italy on August 16 1815. His parents were poor and his father died when he was two years old, leaving his mother to support her three sons. John’s early education was interrupted by his need to work, but he entered the seminary in 1835 and was ordained six years later. He was sent to Turin and while visiting the prisoners there, he saw children imprisoned in horrible conditions; he resolved to spend his life helping such children. On December 8, 1841, Don Bosco was getting ready to say Mass when he heard the sacristan arguing with a poorly-dressed boy because the child would not serve Mass. The priest intervened and made friends with young Bartolomeo Garelli. Soon Don Bosco was taking several boys on educational outings; the day began with Mass followed by games, a good meal, teaching of basic skills and the catechism and ended with Vespers. Bosco earned the boys’ affection and respect by his kind, fair teaching methods; he seldom used punishment. By March of 1846, 400 boys belonged to this group, which was called the Oratory after St. Philip Neri’s society. After several setbacks, John Bosco was able to purchase land where he could hold night school for the boys, who had to work during the day; eventually, he was able to establish a home for poor boys, followed by a home for poor girls. To his joy, Bosco’s mother was able to assist him in caring for the boys. The city’s criminal element was not happy that the priest was taking away some of the children they exploited and at times, Don Bosco was threatened with violence. Although the city authorities at first feared his schools were nuisances, they soon came to see that he was doing the community a favor by reforming the boys; with the support of city officials, Don Bosco was able to establish several technical schools. He established a two religious orders, one of men and one of women, to teach poor children; these are the Salesian communities, named after St. Francis de Sales. The Salesian orders grew rapidly; by the time of Don Bosco’s death on January 31, 1888, his order had 250 houses, taking care of 13,000 children. John Bosco was canonized in 1934.