St. John Bosco also known as Don Bosco, was born on August 16th, 1815 in a farm located in the hills of Becchi, at the bottom of the Italian Alps, The young Don Bosco was born into a poor humble family that depended on farming, his parents were Francis Bosco and Margaret Occhiena and his 2 brothers Joseph and Anthony.

Just two years after his birth the tragic death of his father left Margaret in charge of raising the three boys by herself. Since a very young age, he and his brothers experienced the hardships of poverty after losing their father. Margaret a woman of courage and faith taught the boys that work was a privilege and so they had to take responsibility and carry out chores such as firewood to cut and collect, fields to work on, sacrifices that had to be made in order to keep their home and farm.

It started with a Dream

At a very young age, the future saint knew God called him to serve youth. When he was just nine years old, he was inspired by a dream that would change his life forever. He saw a multitude of very poor boys who were fighting and cursing amongst each other. Suddenly a man of majestic appearance emerged and told him: “With meekness and charity, you will conquer these your friends.” The boys then turned into the wild animals that they had been acting like. Once again the man then told John that the field was John’s life’s work and that once John changed and grew in humility and faithfulness, he would see a change in the children a change that the man then demonstrated in the dream. The wild animals suddenly changed into gentle lambs.

A Lady just as majestic appeared and added: “Make yourself humble, strong and robust. At the right time you will understand everything.”

The beginning of Don Bosco’s Ministry

Ever since that dream, he knew it was his destiny to become a priest and would dedicate himself to assist the poor youth but in order to fulfill his dream, he had to leave home and assist the city school where he would walk for hours to receive an education. One of John’s favorite hobbies was to watch traveling performers that juggled or walked the tightrope over time he saw this as an opportunity and learned all these tricks as well and caught the attention of the kids. Soon after he started his own shows, kids and neighbors would gather around to enjoy performances. By the end of the show, the young Bosco didn’t want to receive money but instead would recite a homily and ask everyone to join him in prayer.

Don Bosco was 26 years old when he was ordained to the priesthood in Turin. He would now be called Don Bosco and would come to celebrate his first mass the day right after in the church of St. Francis of Assisi. Following his dream, he immediately went out into the streets and came to the rescue of the youth; he began by working with orphan boys that would roam the streets of Turin or would come to him for shelter. With the growing number of boys shortly after he opened a hospice where his mother would help him and would become known as Mama Margaret for her tenderness and love for the children. He not only fed the homeless orphans whom he took in but also provided them with educational skills like teaching them how to read, write and helping them find stable jobs.

The Birth of the Salesian Family and Preventive System

His work began in Turin and then he moved around the world. In 1854, speaking to the group of young people with whom he founded a religious congregation, Don Bosco said: “Our Lady wants us to found a Society. I have decided that we will call ourselves Salesians. Let’s put ourselves under the protection of St. Francis de Sales.” Several years later, in 1859, Don Bosco founded the Salesian Congregation. Also in 1872, he co-founded, together with Maria Mazzarello, the Community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. A congregation that would do a job similar to that of St. John Bosco, but with women. By 1875, he would send missionaries to various parts of the world, with the job to work for the poor, young, and create a more equitable, and Christian society

St. John Bosco would dedicate his life to young people, writing many books, promoting the creation of workshops, schools, oratories, and proposing a new educational system: The Preventive System.

This system sums up John Bosco’s educational philosophy in three words: Reason, Religion, and Love. It was impossible for him to educate a young man by reason, if he is not loved, his problems are understood and he is supported to solve them, This unique system sculpts a person in body, heart, mind, and spirit. He emphasized strongly that the youth should be taught through love patience and empathy and not with intimidation or punishment. This system is now globally practiced by many institutes, colleges, and Institutes of Higher Education.

Don Bosco’s Holiness

Don Bosco’s last years weren’t easy, as years passed he became old and weary but yet he still kept up with all the Salesian activities and passed on his Mission and teachings in schools, technical schools, youth hostels, and oratories. Don Bosco’s soul passed to his God on January 31, 1888, along with his Salesians praying beside him. In his last prayers that he recited with his brothers: “never forget these three things: devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to Mary Help of Christians, and devotion to (always be in support and come to the defense of) the Holy Father!” 

On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1934, Pope Pius XI declared Don Bosco a saint, and was to be recognized as “Father and Teacher of Youth.” To this day his ideals, his spirit, and teachings still live and are practiced by priests, brothers, and sisters who continue life and practice his principles on this earth. Today “The Salesians of Don Bosco” is an international society that is dedicated to Society’s work for the development and education of the young especially those who are at risk or in need.

The Salesians of Don Bosco serve the youth worldwide irrespective of religious differences or social inequality. His values and teachings are present in 4.000 schools, Colleges, technical schools, and youth centers in 133 countries.

One of Don Bosco’s most memorable teachings

“Education is a Matter of the Heart”