Feast Day: January 31
Profile
John's father died when the boy was 2
years old, and as soon as he was old enough to do odd jobs, he did so for extra money for
his family. Bosco would go to circuses, fairs and carninals, practice the tricks he saw,
and then present one-boy shows; after his performance, while he still had an audience of
boys, he would repeat the homily he had heard earlier in church.
Worked as a tailor, baker, shoemaker, and
carpenter while attending college and the seminary. Priest. Teacher. Worked with youth,
finding places where they could meet, play and pray. Wrote short treatises aimed at
explaining the faith to children, and then taught children how to print them. Founded the Salesians
of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859, priests who work with and educate boys, under the
protection of Our Lady, Help of Chistians, and Saint Francis de Sales. Founded the Daughters
of Mary, Help of Christians in 1872, and Union of Cooperator Salesians in 1875.
Born
1815 @ Becchi, Castelnuovo d'Asti,
Piedmont, Italy
Died
1888 @ Turin, Italy
Canonized
1934
Name
Meaning
God is gracious (= John)
Patronage
apprentices, boys, editors,
Mexican young people, laborers, schoolchildren, students young people
Prayer to Saint John Bosco
Admirable
apostle of youth, founder of religious Congregations, catechist, educator,
writer, and a light that shone brightly in our time, you know that one of
the greatest powers today is the power of the Press. Prompt editors to be
always truthful and to work for the good of human beings, thus serving the
greater glory of God. Amen.
Prayer
of the Church
God of mercy,
You called Saint John Bosco to be a father and teacher of the young.
Grant that inspired by his ardent charity we may serve You alone and never
tire of brining others to Your Kingdom. Amen.
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Readings
Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous
snake. If you keep good companions, I can assure you that you will one day
rejoice with the blessed in Heaven; whereas if you keep with those who are
bad, you will become bad yourself, and you will be in danger of losing
your soul.
Saint John Bosco
Enjoy yourself as much as you like -- if only you keep
from sin.
Saint John Bosco
Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit him
often. Do you want him to give you few graces? Visit him seldom. Visits to
the Blessed Sacrament are powerful and indispensable means of overcoming
the attacks of the devil. Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament and the devil will be powerless against you.
Saint John Bosco
My sons, in my long experience very often I had to be
convinced of this great truth. It is easier to become angry than to
restrain oneself, and to threaten a boy than to persuade him. Yes, indeed,
it is more fitting to be persistent in punishing our own impatience and
pride than to correct the boys. We must be firm but kind, and be patient
with them.
See that no one finds you motivated by impetuosity or willfulness. It is
difficult to keep calm when administering punishment, but this must be
done if we are to keep ourselves from showing off our authority or
spilling out our anger.
Let us regard those boys over whom we have some authority as our own sons.
Let us place ourselves in their service. Let us be ashamed to assume an
attitude of superiority. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose
of serving them better.
This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with
their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated
sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked,
others to be scandalized and still others to hope for God's mercy. And so
he bade us to be gentle and humble of heart.
from a letter by Saint John Bosco
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