Year of Saint Joseph | January 30-31 2021 | Feast of Saint John Bosco | 75th Anniversary Year
A Short Biography of St. John Bosco
Born in Castlenuovo d’Asti on August 16, 1815, John was educated in the faith and in living according to the Gospel message by his mother. He was just nine years old when he had a dream, which called him to dedicate himself to the education of young people. While still a boy, he began to entertain his peers with games alternated with work, prayer and religious education.
On becoming a priest (1841), he chose as his life’s programme: “Da mihi animas cetera tolle” (“Give me souls, take all the rest” Gen. 14: 21). He began his apostolate among poor young people with the founding of the Oratory, which he placed under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales.
He led young people to meet Christ by means of his educational style and pastoral practice, based on reason, religion and loving-kindness (the Preventive System). He led young people to reflect, to meet Christ and their brothers and sisters, to the study of the faith and to apostolic, civil and professional commitment. St. Dominic Savio stands out among the most outstanding fruits of his work.
The source of his indefatigable activity and of the effectiveness of his work was his “constant union with God” and his unlimited confidence in Mary Our Help.
who he considered to be the inspiration and support of his whole work.
He left, as an inheritance for his Salesian sons and daughters, a form of religious life that was simple but founded on solid Christian virtue and on contemplation in action, which may be summed up in the words “work and temperance.”
He sought his best collaborators among his young people, thus establishing the Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians). Together with St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters).
Finally, together with good and hard-working lay men and women, he created the Salesian Cooperators to work alongside him and sustain the education of young people, thus anticipating new forms of apostolate in the Church. In the centenary of his death, which took place on January 31, 1888, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him The Father and Teacher of Youth.
“No one did more in the last century for so many people than Don Bosco, not only by his personal influence but also by the apostolate of his marvelous Sons.” – Cardinal Spellman
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“The figure of St John Bosco, the friend of youth, continues to exert a fascinating attraction for young people of the most widely differing cultures under heaven. It is true that his educational message needs to be studied at still greater depth, to be adapted and renewed with intelligence and courage, precisely because of changed social, cultural, ecclesial and pastoral contexts. It will be well to keep in mind the new lines of thought and the developments that have taken place in many fields, the signs of the times and the indications of Vatican II. Nevertheless the substance of his teaching remains intact; the unique nature of his spirit, his intuitions, his style, his charisma are unchanged, because they draw their inspiration from the transcendent pedagogy of God.”
Pope John Paul II, Iuvenum Patris, 27. 1988
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“Don Bosco’s example has created a tradition which is one of the most admired and characteristic features of our Society: the Salesian who plays games. On how many occasions have relatives of the boys and other visitors stood in amazement, enraptured and spellbound at the sight of Masters and Assistants running about in the playground, nimble and breathless, making them-selves boys with boys and uniting their pupils and themselves in the enjoyment of one common pleasure, in a happy family spirit, which could not fail to impress everyone by its simplicity, charm and eminently educational influence. This is the same spirit that our Holy Founder himself created and wished to be perpetuated in our traditions. Under those conditions, especially, the Salesian’s power over the boys in his charge is supreme; following in Don Bosco’s footsteps, he is not slow to seize an opportunity of giving a word of advice which, precisely because it is unexpected and above suspicion, goes home, breaks down barriers, and obtains unexpected results.”
Fr Peter Ricaldone, “Fidelity to Don Bosco”.
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