Saint John Bosco, a priest, is celebrated for dedicating his life to the education and evangelization of poor and abandoned youth, founding the Salesian Society to continue his mission of forming good Christians and honest citizens.
Saint John Bosco (1815-1888) was an Italian priest, educator, and founder of the Salesian Society, officially known as the Society of St. Francis de Sales, dedicated to the care and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed the "Preventive System" of education, emphasizing reason, religion, and loving-kindness over punitive measures, which became a hallmark of Salesian pedagogy worldwide. Don Bosco, as he was affectionately known, also founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with Saint Mary Mazzarello to provide similar care for girls, and established the Association of Salesian Cooperators for lay people, thus creating a vast movement for youth ministry that continues to impact millions globally by fostering vocational training, moral development, and evangelization.
Saint John Bosco, affectionately known as Don Bosco, was born Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco on August 16, 1815, in Becchi, a small hamlet near Castelnuovo d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy. His early life was marked by hardship; his father died when John was only two years old, leaving his mother, Margherita Occhiena, to raise three children in extreme poverty. Despite the challenges, Margherita, a woman of deep faith and practical wisdom, instilled in her children strong moral values and a profound love for God. This foundational upbringing was crucial, as it prepared John for a pivotal experience at the age of nine: a prophetic dream. In this dream, a majestic figure, whom he understood to be Jesus, and a beautiful lady, identified as Mary, instructed him to win over a group of fighting, unruly boys not with blows, but with kindness and gentleness. This dream became the guiding star of his entire life, revealing his future mission to dedicate himself to the education and evangelization of poor and abandoned youth.
In the bustling, often perilous streets of Turin, where Saint John Bosco dedicated his life to the abandoned youth, danger often lurked in the shadows. Don Bosco, frequently returning late to the Oratory, sometimes carrying funds for his burgeoning work, became a target for ruffians and those who wished him ill. It was during these vulnerable moments that a remarkable, mysterious protector would appear: Grigio. This large, grey dog, seemingly a stray, would materialize out of nowhere, especially when Don Bosco was in peril. On one memorable occasion, as Don Bosco walked through a dark, deserted alley, two men sprang from the shadows, intending to rob and harm him. Just as they lunged, Grigio, with a furious growl and bared teeth, leaped between Don Bosco and his assailants, driving them off in terror. The dog did not bite, but his sheer presence and fierce demeanor were enough to deter the attackers, who fled into the night. On another night, as Don Bosco was about to be ambushed near the Valdocco Oratory, Grigio suddenly appeared, circling him protectively and barking ferociously until the would-be attackers retreated. This was not a singular event; Grigio appeared countless times over the years, always when Don Bosco was in danger, always providing a timely and effective defense. As soon as Don Bosco reached the safety of the Oratory, Grigio would vanish as mysteriously as he had arrived, never entering the building nor staying permanently. The boys and Salesians at the Oratory occasionally saw him, but he was truly Don Bosco’s personal guardian. Don Bosco himself believed Grigio was a providential gift, a guardian angel sent by God to protect him and his vital mission for the young, a testament to divine care for his arduous work.
1877
The system of education which we have so far followed with good results is based entirely on reason, religion, and loving-kindness. And so, it excludes every kind of corporal punishment and tries to avoid even the slightest punishment by word; it allows the use of reason and religion, and leaves full freedom to the students to do what they please, so long as it is not contrary to the laws of God or the rules of the house. It is a system that depends entirely on persuasion and advice, on an open and frank relationship with the students, on their trust in the teacher, and on love for God. These are the principles which have guided us and which, by the grace of God, have always brought success. This system, which we call the Preventive System, consists in making the boys understand the rules and regulations of the institute, then watching over them constantly in such a way that they are always under the watchful eye of the director or assistants, who, like loving fathers, take part in their games, accompany them in their walks, and are always with them in the dormitory, refectory, and classroom. This means that the boys are never left alone, but are always accompanied by someone who can advise them, correct them, and prevent them from doing wrong. This is the preventive system: to make the boys understand the rules, to watch over them, and to prevent them from doing wrong. The teacher, then, is not only a teacher of lessons, but also a spiritual father, a friend, a brother. He must be a person who loves the boys, who is interested in their welfare, who shares in their joys and sorrows, who helps them in their difficulties, and who inspires them to do good. In this way, the boys will love the teacher, they will trust him, and they will be open with him. They will see him as a loving father who wants their good, and they will be more disposed to follow his advice and obey his commands. The teacher must also be a person who is full of God, who is animated by a spirit of faith and charity. He must be a person who prays, who receives the sacraments, who lives a virtuous life. In this way, he will be a good example to the boys, and he will be able to lead them to God. The preventive system is especially suited to the education of youth, because it helps them to grow in virtue, to develop their talents, and to become good citizens and good Christians. It is a system that is based on love, on trust, and on freedom. It is a system that respects the dignity of the human person, and that helps young people to discover their true vocation in life. It is a system that has been tried and tested, and that has always brought good results. Therefore, I recommend it to all those who are engaged in the education of youth, especially to those who are working with poor and abandoned boys. Let us always remember that our goal is to form good Christians and honest citizens. And let us always rely on the help of God, who will never abandon us in our efforts to do good. May Mary Help of Christians, our beloved Mother, always guide and protect us in our work. Amen.
January 31, 1988
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
One hundred years ago, on January 31, 1888, Don Bosco, the great 'Father and Teacher of Youth', passed away into eternal life. His centenary is a fitting occasion to recall the figure of this extraordinary saint, who with prophetic insight and apostolic zeal consecrated his entire life to the service of youth, especially the most abandoned and needy. He was truly a pioneer in the field of youth education and a shining example of Christian charity.
Don Bosco's life was a constant act of love for God and for young people. From his earliest years, he felt a profound attraction to the priesthood and a special call to dedicate himself to the salvation of souls, particularly those of the young. His famous dream at the age of nine revealed to him the mission that divine Providence had reserved for him: to gather neglected boys and lead them to Christ, not with blows, but with kindness and persuasion. This dream became the blueprint for his entire life's work, a project he pursued with unwavering determination and boundless creativity.
He began his apostolate in Turin, a city undergoing rapid industrialization, where many young people, uprooted from their families and lacking guidance, were living on the streets, exposed to moral and physical dangers. Don Bosco, with his charismatic personality and his unique pedagogical approach, gathered these boys, offering them a home, education, vocational training, and above all, the warmth of a family and the light of faith. His oratories became true homes, schools, churches, and playgrounds, where young people could grow in an atmosphere of joy, freedom, and responsibility.
His educational method, known as the 'Preventive System', was revolutionary for its time. It was based on reason, religion, and loving-kindness, and it rejected all forms of corporal punishment. Don Bosco believed that education is primarily a matter of the heart, and that young people respond best to love, trust, and understanding. He taught his educators to be present among the boys, to share in their lives, to advise them, correct them, and prevent them from doing wrong, always with patience and affection. This system aimed not only at intellectual and vocational formation but, more profoundly, at the integral development of the human person, fostering moral virtues and a deep spiritual life. He sought to form 'good Christians and honest citizens'.
Don Bosco's zeal was not limited to his immediate surroundings. He founded the Salesian Society (Society of St. Francis de Sales) to ensure the continuity and expansion of his work. He also co-founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with Saint Mary Mazzarello, extending his educational mission to girls. Moreover, he involved lay people in his mission through the Association of Salesian Cooperators. This vast Salesian Family continues his work today, reaching millions of young people around the world, adapting his charism to diverse cultural contexts.
His devotion to Mary Help of Christians was central to his spiritual life and apostolate. He attributed all his successes to her intercession and promoted a profound Marian piety among his boys, teaching them to trust in her maternal protection. Mary was, for him, the true 'foundress' and 'directress' of his work.
Don Bosco's legacy is immense. He showed the Church and the world the transformative power of education rooted in Christ's love. He reminds us that every young person, especially the most vulnerable, carries within them a divine spark and deserves our utmost care and dedication. His life is an eloquent testament to the fact that holiness is achieved through humble and tireless service to God and neighbor. As we commemorate his centenary, let us renew our commitment to the young, following the example of this saint who truly lived out the words of Christ: 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.' May Saint John Bosco continue to inspire us to be true fathers and mothers, teachers and friends, to the young people of our time, guiding them towards a future of hope and faith.
Salesian schools and oratories worldwide host special youth festivals, sports events, cultural performances, and catechetical sessions, reflecting Saint John Bosco's holistic approach to youth development.
This tradition directly aligns with Saint John Bosco's charism and life's work of educating and evangelizing youth through recreation and spiritual formation.
Many Catholic communities, especially those connected to the Salesian Family, observe a novena (nine days of prayer) or triduum (three days of prayer) leading up to January 31st, featuring specific prayers and reflections on Saint John Bosco's life and virtues.
This is a common Catholic devotional practice to honor saints and prepare for their feast days, seeking their intercession.
In Salesian educational institutions globally, it is common to hold special blessings for students, teachers, and even educational materials or tools, invoking Saint John Bosco's intercession for academic success and vocational development.
Saint John Bosco is the patron of schoolchildren, apprentices, and educators, reflecting his lifelong dedication to education and vocational training.
Theatrical plays, musical performances, and sometimes even magic shows are performed in Salesian settings as part of the celebrations for his feast day, reminiscent of Don Bosco's own methods.
Saint John Bosco famously used juggling, magic tricks, and plays to attract, engage, and evangelize boys, integrating these arts into his educational and pastoral method.