Don Bosco was born in 1815 in Becchi, a small village in the Piedmont region of Italy. He was the youngest of three children and lost his father at a young age. His mother, Margaret, who was illiterate, raised him and his siblings on her own. Despite the odds, Don Bosco was a bright and curious child and showed a particular interest in the priesthood.
After completing his studies, Don Bosco was ordained a priest in 1841. He was assigned to a parish on the outskirts of Turin, where he discovered the plight of the street children and young people who were left to roam the streets. Many of them were orphans, homeless, and neglected.
Don Bosco felt a deep calling to help these young people, and he began to gather them together in his parish. He taught them basic literacy and numeracy skills and gave them a sense of hope and purpose. He also provided them with food, shelter, and clothing, and taught them practical skills such as carpentry, tailoring, and shoe-making.
Through his work with these young people, Don Bosco developed a unique approach to education, which he called the “preventive system.” This system was based on the idea that young people are best reached through loving kindness, rather than punishment or coercion. Don Bosco believed that by building meaningful relationships with them and providing them with a sense of belonging and purpose, he could help them to develop their full potential.
As his work with young people grew, Don Bosco began to attract the attention of other priests and educators who wanted to join him in his mission. In 1863, he founded the Salesian Society, a religious order dedicated to the education of young people, with a particular focus on those who were most disadvantaged.
Don Bosco’s work with young people continued to grow and expand, and he became a well-known and respected figure in Italy and beyond. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and humility, as well as his commitment to the education and well-being of young people.
Throughout his life, Don Bosco never lost sight of his mission, even in the face of opposition and setbacks. He remained tireless in his dedication to young people and continued to work for their benefit until his death in 1888.
Today, Don Bosco’s legacy lives on through the Salesian Society and its work with young people around the world. He is also remembered through various landmarks, including the beautiful basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, which he helped to design and build.
In 2009, Don Bosco was canonized by the Catholic Church and declared a saint. His feast day is celebrated on January 31st, the anniversary of his death.
In conclusion, the life and work of St. John Bosco, or Don Bosco, is a testament to the power of faith, hope, and love in the world. He dedicated his life to the education and well-being of young people, and his legacy continues to inspire and guide us today. May we all strive to live our lives with the same spirit of kindness, generosity, and commitment to service that Don Bosco embodied.