DON BOSCO
I smiled when I read your post. I love this Saint. In fact, my avatar picture is Don Bosco himself.
He was born in Piedmont, Italy as John Bosco. His father died when he was two leaving his mother, Margaret Bosco, to care for him. She had one son (Johnny) and two step sons. When times got tough, Mamma Margaret had to send Johnny away so that he could study (his older brother, the man of the house, was forcing him to work not study). He had a dream when he was 9. He saw boys fighting, and Johnny got into it to try to get them to stop while he too was throwing fists. He then saw Jesus who said, “Not by blows or fists, but by love.”
One day he was crossing the street with his mother, he passed by a priest and said, “Hi Father.” The priest ignored him. He then turned to his mother and said, “When I become a priest, I’ll have time for boys.”
He was ordained and after encountering a poor boy, he started a weekly oratory (or school/church/playground/home all in one). After a while, he found an actual location for the oratory and his boys moved in. He would teach them religion, reading, writing, and a skill so that they could make money (usually in printing).
To understand Don Bosco and his mission, you have to know that during his time Italy was going through the industrial revolution. So most boys were in the streets working extremely dangerous jobs. He took them in and cared for them.
He then founded the Salesian priests and nuns (my username is named after the order) and their mission is to spread the Gospel to the youth and care for the youth. They were named Salesian after St. Francis de Sales, who was known for his kindness.
Don Bosco’s teaching method is called the Preventive System: Reason, Religious, and Loving Kindness. It is called the preventive system because it prevents bad things from happening to his boys. He trusted his boys very much and because of that they never betrayed his trust.
His three devotions were: the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother under the title Mary Help of Christians, and to the Pope.
When Don Bosco was up for canonization people said that he never prayed! But people responded: “But his life was a prayer!”
If you have EWTN, they will be playing part 2 of the movie on Don Bosco’s life on 8 pm on Saturday (8/21). I’ve seen the school a few times in school. The second part should concentrate on his work with the boys and the oratory.
In fact, I want to be a Salesian priest! I have the Salesians to thank for my high school education.
I invite you to hear this song that was written and recorded to honor Don Bosco’s relic’s visit to America. I’m excited to go see it! So here’s the song and video:
youtube.com/watch?v=V2_EDjric-s
Thank you, Don Bosco!
