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31 January: Saint John Bosco

Education is a question of the heart

“Do not ever forget these three things, devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to Mary Help of Christians and devotion to the Holy Father”, Don John Bosco said to his companions, shortly before he died.

Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco was born on 16 August 1815 in Becchi, Castelnuovo d'Asti, to a poor and humble rural family. His parents' names were Francesco Bosco and Margherita Occhiena. He had two brothers, Giuseppe and Antonio.

His father died when he was two years old, and Margherita was left to raise John and his two brothers on her own. She was a courageous woman of faith, who taught her children that work was a privilege, and that they should support the family by collecting firewood and working in the fields.

When he was nine years old, John had a dream that changed his life forever. He saw a multitude of very poor children, who were fighting amongst themselves and swearing. A man with a majestic appearance appeared, and said, "Not with punches will you help these boys, but with goodness and kindness". The children then turned into wild animals. The man told John that when he had grown in humility and fidelity, he would see a change in the children. The wild animals then suddenly turned into gentle lambs.

A Lady then appeared and said, "Be humble, steadfast and strong. In due time everything will be clear to you".

The dream made John understand that he would one day become a priest, dedicating himself to poor children, and making their dreams come true. One of Don Bosco's favourite pastimes as a young man was to watch itinerant artists, as they entertained the crowds. He learned many tricks from them on how to draw the attention of young people and children. He then began to perform his own shows on the streets and both children and neighbours gathered to watch him. John did not wish to be paid with money, but at the end of his shows, he would recite a homily and ask everyone to join him in prayer.

He was ordained a priest in Turin on 5 June 1841, when he was 26 years old, and immediately began his apostolate among the young, first with the orphans who roamed Turin's streets and young people in search of shelter. Because of the large number of children he welcomed, he opened a home with the help of his mother, who was known as "Mamma Margherita" because of her tenderness and love for the young. In addition to feeding the orphans he welcomed, John also taught them to read and write and helped them find stable work.

Inspired by Saint Philip Neri, John founded an oratory on 8 December 1844 and dedicated it to Saint Francis de Sales. The oratory was later established in Valdocoo. Shortly later, Don Bosco founded the Salesian Congregation, dedicated to serving young people. In 1872, along with Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, dedicated to educating young women and girls.

He was a champion of "good Catholic press", to counteract the effects of "bad press".

He dedicated his life to the young, wrote many books, promoted the institution of seminaries, schools and oratories and offered a new educational system: the Preventive System.

The system sums up John Bosco's educational philosophy in three words: Reason, Religion, Love. John believed that it was impossible to educate young people with reason, in the absence of someone who loved them, understood their problems and helped them resolve them.

 Following the Italian migration flow to Latin America in 1875, the Salesian Order also became missionary, and Don Bosco became a pilgrim in Europe, seeking out funds and supporters. He died in Turin on 31 January 1888.

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