Saint Don Bosco:

Feast day : 31 January

Today is the Feast of St. John Bosco, popularly known as St. Don Bosco. He was an Italian Roman Catholic priest who lived during the period 1815 to 1888. He is the founder of the Salesian Order and the ‘Daughters of Mary Help of Christians’. He was a Saint who understood the young and strongly believed that all it took was a little love and understanding to lead them into knowing God’s love. One of his famous quotes was “Enjoy yourselves as much as you can, if only you keep away from sin.” He was canonised in 1934 by Pope Pius XI who honoured him with the title “Father and Teacher of the Youth”. He is the patron saint of Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, school children and magicians too.

Early life:

Saint Don Bosco was born into a poor family of farmers in the year 1815. He lost his father when he was two years old and from thereon had to help his mother support the family by working as a shepherd and farmer. At the age of nine he had his first vision, one in which a man with a radiant face and flowing robes called him to lead a group of unruly boys saying “Not with blows, but with gentleness”. He understood this to mean that he would have to dedicate his life to helping unruly children. As he grew up he had very little access to a proper education as he could not afford it. He learnt magic, tight rope walking and gymnastics to attract crowds in his spare time. After entertaining them with his acts, he would say the rosary or give a small sermon. His heart was set on becoming a priest from early on and he followed his calling. He was ordained a priest in 1841.

Vocational life:

The vision that he saw when he was nine years old materialised when after his ordination he began his work for the young boys in Turin who led a life in crime and other sins. He began seeking out the homeless and troubled youths in the ghettos and jails and offered them an education, fed them, cared for them and through prayer and love, gently guided them to a life pleasing to God and neighbour. However, his noble deeds were greatly opposed by local political and religious groups and there were several threats to his life. His call of duty required him to often travel alone in the night through the streets of Turin. God sensed his need for a companion to safeguard him and a mysterious dog began to accompany him wherever he went. No one knew where the dog came from but it saved him several times from attacks on his life. He named him Grigio, meaning ‘the gray one’. Once when asked about his furry friend’s origin, the Saint replied, “It sounds ridiculous to call him an angel, yet he is no ordinary dog.” Grigio mysteriously appeared to him at various stages of his life whenever he was in need of protection. Strangely, even after his death, between 1893 and 1930, sisters of the Salesian Order testified that they had received the gray dog’s protection on at least three separate occasions.

In 1859 he formed the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, a religious order that would take his good work to several countries around the world. Later in 1871, alongwith Mary Mazzarello he founded the religious order of ‘Daughters of Mary Help of Christians’ to do the same good work for young girls that the Salesians did for young boys. The Order of Saint Francis de Sales – Salesians have Chapters all around the world today and are instrumental in reforming the lives of scores of poor and under privileged children.

Death and Sainthood:

Saint Don Bosco died on 31 January 1888. He was beatified by Pope Pius XI on June 2, 1929 and canonized on Easter Sunday April 1 of 1934, when he was given the title of "Father and Teacher of Youth". His feast day is celebrated on 31 January.