|
Also known as: Giovanni
Bosco; Don Bosco
Profile
John's father died when the boy was 2 years old, and as soon as he was old
enough to do odd jobs, he did so for extra money for his family. Bosco
would go to circuses, fairs and carnivals, practice the tricks he saw
magicians perform, and then present one-boy shows. After his performance,
while he still had an audience of boys, he would repeat the homily he had
heard earlier in church.
Worked as a tailor, baker, shoemaker, and carpenter while attending
college and the seminary. Ordained in 1841. Teacher. Worked with youth,
finding places where they could meet, play and pray, teaching catechism to
orphans and apprentices. Chaplain in a hospice for girls. Wrote short
treatises aimed at explaining the faith to children, and then taught
children how to print them. Founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in
1859, priests who work with and educate boys, under the protection of Our
Lady, Help of Christians, and Saint Francis de Sales. Founded the
Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians in 1872, and Union of Cooperator
Salesians in 1875.
Born: 1815 at Becchi, Castelnuovo d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Died: 1888 at Turin, Italy
Canonized: 1934 by Pope Pius XI
Name Meaning: God is gracious (= John)
Patronage: apprentices, boys, editors, Mexican young people,
laborers, schoolchildren, students young people
Readings
Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous snake. If you keep
good companions, I can assure you that you will one day rejoice with the
blessed in Heaven; whereas if you keep with those who are bad, you will
become bad yourself, and you will be in danger of losing your soul.
Saint John Bosco
Enjoy yourself as much as you like -- if only you keep from sin.
Saint John Bosco
Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit him often. Do you want
him to give you few graces? Visit him seldom. Visits to the Blessed
Sacrament are powerful and indispensable means of overcoming the attacks
of the devil. Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and
the devil will be powerless against you.
Saint John Bosco
My sons, in my long experience very often I had to be convinced of this
great truth. It is easier to become angry than to restrain oneself, and to
threaten a boy than to persuade him. Yes, indeed, it is more fitting to be
persistent in punishing our own impatience and pride than to correct the
boys. We must be firm but kind, and be patient with them.
See that no one finds you motivated by impetuosity or willfulness. It is
difficult to keep calm when administering punishment, but this must be
done if we are to keep ourselves from showing off our authority or
spilling out our anger.
Let us regard those boys over whom we have some authority as our own sons.
Let us place ourselves in their service. Let us be ashamed to assume an
attitude of superiority. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose
of serving them better.
This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with
their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated
sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked,
others to be scandalized and still others to hope for God's mercy. And so
he bade us to be gentle and humble of heart.
from a letter by Saint John Bosco
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj14.htm |
