SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 31ST

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST – FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 31ST: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest.

SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST: St. John Bosco (1815–1888) also known as Don Bosco was the founder of the Salesian Society, named in honor of St. Francis de Sales, and of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. A 19th century Italian priest who reached out to young people to remedy their lack of education, opportunities, and faith. His lifework was the welfare of young boys and girls, hence his title, “Apostle of Youth.” St. John Bosco was born on August 16,1815 into a family of peasant farmers in Castelnuovo d’Asti – a place which would one day be renamed in the saint’s honor as “Castelnuovo Don Bosco.” St. John’s father died when he was two years old, but he drew strength from his pious mother, Mama Margherita’s deep faith in God. Mama Margherita also taught her son the importance of charity, using portions of her own modest means to support those in even greater need. St. John desired to pass on to his own young friends the example of Christian discipleship that he learned from his mother. At age nine, he had a prophetic dream in which a number of unruly young boys were uttering words of blasphemy. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary appeared to St. John in the dream, saying he would bring such youths to God through the virtues of humility and charity. Later on, this dream would help St. John to discern his calling as a priest. But he also sought to follow the advice of Jesus and Mary while still a boy: he would entertain his peers with juggling, acrobatics, and magic tricks, before explaining a sermon he had heard, or leading them in praying the Rosary.

St. John’s older brother Anthony opposed his plan to be a priest, and antagonized him so much that he left home to become a farm worker at age 12. After moving back home three years later, John worked in various trades and finished school in order to attend seminary. Despite the financial difficulties at the age of twenty in 1835, St. John entered the major seminary at Chieri, next to the Church of the Immacolata Concezione, thanks to the financial help received from Louis Guala, founder and rector of the ecclesiastical residence St. Francis of Assisi in Turin. In 1841, after six years of study, at the age of 26 he was ordained a priest on the eve of Trinity Sunday by Archbishop Franzoni of Turin. In the city of Turin, he began ministering to boys and young men who lived on the streets, many of whom were without work or education and he became a kindly spiritual father to boys in need.

The industrial revolution had drawn large numbers of people into the city to look for work that was frequently grueling and sometimes scarce. Don Bosco was shocked to see how many boys ended up in prison before the age of 18, left to starve spiritually and sometimes physically. The priest was determined to save as many young people as he could from a life of degradation. In spite of the criticism and violent attacks of the anti-clericals, he conducted workshops for the tradesmen and manual laborers, schools of arts and sciences for young workers, and schools of the liberal arts for those preparing for the priesthood. In 1868 there were 800 students involved in this educational system. To ensure the continuation of his work, St. John Bosco founded the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians), with the help of John Borel, which was approved in 1869. Also, with the help of Sister Mary Dominic Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix, Help of Christians. St. John’s boyhood dream came to pass: he became a spiritual guide and provider along with his fellow Salesian priests and brothers, giving boys religious instruction, lodging, education, and work opportunities. He had no formal system or theory of education. His methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young people. He was an enlightened educator and innovator. His aging mother, Mama Margherita helped support the project in its early years.

In 1875 a wave of emigration to Latin America began, and this prompted the inauguration of the Salesian missionary apostolate. Don Bosco became a traveller throughout Europe, seeking funds for the missions. Some of the reports referred to him as “the new St. Vincent de Paul.” He also found time to write popular catechetical pamphlets, which were distributed throughout Italy, as was his Salesian Bulletin. This success did not come easily, as the priest struggled to find reliable accommodations and support for his ambitious apostolate. Italy’s nationalist movement made life difficult for religious orders, and its anti-clerical attitudes even led to assassination attempts against Don Bosco. But such hostility did not stop the Salesians from expanding in Europe and beyond. They were helping 130,000 children in 250 houses by the end of Don Bosco’s life. “I have done nothing by myself,” he stated, saying it was “Our Lady who has done everything” through her intercession with God. Today, the motto on the Salesian coat of arms: “Give me only souls and keep all the rest”—bears witness to the fidelity of Don Bosco to the words of a truly Christian mother. St. John Bosco died in the early hours of January 31, 1888, at the age of 72, after conveying a message: “Tell the boys that I shall be waiting for them all in Paradise.” He was Beatified on June 2, 1929, Rome by Pope Pius XI and Canonized on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1934, Rome by Pope Pius XI. Pope John Paul II named him “teacher and father to the young.” He’s the Patron Saint of young people, boys, schoolchilren, Christian apprentices, Catholic publishers and editors, magicians, juvenile delinquents, Piura, Peru.

QUOTES OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO

☆”There are two things the devil is deadly afraid of: fervent Communions and frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament. “

☆”We do not go to Holy Communion because we are good; we go to become good.”           

☆“If we want to have a good society, we must concentrate all our forces on the Christian education of the young. Experience has taught me that if we wish to sustain civil society then we should take good care of the young.”

☆”Enjoy yourself as much as you like – if only you keep from sin.”

☆”Entrust everything to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary, Help of Christians and you will see what miracles are.”

PRAYER: O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever~ Amen🙏