St. John Bosco

Saturday, January 31st Readings Reflection: Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

Today is the Feast of St. John Bosco, who is best known for his work with poor boys. St. John Bosco was born in 1815 to a Catholic family in northern Italy. His father died when St. John was just two years old, so he and his two older brothers were raised by their mother. She herself is venerated as Venerable for her piety, and she instilled in the young St. John a great love for God and an example of heroic charity.

By the time he was twelve, St. John felt called to the priesthood. Since his family was poor, he had not received much of an education, so he worked at a vineyard in order to earn enough money for an education. He finally entered seminary in 1835 and was ordained a priest in 1841. As a priest, he was first assigned to the city of Turin, Italy, where he set to work ministering to the poor boys and young men in the streets. His mother assisted him in his work, and two decades later, they had housed 800 boys who were previously living on the streets (Catholic Online).

St. John Bosco is known as the Father and Teacher of Youth for his work in ministering to poor boys and young men. His goal was to convert them and help them to live better lives. Many discerned a call to the priesthood through St. John Bosco’s instruction, and he provided special education and preparation for those preparing for seminary. He founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales (also known as the Salesians of Don Bosco) to educate and evangelize boys and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (also known as the Salesian Sisters) to educate girls. Both orders continue to carry out St. John Bosco’s mission to this day.

The Alleluia verse today is the beautiful, famous passage from St. John’s Gospel: “For God so loved the world…” (Jn 3:16 DRB). St. John Bosco’s life brought God’s infinite love to the poor boys on the streets who otherwise may never have known Christ. St. John Bosco gave the boys an education and an understanding of morality so that they might live upright lives. From his example, we are reminded that no one is beyond the love of God. God loves each and every one of us infinitely, and He calls each of us into communion with Himself, regardless of our past.

May St. John Bosco pray for us, that we may always respond to God’s call to grow in our relationship with Him, never despairing about our sinfulness but always trusting in God’s mercy to transform us ever more closely into His image.

Photograph of St. John Bosco, from 1880. Public domain.