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John Bosco

St John Bosco (1815 – 1888) was born in the village of Becchi, Italy. At 2yrs, his father died and it was left to his mother, Margaret, to look after him and his two older brothers.

Photo of St John Bosco

In an early childhood dream, St John was told by a Man and a Lady to prepare for battle on behalf of poor and ill-disciplined young people. The dream had a lifelong impact on him. It became his inspiration to study for the Priesthood and create homes and educational opportunities for the many ‘forgotten’ street children of Turin in Italy. St John was a tactful leader, combining entertainment with teaching and prayer; even the most hardened youths wanted to be involved in his work.

St John Bosco, ordained in 1841, created the Society of St Francis de Sales, the precursor to the Salesian Order, to engage boys in education and work and, together with Maria Mazzarello, a similar order was founded for young girls. Salesian numbers rapidly increased during his lifetime and today, remain an active force on every continent.

When others commended St John for his great work, his reply was, “I have done nothing by myself, it was Our Lady who did everything”; possibly a reference to his childhood dream!

St John Bosco’s Feast Day is 31st January, the day of his death. He is the Patron Saint of editors and publishers, young people, troubled youths, Christian apprentices and magicians.

St John Bosco:

Pray for us that we will guide our children to the teachings of Jesus Christ through our daily prayers and actions.

Glory be to the…

Today’s Prayers & Reflections …
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John Bosco

Mary, Help of Christians

Small Yellow Cross

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, how sweet it is to come to your feet imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children, how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you, your perpetual help in all my necessities, in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians, that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.

(By St John Bosco)

… St John Bosco, Pray for Us …

Prayer to Saint John Bosco

Image of St John Bosco standing behind a table.

O Glorious Saint John Bosco, who in order to lead young people to the feet of the Divine Master and to mould them in the light of faith and Christian morality did heroically sacrifice yourself to the very end of your life and set up a proper religious Institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth your glorious work, obtain also for us from Our Lord a holy love for young people who are exposed to so many seductions in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. Amen.

… St John Bosco, Pray for Us …

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31st January: St John Bosco

Featured Saint: St John Bosco (1815-1888)

St John Bosco was born in the village of Becchi, Italy. At 2, his father died and it was left to his mother, Margaret, to look after him and his two older brothers. In an early childhood dream, he was told by a Man and a Lady to prepare for battle on behalf of poor and ill disciplined young people. The dream had a lifelong impact on him. It became his inspiration to study for the Priesthood and create homes and educational opportunities for the many ‘forgotten’ street children of Turin, Italy. St John was a tactful leader, combining entertainment with teaching and praying; even the most hardened youth wanted to be involved in his work.

In later life, St John Bosco created the Salesian Order to help boys and, together with Maria Mazzarello, a similar order was founded for young girls. Salesian numbers rapidly increased during his lifetime and today, remain an active force on every continent. When others commended him on his great work, he would reply, “I have done nothing by myself, it was Our Lady who did everything”; possibly a reference to that childhood dream!

+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen+

St John BoscoShort Quote – St John Bosco:
“How often in my long career have I had to convince myself of this great truth!  It is certainly easier to lose one’s temper than to be patient;  threaten young people rather than to reason with them”.

“I would say that it better suits our pride to punish those who resist us,  rather than to bear with them firmly and with kindness”.

Thoughts: “Be firm in wanting good and preventing evil, but always gently and prudently” (St John Bosco)

Private Reflection: The founding principles of the Salesian Order are, reason, religion and kindness. May everything that we do today have a meaningful and honest purpose, may we do it in a prayerful manner and may we show respect to all whom we come in contact with while doing so.

Prayer: Most Holy Mary by St John Bosco (Extract)
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.

St John Bosco:   Pray for Us

Today’s Music Suggestion: The Lord is my Shepherd

+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen+

[To view and enjoy the full readings for today TAP HERE – Opens in a new Window]