Today, the Catholic Church celebrates St. John Bosco, affectionately known as “Don Bosco,” the 19th-century Italian priest whose life was dedicated to guiding, educating, and inspiring young people. He devoted himself to uplifting youth who were deprived of education, opportunity, and faith, leaving a legacy that continues to touch the lives of children worldwide.
Born in August 1815 in Castelnuovo d’Asti later renamed Castelnuovo Don Bosco in his honor John was the son of humble peasant farmers. His father passed away when John was just two, but his mother, Margherita, instilled in him a deep faith in God and a spirit of generosity. She modeled charity through selfless acts, sharing what little she had with those in greater need a lesson young John would carry into his own ministry.
At the age of nine, John experienced a vision that shaped his future. In a dream, he saw a group of unruly boys speaking blasphemies. Jesus and the Virgin Mary appeared, telling him he would guide such youths to God through humility and charity. Inspired, John began practicing this calling even as a boy, entertaining friends with juggling, acrobatics, and magic before sharing a message of faith or leading them in prayer.
Despite opposition from his older brother Anthony, who doubted his priestly ambitions, John persevered. Leaving home at 12 to work as a farm laborer, he returned three years later to continue his education, eventually entering the seminary. In 1841, he was ordained a priest, beginning his ministry in Turin, where industrialization had left many boys homeless, unemployed, or trapped in a cycle of crime and neglect.
Deeply concerned by the hardships faced by young people, Don Bosco founded the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, offering boys spiritual guidance, education, shelter, and vocational training. His mother assisted in the early years, and together with other Salesian priests and brothers, he created a safe, nurturing environment for children. He also collaborated with St. Mary Dominic Mazzarello to provide similar opportunities for girls, expanding the reach of his mission.
Don Bosco’s work was not without challenges. Political unrest, anti-clerical sentiments, and even assassination attempts marked his life, yet the Salesian community persevered. By the time of his death, the Salesians were caring for 130,000 children across 250 homes in Europe and beyond. Humble in his accomplishments, Don Bosco credited Our Lady, saying, “I have done nothing by myself; she has done everything.”
St. John Bosco passed away in the early hours of January 31, 1888, leaving a heartfelt message to youth: “Tell the boys that I shall be waiting for them all in Paradise.” Canonized on Easter Sunday 1934, he is celebrated today as the patron saint of young people, apprentices, and Catholic publishers and editors, a timeless beacon for guiding the next generation in faith, learning, and moral courage.