Memoirs of Don Bosco

St. John Bosco is more popularly known as Don Bosco (Don in Italian is a title accorded to priests).

He is the founder of Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious congregation consists of priests and brothers, working for the poor and abandoned youth.

Don Bosco was from a poor family. He lost his father to pneumonia when he was barely two years old. His mother, Mamma Margaret, now a Servant of God, singlehandedly provided for him and his other two siblings.

He was nine years old when he received a mission through one of his dreams. He would have to take care of the many young people. The Lady in his dream told him to make himself “humble, strong and robust.”

This dream gave him direction. He enriched himself with skills (e.g. acrobatics and juggling, etc.) that would attract young people towards him. He also gave his best in his studies.

When told his mother that he wanted to become a priest, she replied “The most important thing is the salvation of your soul... But I wish to make this very clear to you: if you become a priest and should unfortunately become rich, I will never pay you a single visit. Remember that well."

Don Bosco took these words of his saintly mother to his heart.

He was ordained a priest on June 5, 1846 at the age of 26.

His becoming a priest has led way for him to see closely the sorry state of the many young people working in an industrialized city. It was on that event that he totally dedicated his life for the young—especially the poor and abandoned ones.

Don Bosco stuck to this mission until the end. To the youth of his time he had these words to say: “For you I study, for you I work, for you I live, for you I am ready even to give my life."

This great apostle of the young died a poor priest on January 31, 1888. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934.

This title was bestowed by Pope John Paul II to St. John Bosco on the centenary of the latter's death.

Don Bosco is the parton saint of the apprentices; boys; editors; Mexican young people; laborers; schoolchildren; students; young people. -Catholic Culture