St. John Bosco – Patron Saint of Young People and Editors / Publishers

Feast Day of St. John Bosco: January 31

St. John Bosco is the patron saint of boys, youth, and editors and publishers, apprentices, schoolchildren, magicians, and juvenile delinquents.

Biography of Saint John Bosco – Patron Saint of Youth, Boys, and Editors

St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, (1815-1888) was an Italian Catholic priest, educator and founder of the Salesian Society, a religious congregation dedicated to the education and welfare of young people, especially those from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Don Bosco was born in a small village in the Piedmont region of Italy, the youngest of five children. His father died when he was two years old, leaving his mother to raise the family alone. Despite this hardship, Bosco received a good education and eventually decided to become a priest. He was ordained in 1841, at the age of 26.

After his ordination, Don Bosco began working with street children and young people in Turin, Italy. He established a small school and workshop where they could learn trades, and also provided them with food and shelter. He quickly realized that these children also needed moral guidance and religious instruction. He began to organize religious activities and retreats, and he was able to attract many young people to the Church.

In 1859, Don Bosco established the Salesian Society, a religious congregation dedicated to the education and welfare of young people. The Society grew rapidly, and soon Don Bosco had established schools, orphanages, and training centers throughout Italy and other parts of Europe.

Don Bosco’s approach to education and welfare focused on a holistic approach, called “”preventive system””. This included a mix of reason, religion and kindness, where the goal was to form a person in both education and character, by providing a good and healthy environment, teaching practical skills, but also instilling moral values and virtues.

Don Bosco was also an advocate for the rights of children and young people, and he worked to improve their living and working conditions, particularly in the factories and mines where many worked.

Don Bosco died in 1888, but his work and the Salesian Society that he founded continued to grow and spread around the world. He is considered a Saint by the Catholic Church, and his feast day is celebrated on January 31st. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934.

Today, the Salesian Society operates schools, orphanages, and other institutions for young people in over 130 countries around the world, continuing the work and mission of St. John Bosco. He is remembered and celebrated as a great educator, and a saint that dedicated his life to helping young people in need.

 

The Life of St. John Bosco

St. John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815, in Italy, in a town that was later renamed to “Castelnuovo Don Bosco” in honor of him. John was born into a poor family with a peasant farmer father, who died when John was only two years old. John’s mother, Margherita took care of John and raised him with deep faith and charity to the needy.

When he was nine years old, John had a dream in which he saw himself surrounded by a gang of fighting children. He tried to quiet them by arguing with them. When this failed, John began fighting with his fists. Then a mysterious woman appeared to John and said: “Softly, softly… if you wish to win them! Take your shepherd’s staff and lead them to pasture.” As she spoke, the children were transformed into wild beasts and then into lambs. From that time, John realized that his vocation was to help poor boys, and that he was to do it with gentleness and love.

John Bosco’s work was cut out for him. There were few schools in Italy in those days, and poor boys found it almost impossible to secure an education. When he was only nine, John began preparing himself for his vocation. He practiced juggling and tumbling and tightrope walking. He gave performances for the children of the neighborhood. Each performance began and ended with a prayer. During the “intermission,” he gave his version of the Sunday sermon; not everyone walked the six miles to Mass as John Bosco did. As John’s performances improved, his audiences became larger and larger. Before long John knew that he wished to be a priest.

 

John Bosco’s Education

John was able to attend school at Castelnuovo, three miles away. By this time, he was fifteen years old and the largest boy in his class. During this period, when he was very much discouraged, John Bosco had another dream in which the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and asked him to look after her flock of sheep. After this he was sure that, despite all the difficulties, he would become a priest.

His mother Margaret Bosco managed to earn enough money to send John to the Franciscan college at Chieri. He helped pay for his schooling by working at different jobs, and so he learned many skills that were not taught in school. After graduating from the school in Chieri, John Bosco attended the diocesan seminary in Turin. On Sundays he gathered about him a number of neglected boys and taught them their catechism.

 

John Bosco’s Missionary Work

In 1841, John was ordained into the priesthood when he was twenty six years of age. He became Don Bosco, as Italians call their priests “Don” as we call our “Father.” His first assignment was as chaplain of a girls’ orphanage, but in his free time he sought out the boys who wandered the streets. In time, the boys came to seek him. A large classroom in the orphanage was set aside for the boys, and a place outdoors for recreation grounds. When the number of boys reached 300, the wealthy lady who supported the orphanage said they would have to leave. Three hundred noisy, lively boys were simply too much, she said.

For the next several years, Don Bosco and his boys constantly moved their meeting place. Nobody, it seemed, wanted them for long. They were too noisy; they picked the flowers; they wore off the grass. When they were forced to move Don Bosco smiled and to his boys: “Well, cabbages are made better by transplanting.” At Last he rented a shed in a slum district of Turin. It wasn’t much. but it looked wonderful to Don Bosco and his boys. Here at last they had a home. The new home was named the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, because Don Bosco had a great devotion to this saint.

During this time, the woman who supported the orphanage told him he would have to resign as chaplain if he did not give up his work with boys. With the bishop’s permission, he resigned. The boys set to work to convert the shed into a room that could be used as a chapel, classroom, study hall, and recreation center. They lowered the dirt floor so they would be able to stand upright. They built kneelers, benches, and tables.

 

Illness

Just when things were looking up for Don Bosco, he collapsed. The doctors said there was no hope for him. His boys, including boys who had seldom prayed in their lives, stormed heaven for him.

They prayed; they begged prayers of others; they made sacrifices, and they promised to reform their lives if God would spare their priest. God listened to their prayers, and Don Bosco recovered. He asked his mother to come and join him. He said he needed a mother for the boys. She came, but at a sacrifice! Margaret was getting along in years, and she had raised her own family. Now she had a “family” of several hundred boys. Moreover, she loved living in the country, and now she was in the slums of a large city.

The boy’s prayers were answered, and Don Bosco regained his strength. He rented the house that was on the same property with the shed and lived there with his mother and some of the boys. In time he was able to buy both the shed and the house. Don Bosco proceeded to overcome every obstacle. Many of the boys could not study their catechism because they were illiterate. He taught them to read and write. He taught them trades so they would be able to make an honest living. There were not enough teachers, so he trained the older boys to teach the younger ones.

 

St. John Bosco’s Service to Boys

Thirty boys who had no homes were allowed to live in the house or in the shed. A chapel was built between the shed and house. Soon the house and shed were torn down and replaced by clean substantial buildings. That inspired a change in the whole neighborhood. Shacks were torn down and replaced by decent houses. But the spiritual change in the neighborhood was even greater than the physical change.

The Oratory of St. Francis de Sales soon became too small for the 800 boys enrolled. By 1849 Don Bosco had two more oratories in other sections of Turin. Many of the boys found jobs, thanks to the training they had received at the oratory, and they contributed part of their wages.

Don Bosco needed help in his work, so he started a religious society for men which he called Salesian after St. Francis de Sales. By the time he died there were 768 Salesians and today there are more than 9000 priests and brothers in the society. He also started a society of sisters under the title of Our Lady Help of Christians. Today these sisters have more than 600 houses throughout the world. A third society, composed of lay people, is called the Salesian Co-operators. Members of this organization are pledged to help the work of the Salesians.

 

The Legacy of Saint John Bosco

The work that Don Bosco accomplished is amazing. In his spare moments he wrote about seventy books and pamphlets. He also had a reputation as a church builder. His first little church was followed by a much larger one. Then he built a large basilica in the poor quarter of Turin. Pope St. Pius X commissioned him to raise the money to construct a Church – the Sacred Heart in Rome. He preached throughout Italy and France, and the money came pouring in. The church was dedicated on May 14, 1887, and he said Mass in it shortly afterward.

At the end of 1888, Saint John Bosco was worn out from all his labors. He became gradually weaker and passed away on January 31, 1889. The whole city of Turin turned out to honor him when his remains were taken to their last resting place. He was beatified on June 2, 1929, and canonized on November 28, 1933, by Pope Pius XI who had personally seen this saint’s great work in Turin.

St. John Bosco: Patron Saint of Boys & Editors

Saint John Bosco is the patron saint of boys, youth, and editors because of his lifelong dedication to uniting children to God.

St. John Bosco dedicated his life serving and living amongst the poor working boys in Turin Italy. He was a leader in vocational training, encouraging the boys he worked with to learn trades and skills to assist them in their lives. Due to his lifetime of service to the poor boys of Italy, Saint John Bosco is the patron saint of all boys and youth.

In addition to his work training the young boys, St. John Bosco wrote many religious and secular books that remain very popular to this day. For this reason many turn to Saint John Bosco as the patron saint of book publishers, editors, writers, and authors. 

St. John Bosco is the patron saint of boys, youth, and editors and publishers, apprentices, schoolchildren, magicians, and juvenile delinquents

OTHER SAINTS OF THE SAME NAME:

St. John the Baptist, Precursor of Our Lord. Feast Day: June 24.
St. John the Beloved Apostle. Feast Day: December 27.
St. John Chrysostom, 344-407. Golden tongued orator, Doctor of the Church. Feast Day: January 27.
St. John de Brebeuf, 1645. North American Martyr. Feast Day: March 16.
St. John Baptist Vianney, 17861859 Cure of Ars. Feast Day: August 9.

 

Popular St. John Bosco Medal and St. John Bosco Rosary

Prayers to St. John Bosco

Dear St. John Bosco,

You were a man of great compassion and dedication, always striving to help young people in need. You worked tirelessly to provide education and guidance to those who were poor, abandoned, or in danger.

Through your tireless efforts, you made a difference in the lives of countless young people and inspired others to follow in your footsteps.

I ask for your intercession and guidance as I strive to make a positive impact on the lives of young people. May your example inspire me to be selfless and compassionate, always looking for ways to help those in need.

Please help me to find the strength and courage to make a difference in the world, just as you did. May I always be guided by your example and the teachings of Jesus.

Amen.

Prayer to St. John Bosco

Dear St. John Bosco, you were a man of deep faith and compassion. You dedicated your life to helping young people, especially those who were poor and in need. Help us to follow in your footsteps and to be a source of hope and comfort to those around us.

Prayer for Guidance from St. John Bosco

Dear St. John Bosco, you were known for your wisdom and guidance. Please help me to follow the path that God has set for me, and to make wise choices that honor Him. Give me the courage to always do what is right, even when it is difficult.

Prayer for Young People from St. John Bosco

Dear St. John Bosco, you had a special love for young people. Please watch over and protect all young people, especially those who are struggling or in need. Help them to find their place in this world, and to know the love of God in their lives.

Prayer for Teachers from St. John Bosco

Dear St. John Bosco, you were a teacher and mentor to so many young people. Please help all teachers to be instruments of Your love and guidance, and to inspire their students to reach their full potential. Give them the patience, wisdom, and compassion they need to make a positive impact on the world.

St. John Bosco: Patron Saint of Youth and Education

St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, is widely recognized as the patron saint of youth and education. This designation is a reflection of his life’s work and the impact he had on young people and education.

St. John Bosco dedicated his life to the education and care of disadvantaged and neglected youth. He founded the Salesian Society, which focused on providing education, vocational training, and spiritual guidance to young people. He believed that education was the key to unlocking the full potential of young people and helping them to lead productive, fulfilling lives.

In addition to his work in education, St. John Bosco was also known for his charismatic personality and ability to connect with young people. He was a dedicated priest who put the needs of young people first, and he was widely regarded as a “”Father and Teacher”” to those he served.

Because of his tireless efforts to help young people and his deep commitment to education, St. John Bosco is considered the patron saint of youth and education. He is invoked by students, teachers, and all those who work with young people, as well as by young people themselves, who may seek his intercession and guidance.

In conclusion, St. John Bosco is widely recognized as the patron saint of youth and education. Through his dedication to helping young people and his commitment to education, he serves as a model for all those who work with and care for young people.” “

Reflection on the Feast Day of St. John Bosco

The feast day of St. John Bosco is January 31st.

St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, was a Catholic priest and educator in the 19th century, known for his work with disadvantaged and at-risk youth. He was a founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious congregation dedicated to the education and welfare of young people. He was known for his innovative teaching methods, his compassion for young people, and his tireless work to improve their lives.

On his feast day, we can reflect on the importance of education and the role it plays in shaping the lives of young people. St. John Bosco was a pioneer in education, developing new methods that made learning more accessible and engaging for young people. He understood the power of education to change lives and he dedicated his life to improving the lives of disadvantaged and at-risk youth through education.

St. John Bosco’s compassion for young people is also an example for us to follow. He was deeply committed to the welfare of the young people he worked with and he did everything in his power to help them. He provided them with food, clothing and shelter, but more importantly, he provided them with love, guidance and a sense of belonging. His compassion and dedication to the young people he worked with is an example of how we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.

St. John Bosco’s tireless work to improve the lives of young people also reminds us of the importance of working for the common good. He understood that the well-being of young people is essential for the well-being of society as a whole. He knew that investing in the education and welfare of young people is an investment in the future. He spent his life working to improve the lives of others, and his example can inspire us to do the same.

Despite the many challenges he faced, Don Bosco remained deeply committed to his mission of helping young people. He worked tirelessly to provide education, support, and guidance to those who needed it most, and his efforts had a profound impact on the lives of countless young people.

Don Bosco died in 1888, but his legacy lived on through the Salesians of Don Bosco, which continue to carry out his mission of education and social work with young people. Today, he is remembered and honored as a saint and a model of compassion, dedication, and selflessness.

The feast day of St. John Bosco is an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of education, compassion and dedication to the welfare of young people, and working for the common good. Let us follow the example of St. John Bosco and strive to make a difference in the lives of young people, to be compassionate and dedicated to the welfare of others, and to work for the common good.

 

Discover biographies, prayers, and reflections for more than 400 Catholic Saints

 

Next up: Biography of St. John Chrysostom

Also check out our handmade St. John Bosco Medal and St. John Bosco Rosary and St. John Bosco Rosary Bracelet .