santo yohanes bosco

Summary

The story of Saint John Bosco, born in 1815 in Italy, highlights his dedication to the education and well-being of underprivileged youth. Despite facing economic hardships and the early loss of his father, Bosco's determination to become a priest led him to overcome numerous obstacles. His life’s work centered around helping orphaned and marginalized children, founding the Salesian Society in 1859 to spread education and support across the globe. Bosco’s approach emphasized kindness and love over punishment, leaving a lasting legacy in schools and orphanages. He passed away in 1888, but his educational mission continues through the Salesian institutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815, in a small village called Becchi, Italy, and came from a humble farming family.
• 😀 His father, Francesco Bosco, passed away when John was just 2 years old, leaving his mother, Margerita Bosco, to raise three children on her own.
• 😀 Despite growing up in poverty, Margerita instilled in her children values of hard work, prayer, and caring for others.
• 😀 At the age of 9, John Bosco had a prophetic dream about helping troubled children through kindness rather than violence.
• 😀 John Bosco's family played a crucial role in shaping his personality and values, particularly his mother’s teachings.
• 😀 John Bosco dreamed of becoming a priest, but his family's financial struggles forced him to work as a laborer, shepherd, and carpenter to fund his education.
• 😀 In 1829, John Bosco met Don Caloso, a parish priest who recognized his potential and personally guided him in learning Latin to prepare for the priesthood.
• 😀 Despite Don Caloso's sudden death in 1830, John Bosco's dedication to learning remained strong, eventually earning him acceptance into the seminary and ordination in 1841.
• 😀 After becoming a priest, John Bosco moved to Turin, where he encountered many street children living in poverty and working in factories for low wages.
• 😀 In 1846, John Bosco founded his first oratory, a safe place for abandoned children where they could receive education, food, and shelter.
• 😀 John Bosco rejected harsh physical punishment and instead promoted an educational method based on affection, religion, and common sense, focusing on prevention rather than correction.
• 😀 He established the Salesian Congregation in 1859, a religious order aimed at educating and guiding young people, especially the poor and abandoned.
• 😀 With the help of St. Mary Mazzarello, he also founded the Salesian Sisters, focusing on the education of girls.
• 😀 Despite his declining health due to overwork, John Bosco continued his efforts until his peaceful death on January 31, 1888, surrounded by his students and followers.
• 😀 John Bosco's legacy lives on through thousands of schools, oratories, and educational centers that continue to spread his values and mission to this day.

Q & A

Who was Saint John Bosco and what was his main contribution to society?

Saint John Bosco was an Italian priest and educator who dedicated his life to helping disadvantaged youth. His main contribution was the creation of schools and orphanages, offering education, shelter, and care to underprivileged children. He is known for founding the Salesian Society and promoting a compassionate, non-punitive approach to education.

What early influences shaped Saint John Bosco’s values and aspirations?

Saint John Bosco's values were shaped by his mother, Margerita Bosco, who raised him with strong values of faith, hard work, and compassion. Despite financial difficulties, she instilled in him the importance of education and caring for others.

What was the significance of the prophetic dream Saint John Bosco had at the age of 9?

At the age of 9, Saint John Bosco had a prophetic dream where he saw a group of unruly children fighting. In the dream, a figure instructed him to win them over with love and kindness, not violence. This dream influenced his approach to education, emphasizing compassion and understanding over harsh discipline.

How did Don Caloso impact Saint John Bosco’s education?

Don Caloso, a parish priest, recognized John Bosco’s potential and took him under his wing. He taught him Latin, which was essential for his future as a priest, and provided financial support for his education. Although Don Caloso passed away unexpectedly, his guidance was pivotal in shaping John’s path.

What was the state of children in Turin when Saint John Bosco arrived, and how did he respond?

When Saint John Bosco arrived in Turin, he found many children living in poverty, working in factories for low wages, or incarcerated. He responded by offering them a chance to learn, providing education, care, and a place to stay, showing deep compassion for their struggles.

What was the Preventive System of education that Saint John Bosco promoted?

The Preventive System of education promoted by Saint John Bosco focused on educating children with kindness, reason, and religion, rather than punishment. He believed in teaching through love, role modeling, and a strong moral foundation to prevent bad behavior before it occurred.

What is the Salesian Society, and what role did it play in Saint John Bosco’s mission?

The Salesian Society, founded by Saint John Bosco in 1859, is a religious congregation dedicated to the education and guidance of young people, particularly the poor and marginalized. The society played a key role in expanding John Bosco’s mission by establishing schools, orphanages, and vocational training centers worldwide.

What was the role of Saint Mary Mazzarello in Saint John Bosco’s work?

Saint Mary Mazzarello worked alongside Saint John Bosco to establish the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a religious congregation focused on educating girls. She played a vital role in spreading John Bosco’s educational mission, particularly in empowering young girls through education.

How did Saint John Bosco’s health affect his ability to continue his work?

Despite suffering from deteriorating health due to his strenuous work, Saint John Bosco remained committed to his mission. His tireless efforts to serve young people and improve their lives did not stop until his death in 1888.

What lasting legacy did Saint John Bosco leave behind?

Saint John Bosco’s legacy lives on through the thousands of Salesian institutions, schools, orphanages, and vocational centers he founded, which continue to provide education and support to young people worldwide. His approach to education, based on love, reason, and faith, remains a model for educators today.