 about
St. john bosco
John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815, in a small
town not too far from Turin, Italy. His father died when he was
two years old. He was raised with tender love, yet firm discipline,
by his mother, Margaret. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1841
and went to work in Turin, where the industrial revolution was attracting
waves of young people to the city. The misery and abandonment of
these youngsters moved John Bosco deeply.
He dedicated his life to them and began youth clubs for them. He
then started hostels and boarding schools, where he taught them
trades. In 1854 he founded the Salesian Society and in 1872, the
Salesian Sisters to work for girls. Three years later, he sent the
first missionary group to Argentina. His work spread throughout
the mission world and today more than half the Society works in
mission lands.
The educational philosophy of John Bosco can be condensed
in three words: reason, religion, and kindness. The basic principle
of his system was a deep understanding and love for young people
and their problems.
John Bosco died on January 31, 1888. Today the Salesian
Family numbers 40,000 members working in over 100 countries.
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