St. John Bosco
Feast 01-31 · Canonized 1934
Patron of
About
John Bosco was born in 1815 near Turin, Italy, into a poor farming family. His father died when he was two, and he was raised by his mother, Margaret. As a boy he learned juggling and magic tricks to attract other children, whom he would then teach the catechism. Ordained a priest in 1841, he devoted himself to the abandoned boys of Turin, who crowded the city during the Industrial Revolution.
Don Bosco founded the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, a home, school, and playground where boys could learn trades and the faith. His educational method, the Preventive System, was built on reason, religion, and loving kindness rather than punishment. In 1859 he founded the Salesians, and with St. Mary Mazzarello he co-founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
He died in 1888 and was canonized in 1934. John Bosco is the patron saint of students, apprentices, and young people, and his feast is celebrated on January 31.
Prayer
St. John Bosco, who learned juggling and magic tricks as a boy to draw children to the catechism, pray for students everywhere, that they may know they are loved by God and grow in wisdom and virtue. Amen.