St. John Bosco was born in Turin, Italy, in 1815. Two years later his father died. This future saint, raised by his mother, experienced the pains of poverty at a very tender age. John's life work was inspired by these early years. He wanted to become a priest, especially to assist youth. In order to pursue his dream, John had to leave home at a young age to join the city school. Being bigger than his classmates, he was often the object of much ridicule. Little did they know what it cost him - earning whatever he could after school by working as a tailor or a cobbler, and studying by the light of a candle at night.
John Bosco - commonly called Don (Father) Bosco was ordained a priest at the age of twenty-six. He immediately began his work with orphans. He opened a hospice for boys where his mother served as the housekeeper. Within a short time 150 homeless boys who were living with him were instructed in religion and given opportunities to learn trade skills. Workshops for tailoring, shoemaking and printing were set up. Don Bosco trained his own staff to assist in the care of the youth.
Those associated with Don Bosco and his work began to accept him as their father and guide. Some expressed their desire to become like him. And so, the Salesian Society comprising priests and lay brothers was born. (The word 'Salesian' is from the name of the patron, St. Francis de Sales, a saint much admired by Don Bosco for his conversion from an angry young man to a kind and gentle bishop.
The Salesians dedicated themselves to the care of orphans and other boys who were homeless. Their mission spread rapidly from northern Italy to the entire country. When Don Bosco died in 1888, the congregation, which was only twenty years old, numbered over 1000 members. It had spread to seven countries in Europe and South America.
The greatest gift that Don Bosco has left posterity is his unique way of educating, a method that was inspired by his one magnificent obsession: "It is enough to know that you are young and abandoned for me to love you very much."
More than a century after the death of Don Bosco, thousands of people have dedicated themselves to the continuation of his apostolic love for young people all over the world. Their mission is to be "signs and bearers of God's love to the young."