Don Bosco's Story

Friend of the Young

The boy and his mother walked along the dirt road into the glowing sunset. Towards them came the Parish Priest. As they got closer, the boy’s face broke into a big smile, and his small voice piped clearly, “Hello, Father”.

The priest gravely bowed his head and passed by. “Mum, he didn’t even see me!” said the nine year old boy. “Priests are busy, son.” “But Our Lord Jesus had time for children! Mum, when I grow up and become a priest, I’ll always have time for children.”

The Dream

The Dream happened soon after. It seemed to him that he was playing with his friends on the hillside just outside his house. The boys broke into a quarrel. He tried to stop them, swinging his fists wildly. Then a man appeared who looked like Jesus, saying, “Not that way, son! Be kind to them.” A beautiful Lady stood by him. She stretched out her hands. The boys turned into a pack of wild animals, then into playful lambs. “Some day you will understand. For now be humble, be strong, be courageous!”

The Boy

John Bosco was born on 16 August 1815 in Northern Italy. His father died when John was only two. Poverty stared him in the face. His desire was to study to be a priest. An old priest, Fr Colosso, was impressed by the boy’s brilliant memory and volunteered to tutor him. John later gathered neighbourhood children around himself, teaching himself acrobatics, tightrope walking and magic tricks, always beginning with a little prayer.

First Steps

At 15 John left home for Chieri, where there was a high school. After school he took every job he could find and learnt a number of trades: tailor, carpenter, blacksmith, waiter. In 1835 he entered the seminary. Six years later John was ordained a priest. Now everyone called him Don (“Father”) Bosco.

Simple Beginnings

On 8 December 1841 Don Bosco met Bartholomew Garelli, a 16 year old orphan bricklayer being driven from the church. He invited him to stay for Mass and breakfast, then offered to teach him. Three days later Bartholomew brought eight of his friends, and so the work for young people got started.

The Shed

Don Bosco’s first permanent school was a broken-down shed in Valdocco, a poor suburb of Turin. Today there stands a magnificent church, the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, a Youth Centre, a Technical High School and a printing press. Don Bosco’s only claim to fame was, “I am only Don Bosco, friend of street kids.”