Saint John Bosco---a Saint for
the children
Today when
The sexual abuse of young children
Is so prevalent
It is heartening
To look at the past
To the lives
Of some of the Saints
John---actually called Don Bosco
Was born in 1815
His father died
When he was 2 years old
His mother brought him up
In extreme poverty
He was so poor
That when he entered the seminary
In 1831
His clothes and shoes
Had to be donated
He was ordained in1841
And soon thereafter
He began his life’s work
Which was the education
Of young apostolate boys---and young men
Particularly in working class families
He also worked in the slums---in
prisons
And was appointed a chaplain
At a refuge for young girls
After leaving as chaplain for
the girls
He lived in poverty with his mother
And 40 destitute young boys
Don Bosco had a charismatic
personality
Had great oratory skills
Was an eloquent preacher
And popular writer
“Don” was also a visionary
A wonder worker
And had an extraordinary gift
For handling difficult children
Usually without punishing them
But with gentleness and a firm hand
A typical day for Don
Was to take the boys to Mass
Followed by a picnic in the country---games---
And a catechism class
Don Bosco
Founded the Salesian order
And also The Daughters of our Lady Help of Christians for
girls
It is important to remember
That at a time
When the Catholic church is taking so much criticism
About the handling of the abuse
scandal
And rightfully so
Important to remember
All the good the Catholic Church
has done
In the building up of faith
For BOTH adults and children
Through men like Saint John Bosco
Down through the years
John “Don” Bosco
A Saint for us all
But particularly
A SAINT AND MAN FOR THE CHILDREN
Robert P. Wallman
2-5-12
Ps
Don Bosco’s feast day is January 31st
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