Don Bosco

Biography of Don Bosco

St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco ("Don" is a title given to priests in Italy), born Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco on August 16, 1815, in Becchi, Italy, was an influential Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer known for his work with disadvantaged youth. His lifelong mission was to provide children and young adults with the educational and spiritual foundation to lead successful and upright lives.

Early life and education

Giovanni was the youngest son of Francesco Bosco and Margherita Occhiena. Tragedy struck early when his father died, leaving his mother to raise him and his two elder brothers alone. Despite the family's financial struggles, Margherita ensured that Giovanni received a basic education and instilled in him strong Christian values.

Driven by a calling to the priesthood, Bosco entered the seminary. His education was intermittently paused due to financial constraints, but he persevered and was ordained in 1841. His focus during these formative years sharpened towards helping boys who were left impoverished by the industrial revolution in Turin.

Work and achievements

After ordination, Don Bosco dedicated himself to the education and welfare of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth in the city of Turin. He established a night school for apprentices and opened his home as a refuge for the young and destitute. Bosco's educational philosophy was revolutionary, emphasizing love over punishment, which was a stark contrast to the harsh measures prevalent in the reformatories of the time.

In 1859, Bosco founded the Salesian Society, named after Saint Francis de Sales, renowned for his kind and gentle demeanor. The Society's mission was to continue his work through a network of educational institutions. It quickly spread beyond Italy, becoming one of the largest missionary organizations in the world.

Later years and legacy

Don Bosco was also a prolific writer and publisher, focusing on educational materials and devotional writings that furthered his pedagogical ideals. His efforts were recognized by the Church, and he received support from many quarters, including Pope Pius IX.



He died on January 31, 1888, in Turin and was canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church in 1934 by Pope Pius XI. His legacy lives on through the Salesians, who continue to operate schools and youth centers worldwide.

Key highlights

• Birth and early life: Born in 1815 in Becchi, Italy, faced early hardship with the death of his father.
• Ordination: Became a priest in 1841, dedicating his life to the education and betterment of disadvantaged youth.
• Educational philosophy: Pioneered a system based on love and moral persuasion rather than punishment.
• Founding of the Salesian Society: Established in 1859, it has grown into a global organization devoted to education and care of young people.
• Death and canonization: Died in 1888; canonized as a saint in 1934.
• Lasting impact: Salesian Society continues to be a significant force in global education and youth development.

Don Bosco's story is a remarkable example of dedication to the betterment of society's most vulnerable. His work and the movement he founded remain pivotal in the lives of millions around the world, demonstrating the enduring power of compassion and education.

For more details on the life of St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, check out the previous post, Feast of Don Bosco.

Feast of Don Bosco

Today, January 31, is the feast in the Roman Catholic Church of St. John Bosco, popularly known as Don Bosco ("Don" is a title given to priests in Italy).

Don Bosco, who lived from 1815-1888, was both beatified and canonized by Pope Pius XI. He devoted his life's work to taking care of disadvantaged youth, including homeless children and juvenile delinquents. His work included feeding and educating children, providing the sacraments of the Church and character development, and training boys and young men for work in the trades.

He was also a prolific writer, with works ranging from the history of the Roman Empire to Church history and math textbooks. One of his many works was a brief biography he wrote about one of his youngsters, St. Dominic Savio (1842-1857). Sadly, Dominic died at age 14. He was a devoted Roman Catholic, firm in his faith, and the biography Don Bosco wrote of him played a role in Dominic's own canonization as a saint. Don Bosco's own mentor, Father Joseph Cafasso, was also declared a saint.

No matter your faith, I think Don Bosco is a true inspiration for us all. For me, now working in my fourth school year since making the conscious choice to transition to the field of education after holding various roles in business and industry over the years, Don Bosco is the perfect example of a strong male role model and solid moral voice. Sadly, in this troubling age of social media, consumerism and its demand for instant gratification, and sound bites rather than real conversations, we need many, many more men like Don Bosco. And they don't need to be priests to make a genuine difference in the lives of children and young adults.

You can read more about the life and times of St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, by checking out this Wikipedia page devoted to him. Here is another wonderful biography of Don Bosco from the Salesians of Don Bosco in the United States (USA West Province) website. Finally, here is an extensive biography you can download for free as a PDF e-book.

On this feast day of St. John Bosco, we ask: Don Bosco, pray for us!

If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check out this additional post on the life and accomplishments of Don Bosco.