Saint John Bosco

St. John Bosco is the patron saint of youth, editors, and publishers. Born on August 16, 1815, in Castlenuovo d'Asti, he was guided in faith by his mother. At nine, he had a dream that inspired him to dedicate himself to the education of young people. As a boy, he engaged his peers through games, work, prayer, and religious education. After becoming a priest in 1841, he adopted the motto: "Give me souls, take all the rest." He founded the Oratory for poor youth, placing it under St. Francis de Sales' patronage, using a pastoral approach based on reason, faith, and kindness to lead them to Christ. His unique influence over others is well illustrated by the occasion on which he was, after much hesitation, permitted to take 300 convicts from the city jail on a day's outing, unaccompanied by guards. St. Dominic Savio stands out among the most outstanding fruits of his work. His tireless work stemmed from a "constant union with God" and his strong devotion to "Mary, Help of Christians," whom he viewed as his mission's inspiration. He left a legacy of simple yet virtuous religious life, summed up as "work and temperance." He sought collaborators among his youth, establishing the Society of St. Francis de Sales, and partnered with St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello to found the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. He also created the Salesian Cooperators, who supported youth education and anticipated new apostolic forms in the Church. By his death on January 31, 1888, there were already 200 Salesian houses and 2,500 priestly vocations. Beatified on June 2, 1929, by Pope Pius XI and canonized on April 1, 1934, Don Bosco was declared "The Father and Teacher of Youth" by Pope John Paul II.

St. John Bosco, pray for us that we may see Christ in all people, never condemning or judging, but working to build them up as a loving minister of God's compassionate heart.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)