Jan 31, 2010 / 02:46 am
Today the Church commemorates the life of St. John Bosco, a priest of humble origins who was devoted to helping boys make something of themselves. Don Bosco’s story is an inspiring example of God’s ability to express his will through dreams.
The founder of the Salesian order, St. John Bosco, began his life as a poor farm boy. Because his father died while John was very young, his mother did her best to hold the family together and was a model of faith for the young John and his brothers.
John was known throughout the village of Recchi, Italy, where he spent much of his youth, for his acrobatics and juggling feats. Conscious of God, he would stop and ask his spectators to join him in prayer before beginning any of his performances.
He used this talent of attracting people’s attention to minister to the young boys who often roamed the streets. His ministry was not accepted by many, as people only saw a rough, unruly and dirty crowd of boys following John Bosco to Mass instead of the miracle of such boys receiving the sacraments.