Life of St. John Bosco

• Don Bosco Academy is in Bacolor, Pampanga.
• The Feast of St. John Bosco celebrates his role as The Father, Teacher, and Friend of the Youth.

St. John Bosco's Life

• Johnny Bosco was born on August 16, 1815, in Becchi in Castelnuovo, North Italy.
• His parents were Francis Bosco and Margaret Occhiena Bosco.
• Johnny Bosco was baptized on August 17, 1815, at Castelnuovo D'Asti.
• Johnny Bosco’s brothers were Anthony (12 years old) and Joseph (2 years old).
• Johnny Bosco had his first dream in 1824 when he was nine years old.
• Jesus Christ and Mother Mary appeared to Johnny Bosco in his famous dream he had when he was nine.
• Johnny Bosco's nickname was "The Cowboy of Becchi".
• Johnny Bosco received his First Holy Communion on March 26, 1826.
• Johnny Bosco was confirmed on August 4, 1833, at Buttigliera.
• Johnny Bosco joined the seminary on October 30, 1835, at Chieri.
• Louis Comollo was an intimate friend of Johnny Bosco at the seminary and died on April 2, 1839.
• Johnny Bosco was ordained a priest by Archbishop Louis Fransoni on June 5, 1841.
• Don Bosco said his first mass on June 6, 1841, in Turin, at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, and was assisted by Fr. Cafasso.
• Bartholomew Garelli was the first boy met by Don Bosco on December 8, 1841.
• Fr. Cafasso advised Don Bosco in 1844 to “Work for Youth”.
• Don Bosco’s helpers called themselves Salesians for the first time on January 26, 1854.
• Oratory boys went to the aid of the stricken during the cholera outbreak that ravaged Turin in 1854 during the summer.
• Don Bosco suggested the medal of Our Lady and the purity of life as a remedy against the plague of 1854.
• Archbishop Lorenzo Gastaldi opposed the approbation of the Salesian Constitution by Rome.
• The Salesian Congregation was founded on December 18, 1859, with 17 Salesians.
• The first profession in the Salesian society was on May 14, 1862, with 22 members.
• The blessing of the foundation stone of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians took place in March 1864.
• Pope Pius IX wanted to make Don Bosco a Cardinal in 1870.
• The foundation of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians took place on August 5, 1872.
• The foundation of Mary Help of Christians started at Mornese in 1872.
• There were 171 Salesians by the year 1875.
• Charles was the boy raised from the dead.
• Don Bosco went to Rome 20 times.
• Don Bosco's last words was “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give my soul into Your hands".
• Don Bosco died on January 31, 1888.
• Don Bosco was 72 years, 5 months, and 15 days old when he died.
• Don Bosco was a priest for 47 years.
• The body of Don Bosco was kept after his death in the Church of St. Francis de Sales.
• The words written on the tomb of Don Bosco are “Priest and Father of orphans rests in peace with Christ”.
• “The Companion of Youth” was Don Bosco's best-selling book.
• Don Bosco promised his children work, bread, and heaven.
• Grigio is the name of the dog that defended Don Bosco.
• The chief characteristic of a Salesian house is The Family Spirit.
• The three main devotions of Don Bosco are: Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, Devotion to Our Lady, and Devotion to the Pope.

Learn about the early life of St. John Bosco, his birth in Becchi, Italy, his parents, and his early religious experiences including his First Holy Communion and joining the seminary. Explore the childhood and formative years of the saint.