It's been so long since my last post! I thought a post on one of my favorite saint, St John Bosco, would be a good way to get back here.
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St. John Bosco, from Saints for Young Readers for Every Day,Vol. 1
St. John Bosco was born near Turin, Italy. Like many Saints,
he was a poor farm lad, who was brought up by his holy mother in the love of
God and Our Lady. John's father died when he was young and his mother had to
work very hard to feed her family. John, too, worked as hard as he could to
help his mother. He was an intelligent lad, who knew how to keep his playmates
from offending God. He would do tricks to win their attention and then he would
talk to them about spiritual things.
In order to become a priest, John had to work his way
through school. He did all kinds of work. He was a carpenter, a shoemaker, a cook,
a pastry-maker, a farmer, and many other things. At the same time he was a fine
student and always happy and cheerful.
After he became a priest, Don Bosco, which means Father
Bosco, began his great mission of helping orphan boys. He gathered together
hundreds of these boys who had no home. He taught them all kinds of work, so
that they would not steal and get into trouble. At first people were angry with
Don Bosco, because they did not think those boys would turn out to be good. But
he proved that they would.
"Do you want to be Don Bosco's friend?" he would
ask each new boy who came to him. "You do? Then, you must help me save
your soul." Every night, he wanted his boys to say three Hail Mary's, so
that the Blessed Mother would help them avoid sin. He also recommended that
they go to Confession and Communion as often as possible.
One of Don Bosco's boys became a saint, St. Dominic Savio.
Later on, Don Bosco founded two Religious Orders to take
care of poor children and he also built many homes and schools for them.
Let us help our parents at home as much as we can. The more
things we learn to do, the better we can serve God.
You can find a nice online picture book of St John Bosco here for part one and here for part two. Another one here and a comic book here. Check them out.
St John Bosco was named the Apostle of Youth. Gifted as he was as an educator and a leader, Don Bosco formulated a system of education based on reason, religion and kindness.
Here are some quotes from St John Bosco, especially chosen for my sons, and for parents.
"Do you want to do a good deed? Teach the young!
Do
you want to perform a holy act? Teach the young!
Do you want to do a holy
thing? Teach the young!
Truly, now and for the future, among holy things, this is the
holiest."
"[When asked about the secret of his immense success
with the young, he simply replied]
Love."
"Strive to make people love you rather than fear you.
When commanding or correcting,
always make those concerned understand that you are prompted
by a desire to do them
good and not by a whim. Put up with anything if it is a
question of avoiding sin. Direct
every effort to your boys’ spiritual well-being."
"...[do you want to outwit the devil? Never let him
catch you idle. Work, study, pray, and
you will be surely overcome your
spiritual enemy."
"Always tend to think well of other people. Give them
credit, at least, for their good
intentions. Never throw back into their faces wrong already
forgiven. Do good to all,
harm to no one."
"Gentleness is the favorite virtue of Jesus
Christ."
"You can fly to Heaven on the wings of confession and
Communion."
"Remember the precept that St. John the Evangelist used
to give to his disciples: “Love
one another.” Since it is not a mere exhortation, but a
command, it would be sinful to do
otherwise. Therefore, do away with insults, quarrels, envy,
revenge, mockery, or bad will.
Be good to one another. This will prove that you love each
other like brothers."
"I want no long-faced saints."
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Saint John Bosco pray for us!
