HAND PAINTED STATUE – 8 Inches High & 3 Inches Wide and is made of "Marfilita", which is a mixture of resin and marble dust to strengthen the resin. Born in Italy on August 16, 1815, died on January 31, 1888 in Italy. Founder of the religious order of the Salesians. The church celebrates its day every year on January 31st. Canonized on April 1, 1934. Founder of the institute of the daughters of Mary Help of Christians. STORY ABOUT HIMDon Bosco’s first position was that of auxiliary chaplain. Some time later, he finished night school, and since the oratory was full, he opened two other centers in as many neighborhoods of Turin. Around the same time, he began to house abandoned children. Before long, there were already forty boys, most of them apprentices, living with Don Bosco and his mother in the Valdocco neighborhood. He decided to build his own learning workshops. The first two were inaugurated in 1853. In 1856, there were already 150 inmates, four workshops, a printing press, four Latin classes and ten priests. There were 500 outsiders. In December 1859, Don Bosco and his 22 companions finally decided to organize the congregation, the rules of which had been approved by Pius IX. The order grew rapidly: in 1863 there were 39 Salesians, at the death of the founder there were already 768. Don Bosco’s next step was the founding of a women’s congregation. The congregation was inaugurated in 1872, with the taking of the habit of 27 young people whom the saint called Daughters of Our Lady, Help of Christians. WHEN DO WE PRAY HIM?We ask for the deprivations, the diseases, the contradictions and the uncertainty of the future, the ingratitude, the insults, the calumnies, the persecutions and the suffering. By intercession before the Lord and his divine will be fulfilled in all things, at the same time that he gives us a virtuous life. PRAYERFather and teacher of the youth Saint John Bosco, you were for the young and the poor a sign of love, be our guide on the path to Jesus. Help us to respond generously to the vocation we have received from God to be builders of communion in daily life and to collaborate enthusiastically in communion with the whole church. Give us the grace of perseverance in living the Christian life and, guided by Mary, we can unite with you and the great family in heaven, Amen.
