St. John Bosco
One
Jesus Gives John Bosco His Mission
Today is the Feast of St. John Bosco (1815–1888) the founder of the Salesians, a religious order dedicated to the education and evangelization of young people.
He writes, “When I was about nine years old, I had a dream that left a profound impression on me for the rest of my life. I dreamed that I was near my home, in a very large playing field where a crowd of children were having fun. Some were laughing, others were playing and not a few were cursing. I was so shocked at their language that I jumped into their midst, swinging wildly and shouting at them to stop. At that moment a Man appeared, nobly attired, with a manly and imposing bearing. He was clad with a white flowing mantle, and His face radiated such light that I could not look directly at Him. He called me by name and told me to place myself as leader of those boys, adding these words: “You will have to win these friends of yours not with blows but with gentleness and kindness. So begin right now to show them that sin is ugly and virtue beautiful.” Confused and afraid, I replied that I was only a boy and unable to talk to them about religion. At that moment the fighting, shouting and cursing stopped, and the crowd of boys gathered around the Man who was talking. Almost unconsciously, I asked: “But how can you order me to do something that looks so impossible?” “What seems so impossible you must achieve by being obedient and by acquiring knowledge.” “But where? How?” “I will give you a Teacher under whose guidance you will learn and without whose help all knowledge becomes foolishness.” “But who are you?” “I am the Son of her whom your mother has taught you to greet three times a day.” “My mother told me not to talk to people I don’t know, unless she gives me permission. So please, tell me your name.” He responded, “Ask My Mother.””
Two
Mary, His Teacher
“At that moment I saw beside Jesus a lady of majestic appearance, wearing a beautiful mantle and bedecked with stars. She saw my confusion mount, so she beckoned me to her. Taking my hand with great kindness, she said, “Look!” I did so. All the children had vanished. In their place I saw many animals: there were goats, dogs, cats, bears and a variety of others. “This is your field; this is where you must work,” the Lady told me. “Make yourself humble, steadfast and strong. And what you will see happen to these animals you will have to do for my children.” I looked again; the wild animals had turned into as many lambs—gentle, gamboling lambs—bleating a welcome for that Man and Lady. At this point of my dream, I started to cry, and I begged the Lady to explain what it all meant, because I was so utterly confused. She then placed her hand on my head and said: “In due time everything will be clear to you.””
St. John Bosco dedicated his life to the education and spiritual formation of poor and abandoned youth, founding the Salesians in 1859 to provide them with moral guidance, practical training, and a deep love for Christ. His preventive system, based on reason, religion, and loving kindness, fostered an environment of trust and encouragement. He emphasized devotion to Mary, help of Christians, and the Eucharist as essential to transforming lives. Through oratories, schools, and vocational training, Don Bosco’s mission spread worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy of Catholic education and youth ministry.
Three
The Two Pillars
In a prophetic dream, St. John Bosco saw a great sea battle, where a mighty ship, representing the Church, was surrounded by a hostile enemy fleet seeking to destroy it. The ship’s captain, the Pope, struggled to navigate through fierce attacks.
Amidst the chaos, two towering columns rose from the sea. On one stood the Holy Eucharist, inscribed, “Salvation of the Faithful,” on the other appeared Mary inscribed, “Help of Christians.” When the Pope anchored the ship between these two pillars, instantly, the enemy fleet was thrown into confusion and scattered, while the Church remained safe.
Don Bosco explained that persecution and trials would threaten the Church like never before, but its survival would depend on two essential devotions: frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist and devotion to Mary. He urged all to receive the Eucharist as often as possible and pray the Rosary every day. For as long as the Church remains united to the Pope and firmly anchored between the Eucharist and devotion to Mary, it will prevail against every storm.
Four
The Eucharist
In his vision, when the Church was anchored between the Eucharist and Mary it was safe. The first greatest defense we have against the wickedness and snares of the devil is the power of Jesus in the Eucharist.
There are many benefits to receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. Holy Communion increases our union with Jesus. Jesus said, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.”
Holy Communion separates us from sin. The Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins. Receiving the Eucharist wipes away venial sins and preserves us from future mortal sins. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens our charity which tends to be weakened by dealing with difficult annoying people.
Come, my friends, and find refuge, strength, and healing in the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart of Jesus at daily Mass.
Five
The Protection of the Rosary
On the second pillar, St. John Bosco saw Mary, Help of Christians. We vastly underestimate the power of praying the Rosary every day.
When the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, both bombing sites experienced miracles associated with the rosary. When Hiroshima was bombed on August 6th, 1945, an entire house of Jesuits survived, completely unaffected by the bomb. The Jesuit house was located only eight blocks from where the atomic bomb went off and should have been completely annihilated.
A church attached to the Jesuit house and everything else around it for miles was obliterated, but the house with the Jesuits in it survived largely intact. Furthermore, none of the Jesuits suffered any ill effects from radiation or loss of hearing whatsoever. In fact, all eight Jesuits lived healthy lives for years after the event. One of the survivors, Fr. Hubert Schiffer, SJ, gave public testimony more than 200 times about what had miraculously happened to him and his confreres. He testified that he firmly believed that they were spared because they prayed the rosary every day in that house in response to the request of Our Lady at Fatima.
Suggested Resolutions:
Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
If you don’t already pray the rosary every day, try and make that habit into a daily habit.
St. John Bosco said that the frequent reception of the Eucharist is essential, so if you aren’t already, make an effort to go to daily Mass and receive Him there.