Preparing for Catholic Schools Week

Saint John Bosco
1815-1888

Hello, I am Saint John Bosco. This timeline identified the dates of my birth and death.

Many schools are named after me. The very fact that you are growing in mind and spirit means that you are already embracing the future. Your Catholic School experience will help your build a future that is faith-filled.

I was ordained a priest in 1841.

I worked with homeless boys, teaching them job skills.

Some educators consider me the pioneer of vocational training. Training boys and young men in trades such as printing or ironworks or being a shoemaker was important in poverty-stricken Italy then and it is important in the U.S. now. Today’s economic squeeze is causing many people to lose their jobs and retrain for new jobs. The idea of vocational training is based on the dignity of work.

In 1884, I founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales, whose members are called Salesians.

When I died in 1888, there were nearly a thousand Salesian priests in our community—all dedicated to teaching job skills to young people. The dignity of work is a deeply religious concept. It is the basis of a deep trust and faith in God and in one another.

I am frequently called “Grace of the moment.” I like my nickname. It’s my way of saying that even when we are very busy we need to pay attention to our spiritual life—the present moment. The grace of the present moment is the grace of God.

I was canonized in 1934. Pope Pius XI said my ministry with young people seemed to change the ordinary into the extraordinary. Perhaps I would sum up my wish for young people this way: I was trying to help others build “Character. Compassion. Values.”

I am the patron saint of young apprentices.