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Friends of the Rosary,

Today, January 31, the Catholic Church celebrates the Memorial of St. John Bosco (1815-1888), Apostle of Youth and the founder of the Salesian Society (the Salesians), named in honor of St. Francis de Sales, and of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix, Help of Christians.

Born near Castelnuovo in the archdiocese of Turin, Italy, in 1815. His father died when John was only two years old, and it was his mother, Margaret, who provided him with a good humanistic and Christian education.

St. John Bosco, Don Bosco, was an enlightened educator, innovator, and leader. He had no formal system or theory of education; rather, he formulated one based on “reason, religion, and kindness.” His methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young people.

Despite receiving criticism and violent attacks from the anti-clericals, he conducted workshops for the tradesmen and manual laborers, schools of arts and sciences for young workers, and schools of the liberal arts for those preparing for the priesthood.

In 1868, there were 800 students involved in this educational system.

This great apostle of youth died on January 31, 1888. Many referred to him as “the new St. Vincent de Paul.” He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934. Pope John Paul II named him “teacher and father to the young.”

Ave Maria!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Please give us the grace to respond with joy!

+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

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Leo XIV