Don BoscoMissionary of the YoungBicentennial of His Birth 1815-2015

This issue, except for the last article, is reproduced, condensed in part,from The Anthonian with the kind permission of the Franciscan Fathers.

Don Bosco Missionary of the Young, Copyright 2015Published by: Salesian Missions, 2 Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, NY 10801-5710

Recycled paper

Dear Salesian Family Members and Friends of Don Bosco:

We, the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughtersof Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) in Canadaand the United States, greet you during this very specialyear for the Salesian Family: the bicentennial of thebirth of our Father and Founder, Saint John Bosco,more commonly known as Don Bosco.

Don Bosco had a great dream: the spiritual and temporal prosperity ofthe young and the poor. Knowing he couldn’t accomplish that dream byhimself, he associated others in his mission.

Today, in the name of Don Bosco, we invite you to be fellow mission-aries with Don Bosco. As you read through this magazine, we invite you toconsider how God is calling you to make a difference in our world todayin your homes, neighborhoods and church communities for the sake of theyoung and the poor.

In this magazine you will find information and available resources onSalesian youth ministry, the Salesian Preventive System, Salesian volunteers,and Salesian vocations as well as the locations of all the Salesian worksthroughout Canada and the United States.

We pledge ourselves to help you in any way that we can to expand DonBosco’s ministry in Canada and the United States. Do not hesitate to contact us.

The Salesian Priests, Brothers, Sisters,Cooperators and Salesian Family Membersof the United States and Canada

Turin waschanging. Viceand crimeflourished. Asa young man,Don Boscoworked amongcriminals andthe youngpeople who wereimprisoned andconfined to livein horribleconditions.

A TROUBLED CITY

Political intrigue, assassinations, urban riots,and civil wars wrecked Western Europe as it

struggled to establish democratic governmentsduring the 19th century. The continent'sChristians, bitterly divided, offered feebleopposition to militant atheists.

Turin, a gracious northern Italian city nestled atthe feet of the Alps’ snow-capped peaks, had seenbetter days than those of the winter of 1846. So skillfullyhad ancient Roman engineers designed the town’s

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main streets and squares that forcenturies travelers praised Turinas “the loveliest village in theworld.” Many aristocratic familiestraced their ancestry to the dayswhen Roman legions, garrisonedat Turin, had guarded Italy’snorthern reaches and controlledthe Alpine passes through whichcommerce, and occasionallyinvading armies, moved into Italy.

With this magnificent scenicsetting, cultured population, andcommercial importance, the city,very early in its history, devel-oped a distinct aristocratic style.In the times of which we write, theHouse of Savoy, royal rulers ofnorthern Italy, held court there.

But all was not serene.Nineteenth-century Turin, like somany European and Americancities, was changing from a quietprovincial center into a busyindustrial town. As more andmore factories appeared, moreand more people flowed fromnorthern Italy’s farms and out ofthe Alpine valleys to seek theemployment and excitementoffered by Turin.

The recently arrived workingclass crowded into filthy, airlesstenements, sometimes six or

eight to a room. Vice, disease,and crime flourished; for mostslum dwellers God was a dimmemory associated with thefarms or dairies they had aban-doned for the city. Vicious gangsof young toughs formed in thestreets and often invaded Turin’sbetter sections, leaving a trail ofrobberies, muggings and occa-sionally murder in their wake.

City fathers increased thepolice force and administeredjustice swiftly. “The loveliest vil-lage in the world," now claiming apopulation of 150,000 people,boasted no less than four good-sized prisons. Many inmates weremere boys, some not yet in theirteens.

THE PIED PIPERA new problem now plagued

Turin’s harassed citizenry. At itsroot was, of all things, a slightlyoff-beat priest. For the past sever-al years this cleric, known as DonBosco, had been leading a bandof singing, shouting slum boysthrough Turin’s stylish streets.The priest, clad in battered biret-ta, patched cassock, and peasantwork shoes, had started with a

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handful of boys. Now the originalpack had swollen into a hordenumbering some 400. Althoughthe boys had not yet committedany crime, citizens worried aboutBosco’s ability to control hissmall army.

Government authorities,newspaper editors, and enemiesfeared that Father Bosco was lay-ing the foundations of a futurepolitical power base. In Italy’sthen unstable political climatesuch an assumption was notunreasonable. The Italy of FatherBosco’s time was not the unitedcountry we know today. It wasdivided into seven differentstates. Austrian and French royalhouses ruled a good half of thenation. The papal states, ruled byPope Pius IX, straddled thenation’s central portion. WhenPius IX, who had no army, refusedto support a war to throw out theAustrian occupiers, many Italiansjudged the Pontiff a defender offoreign rulers and an opponent ofnational unity. The vast tide ofanti-clericalism, which had beenbuilding for years, swept overthe land.

Enemies of the Church drovebishops from their dioceses, sup-

pressed religious houses, andexiled priests, sisters and broth-ers. Pope Pius IX and the Italianclergy became the favorite whip-ping boys of the liberal revolu-tionary press.

Hatred reached a boiling pointwhen revolutionary gangs, inNovember, 1848, broke into PopePius IX’s Roman palace, stabbedhis prime minister, and fatally shotone of the Pope’s staff. Slipping outa secret door, Pope Pius IX fled tothe kingdom of Naples, where heremained in exile for six months.

Because of the nature of hiswork and the success he hadalready enjoyed with youth, JohnBosco became a favorite target. Toall charges he calmly replied: “Inpolitics I side with no one. I am apriest. The only kingdom I serve isthe Kingdom of God.”

FROM THE AGE OF NINEJohn had been yearning to

serve that kingdom since he was asmall boy. “At the age of nine,” hewrote, “I knew I wanted to be apriest and to help young people.”He had no easy time in making hisdream come true.

His father, a hardworking

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farmer, died when John was notyet two years old. His mother,Margaret, held her family together,running the small Bosco farm,raising three children, and sup-porting her own elderly andinfirm mother. Margaret, awoman of sterling character andenormous courage, proved equalto the relentless and often bitterstruggle to survive.

But despite their poverty,Margaret encouraged John tobuild his dream.

Although lacking money andinfluence, young John Boscowas not without resources. He

possessed an amazing array oftalents. His physical coordina-tion, even as a youngster, wassuperb. At country fairs he stud-ied the magician’s tricks and thedaredevil’s acrobatic stunts.Back home he practiced thesefeats until he could imitate andoften excel his mentor’s.Although suffering many abruise and sprain in the process,John never lost his enthusiasmfor his dangerous recreation. Heknew “magic” tricks and tight-rope balancing would attractyoung people to him.

His physical prowess, however,

Violence oftenflourished in thecity streets and,more than once,Don Bosco wasthe intendedvictim by thosewho envied hiswork. Traditiontells us that agray dog wouldoccasionally beseen guardingand protectinghim!

pales before his mental acumen.Highly intelligent, John pos-sessed a formidable memory.This talent came to light oneevening when, during the courseof a parish mission, the pastorinquired if John understood themissionary’s sermon. The littleboy of only nine years repeatedwithout mistake every word themissionary had preached.Remember, this was in the daywhen no missionary would daredescend the pulpit unless he hadspoken for at least an hour!

As John grew to young man-hood, he reached medium height.His face, open and frank, wascrowned by a rich crop of curlychestnut hair. He was cheerful,disciplined, and had a tremen-dous capacity for work.

NO SUPERMANYoung Bosco had his faults,

too. Even as a young man, hisfeelings and emotions ran deepand strong. He could be impetu-ous; he was not above, on a rareoccasion, settling problems withhis fists.

He judged himself so full ofself-pride that he deeply fearedhe would use his future position

as a parish priest to feed his crav-ings for prestige. So successfully,however, did John keep all theseforces within him under controlthat calmness and peacefulnesscharacterized his whole life andhis relationships with others.

THE ROADTO THE PRIESTHOOD

John had to work very hardfor his seminary education.During the long years of study, hepicked up a variety of jobs andlearned a host of trades. Beforereaching ordination, John couldmake candy, repair shoes, designand mend suits, manage a restau-rant, and put on a one-man circus.His showmanship attracted smallyoungsters. After he had the littleones suitably awed, he’d slip in acatechism lesson or two.

A PRIEST FOREVERIn 1841 Turin’s Archbishop

Fransoni ordained John, nowtwenty-five, a priest for his arch-diocese. Shortly after ordination,the Archbishop approved DonBosco for an intensive five-yearcourse of post-graduate theologyat Turin’s Ecclesiastical College.

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College authorities, awarethat many Italian priests refusedto mix with the people becauseof the anti-clerical hatred,insisted that the young theologyscholars mix with the city’spopulation, particularly thepoor. Thus John visited andworked in the hospitals, prisons,orphanages, and slum sections.This first-hand experience with

cultured Turin’s grubby under-side shocked his sensitive andgentle heart.

It was, however, the youngslum boys’ plight that botheredhim most. At nine years of age,John had dreamed of becoming apriest. He had accomplished this.Now he had to make real the sec-ond part of the dream to serveyoung people. Y

The Lay Arm of Don Bosco’s Family:Salesian Cooperators

The Salesian Cooperators are Catholics who are living the gospel message inthe spirit of Saint John Bosco while choosing to live in the world.

They are single or married lay men and women, or diocesan clergy,who dedicate themselves to the welfare of young people,and live guided by Don Bosco’s Salesian Spirit.

The core of the Salesian Cooperator’s commitmentis to live his or her life as a good Christian anda good Catholic. The Salesian Cooperatorembraces a Gospel way of life sharingin the Church’s mission to bring Christto society, especially the young.

For more info:Contact your nearestSalesian Provincial House.(See pages 14 through 18)

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VOLUNTEERING: “Bosco Young People in Action”: It’s a place wherepeople can learn about the different service opportunities that exist within the

Salesian Family in the United States and Canada. Intotal, there are 5 different programs that theSalesians offer for various volunteer opportunities!

Find out more!Website: www.boscoyoung.orgor Google “Bosco Young People in Action”

VOCATIONS: Salesian Priests, Brothers and Sisterscommit themselves to a simple but joyful communitylife style, and work toward evangelizing youth througheducation, and educating through evangelization.

Find out more!Salesian Priests and BrothersCanada & Eastern United States: www.salesiansofdonbosco.comWestern United States: www.donboscowest.org/vocationSalesian SistersCanada: Email: fmacora@yahoo.caEastern United States: Email: happynun@yahoo.com Western United States: Email: ssneavesw@gmail.com

SALESIAN YOUTH MINISTRY is helping young people around theworld to come to know and love Jesus Christ. Our way of ministering toyoung people guidesthem to serve othersand the Church in thestyle of St. John Bosco –the Father and Teacherof the Young.

Find out more!Canada: www.salesianym.ca • Eastern United States: www.salesianym.com

Western United States: www.salesianym.org

SALESIAN YOUTH SERVING THE WORLD

MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED AND SERVE

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ALWAYS ON SUNDAY

He started. When still a graduate student, hepersuaded a few youngsters to meet with

him Sunday afternoons at the College courtyard.Patiently he established a relationship with the

street kids based on the famous saying of St. Francis deSales: “You can catch more flies with honey than withvinegar.”

Catch flies he did. Apprentice brought apprentice;street kid brought street kid; orphan brought orphan.As John moved through Turin’s slums, he invitedyoungsters to his Sunday get-togethers at the College.

As a young boy,John dreamed

that a beautifulwoman showed

him that his life’swork was to

turn “wolves”into “lambs”...rambunctiousyoungsters intohonest citizensand productive

workers.

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He called these gatherings his“Oratory.” The Oratory featuredsongs, prayers, and catechism aswell as horseplay, contests, longwalks, and picnics.

A pioneer disciple remem-bered those pleasant Sundays.“At the end of each Sundayexcursion,” he recalled, “DonBosco always told us to plan fornext Sunday. He gave us adviceas to our conduct and asked us,if we had any friends, to invitethem, too. Joy reigned amongus. Those happy days areengraved in our memories andinfluenced our future lives.”

“Arriving at some church inthe outskirts of town, Don Boscowould ask permission of theparish priest to play. The per-mission was always granted, andthen at a signal the noisy bandgathered together. Catechismfollowed breakfast: the grassand rocks supplied the platesand tables. It is true, breadfailed now and then, but cheer-fulness, never. We sang whilewalking, and at sunset wemarched back again into Turin.We were fatigued, but our heartswere content.”

Not everyone in Turin was

content. Indeed, John, havingcompleted his College residency,could find no place to gatheralmost 400 boys. Some generouspeople did try to help. But thenoise and sheer presence of thishuge, energetic band over-whelmed them and often broughtneighbors’ wrath down on theirheads. No less than ten peoplewithin a space of five months hadoffered John the use of their facili-ties. Every one of them, after a fewexperiences, withdrew his prom-ise. Don Bosco simply had noplace to gather his ragged flock.

Later, remembering PalmSunday of 1846, when John felthis work might come to an end,he wrote: “As I looked at thecrowd of children, the thoughtof the rich harvest they prom-ised, I felt my heart was break-ing. I was alone, without helpers.My health was shattered, and Icould not tell where to gathermy poor little ones anymore.”

John urged them to pray;and as so often happened, hisyoungsters’ prayers wereanswered. A certain Mr. Pinardioffered to rent John a piece ofproperty located in Turin’smarshy area, called the Valdocco.

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John, still stinging from his recentdefeats, was slow to respond.Pinardi pointed out that his prop-erty contained a small hayshedwhich John could use for achapel. When John saw the shed,he was bitterly disappointed. Itwas simply too low for him toenter. “Oh, good Father, do notworry,” counseled the irrepress-ible Pinardi: “we will dig down andlower the shed’s floor. You will cel-ebrate here on Easter Sunday.”

Pinardi was as good as hisword. On Easter Sunday morningJohn celebrated at a humble altarsurrounded by his urchins, whohad jammed into the ricketyshack. Pinardi’s shed was noSistine Chapel and the youngworkers no Sistine Choir. But thatdid not stop them from celebrat-ing their Easter with gusto. TheOratory finally had a home. Thepriest did not yet know he was topay a fearful price for his success.

PREVENTIVE SYSTEMSt. John Bosco was an exceptional

educator. His acute intelligence, commonsense and profound spirituality led him tocreate a system of education that developsthe whole person – body, heart, mind andspirit. It enhances growth and freedomwhile putting the child at the center of thewhole educational enterprise.

To distinguish his method from the repressive system of education prevalentin 19th century Italy, he called his own method the ‘preventive’ system –because it seeks to prevent the need for punishment by placing the child in anenvironment in which he/she is encouraged to be the best one can be. It is acongenial, friendly and holistic approach to education.

It creates a climate that ‘draws forth’ (educere) the best in the child, thatencourages the child’s complete and fullest self-expression, that assists youngpeople in acquiring habits that will lead them to opt in favor of what is good,healthy, joyful and life-enhancing.

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“IN MYCHILDREN'SNAME"

For five years,even during hisgraduate studies,John had dedicatedhis life to his young-sters. Although hemet with them asa group only onSundays, everyspare moment hehad during the weekhe gave to meetingtheir needs. He visit-ed them at theirjobs, found work forthose laid off, nursed the sick, andassisted those who had run afoulof the law. Using every possiblemeans, John struggled to keep hislittle ones out of Turin’s corrupt-ing reformatories.

But all this caught up withhim when, three months afterpurchasing the Pinardi place,John, near exhaustion, suffered asevere pneumonia attack. At thehospital where he was taken, doc-tors feared for his life. Heartbrokenand bewildered boys, on hearingthe news, milled about the hospital

courtyard, hoping for further infor-mation. Many youngsters straggledinto a nearby church and prayedfor this man who loved them somuch.

Leadership sprang up fromtheir ranks, and all-night vigilswere organized. In their youthfulenthusiasm the boys hurled sternpromises heavenward. More thanone vowed to reform his life, sayextra prayers, and do penance.Some little construction workers,whose jobs demanded they carrybricks and mortar up four or five

John’s natural physical and athletic abilities helped him enterinto the world of the young and earn their trust and confidence.

A first step in caring for young people!

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stories of scaffolding forty or fiftytimes a day, fasted from solidfoods. Although these children suf-fered pain and came near fainting,they were determined to wrestleJohn Bosco out of death’s grip bytheir prayers and penances.

All their efforts, however,seemed doomed to failure. As hiscondition continued to worsen,John prepared to die. At his bed-side, Father Borel, a close friend,bent over John and whispered:“John, these children need you.Ask God to let you stay. Please,say this prayer after me, ‘Lord, if itbe your good pleasure, cure me. Isay this prayer in the name of mychildren.’”

John repeated the prayer.When he finished it, his feverbroke. The pneumonia crisis hadpassed.

WELCOME HOMETwo weeks later, doctors

released John from the hospital. Inthe courtyard outside, his youngfriends awaited him. When DonBosco appeared, they rushed tohim, picked him up, and carriedhim on their shoulders throughTurin’s streets. Filled with joy,

they sang, shouted, and cheered.Even the city’s proper citizenswere moved to tears. These streetkids and gutter children provedtheir magnificent loyalty and devo-tion to their father.

MAMA MARGARET ARRIVES

Until a short time before his ill-ness, a wealthy noblewoman, theMarchioness of Barolo, providedJohn’s living quarters in Turin.When the priest, absorbed in hisown work, was unable to direct oneof her charities, a girls’ orphanage,she ordered John out of the apart-ment. So, when he came from thehospital, he actually had no place tolay his head.

It was no pressing problem,however, for he had decided to goto his mother’s home in the farmcountry some twenty miles outsideTurin for a period of recuperation.

When John returned to thecity, the indefatigable Mr. Pinardionce more appeared and offeredto rent John four rooms in anapartment of his, bordering theOratory property. Because this par-ticular house and its neighboringdwellings had an unsavory repu-tation, Bosco hesitated. Finally,

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reasoning that his mother’s pres-ence would lessen suspicion of hisown activities, John asked Margaretto make the painful sacrifice of leav-ing the farm life she loved, to be ahousemother in the narrow con-fines of a city apartment.

“Do you think it is God'swill?” she asked her son. “Yes,

Mother, I do,” responded John.That was all Margaret needed,and in November of 1846 she gath-ered her poor possessions and setout with her son for the city. Thetwo, mother and son, walked theentire twenty miles from farm tocity, because they had no moneyfor transportation. Y

PLEASE SEND ME THE FOLLOWING ITEM(S): (shipping & handling are included)QTY. SUGG. DONATION TOTAL

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� Man with a Dream by Peter M. Rinaldi, SDB (paperback) ____ $8.50 ________A good introduction to the life of the saint for adults or adolescents. 162 pgs.

� Keys to the Hearts of Youth by Paul Avallone (paperback) ____ $12.50 ________An in-depth look at Don Bosco’s pastoral and educational mission in a contemporary style. 140 pgs.

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Exploreeven more ofDon Bosco’slife and workwith our videoand books.

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FMA PROVINCE of ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLEHaledon, New JerseyFounded July 16, 1908

Provincial House: 655 Belmont Avenue, Haledon, NJ 07508973-790-7963 • www.salesiansisters.org

Schools: Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon, NJ; St. Anthony School, Hawthorne, NJ;St. Theresa School, Kenilworth, NJ; Immaculate Conception School, Marrero, LA; Academy of Our Lady,Marrero, LA; Immaculata-LaSalle High School, Miami, FL; St. John Neumann High School, Naples, FL;Corpus Christi-Holy Rosary School, Port Chester, NY; St. Patrick School, St. Charles, IL; Villa MadonnaSchool, Tampa, FL; Auxilium School, Newton, NJ

Youth Center: Salesian Youth Center, Tampa, FL

Summer Camps/Programs: Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon, NJ; Immaculata-LaSalleHigh School, Miami, FL; Salesian Youth Center, Tampa, FL; St. Theresa Kenilworth, Corpus Christi-HolyRosary School, Port Chester, NY; Camp Auxilium,Newton, NJ

Special Ministries: Sacred Heart Center, Newton, NJ(Retreat Center); St. Joseph Provincial House,Haledon, NJ; St. John Newman Center, Champaign, IL

Houses of Formation: Mary Help of ChristiansAcademy, North Haledon, NJ; Sacred HeartNovitiate, Newton, NJ

Our Mission StatementWe commit ourselves to the new evangelization ofyouth. Impelled by our charism, we evangelize by educating. We open up new ways for the education ofthe young, deepening within them an attitude of respect for the dignity of the human person and anopenness to life in all its forms. We commit ourselves to a community lifestyle which is poor, simple,welcoming, and able to create a new educative presence among poor youth.

Between the years of 1871 and 1885, St. John Bosco put together his dreams for the Daughters of Mary Help ofChristians. We still strive to live by this profile of the FMA as outlined by Don Bosco in the first Constitutions:

1. Patient and zealous charity not only towards children but more especially towards young girls andeveryone, without exception, with the aim of doing as much good as possible.2. Simplicity and reserve combined with cheerfulness, a spirit of mortification both interior and exterior;strict observance of poverty.3. Obedience of will and judgement; and humility in accepting willingly and without comment the adviceand corrections given and the work entrusted to them.4. A spirit of prayer which helps the Sisters to carry out their works of piety willingly, to remain in thepresence of God and to abandon themselves to Divine Providence.5. These virtues must be well tested and deeply rooted in the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians,because their lives must harmonize the contemplative and the active life, reproducing Martha and Mary,the life of the Apostles and that of the Angels.

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FMA PRE-PROVINCE of NOTRE DAME DU CAPWith Communities in Ontario and Quebec, Canada

Founded 1953Provincial House: 8555 Joliot Curie, Montreal, Quebec H1E 5J6

514-648-7999 • www.salesiansisterscanada.com

Day Care Centers: Marie Auxiliatrice, Montreal, Qc.; Les Amis de Don Bosco, Montreal, Qc.;Les Petits Amis de Savio, Montreal, Qc.; Pavillon des Poupons & Les bouts d’choux de Savio,Montreal, Qc

High Schools: Toronto High School Retreat Ministry

Youth Centers: Ancre Don Bosco, Montreal, Qc.; Don Bosco Center, Markham, Ontario

Summer Camps:Camp Tiberiade, Lakefield Qc.; Nativity Day Camp Cornwall, Ontario

Special Ministries:Parish Catechesis-Sacramental Prep, Cornwall, On.; Diocese Youth Ministry; Duc in Altum-Young Adult Spirituality Program; RCIA - Chinese Catechesis; Salesian Cooperators; ADMA,Past Pupils; IDES Canada

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SDB PROVINCE of St. PHILIP the APOSTLEEncompasses the Eastern half of the United States and all of Canada

Founded November 26, 1898Provincial House: 148 Main Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801

914-636-4225 • www.salesians.org

Parishes: St. Philip Benizi, Belle Glade, FL; HolyCross Catholic Church, Champaign, IL; St. JohnBosco Parish, Chicago, IL; Annunciation Parish,Edmonton, Alberta; St. Andrew Parish, Edmonton,Alberta; St. John Bosco Parish, Edmonton, Alberta;St. Benedict Parish, Etobicoke, Ontario; St. Gregorythe Great Parish, Hamilton, Ontario; St. John BoscoParish, Harvey, LA; St. Rosalie Parish, Harvey, LA;SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church,Minersville, PA; Our Lady of the Valley Church,Orange, NJ; Corpus Christi Parish, Port Chester, NY;Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Port Chester, NY;Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Surrey, BritishColumbia; Mary Help of Christians Parish, Tampa, FL

Schools: Archbishop Shaw High School, Marrero, LA; Salesian High School, New Rochelle, NY;Don Bosco Preparatory High School, Ramsey, NJ; St. Petersburg Catholic High School, St. Petersburg, FL;Seminaire Salesian, Sherbrooke, Quebec; Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, Washington, DC

Youth Centers: Don Bosco Youth Center, Belle Glade, FL; St. John Bosco Parish Youth Center, Chicago, IL;Salesian Boys and Girls Club, Easton Boston, MA; Salesian Youth Centre, Montreal, Quebec; Don BoscoOratory, Orange, NJ; Corpus Christi Youth Center, Port Chester, NY; Don Bosco Boys & Girls Club, PortChester, NY; Don Bosco Youth Center, Stony Point, NY; Don Bosco Youth Centre, Surrey, British Columbia;Garry & Mavis Smith Salesian Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay, FL

Summer Camps: Glades Kids Summer Camp, Belle Glade, FL; Camp Don Bosco, Chicago, IL; Salesian Boysand Girls Summer Day Camp, East Boston, MA; SummerDaze Day Camp, Etobicoke, Ontario; ArchbishopShaw Summer Camp, Marrero, LA; Camp Don Bosco, Orange, NJ; Camp Echo Bay, New Rochelle, NY;Summer Daze Day Camp, Port Chester, NY; Aux Berges Dominique Savio, St. Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec;Camp Don Bosco, Stony Point, NY; Mary Help of Christians Camp, Tampa, FL

Special Ministries: Salesian Representative to the United Nations; Campus Ministry, St. John NeumannCenter, Champaign, IL; Don Bosco Formation Residence, Orange, NJ; Salesian Gospel Roads, NewRochelle, NY; Salesian Missions, New Rochelle, NY; Don Bosco Missions, Montreal, Quebec; SalesianaPublishers, New Rochelle, NY; Salesian Lay Missioners, New Rochelle, NY; Marian Shrine Don BoscoRetreat Center, Stony Point, NY; Reborn Young Christ Korean Youth Ministry, Stony Point, NY; KoreanCatholic Mission of Tampa, FL; St. Philip the Apostle Residence, Tampa, FL

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FMA PROVINCE of MARY IMMACULATESan Antonio, Texas

Founded February 10, 1987Provincial House: 6019 Buena Vista Street, San Antonio, TX 78237

210-432-1919 • www.salesiansisterswest.org

Schools: St. Dominic Savio, Bellflower, CA; Salesian Elementary School, Corralitos, CA; Mary Help ofChristians School, Laredo, TX; St. Mary’s, Los Angeles, CA; St. James, San Antonio, TX; St. John Bosco,San Antonio, TX; St. Peter and Paul, San Francisco, CA; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Westwego, LA

Religious Education Centers: Cristo Rey, Austin, TX; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Austin, TX; St. DominicSavio, Bellflower, CA; Sacred Heart, Colorado Springs, CO; Our Lady of the Woods, Woodland Park, CO;Mary Help of Christians, Watsonville, CA; Corpus Christi, San Francisco, CA; Holy Name, San Antonio, TX

Special Ministries: St. Thomas, Los Angeles, CA;Mary Immaculate Provincial House, San Antonio, TX

In 1987, the Salesian youth works and outreachprograms in Louisiana, Texas, and Californiajoined efforts to form Mary Immaculate Province(the Western Province of the Salesian Sisters). In1993, the Provincial Center was established inSan Antonio, Texas. The Center serves as theadministrative headquarters for the WesternProvince, retreat center, and residence for elderSisters. The Salesian Sisters began ministries inArizona in 1997 and in Colorado in 2002.

The ministries of the Western Province include earlychildhood, elementary, and secondary education,Religious education, before and after-school programs,youth ministry, adult education, outreach programsfor poor and disadvantaged women and children, boys and girls clubs, VIDES (a lay young adultvolunteer program), and summer camp programs. In addition to owning the Provincial House inSan Antonio, TX, the Province owns three elementary schools: St. John Bosco in San Antonio, TX,Mary Help of Christians in Laredo, TX, and Salesian Elementary and Junior High in Corralitos, CA.

Today, there are 100 Sisters in the Western Province. Whether 1908 or 2015, the Sisters’ missioncontinues in the United States, impacting the lives of children and youth following the teachings ofSt. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello.

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Our Mission is to educate youthin the spirit of Don Boscoand Mary Mazzarello

SDB PROVINCE of ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLEEncompasses Communities in California and Texas

Founded March 11, 18971100 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109415-441-7144 • www.donboscowest.org

High Schools: St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, CA; Salesian High School, Los Angeles, CA; SalesianHigh School, Richmond, CA; Don Bosco Technical Institute, Rosemead, CA; St. Francis Central CoastCatholic High School, Watsonville, CA

Parishes: St. Dominic Savio Church, Bellflower, CA; StAmbrose Church, Berkeley, CA; San Luis Rey Church,Laredo, TX; St. Bridget’s Chinese Church, Los Angeles, CA;Sts. Peter and Paul Church, San Francisco, CA; St. Luke’sChurch, Stockton, CA; Our Lady Help of Christians Church,Watsonville, CA; Corpus Christi Church, San Francisco, CA

Youth Centers: Los Angeles Salesian Boys and Girls Club,Los Angeles, CA; Salesian Youth Center, Los Angeles, CA;West Contra Costa Salesian Boys and Girls Club, Richmond,CA; St. Joseph’s Youth Renewal Center, Rosemead, CA

Summer Camps: Camp St. Francis, Aptos, CA

Special Ministries: Don Bosco Hall, Berkeley, CA; St.Joseph’s Novitiate, Rosemead, CA; Vietnamese Ministry,Stockton, CA; Volunteer Movement, Bellflower, CA

The Salesians of St. John Bosco began their ministry in theUnited States in 1897. Don Michael Rua, the successor ofSt. John Bosco, responded to a request from theArchbishop of San Francisco, Patrick Riordan, to come toSan Francisco, California, and minister to the many Italianimmigrants living in the city. Four Salesians arrived in1897 and began their work at Sts. Peter and Paul Churchwhere the Salesians continue to serve.

The Salesians have continued to spread throughout California and Texas. They are still committed toministering to the many immigrants that make up the population of our cities and towns. We nowreach out to the young and families in the parishes, schools, and youth centers of our province. Ourministries are based on the teachings, spirit, and educational approach of St. John Bosco.

In recent years, we have begun to accept and welcome lay volunteers who live with us in communityand work with us to serve the young. This movement continues to grow and has enriched ourprovince. Together with so many lay collaborators we hope to be signs and bearers of God’s love forthe young in the Western Province of San Francisco.

Saints Peter and Paul Church,San Francisco, California

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A WORLD OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Soon after John’s mother arrived at the Oratory, the childrendubbed her “Mama Margaret.” Bosco would often say to

her, “Mother, some day this whole place will be a playground,with schoolrooms, workshops; there will be helpers and aworld of children.”

Margaret, aware of John's natural exuberance, listened skeptically toher son. All the priest had was a piece of land of dubious value, a half-underground chapel, an apartment in a building that was contributingsignificantly to Turin's urban blight, and a weekend invasion of some 600boys. But John was determined to establish a world of children, and hewould build that world step by step.

He determined first of all to provide a solid practical education for his

Don Bosco’s ownwork-filled childhood

provided him withskills as a farmer,

carpenter, tailor, andshoemaker. These

skills he would pass onto his students, givingthem tools for honestand dignified work.

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boys. Starting at ground zero, hetaught the three R’s. Since reli-gious instruction was essential tohis education program, Johnselected a simple catechism for hisstudents’ reading primer.

He first held classes in hisPinardi apartment. As more andmore students came, they over-flowed the tiny rooms into thechapel and the sacristy. Even thiswas not enough and John finallypersuaded Mr. Pinardi to rent himthe whole house.

The curriculum expandedspace. To the original three R’s,John soon added geography, gram-mar, and drawing. He also addedsinging, stating that “an Oratorywithout singing is like a body with-out a soul.”

To ensure a steady supply ofteachers for his ever-expandingschool, John worked out an agree-ment with some of the school’smore gifted students. He trainedthem in secondary studies, Italian,literature, Latin, French and math-ematics, with the understandingthat they would, in turn, teach fora period of time in the grammarschool. The arrangement benefit-ed both John and his teachingstaff. Don Bosco had a fine faculty

drawn from the ranks of the pupil-teachers of the Oratory itself.

The new teachers now had suf-ficient education to enter studiesthat would lead to professionalcareers. Thus they could break thecycle of poverty into which manyof them had been born.

THE HIVE SWARMSWithin a year of settling on the

Pinardi property, John had underinstruction between six and sevenhundred children, ranging any-where in age from eight to eighteen.These earnest youngsters jammedevery available inch of space in thePinardi house and the chapel. Johnrefused to turn anyone away. Yetthere was simply no more room.

Undismayed, John summonedthe whole Oratory one night andresolved the crisis. “When a bee-hive overflows,” he explained, “itswarms, and its surplus goes out tofill another hive. And so it is with us.In playtime we are all upon oneanother; at chapel we are packedlike herrings in a barrel. There is noroom to move. Let us copy the beesand go and seek another Oratory.”

The fact that he had no moneydid not disturb him at all. He knewGod would provide. As usual,

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he was right. Not one, but twoOratories soon opened in Turin.

THE BOY WHOCAME TO DINNER

One cold rainy night in May,1847, Margaret responded to a tapon the Pinardi house door. Ayoungster, wet to the bone, stoodtrembling on the steps. Margaretimmediately brought the child in,set him before a roaring fire, driedhim, fed him, and then put him tobed. He turned out to be “the boywho came to dinner.” He was anorphan and his gentle knockopened a whole new door for DonBosco. The plight of Turin’sorphaned and homeless boysweighed heavily on Don Bosco’sheart since his arrival in the city.

A WORLD OF CHILDRENNow John felt he could do

something about it. It was not longbefore the new arrival was joinedby ten other lads whom Johnsomehow stuffed into the Pinardihouse. After the winter of 1851,when he finally purchased thePinardi house, John was able toaccept some thirty boarders.

The house lived by a wondrousroutine. In the morning, after aprayer together, they would departfor their workshop or factory, alittle snack in their hands. At noonthey would return and crowd intothe kitchen for their noonday din-ner, which John, the cook, hadprepared and, now clad in a whiteapron, served them. The boys

With the help andsacrifices of his ownmother, Margaret,

Don Bosco’s work grewfaster than ever –

schools, trades, foodand lodging. A young

boy’s dream wascoming to fruition.

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would depart for afternoon work,return in the evening for supper;then Professor Bosco would super-vise their lessons.

The increased activity, however,took its toll on Mama Margaret,now in her mid 60s. She toiled allday long cleaning house, washingand mending clothes, and nursingthe little boys who were ill. Boysbeing boys, their carelessnessoften caused poor Margaret muchextra work. One day, fed up withher clothesline being knockeddown, her vegetable garden tram-pled, weary from endless washing,mending and cooking, MamaMargaret announced to her son:“I'm going home.”

Don Bosco felt his mother’sanguish. He said nothing. He simplypointed to a crucifix hanging on thewall. His mother understood and hereyes filled with tears. “You are right,son: you are right,” she said softly.Mama Margaret replaced her apron.

PROJECTS AND PLANSAs quickly as John finished

one project, he began another. Inrapid succession he built a board-ing home for 150 boys, a newchapel to accommodate theOratory’s increased enrollment,

and pioneered evening educationand vocational schools for hisfuture craftsmen. He built shoe-maker, tailor, carpenter, book-binder, printing and ironworkshops. Again he chose his facultyfrom boys who had come throughthe Oratory. His schools, consid-ered among Turin’s best, took theirinspiration and direction from DonBosco himself, who ranks amongmodern Europe’s finest educators.

A colleague, a distinguished pro-fessor, explains why. “His love shoneforth from his looks and his wordsso clearly, and all felt it and couldnot doubt it... They experienced animmense joy in his presence.”

John demanded much from histeachers. At a time when school-masters considered whipping anindispensable tool of their trade,Don Bosco forbade any such vio-lence. “Make yourself loved,” hecounseled them. “If you wish to beobeyed, be fathers, not superiors.”

In John's view the teacher’sresponsibility extended not simplybeyond the classroom to personalconferences with the student butto the creation of an environmentat the Oratory characterized byChristian love and joy.

Bosco could make no such

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demands unless he himself led theway. He joined in students’ recre-ation, challenged them in conver-sation, and joked with them. Asuperb athlete until his middle 50s,he would often footrace with them.Although plagued with varicoseveins at 54, he could still outrunany of them. Bosco respected theboys’ freedom and carried thatrespect into every aspect of theOratory’s program. If he had topunish, he was careful never todemean or embitter a child.

Don Bosco possessed greateducators’ skill: he combinedauthority with liberty, disciplinewith friendliness, and order with

About the booklet: St. John Bosco’s method of educationhas proven successful around the globe. In presenting thisbooklet the authors’ aim is to help parents andeducators in the difficult art of EDUCATION.A $2.00 value • Available in English or SpanishSend a legal size, self-addressed envelope with 70¢ postageor 2 first class stamps attached to:

Salesian Missions2 Lefevre Lane, PO Box 728, New Rochelle, NY 10801-5710

On the face of the envelope, place a large E for English or a large S for Spanish

room for youthful effervescence.“Without affection, there is no

confidence,” he often counseledhis faculty. “Without confidence,no education.”

Religion for John was no mereadjunct to education. He saw therelationship with God as the verysource and foundation of allhuman growth and activity.

For him it was essential topresent God as a loving Father tohis children. He most effectivelydid this by being a loving father tohis Oratory. He urged his studentsto be aware that they lived in thepresence of the heavenly FatherWho loved them. Y

FREE BOOKLET!“St. John Bosco to Parents, Grandparents and Teachers”/“San Juan Bosco para Padres, Abuelos y Maestros”

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THE LAST YEARSAs Don Bosco grew into his 60s, his health became more

and more fragile. But he continued his exhausting pace.His days were filled with teaching, counseling, and supervisinghis endless projects.

By the early 1880s his Salesians had spread beyond the borders ofItaly, establishing themselves in France and Spain. He yearned to visitthem. Thus, when Pope Leo XIII in 1883 asked him to journey to Franceto beg funds to complete the construction of the Sacred Heart Basilicain Rome, John cheerfully complied. He could beg for the Pope – and visithis spiritual sons.

Bosco’s heart was deeply moved by the warm, enthusiastic wel-come the French people gave him. They responded generously to his

Don Bosco’s workfor boys soonexpanded andyoung girls, too,were included.The SalesianSisters, one of thelargest groups ofreligious women,heartily took upDon Bosco’s chal-lenge and dream.

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appeal for the Basilica.“Never had such a crowd gath-

ered in Paris around a priest sincethe visit of Pius VIII,” one eyewit-ness recalled. Don Rua, remember-ing this visit to France, said, “If wehad seven secretaries, many lettersevery evening would still have hadto be left unanswered.” The jour-ney, however, exacted a terrible tollon John’s already fragile health.

John’s right eye, injured yearsearlier in a fall, pained constantly.Phlebitis made his walking sounsteady that two Salesians stoodon either side of him. Their presencewas necessary since Don Boscowould often fall asleep on his feet ashe moved through the crowds,greeting and blessing the people.

Three years later Don Boscomade a similar trip to Spain, and hewas greeted with the same enthusi-asm. He preached in the mostfamous cathedrals in both Franceand Spain. Although he could speakboth French and Spanish, he hardlypossessed of “an orator's tongue.”The people, however, understoodhim well, for he spoke to them withthe language of the heart.

THE FINAL DAYS“You have burnt away your life

by working to excess. Your whole

constitution is like a coat wornthreadbare by too much use.There is no remedy except that wehang this coat in a closet for awhile. You must completely rest.”Don Bosco had heard his doctor’sadvice before. The reply wasalways the same: “Doctor, youknow that’s the only remedy Icannot take. There’s too muchwork yet to be done.” Right upuntil his very last days, DonBosco, held up on either side bytwo Salesian companions, jour-neyed through Turin, visiting thepoor, begging from the rich,cheering the hearts of those whowere sad. He knew death wasimminent. “I want to go to heav-en,” he would say, “for there Ishall be able to work much betterfor my children. On earth I can donothing more for them.”

Don Bosco’s doctor nowadvised Salesian authorities: “Heis not dying of any disease; he islike a lamp dying from want of oil.”

The famous Bosco humor didnot fade. He advised the Salesianswho carried him from place toplace to “put it on the bill. I’ll set-tle up everything at the end.” Atone time, gasping for breath, hewhispered to a Salesian bendinganxiously over him, “Do you

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know where there is a goodbellowsmaker?” “Why?” thepuzzled Salesian asked. “BecauseI need a new pair of lungs, that’swhy!”

The illness dragged on. DonRua took over the government ofthe Salesian Society. His firstcommand was to request everySalesian who could possibly doso to come to Turin and bidfarewell to their father. From allover, these sons came. DonBosco had taken many of theselittle street boys and farmers andhelped them to grow to deep loveof God. One by one they passedby him to receive his blessing.Next came all the boys who hadgone through the Oratory atTurin. Hundreds of them cameand passed by his bed two bytwo. John blessed them all, hisface calm, almost young.

On the night of January 31,

1888, he turned to Don Rua andsaid: “Tell my children that I amwaiting for them all in Paradise.”And with those words one of thenineteenth century’s most mag-nificent men breathed forth hisstrong and valiant spirit.

During his lifetime he oftensaid he wanted to die poor. Diepoor he did. On the day of hisdeath, the Turin Oratory, with 800mouths to feed was penniless. Butthat did not stop the baker fromdelivering his bread on schedule.The baker, like everybody else,knew that Don Bosco would findmoney as he always did, in heav-en, to feed his boys on earth.

In 1934 Pope Plus XI canonizedSt. John Bosco as a saint of theCatholic Church. And in 1988 PopeJohn Paul II called him “Fatherand Teacher of Youth.” Y

In the fall of 1853, the firstrudimentary shoemaking andtailoring shops were opened.

They occupied a corridor in thePinardi house and made use of

the old kitchen. Don Boscohimself taught the boys until

someone else could befound for the job.

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THE MISSIONARY THRUSTby J. Karp

As a young priest, Don Bosco had applied tobe a missionary; but his seminary profes-

sor told him gently: “Don Bosco, you can’t eventake a coach ride without getting an upsetstomach. How will you ever be a missionary?No, you will not go; but you will send out manyto preach and teach the word of God.”

In 1875, sixteen years after he founded the SalesianSociety, he sent his first band of ten to begin mission workin Argentina.

The last quarter of the nineteenth century saw amighty wave of migration from Europe to Latin America.Immigrants arrived in such great numbers that there werenot enough churches and schools to attend to their needs.

From hisearliest years asa student, DonBosco dreamedof far-awayworlds. Hewould, beforehis death, sendhis men andwomen Salesiansfar and wide.With thousandsof dedicatedcollaborators,volunteers, andCooperators, hiswork continuestoday.

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It was also a time of Indian warsas the land-hungry newcomersplunged into the interior of the conti-nent, pushing the native Indians offthe land, not without bloody warfare.

The first ten Salesian missionar-ies left on the 11th of November, 1875,and reached Buenos Aires, wherethey established their headquarters.They began to work immediatelyamong the immigrants in the impov-erished quarter at the port known as“La Boca” (The Devil’s Mouth).

Half the group headed south forIndian territory and were instrumen-tal in helping bring about peace inthe war with the Indians.

Plunging southward across thevast Pampas, they finally reached thesouthern tip of the continent, the“Tierra del Fuego” (The Land of Fire),at that time the haven of escaped con-victs, smugglers and internationaladventurers. A museum in PuntaArenas today houses memories ofthose early trials and triumphs.

In the space of twenty years,they explored the country, estab-lished agricultural schools, cultivat-ed vast tracts of land, and spread theword of God. The missionaries'advance was a succession of con-quests, sometimes paid for in theirown blood.

From Ushuaia, the southern-most city of the continent, on theStraits of Magellan, they advancednorth across Patagonia and theAmazon basin. By the turn of thecentury, the Salesians were workingin almost every country in LatinAmerica.

SALESIANS SERVING YOUTHAROUND THE WORLD TODAY

There are nearly 30,000 SalesianFathers, Brothers and Sisters workingaround the world in over 130 coun-tries. From Sodertaije in Sweden, justbelow the Arctic Circle, to Ushuaia,just above the Antarctic Circle, fromNew York to San Francisco, to HongKong and Bangkok, and on toRangoon, Calcutta, Cairo and aroundthe world, they bring the care andconcern of the many Salesian friendsand supporters to millions of boysand girls around the globe.

THE SDBs and FMAs STAFF:330 orphanages90+ clinics and hospitals5,343 schools 957 Vocational/Trade Schools 43 Agricultural schools2,740 Youth Centers

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Your Gifts at Work in over 130 Countries

AFRICAAngola Benin Burkina Faso Burundi CameroonCanary Islands Cape Verde CentralAfricanRepublic

ChadCongo(Brazzaville)

Congo (DemocraticRepublic)

Egypt Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon Ghana GuineaConakry Ivory Coast

Kenya Lesotho LiberiaLibya MadagascarMalawiMaliMauritius Morocco Mozambique

NamibiaNigeria Rwanda Senegal Sierra Leone South AfricaSouth Sudan SudanSwazilandTanzaniaTogoTunisiaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe

MIDDLE EAST AzerbaijanIranIsrael Kuwait Lebanon SyriaTurkeyYemen

ASIA BangladeshCambodiaChina,People’sRepublic

Hong KongIndia Indonesia Japan Korea

Macao Mongolia MyanmarNepalPakistanPhilippines Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Vietnam

NORTH AMERICACanadaUnited StatesMexico

CENTRAL AMERICA Costa RicaEl SalvadorGuatemalaHondurasNicaraguaPanama

SOUTHAMERICAArgentinaBolivia

BrazilChileColombiaEcuadorParaguayPeruUruguayVenezuela

CARIBBEANCubaCuraçaoDominicanRepublic

HaitiPuerto Rico

EUROPE AlbaniaAndorraAustriaBelarusBelgium

Bosnia-HerzegovinaBulgariaCroatiaCzechRepublic

EnglandFranceGeorgiaGermanyHungaryIrelandItalyLithuaniaMadeiraMaltaMontenegroNetherlandsPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSan Marino

ScotlandSerbiaSicilySlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineVatican

OCEANIAAustraliaEast TimorFijiGuamNew ZealandPapua NewGuinea

SamoaSolomonIslands

� Areas in redserved by the Salesians

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This Publication isA Gift for Youfrom the Salesian Priests,

Brothers, Sisters,Cooperators and

Salesian Family Membersof the United States and Canada

“Without you, I can do nothing” – Don Bosco

PrayerHelp me to understand how to assert my life skills and faith to best serve

God’s plan. Through the prayers of St. John Bosco, whose pastoral heartwon over the confidence and trust of the young, set my heart’s desire to bein concert with Jesus, whose compassion and mercy paved the way to fullliving and freedom in the family of God. Help me to surrender my life toGod’s plan, so that I become a prophet of hope, ever listening for the criesof young people who are in need. Amen.