What can you do to spread the ideas of Don Bosco among your relatives and friends? - Daily Reflections January 31,2014

A BRIEF LOOK AT ST. JOHN BOSCO

 

Today, the Church honors St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians whose good work we also appreciate very much in our country. His childhood was far from pleasant. John’s father died when he was only two years old. It was not easy for his mother to bring him up alone and give him an education that would guarantee a successful future. But she was a pious woman and gave him a good Christian education. Her beatification process has already started. What mothers can do even in times of poverty!

       John was ordained a priest at the age of 31. Having experienced an extremely difficult youth, he focused on the education of young men. As a skilled educator, Don Bosco formulated a system of education which could also be very helpful for our younger generation today. His motto was “Reason, Religion, Kindness.” He summarized his program for the youth with a brief sentence: “The young should know that they are loved.” Don Bosco once told his boys: “Remember, whatever I am, I am all for you, day and night, morning and evening, at every moment.” He advised educators to love the young as they would love their own sons. It goes without saying that this also applies to parents as educators.

       Twenty years after his ordination, about 800 students benefited from John Bosco’s educational system. One of his students even became a saint, St. Dominic Savio. To be sure that his work would continue after his death, John Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales. He sent out missionaries, especially to Latin America. When he realized the importance of printing materials, he founded a printing press and published pamphlets, magazines and books to spread the Good News.

       If more parents would follow the example of St. John Bosco and realize their great mission to prepare their children for the future and for heaven, we wouldn’t have to worry about the future of our nation and of the Church. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What can you do to spread the ideas of Don Bosco among your relatives and friends?

 

Lord, I pray for our educators, especially for all parents. May they realize their great responsibility and privilege to form their children for a better future. May they do it with love and kindness.