Don Bosco

• John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815.
• John Bosco’s first dream occurred in 1824.
• John Bosco’s dream was about his future mission.
• John Bosco met Fr. Joseph Calosso in 1829.
• John Bosco joined the seminary on October 30, 1835.
• John Bosco was ordained as a priest on June 5, 1841.
• John Bosco began the oratory on December 8, 1841.
• John Bosco met Michael Rua for the first time in 1852.
• John Bosco’s first help group was called ‘Salesians’ on January 26, 1854.
• Dominic Savio entered the oratory of John Bosco on October 29, 1854.
• Mamma Margaret, the mother of John Bosco, passed away on November 25, 1856.
• Dominic Savio died on March 9, 1857.
• The congregation of Don Bosco called the Salesian Congregation on December 18, 1859.
• The blessing of the Mary Help of Christians Basilica occurred on June 9, 1868.
• The approbation of the Salesian Congregation occurred on March 1, 1869.
• The fi rst Salesian Missionaries went to South America on November 11, 1875.
• Don Bosco cried several times during the Mass at the altar of Mary Help of Christians on May 16, 1887.
• Don Bosco celebrated the mass for the last time on December 11, 1887.
• Don Bosco died on January 31, 1888, at 4:45 a.m.
• The process of the beatification of Don Bosco began on June 4, 1890.
• Don Bosco was canonized on April 1, 1934.
• The parents of Don Bosco were Francis Bosco and Margaret Occhiena.
• The siblings of Don Bosco were Joseph, and his step brother Anthony.
• Anthony, the step brother of Don Bosco, was against his studies due to jealousy.
• A majestic person who appeared in the dream of Don Bosco at the age of nine was Jesus Christ.
• The means Don Bosco used to spread the devotion to Mary include the blessing of Mary Help of Christians, the medal of Our Lady Help of Christians, and the aspiration ‘Mary Help of Christians, Pray for us.’
• Mamma Margaret, the first protector of the Salesian Society, recommended Don Bosco to belong to Our Lady entirely and love those who love her.
• Don Bosco greeted his priests “Salve, Salvando, Salvati” meaning “Hail! By saving others, save Yourself.”
• Pope Pius IX entrusted Don Bosco the task of building the Church of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
• Don Bosco told his Salesians in the last will, regarding rules “If you have loved me in the past continue to love me in the future by the exact observance of our constitutions.
• Don Bosco insisted to be recited in the morning, noon, and night the invocation to Mary ‘Dear Mother Mary, ever a virgin, Help me to save my soul.’
• The church that Don Bosco built is the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Turin, Italy.
• Don Bosco said about sodalities “They are the keys of piety, safeguards of morals, sustainers of religious and ecclesiastical vocations.
• Mamma Margaret advised Don Bosco at his ordination “To begin to say Mass is to begin to suffer.”
• Don Bosco said regarding the role of Mary in the congregation ‘Mary most holy is the foundress and she will be the sustainer of our work.’
• Don Bosco said about goodnights “It is a key to good behavior, to the smooth running of the school and to success in education.
• When his sons tell him to take rest, Don Bosco told them “I shall rest in heaven.
• Mamma Margaret told Don Bosco in a dream four years after her death “I am waiting for you, for we two can never be separated.”
• Pope Pius XI canonized Don Bosco.
• Pope Leo XIII said to Don Bosco about his work ‘Your work is undoubtedly God’s work, hence, go forward, courageously and fearlessly.’