St. John BosCo – Model of a Christian Educator

Every January 31, the Church honors St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, whose good work we also appreciate very much here in our country. His father died when John was only two years old. Because of financial difficulties it was not easy for his mother to bring him up and give him an education that would guarantee a successful future. But she was a pious woman and gave him a good humanistic and Christian education. What mothers can do – even in times of poverty.

John was ordained a priest at the age of 31 years old. Because of his difficult youth, he focused on the education of young men in a time when industrialization caused many problems especially for young people. As a skilled educator, Don Bosco formulated a system of education which today is still very helpful for our younger generation. For 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.”

Unfortunately, many parents and educators today are not always present and so lessen their impact on the young. 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. One of his students became a saint, St. Dominic Savio, who once told a companion, “Here we make holiness consist in being very happy and in performing our duties as perfectly as possible.”

Don Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales. He sent out missionaries, especially to Latin America. He was known for his humor and inner joy.

We thank God for such a great saint, educator and model for all educators and especially for parents. Fr. Rudy Horst

Reflection Question:
What can I do to spread the ideas of Don Bosco among my relatives and friends?

Lord, today 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, as St. John Bosco did so well.