The Bi-Centinary Year of the Birth of Don Bosco (1815-2015)

St. John Bosco is one of the most daring and creative saints that the Church has ever produced. He was popular during 19^th century for his creative mission that he embarked in the Church with the slogan “da mihi animas cetera tolle” So much so he was known as the spiritual insight of a mystic, visionary and humble pioneer of the youth work during 19^th century. He was the manifestation of enthusiasm and charming personality. He was well appreciated and admired by the people of his time and even now. Therefore, we can very well say that he was much ahead of his times in thought and deed. He started his mission with a little boy, with Sign of the Cross and Hail Mary in the sacristy in Turin on the feast of the Immaculate Conception (08^th December-1841). The dream at the age of nine made him rather unclear about the mission that he would take up. It was mother Mary as his teacher and guide made all things clear to him.

Historical Context as the Key for the Mission: It was revolution period where there was no peace in Italy and surroundings of Piedmont. It was the time of terrible violence and war and so there was no haven of peace for the people. Many people spent days and nights with mere meals and left alone leaving their beloved family members dead. Therefore, it was the time of a great danger that no one could ever dare to take care of young people to support them.

At this time of historical problem where young people left like the sheep without the shepherd, exposed to all sorts of worldly dangers. There came a little boy St John Bosco, from a humble family yet profound in nature and grace who would become as the father and friend of youth. So, we believe very fervently that he was sent by God to support the young at risk and to give them work, bread and heaven.

After the Ordination, once Johny Bosco took a walk early in the morning, in the streets of Turin, in his black cassock and black hat on his head. He happened to pass through some of the isolated streets of Turin. From far away he saw a factory building where some youngsters gathered around the factory waiting for work, and some of the youngsters were waiting to be called by the owner of the factory to work and earn. Among them only few boys were called for a day work and others were left out. By looking at that incident Don Bosco’s heart was broken seeing the wretched condition of the youngsters dressed in dilapidated clothes. At the same time he was also reminded of his dream at the age of nine; then he questioned himself, was it not my mission to save them from this danger and to bring them up in life and to make them honest citizens and good Christians in the society and thus I could save their souls. He thought for a while and started calling them one by one you…come with me I will give you work, hai... you come, I will find some job for you, and you two can come, and all can come I will search for a job”.

Thus Don Bosco called each boy to come with him to win his soul and turn his unfortunate into fortunate. He looked at them compassionately and called the other to follow him. Later on children started to gather on Sunday around him. This was the turning point for his mission. He did not wait for the best time to start his mission. This reminds me of a quote: “Instead of waiting for things to be better we can decide to make them better”, that is what Don Bosco had done those days. At that time it was scandal for a priest to play with the boys on the streets, but Don Bosco did it, which was not expected of a priest. I personally believe that a person who stands aside makes the difference.   

It is mentioned in the Biographical Memories of Don Bosco, that he learnt 24 trades to teach his oratory boys, like acrobat, music, choir, shoe making, press, book binding, band etc….. It was his passion lead him to win the souls of young boys like Dominic Savio, Mickey Magone and etc., Don Bosco managed to produce saints from his place. It is often said and talked among religious and Christian families that many of the 19^th century saints lived together and played together in Don Bosco’s Oratory. Don Bosco used to say “don’t keep the boys in the chapel for a long time.” For Don Bosco’s Holiness consists in ‘cheerfulness’, like playing, running, jumping, shouting in the ground (Run, Jump, Sing but do not sin). Don Bosco fully depended on Divine –Providence,  all of his life, that is why God blessed him abundantly; those who wait on the Lord shall mount up with wings like eagles:(Isaiah:40:31) This is what happened  to Don  Bosco.

Don Bosco was lucid in his thoughts, and tenacious in his theological convictions. He was always cheerful, lively and affable, and from him exuded positive energy. He had unflinching faith in God, tender devotion to Mother Mary and a close connectivity to the people around him especially to whom he dedicated his life (YOUNG). Don Bosco said boldly to his boys that; “for you i study. for you i work, for you i am even ready to die”. He left the great legacy to the Salesian Family. Teresio Bosco sdb, in his book ‘in his footsteps’ wrote that Don Bosco acquired his sense of God and Charity from his mother, Mamma Margaret, the Saintly mother of Don Bosco, the Infant Salesian congregation was rocked in the cradle of Mamma Margaret.

Don Bosco became a successful religious trailblazer because he kept prayer as the centre of all his activities. His urge for his sons and daughters so called Salesians, FMA and all other Salesian family members, could be if I were to be…………. here and now; I would do the discos on the weekends to win the hearts and souls of the youngsters for God, and I urge you to go to the places where the young people are. Dare yourself to be different, dare to face the challenges in the situated context and mission. Let us step out from our comfortable zones, because God will not ask our abilities or disabilities but our availability. Therefore, dare to step out and say I am for you God, and ready to give up my life like Don Bosco who made the world of youth better and different from what it was. That is exactly what our Rector Major invites the Salesian with the strenn 2015...Like Don Bosco, With the Young, For the Young

May we all become innovative and spirit-filled teachers and leaders like Don Bosco, May the Bi-centenary year influence us with rich charism of Don Bosco and his passion, innovativity and above all daringly work for the welfare of youth. As a Salesians and religious, let us venture into the world of discos on weekends, where youth are found, strive ourself to save souls, especially those who are in the clutches of the evil, who are in discos, pubs and bars. Don’t you see people are waiting to be called as like Jesus calling the apostles and Don Bosco calling boys on the streets.  

“DA MINI ANIMAS CHETARA TOLE” (Give me Souls and take away the Rest). Why don’t you try to go into the discos to save the souls, after all no matter where you go but saving one soul is important for God’s Kingdom.