Founder of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales,

of the Institute of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians,

of the Association of the Salesian Cooperators,

and of the Association of Mary Help of Christians

The life of Saint John Bosco is marked in particular by interventions of divine Providence by the presence of the Virgin Mary. He was born at Castelnuovo d'Asti on 16 August 1815 after years of sacrifice, and spent all his rich natural talents and tireless zeal in setting up works for the education of abandoned youth, in defending the faith of the common people from danger, and in contributing to the evangelisation of distant lands.

He enrusted the continuation of his immense work to the three branches of his Family: the society of St Francis de Sales (1859), the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (1872), and the Association of Salesian Cooperators (1876), passing on to them as the key to success the treasure of the preventitive system: reason, religion, loving kindness: a system totally inspired by a charity rooted in a living encounter with Jesus Christ, especially in the Eucharist, in boundless trust in the Virgin Mary, and in fidelity to the Church and its teaching.

He died at Turin on 31 January 1888. He was canonised by Pius XI at Easter 1934, and on the centenary of his death was proclaimed by John Paul II as the Father and teacher of youth (24 January 1989)

Lord our God, in your providence you have given us Saint John Bosco, the father and teacher of youth, who under the guidance of the Virgin Mary worked with untiring zeal for the good of the Church; inspire us with that same apostolic charity, to seek the salvation of our neighbour and so serve you, the one and only good. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.