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Cabo San Advice cabo san.Cabo San Advice cabo san InformationJohn Bosco was born on August 16, 1815, to a poorfarming family in Becchi, a small suburb of Turin, Italy. The child grew to be the "Beloved Apostle of Youth". One of John Bosco's earliest recollections occurred at age two. He remembers his mother telling him upon his father's death , "You have no father now". Although he stated that he could not remember what his father was like , his death must have had a profound effect on him and perhaps sparked his desire to help troubled boys, many of whom were fatherless. I cannot say that I have suffered the loss of a close family member and can only imagine the effect it could have on my life. From the time he was a young child, John Bosco seemed to have a clear understanding of God's ways; and what he didn't understand was often made clear to him by his mother "Mama Margaret". She seemed to know, even at an early age, that her son was destined to do good in the name of God. She taught him by example from an early age and continued to support him and all his good works throughout his life. She eventually joined him at he Oratory and became "Mother" to hundreds of boys. Her positive influence was felt by all of those boys. It was almost as if the Blessed Mother worked through her good example and words of wisdom. Mama Margaret warned her son to "beware of bad boys you may meet on your journey through life". and asked him one day, "Why do you go with such bad boys?" How many mothers have echoed similar words? How confident John Bosco was in the power of his good example when he replied, "If I am with them they are better and do not say bad words". Wouldn't this world be a better place if we all had such confidence and faith in the power our own good example. As a young child, John Bosco had the ability to attract young boys. He went out of his way to study "traveling show" folk to learn acrobatic and sleight of hand tricks to entertain the boys who would gather around him. After a performance he would discuss a sermon from a recent Mass or lead the group in a hymn. If people started to leave he would tell them that they couldn't come back and see more tricks unless they stayed for the sermon. Of course they remained. At age nine John had a dream that clearly indicated his intentions of becoming a priest. Mama Margaret understood this dream and set out to educate her son and prepare him for First Holy Communion. John had a special ability to understand and memorize the priests' sermons. He happened to impress one priest with his retelling of the sermon. This priest arranged for the beginning of John's education for the priesthood. His older stepbrother, Anthony, was jealous of him and often begrudged him his studies by insisting that he help work on the farm. Even Anthony could not keep him from his studies. Priests arranged for him to be taught while he worked at the farm. In life we may encounter people who may be jealous of us and try to stop us from succeeding. Throughout the course of his religious education John came in contact with many different people and different work experiences that helped prepare him for his future work. Living away from home for the first time ,he explained the way that he best learned to deal with his new "companions". He divided them into three classes; the good, the indifferent, and the bad. He avoided the bad as soon as their character was discovered; he was courteous to the indifferent and dealt with them only when necessary. He was determined to make friends with the good. This is probably the best advice that John Bosco has to offer young boys. Although he said that he avoided the "bad", I have a feeling that he did not give up on them too easily. John Bosco continued to have a knack for being able to enter the boys' world throughout his life. After being ordained a priest he continued his "boy work". Little by little over the years his Oratories multiplied in various towns, cities, and countries. Many of the boys he taught and sheltered followed in his footsteps and continued his good works. John Bosco worked tirelessly for the salvation of all of his boys. He felt that losing one of his boys would be like losing a limb, and his heart remains with any who stray from him. Only when there was danger of harm coming to the other boys would he agree to expel anyone. John Bosco had tremendous faith. He would often plan for the building of a new Oratory without securing sufficient funding. It seemed that his prayers were always answered because the money would always somehow become available to him at .the very moment it was needed. His faith in the generosity of others never failed him. It is almost impossible to imagine business being carried out in that manner today, yet it is also impossible to imagine the religious community existing without that extreme faith in the generosity and goodness of others. John Bosco experienced a difficult, dangerous time during the period of anticlericalism, around 1849. He survived numerous assassination attempts from various undesirable people who opposed the good he was doing with the boys. These dangerous times did not prevent brave John Bosco from performing his priestly duties. He seemed to have a guardian angel in both his mother, who always seemed to know when he was in danger, and a mysterious dog named "Grigio", who always seemed to appear when he was needed. Wouldn't it be great if each of us had our very own Grigio to protect us! It may be that He already does exist, but we haven't taken notice yet. I have to admit that mothers seem to have this ability to sense when we are about to get into trouble whether we know it or not. Needless to say, John Bosco worked tirelessly for his boys. A doctor had commented that his body seemed like that of a much older man. Perhaps that was because John Bosco never refused a request from anyone in need. He gave generously of his time, his energy, and his wisdom. He died on January 31, 1888 and was canonized in 1934. While reading this book I could not help but recognize the similarities between John Bosco's Oratories and our school. There is clearly a feeling of brotherhood among the students at Don Bosco Prep. I remember how we all laughed during orientation when we were told about this feeling of brotherhood, but all of us now agree that it exists. We are led by the good example of our teachers and priests, are made to follow a code of discipline, and are provided academic and religious instruction. It is an atmosphere that guides us in choosing between right and wrong and hopefully gives us confidence and faith in the power of our own good example. The work of Saint John Bosco continues! |