John Bosco, the father and friend of youth was born on August 16, 1815, in a peasant family in the little hamlet of Becchi, some 20 kilometers from Turin, Italy. When John was only 2 years old, his Father Francis Bosco passed away. His grief stricken mother, Margaret Occhiena Bosco, had a harrowing time to bring him up.

At the age of nine, John had a mysterious dream which led him to his future mission. He decided to become a priest and commit his life to the welfare of young people.

To complete his education John had to do his share of work in the family farm and study during his spare time. Working as a servant, teacher, assisting a tailor, doing chores for a blacksmith and keeping score at a billiard table were some of the things he did in order to pay for his food, lodging and tuition while at school. In due course, John entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on June 5, 1841. From then on he was known as Don Bosco (Father Bosco).

Very soon Don Bosco became a frequent visitor to the poorer quarters of the city. This young priest was distressed by the swarms of neglected children whom he encountered. In the miserable garrets and cellars which he visited, he found exemplified all the evils of overcrowding, all the terrible effects of herding the young and innocent with those already corrupt. In the prisons he met youth serving terms for every type of crime, while during his evening walks he constantly met bands of young people fighting, making themselves a danger to the society. He decided that the work of his life would be to redeem these miserable youth.

The “Salesians of Don Bosco” is an international society founded by Don Bosco. Catholic priests and Brothers who are members of the Society work for the development and education of the young especially those most at risk. Through its 3000 Schools, Colleges, Technical schools and youth centers in 134 countries, the Salesians of Don Bosco serve all young people irrespective of religious differences or social inequalities.