St. John Bosco

St. John also Known as St.Don Bosco
Born	16 August 1815
Died	31ST Jan 1888
Venerated	24 July 1907 by Pope Pius X
Beatified	2 June 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Canonized	1st April 1934
Major Shrine	The Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, Italy (Where his Mortal remains)
Feast	31st Jan
Patronage	Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, young people, magicians
Last Words	To his Salesians: "love each other as brothers. Do good to all and avoid evil
Founder of	1.      Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) 2.      The Daughters of Mary 3.      Union of Cooperator Salesians

Giovanni Melchior Bosco, commonly called “Don Bosco” was born on August 16, 1815, in the village of Becchi, close to Castelnuovo d'Asti (today Castelnuovo Don Bosco, northern Italy). His parents were poor farmers and his father died when he was only two years of age. His mother, Margarita, raised him with great difficulty but with great love. Founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859, priests who work with and educate boys, under the protection of Our Lady, Help of Chistians, and Saint Francis de Sales. Founded the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians in 1872, and Union of Cooperator Salesians in 1875. Don Bosco's first "volunteer," Michael Rua, was ordained a priest July 30, 1860. At the end of his life Don Bosco was able to say that over 3000 vocations came from his oratory. Don Bosco died at dawn on January 31, 1888. While on his deathbed, he whispered to his Salesians: "love each other as brothers. Do good to all and avoid evil... tell my boys that I am waiting for them in paradise." Don Bosco was beatified on June 2, 1929 by Pope Pius XI and canonized on 1st April 1934 He is known as the patron saint of apprentices, boys, editors, Mexican young people, laborers, schoolchildren, and young people. His body is kept in a glass reliquary here in Turin at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.