January 31, 2024

Hello John,

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Saint of the Day for January 31: Saint John Bosco

(August 16, 1815 – January 31, 1888)

John Bosco’s theory of education could well be used in today’s schools. It was a preventive system, rejecting corporal punishment and placing students in surroundings removed from the likelihood of committing sin. He advocated frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. He combined catechetical training and fatherly guidance, seeking to unite the spiritual life with one’s work, study and play.

Encouraged during his youth in Turin to become a priest so he could work with young boys, John was ordained in 1841. His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan in Turin, and instructed him in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. He then gathered young apprentices and taught them catechism.

After serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, Don Bosco opened the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy and powerful patrons contributed money, enabling him to provide two workshops for the boys, shoemaking and tailoring.

By 1856, the institution had grown to 150 boys and had added a printing press for publication of religious and catechetical pamphlets. John’s interest in vocational education and publishing justify him as patron of young apprentices and Catholic publishers.

John’s preaching fame spread and by 1850 he had trained his own helpers because of difficulties in retaining young priests. In 1854, he and his followers informally banded together, inspired by Saint Francis de Sales.

With Pope Pius IX’s encouragement, John gathered 17 men and founded the Salesians in 1859. Their activity concentrated on education and mission work. Later, he organized a group of Salesian Sisters to assist girls.

Reflection

John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul united. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should pervade everything we do—work, study, play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. It is searching and finding God and Jesus in everything we do, letting their love lead us. Yet, because John realized the importance of job-training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability, he trained his students in the trade crafts, too.

Saint John Bosco is a patron saint of:
Editors, Educators/Teachers, and Youth

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Boundless Love

God always entices us through love. Most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we changed. In fact, God loves you so that you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change, is the experience of love and acceptance itself. This is the engine of change. If the mystics say that one way, they say it a thousand ways. But because most of our common religion has not been at the mystical level, we’ve been given an inferior message—that God loves you when you change (moralism). It puts it all back on you, which is the opposite of being saved. Moralism leads you back to navel-gazing, and you can never succeed at that level.

You are never holy enough, pure enough, refined enough, or loving enough. Whereas, when you fall into God’s mercy, when you fall into God’s great generosity, you find, seemingly from nowhere, this capacity to change. No one is more surprised than you are. You know it is a total gift.

—from the book Yes, And… Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr

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Praying Twice

Reflect

Ephesians 5:18–19 counsels us “to be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another [in] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts.” When we sing, we pray twice. Singing joyful hymns and carols elevates our spirits and connects us with God and our fellow singers. Make a joyful noise as you sing your favorite hymns, carols, or popular music.

Pray

God who fills the earth with beauty and song,
Awaken us to the sounds of creation.
Fill our spirits with joy as we sing praise
For the gift of life and the wonder of creation.
Let our songs lift the spirits of those around us
And join us with the hymn of the universe.
Amen.

Act

What is your favorite hymn, carol, or popular song? Take time to sing songs of praise and joy. Take time to sing your prayers of gratitude and love for God and the world.

Today's Pause+Pray was written by Bruce Epperly. Learn more here!

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