St John Bosco

St John Bosco (1815-1888) - an original photo.

St John Bosco was an Italian priest who was beloved in Italy and all around the world, especially for his dedication to the education of children.  Born on 16 August 1815, he was popularly known as Don Bosco, educator and prolific writer of the 19th century. While working in Turin, Italy, where the population suffered many of the effects of industrialization and urbanization, he dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the Salesian Preventive System. Eventually he founded the Salesian Order, with their main focus on education of children and producing audio-visual material as well as printed material. He died on January 31, 1888. These are some of his well-known quotes:

"All armies are useless unless assisted by God."

"Be brave and try to detach your heart from worldly things. Do your utmost to banish darkness from your mind and come to understand what true, selfless piety is. Through confession, endeavor to purify your heart of anything which may still taint it. Enliven your faith, which is essential to understand and achieve piety."

"Do good while you still have time."

1. A word of advice: Frequent confession. 2. A friend: Our Lord and everything associated with Him.

3. A thing to remember: Heaven.

"He does much who does little but does well what he has to do."

"Never seek advice from the proud or the inexperienced."

"Remember, God does not pay us for results, but for effort."

"All past persecutors of the Church are now no more, but the Church still lives on. The same fate awaits modern persecutors; they, too, will pass on, but the Church of Jesus Christ will always remain, for God has pledged His Word to protect Her and be with Her forever, until the end of time."

"Believe me... nobody can be truly happy in this world unless he is at peace with God."

"Put up willingly with the faults of others if you wish others to put up with yours."

"Guard your eyes since they are the windows through which sin enters the soul."