January 31, 2024

Feast of San Giovanni Bosco

San Giovanni Bosco, ora pro nobis
January 31 is the Feast of San Giovanni Bosco, priest and founder of the Salesians. Known affectionately as Don Bosco, the renowned “Apostle of Youth” is the patron saint of schoolchildren, apprentices, juvenile delinquents and educators. In celebration, we’re posting of prayer to St. John Bosco. The accompanying photo is my makeshift shrine dedicated to the saint. Evviva San Giovanni Bosco!

Prayer to St. John Bosco


O glorious Saint John Bosco, who in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to mould them in the light of faith and Christian morality didst heroically sacrifice thyself to the very end of thy life and didst set up a proper religious Institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth thy glorious work, obtain also for us from Our Lord a holy love for young people who are exposed to so many seductions in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. Amen.