Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the feast day of St. John Bosco on Jan. 31, which is his feast day in the Catholic Church. 

St. John Bosco is known and loved for his devotion to education and today many Catholic schools are named after him. 

“Today is the feast of St. John Bosco, also called Don Bosco, a 19th century Italian priest, educator and author," the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee shared on Facebook. "Born in August of 1815 into a family of peasant farmers, John lost his father at two years old. He was strengthened by his mother’s faith and her lessons on the importance of charity. 

"At age nine, John had a prophetic dream. In his dream, a group of rowdy young boys were speaking blasphemous words. Jesus and the Virgin Mary appeared in the dream, saying to John that he would bring such youths to God through his example of humility and charity. In 1841, John was ordained a priest. He began ministering to youth who lived on the streets, most lacking education and jobs. 

"The Industrial Revolution created a harsh environment in the streets with many just trying to find work to survive. St. John established the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, becoming a spiritual father to young men in need, offering religious instruction, lodging, education and work opportunities. He also assisted St. Mary Dominic Mazzarello in forming a similar group for girls. By the end of John’s life, 130,000 children in 250 houses were given hope for their future. ‘I have done nothing by myself,’ he stated.  Through her intercession, John credits ‘our Lady who has done everything.’ John died on January 31, 1888. ‘Tell the boys that I shall be waiting for them all in Paradise.’ St. John Bosco, please pray for us!”

“San Giovanni Melchior Bosco, known as Saint John Bosco, lived in Italy in the 19th century," according to Britannica. "He was ordained a priest in 1841 and dedicated his time to providing education, recreation, and religious instruction to boys who came to Turin seeking work. Eventually he built and led a grammar school, technical school, and church. He was popular as a preacher and later founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales, which was also known as the Salesians of Don Bosco.”

“Saint John Bosco’s approach to educating boys was preventative: rather than punishing them, he worked to put them in situations where they would be less likely to commit sin," according to Franciscan Media. "He is the patron saint of boys, editors, teachers and educators and youth.”

Education is an important part of the Catholic approach to faith and life, and the Catechism outlines in paragraph 2229 that: “As far as possible parents have the duty of choosing schools that will best help them in their task as Christian educators. Public authorities have the duty of guaranteeing this parental right and of ensuring the concrete conditions for its exercise.”

St. John Bosco is the patron saint of apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, magicians and juvenile delinquents.