Feast of St John Bosco today oHERALDo Zito Almeida On January 31, every year we celebrate the feast of St John Bosco, who is the founder of the Salesian Society and who died on January 31, 1888, 118 years ago.
John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815 at Becchi-Castelnovo, Italy, when he was 2 years old his father died and so he was brought up by love and dedication by his mother Mama Margaret Bosco, who was only 27 years old. John Bosco was a obedient boy and ever ready to help the poor, needy and the neighbour. His desire was to become a priest and so he started his studies and entered the seminary for priestly studies. He was a brilliant student and after finishing the same, he was ordained priest on June 5, 1841. For a priest in Italian language, they call Don, as we say Father in English and that is why he was called Don Bosco. The year of Don Bosco ordination, was the year of industrial revolution and so many people and specially the youth from the villages were coming to the city for search of work. Don Bosco felt sorry, after seeing the plight of the people, specially the abandoned youth. He came in contact with the stonemasons, the chimney sweeps and apprentices who were being exploited in substandard workshops. And so Don Bosco started the work of an oratory, which means a place or room for prayer. And if you read the life of Don Bosco, you'll come to know that the "wandering oratory" got a permanent place at Valdocco, which was named as St Francis Sales Oratory. Don Bosco gave preference in the first place to the more abandoned boys in this Oratory. He had a faith in God that He will help him in this plan. Following the educational reforms, he turned to Secondary education and started opening boarding schools and colleges for the poor. In 1854, Don Bosco started the Salesian Society and ten years later, i.e. in 1864, the foundation stone of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians was laid and in a record time of **** years it was blessed in 1869. On August 5, 1872, the Institute of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the main aim was to care of girls. And Mother Maria Mazarello was made the Superior of this Institute. So also Don Bosco founded the Cooperators Association, whom Don Bosco regarded as his Salesians in the world. After doing a humble, significant, exemplary and excellent work in caring specially the needy youth, through their orphanages, schools, boardings, colleges, agricultural & technical schools and workshops Don Bosco died on January 31, 1888 at the age of 75 years. On Easter Sunday, 1934, Blessed Don Bosco was canonised by Pope Pius XI. The Salesians came to Goa, in the city of Panjim in 1946, if I am not mistaken, and they opened a Oratory. I still remember V Rev Msgr Vicente Scuderi and V. Reg Msgr Jose Carreno, who were at the helm of these institutions at that time. In Goa, the Salesians are working in the following places: Youth Centre at Pulvaddo-Benaulim, Crafts-Institute at Karkol-Loutulim, Technical Institute at Fatorda-Margao, also at Odxel-Taleigao, High Schools at Panjim, High School at Quepem, Agro-Ed Complex at Sulcorna and also at Tuem, Pernem. The Salesian Sisters, known as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are working in Goa since 1970 in the following places: Convent with School at Pulvaddo-Benaulim, Convent with High School at Caranzalem, Mornese Vihar at Rivona, Auxilium Centre at Velim, and Auxilium Convent at Carona. On the occasion of the Feast of St. John Bosco, we wish a happy feast and congratulate the Salesian family for the 100 years, for their presence in India. To conclude, I would quote the words of Joseph Zoppi, the Swiss poet who said: "If there ever existed a method of education adapted to inspire confidence and love, it is the method of Don Bosco."
