Contact with Don Bosco was a stairway to God. Being surprised and captivated by Don Bosco, one was fascinated by the supernatural power of his purity. He was like the refreshing smile of God over the sadness of the world. Not only by his words, but also by his presence he inspired love of this virtue. His face radiated Divine love so did his entire person. Every word that sprung from his What millions of youth say heart – from the pulpit, in the confessional, at conferences, in private and in public and even in casual conversations – spoke of God.
He attracted us to himself through the fullness of the supernatural love that overflowed from his heart. In that sanctity lay the entire secret that attracted, conquered and transformed all who came to him. For us, youngsters, Don Bosco became: father, teacher and friend. He was a privileged witness of God’s love!
For Don Bosco YOUTH are “a gift of predilection”. And EDUCATION is the way of announcing, of witnessing. It is a SIGN OF CONCRETE CHARITY prompted by the Spirit. The education of yougsters is A PATH TO SANCTITY, both for Don Bosco and for youngsters. On whatever day, at whatever time, you are always in my thoughts. But especially in what concerns your soul. For my part, I give you everything, my very self: it won’t be much, but when I say I give you everything, I keep nothing for myself. For you I study, for you I work, for you Iive and for you I am ready to give even my life, he used to say with much passion in his heart for the young.
Nursery for Variety of Vocations: There were musicians, sportsmen, engineers, Doctors, Artists, journalists, Bakers, Tailors, Shoe designers, Wood designers, Priests, Brothers, Missionaries, Bishops and Cardinals nurtured in the hands of Don Bosco, making place for the gifts of the Spirit to grow to maturity. We were trained to face daily challenges.
Its Your Home: So Friends! You are with his Salesians, who would make life more beautiful for you after his own heart and in the footprints of the Divine Master. Hear Don Bosco say with much pride, I invite you to enter my house, it was behind these walls that great dreams were born. So you see, my bedroom was never empty, it is always filled with the faces of thousands of youngsters that come to visit my home to dream BIG. Tell don Bosco about the dream that you are guarding in your heart. He prays with you, “Dear Lord, you have placed in our hearts the desire for happiness. Let our lives be guided by the great dreams that you have thought out for us. May we know to accept help from those who only seek our good”.
Its Your School: Don Bosco decided to make his school and oratory a home, a place where every boy/girl could feel that it was their own kitchen, a place
where she/he felt the love of a family. From the time I was little I enjoyed being an acrobat a juggler, an entertainer, a tight-rope walker a musician, to make my many friends happy and above all to make them friends of God.
When I became a priest I spent my life so that every youngster who met me
would be happy to know that they were loved by God! For my youngsters I founded the ORATORY with great big playgrounds, where they could jump…run… and play and be HAPPY! …in every Salesian house you find always a playground and there should always be happiness!
Don Bosco wanted his youngsters to be cheerful and thoughtful, prayerful, sensible and capable of true friendship. He trusted us, met our needs, our quest for prayer and for interiority and integrity. Education we received from him was the way to holiness.