| Don
Bosco was a poor boy from a village in Piedmont, Italy. At
the age of nine he had a dream in which he saw his life's mission: to be
a shepherd to poor and abandoned youth. He became a priest and started
a club for the street kids who had flocked the city of Turin in search
of jobs. The number of boys who frequented his "oratory" grew and
he needed helpers. He sought the help of simple men and women who
were willing to contribute their mite to educating youngsters. These
he called "Salesians".
Gradually he decided to start a society
of priests and brothers who would consecrate themselves full time to this
work. Later he felt the need to reach out to poor and abandoned girls
as well. For this work he founded the society of consecrated women
whom he called the "Daughters of Mary Help of Christians".
As the years went by, he formed a Pious Association of Co-operators
of Don Bosco for all those who helped him in his work. The past
pupils who benefited from Don Bosco's work of education wanted to assist
him in his work. And thus the Past Pupils Association was
formed.
Thus through these branches of the Salesian
Family and many others that sprang up after his death, Don Bosco's mission
is carried forward into the future - with each branch having its own significance
and specific vocation in the service of poor youth throughout the world. |
ABOUT
DON BOSCO
