Feast of St. John Bosco

January 31st was the feast of Saint John Bosco, a very well known saint. He was born in Italy and his father died when John was only two. He worked very hard helping his mother on the farm even though he greatly desired the priesthood. Eventually, through the help of another priest, John was able to attend seminary and become a priest. Initially, he worked in the prisons which is where he discovered many young boys who had ruined their lives through criminal activities. Don Bosco, (Don is an endearing term used by the Italians for their priests) decided to start a home for troubled boys. He offered them hope for their future through education, vocational training, and prayer and sacraments. Don Bosco even started his own order called the Salesians, based on St. Francis de Sales. St. John Bosco is an example to us to use our skills and talents to encourage and help others.

The above picture is of some Italian bread we made in honor of Don Bosco. We decided that the community of boys resembled the lumps of bread--a tight knit bunch with generous helping of seasoning, or rather grace. We added a little spiced up tomato sauce for dipping, which of course resembles the love we should be adding to everything we do.