January 31 2023 - St. John Bosco - Work, work, work for the salvation of souls

 So many miraculous occurrences happened to and around John Bosco that Pope Pius XI said of his life, “The supernatural almost became natural, and the extraordinary, ordinary”.  Through Don Bosco’s blessing, many people were cured of dread diseases.  He had the gift of prophecy, and could read hearts.  He had a vision of Our Lord and Our Lady at the age of nine, and from then on was determined to become a priest to fulfill the vocation they had shown him.  Although he started his studies late, John was so diligent that he completed the necessary work and was ordained in 1841, at the age of 26.  

As a young parish priest, Don Bosco became deeply concerned with the youth of his parish; many were being arrested for juvenile delinquency and petty crime. In prison, they would learn more about crime, and would fall further into the clutches of the enemy. So, Don Bosco worked tirelessly with young boys in his neighborhood, providing them with a solid education and formation in the faith.  “There are three things to stay on the path to Heaven, he would tell them, “Go to confession regularly, receive Communion often, and choose a regular confessor to whom you can unburden your heart.”  

Through his love and care, many of these young boys, not only were saved from a life of crime, many of them entered seminary and become good and holy priests.  His goal to make saints out of them, and at least one of his boys became a saint, St. Dominic Savio.

The lives of the saints – like the life of Don Bosco – are certainly a challenge to us: a challenge to the easy compromises we make to the demands of Christian living, a challenge to the spiritual myopia that prevents us from seeing the needs of the materially and spiritually impoverished in our midst.

Don Bosco would say, “work, work, work for the salvation of souls.”  

May Don Bosco’s heavenly intercession assist us in laboring for the salvation of our young people from our culture of death, and that we may be diligent in working always for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.

For all young people who have fallen into delinquency, through their patron’s intercession, may they turn away from sin and crime, and develop a deep love for the ways of Christ.

For all those in prison, for those who struggle with addiction and mental distress, that the healing of Christ may bring them wholeness and the promises of Christ may bring them hope.

That the fire of charity may impel all Christians to work for the salvation of souls, for a spread of the Gospel, and the building of God’s kingdom of peace.

For the sick and suffering among us, for those who care for them, and for all of our beloved dead, especially X, for whom this mass is offered.