St. John Bosco, a Role Model for Redemptorist Ministry
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January 31, 2023The Denver Province can rely on the wisdom of many great saints who won the hearts of the youth in their times as we prepare to commit to the Youth Ministry of the North American Conference during this new quadrennium. We will celebrate the feast of St. John Bosco Tuesday, January 31.
He was born into a low-income family and grew up in difficult circumstances in a small village in Northern Italy. Faithful to his Catholic formation, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1841. He had a dream and recognized that his call was to win the young people’s hearts for God not with strict discipline, but with kindness and gentleness. His call to serve the youth was clearer when he met a local homeless boy, Bartholomew Garelli, and his friends. He felt a great commitment to help those boys.
Fr. Bosco approached and attracted these lost boys by playing games with them, feeding them, and teaching them the catechism. Later in his ministry, Fr. Bosco formally established grammar and trading schools to help provide them with an education and working skills. He also built a church and invited them to celebrate the Eucharist, and instilled a devotion to Mary, Help of Christians.
St. John Bosco’s successful ways to win the hearts of young people included:
Δ accept everyone as they are. Δ welcome them with a genuine heart.Δ provide a safe environment and create a spirit of trust. Δ make time to listen and encourage dialogue.Δ always treat them with kindness and gentleness. Δ teach them to live a life caring for one another.Δ help them to find their goals in life. Δ teach them to pray.Δ patiently be a good companion to them, especially during their difficult times.
May the life of St. John Bosco and his spiritual guidance and wisdom help us open our hearts to Youth Ministry and win the hearts of the young in this wounded world.
