John Melchior Bosco, popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19th century. He focused his concern on the orphaned and homeless child labourers he encountered in Turin, Italy. In 1859, inspired by the example of St. Francis de Sales, Don Bosco founded the Salesians to befriend, educate, and help these impoverished boys.
At the time of Don Bosco’s death in 1888, the original group of 22 members had grown to more than 1,000 and had 57 foundations in Italy, Spain, France, England, Uruguay, and Brazil. The group continued to spread so rapidly that it soon became the third largest among men’s orders. Its works expanded to include trade, agricultural, and academic schools; seminaries; recreational centres and youth clubs in large cities; summer camps; and parishes.
Don Bosco was made a saint in 1934 by Pope Pius XI.