St. John Bosco, or Don Bosco, as he is affectionately known by all the Salesian Family around the world, was born in Becchi, in the outskirts of Turin on the 16th August 1815. His mother Mamma Margaret and his father Francesco were very loving, hardworking peasant parents who used to work in the fields surrounding his little family home. At almost two years of age, little Johnny Bosco, his brother Joseph and his step brother Anthony lost their beloved dad to pneumonia. Courageously, with great stamina and total trust in God, Mamma Margaret brought up her three boys on her own. As a matter of fact, the education Johnny’s mother gave him, left an indelible mark not only on him, but also on the whole Salesian Society which is strongly family oriented. Against all odds, John Bosco, was ordained priest on the 5th June 1841 and on the 8th December 1841, after meeting the street urchin Bartholomew Garelli in the sacristy of the church of St. Francis of Assisi Turin just before mass, the salesian work began with a mere recitation of the Hail Mary. In the days that followed, hundreds of boys thronged around Don Bosco till finally they settled in Valdocco, in the Pinardi shed, where the first Salesian youth club was officially established and inaugurated.

Don Bosco, tirelessly gave his life for his boys, whom he loved as a father. He died at 72 years of age on the 31st January 1888 and was canonized on the 1st April 1934.