MP. Thomas SDB
A Different Kind of School
In the bustling corridors of a Don Bosco school, a perplexed father of a new student shared his bewilderment with a neighbour: “Your Principal and the priests here are seen running about, even playing with the children. Where is their decorum? Surely, priests and pastors should carry themselves with dignity!”
But the neighbour, a longtime friend of the school, smiled knowingly. “This is no ordinary school,” he said. “Here, education is not confined to books or rules. They strive to create a family. Don Bosco himself believed in loving the young, and more importantly, letting them feel that they are loved.”
Intrigued, the father sought to uncover the story of this man, Don Bosco. What he found would forever change his perspective on education and the art of shaping young hearts.
Who was Don Bosco?
Don Bosco—a priest, a visionary, and above all, a friend to the lost—lived in Turin, Italy, during the throes of the Industrial Revolution. It was an age of relentless progress but also of pain. Factories arose like great chimneys of opportunity, drawing masses from the countryside. Yet the promises of prosperity turned sour for many as overcrowded slums and harsh labour conditions became the grim reality.
Amid this despair, young souls wandered aimlessly, exploited by merciless employers, or lost to the allure of gangs and street violence. Don Bosco’s heart broke for these children of misfortune. He ventured into factories, meeting the boys where they toiled, pleading with their employers for fair wages and humane working hours. On Sundays and holidays, he would gather these weary spirits, offering them moments of joy, play, and the solace of faith. For those who could not read or write, he became their teacher, gently introducing them to the “three Rs” (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic).
These gatherings evolved into what he called “Oratories”—places of learning, prayer, and belonging. In prisons and correction centres, where young offenders languished alongside hardened criminals, his presence became a beacon of hope. Wherever he went, his compassion and gentle demeanour won hearts. The children trusted him implicitly, following him not out of fear, but love.
The Generala: The Great Prison
Among his many missions, Don Bosco’s visits to “Generala”, a notorious state prison, became legendary. In those cold, dark cells, young offenders, barely more than boys, languished in despair. The sight of them, broken and forgotten, haunted him. His determination to bring light into their lives led him to an audacious idea: a picnic for the prisoners.
When he approached the authorities with his request, they laughed in disbelief. Surely, this priest was mad. Take prisoners out for a day of freedom? But Don Bosco’s persistence wore them down. Finally, he turned to the minister in charge, who regarded him with a mixture of awe and scepticism. “How many guards will you need?” the minister asked.
“None,” Don Bosco replied, his voice steady.
The minister’s laughter echoed in disbelief. “None? Not one of them will return!”
But Don Bosco’s eyes burned with conviction. “They will all return. If even one is missing, I will take his place.”
And so, with trepidation and wonder, the authorities allowed him. On the appointed day, the prisoners’ joy was boundless. They sang, they danced, they revelled in the taste of freedom—all under the watchful yet loving eyes of Don Bosco. And when the day ended, every single boy returned to his cell, as promised. The astonishment of the prison staff and the minister was surpassed only by their admiration for the man who had achieved the impossible.
The Preventive System: Don Bosco’s Gift to Education
From these humble beginnings, Don Bosco built a legacy. With the support of kind benefactors, he established workshops, vocational training centres, and schools. Over time, these blossomed into technical institutions and academic colleges. But his true genius lay in his approach—a method he called the “Preventive System”.
Unlike the “repressive system” prevalent in his time, Don Bosco’s method was rooted in Reason, Religion, and Loving-Kindness:
• Reason: Be just and fair in your expectations. Demand not obedience for obedience’s sake, but because the request is reasonable and meaningful.
• Religion: Guide the young to nurture their innate sense of the divine. Help them embrace their faith and fulfil their spiritual duties.
• Loving-Kindness: Love them as a parent loves a child. Accept them as they are with their flaws and all. Enter their world—whether through games, music, or sports. By loving what they love, you earn their trust and inspire them to embrace discipline, learning, and virtue.
“It is not enough to love them,” Don Bosco often said, “they must know that they are loved.” His system demanded much of the educators, for it required not authority, but authenticity. Only a heart truly brimming with love could guide the young in this way.
His goal was noble yet simple: to raise God-fearing men and women who would become honest citizens and compassionate souls. Today, educators in Don Bosco’s institutions around the world carry forward this mission, striving to make every school a home, a playground, and a sanctuary.
The Early Life of Don Bosco
Born on August 16, 1815, in a modest village called Becchi, near Castelnuovo in Turin, Italy, little Johnny Bosco’s life was marked by hardship. His father Francis Bosco died when he was just two, leaving his mother, Margaret Occhiena, to raise him and his two brothers in poverty.
Though bright and eager to learn, Johnny’s path to education was fraught with struggle. He worked tirelessly to support his studies, labouring as a baker’s assistant, a tailor’s helper, and even a tutor. Despite these challenges, his kindness and intellect won him the love of those around him.
On June 5, 1841, Johnny was ordained a priest and became known as Don Bosco or Father Bosco—a name that would become synonymous with hope for countless youths. To sustain his mission, he founded the Salesian Society of priests, brothers, and sisters, dedicated to serving the young and the poor.
Don Bosco passed into eternal rest on January 31, 1888, leaving behind a legacy of love and service. Today, his feast day is celebrated worldwide as a joyful occasion, a time to honour the man who taught the world the transformative power of kindness.
In Don Bosco’s story, we find not just the tale of a man, but the embodiment of a truth: to shape the future, we must first touch the hearts of the young. His life remains a hymn of hope, a melody that continues to resonate in the lives of those who follow his path.
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