Readings
I - 2Sam. 15: 13-14, 30; 16: 5-13
II - Mk. 5: 1-20
FEAST OF DON BOSCO
The Church today celebrates the feast of St. John Bosco, the Educator, the Father and the Friend of the youth. He was born in a poor family in Becchi, Italy. He lost his father when he was two and half years old and had witnessed the struggle of his mother in bringing up the children. Because he was fatherless he knew the tussles of the fatherless children and chose to become a priest and be a father to the fatherless children. He loved the youth and was passionate about their holiness. He used to say, “It is enough that you are young, for me to love you” and would also often say, “I am ready to drag my tongue from Valdocco to Superga (a hill in Italy) to save the soul of even one boy”. His educational methodology and formula of sanctity holds good and applicable for all time. His educational system was a matter of heart primarily and it consisted in reason, religion and loving kindness. His formula for holiness is simple and practicable - “Cheerfulness”. This is why he used to say to his boys, “Run, jump, play but do not sin”. He founded the Salesian congregation with St. Francis de Sales as its Patron Saint. He was so much inspired and taken up by the gentleness and kindness of St. Francis de Sales. He had tremendous trust in Mary, Help of Christians that so much so she is called as Don Bosco’s Madonna. Right from his dream of seven wherein Jesus appeared and gave Mother Mary as his teacher; from then on he trusted the Madonna and accomplished astonishing works and towards the end of his life he said proudly with the profound love and utmost piety, “Mary did it all”.
In today’s Gospel passage we read Jesus chasing away the demons from the possessed man. Don Bosco as follower of the Lord modeled after the heart of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, has saved many who were astray from God and brought them back on the road of sanctity. As Christians, let us also align our lives unto the precepts of Christ our Lord, and help others as well to tread on the roads of sanctity. May Saint Don Bosco help us in this pursuit. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Saint Don Bosco, Pray for us”.
