Saint John Bosco founded the Salesians and served poor and neglected boys in 19th-century Turin.
John Bosco was born in Castelnuovo d’Asti, near Turin, in 1815. Ordained a priest in 1841, he began working with boys who lacked stable homes, education, or employment. His approach combined religious instruction, schooling, practical training, and what he called the preventive system.
In 1859 he founded the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, commonly known as the Salesians of Don Bosco. He later helped establish the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with Saint Mary Mazzarello. The Salesian family became an international network focused particularly on youth and education.
Bosco died in Turin in 1888 and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934. He is widely honored as the patron saint of youth and apprentices.