Name _____________________________________ Date _______________ Saint John Bosco Directions: Read the biography and answer the questions. At his canonization as saint in 1934, Saint John Bosco was declared as the “Father and Teacher of Youth,” which is indeed how he spent most of his life. He was born into a poor farming family in Italy in 1815. His father died when he was young, so he and his brothers had to work as farmers and shepherds in their youth. John received a different calling from God in a dream at only ten years old that compelled him to show kindness to youth and show them the ugliness of sin and beauty of virtue. As a priest he took a special interest in teaching and helping children. He used magic tricks to gain the attention of youth on the street. In Turin, Italy he saw how many boys were homeless and serving in difficult working conditions. He offered shelter to them in various places eventually housing hundreds of young boys each night. Many of these boys grew up to serve the youth as well. He inspired many young men to enter the seminary and join him in the priesthood. He founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales, known as the Salesians, who carry on his legacy of serving the poor and especially the youth in the world today. 1. What was Saint John Bosco’s clear calling from God even at a young age? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 2. Saint John Bosco used magic tricks to get the attention of youth in his day. What could religious educators use to get the attention of young people today? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 3. How can you help children younger than you learn more about God? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ ©The Religion Teacher .