1/31/17, Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
"In 1841, John Bosco was ordained a priest. From that time, John was known as 'Don' Bosco, a traditional Italian title of honor for priests. In the city of Turin, he began ministering to boys and young men who lived on the streets, many of whom were without work or education....
"He established a group known as the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, and became a kindly spiritual father to boys in need. His aging mother helped support the project in its early years.
"John's boyhood dream came to pass: he became a spiritual guide and provider along with his fellow Salesian priests and brothers, giving boys religious instruction, lodging, education, and work opportunities. He also helped Saint Mary Dominic Mazzarello form a similar group for girls.
"This success did not come easily, as the priest struggled to find reliable accommodations and support for his ambitious apostolate. Italy's nationalist movement made life difficult for religious orders, and its anti-clerical attitudes even led to assassination attempts against Don Bosco.
"But such hostility did not stop the Salesians from expanding in Europe and beyond. They were helping 130,000 children in 250 houses by the end of Don Bosco's life. 'I have done nothing by myself,' he stated, saying it was 'Our Lady who has done everything' through her intercession with God.....
"He was canonized on Easter Sunday of 1934, and is a patron saint of young people, apprentices, and Catholic publishers and editors" (Catholic News Agency)
I was blessed to be in Turin in 2015 for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. I was struck by how very practical his love was.
Being Practical, Like Don Bosco
- Boycott Target and boycotts/actions from America Needs Fatima and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation
- Click to Email all of Bucks County's representatives and senators in Harrisburg, asking for support of issues/legislation backed by the Pa Catholic Conference and/or the Pa Pro Life Federation.
- Act now to stop assisted suicide (Diocese of Trenton, 11/4/16)
- Click to Email Pa's congressional delegation, regarding federal positions backed by our bishops (cf., Pa Catholic Conference, USCCB, USCCB's Justice for Immigrants, Human Life Action, Human Life Action's 12/16/16 email.)
- It should be noted that Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has NOT signed on as a co-sponsor of
H.J.Res.27 ("Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Death with Dignity Act of 2016."),
H.R. 490 ("To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit abortion in cases where a fetal heartbeat is detectable."),
H.R.586 ("To provide that human life shall be deemed to begin with fertilization."), or - It should be noted that Neither Senator Casey NOR Senator Toomey has signed on as co-sponsor of S.J. Res.4 ("A joint resolution disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Death with Dignity Act of 2016." )
- Contact and encourage President Trump on his pro life and pro marriage/family promises
- (cf, LifeSiteNews, 1/20/17;
Melanie Israel of the Heritage Foundation, 1/22/17;
"a repeal of key provisions of the Affordable Care Act ought not be undertaken without the concurrent passage of a replacement plan that ensures access to adequate health care for the millions of people who now rely upon it for their wellbeing" (USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, 1/18/17).)
- Catholic Medical Ethics (1/29/17)
- Say, Hasn't the Church Already Said a Few Things about Marriage/Family/Sexuality (1/29/17).
- Catholic Social Teaching (1/29/17)
- "And be assured, be assured, that along with you, we will not grow weary, we will not rest until we restore a culture of life in America for ourselves and our posterity" (Vice President Mike Pence, 1/27/17)
- Call to Prayer (USCCB, 1/27/17)
- Marriage: Unique for a Reason (USCCB, 1/17/17)
- The Prenatal Care Deception (LiveAction)
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