St. John Bosco, popularly known as Don Bosco was born in Turin, Italy in 1815. At the age of two his father died. John, who was to become the father and teacher of youth, was fatherless at his tender age. John, though poor, was brought up in a devout Catholic family and was deeply interested in studies and always wanted to be a priest. With indomitable courage, with God’s help, and under the loving care of Mamma Margaret, his brave mother, John grew cup braving the vicissitudes of life. He worked part-time as a farmhand, a waiter, a tailor, a cobbler, a blacksmith, etc. To earn money to complete his schooling. 
He was ordained priest in 1841 and from then dedicated himself to the selfless service of youth, particularly the poor and the abandoned. He gathered them in to ‘oratories’ which were the places where these young people could play, work, study, and enjoy the atmosphere and love as in a family. He founded the congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1859 to ensure continuity of his nobble work. He died in 1888 and was declared a saint in 1934.