The FOUNDER
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HE WAS A POOR MAN
Born on August 16, 1815 at Becchi, Castelnuovo D'Asti in Italy from a poor peasant family
HE WAS A MAN DESTINED BY GOD FOR THE YOUNG
As a young boy he dreamt of Jesus and Mary handling him a great mission. He aspired to become a priest because he noticed the lack of concern of the society for the poor and abandoned youth. He was ordained in 1841.
HE WAS A MAN OF GOD
"Give me souls, take away the rest" was his motto. He had great devotion to the Holy Eucharist and Mary Help of Christians and love for the Pope.
HE WAS A MAN FOR YOUNG WORKERS
In 1851 he put up a boarding school for poor boys and began to organize workshops for printing, tailoring and woodworking; he also made work contracts for his boys.
HE WAS A MAN WHO EDUCATED THE YOUNG
Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness are the elements of his educational system. With these means he led his students to the heights of sanctity.
HE WAS A MAN OF THE CHURCH
In 1859 he founded a religious congregation to educate the poor and abandoned youth. The Salesian Society is today one of the largest religious congregations for men in the Church.
HE IS TRULY A MAN OF GOD
He died on January 31,1888; was beatified in 1929 and canonized on April 1, 1934. Today his presence is felt through his over 16,000 Salesians present in more than 120 nations.