Bosco, Don, Saint
Bosco, Don, Saint
Founder of the Salesian Society, born Becchi, Piedmont, Italy , 1815 ; died Turin, Italy , 1888 . A priest at Turin, he decided to devote his life to neglected orphan boys, and in February, 1842 , he formed the Oratory, an association of twenty youths, whose numbers grew rapidly and for whom he built night-schools, technical schools, workshops, and a dormitory. This was the foundation of the Salesian Society, which now cares for thousands of boys all over the world, and was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1874 . He was declared Venerable by Pope Pius X, 24 July 1907 , and Blessed by Pope Pius XI, 2 June 1929 .