16/08/2025
SIUALA FEATURE | Father, Friend, and Teacher of the Youth
During a time when children are often neglected and left in poverty without education, who will stand as someone who has a caring heart for the youth? The story of Saint John Bosco is far different than the ordinary. He was not only a simple priest; he was a devoted father, friend, and teacher of the youth. His dedication to guiding, teaching, and loving young minds continues to be a lifelong value today.
Despite living in poverty, young John Bosco found meaningful ways where he could combine enjoyment with faith and fun with meaning. During his youth, Bosco showed an outstanding gift of uniting his fellow youth and other people through fun ways like storytelling and magic tricks. Evidently so, he never ended his day without reflection and prayer.
As Bosco got older, he joined the seminary and became a priest, wherein he encountered a growing problem of poverty and homelessness. Because of this, numerous boys and girls were left without a home or education. However, due to his tender heart and concern for the youth, he saw the children as young people who needed love, care, and guidance rather than delinquents. Through the Oratory, he welcomed and gave shelter to the children, where they were able to learn, play, and grow in faith.
The “Preventive System” was then established to foster reason, religion, and loving-kindness in education, rather than harsh punishments. Don Bosco believed that when children are loved and cared for, they will grow. This belief became a revolutionary virtue during a time when strictness was the acknowledged norm.
What makes Don Bosco a remarkable saint in today’s time and age is not just about what he did, but more about how he did it. It is about how he taught children to combine the profound acts of learning, playing, and loving while growing in faith. His life teaches us that holiness and our faith is not only isolated in deep prayer but also in play, laughter, and caring for others.
✍🏻: Royce Wayne Cruz
🖼️: Kristoff Lorenzo Zuniga