Sacraments: Reconciliation and Eucharist #Don Bosco#

As, the Holy Eucharist is the centre of Catholic Worship so, it was the centre of Saint John Bosco's devotion. As, a young boy and later as a Seminarian he was happy to assist at "Holy Eucharist" and when possible serve at it too. Very often, he received Our Lord Jesus Christ in "Holy Communion" and visited Him in the Blessed Sacrament. When, he was ordained a Priest, Don Bosco had many more opportunities of practicing this devotion, as he was able to celebrate "Holy Eucharist". His Priesthood gave him many opportunities to spread this devotion especially among the young. This is so true in the case of Saint Dominic Savio. He often spoke about Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament through books that he wrote to help people to receive Jesus Christ worthily, to make reparation for hurts inflicted upon him.

As a priest he dedicated a good part of his pastoral moments to hear confessions of his poor youth. Don Bosco who lived during the industrial revolution in Europe witnessed the dangers young people went through, affecting their body and soul. He himself was a victim of extreme poverty unable to meet basic needs of life such as food, shelter and education. Instead of getting frustrated by the harsh conditions of life he determined himself to become a priest and save children and young people who undergo deprivations in life just as he himself underwent.

As a young priest Don Bosco let go opportunities that offered comfortable life, but accepted many hardships to work for abandoned youth. His motto “Give me souls and take away the rest” explains it all. His concern was searching for souls for Christ and he was ready to forego anything to save souls for God. The virtues of mercy and compassion moved him to reach out to youth who underwent problems similar to his own childhood experience. The first beneficiaries are young prisoners, young apprentices in building and factory sites, abandoned street boys and the like.