Saint John Bosco is the patron saint of apprentices, editors and publishers, schoolchildren, magicians, and juvenile delinquents. St. John Bosco Novena is highly effective for people who engaged in vocations such as magic, editing, and publishing. You can also pray this novena for children in trouble.
About St. John Bosco
John was born on August 16, 1815, in Castlenuovo d’Asti. His mother educated him in the faith and living according to the Gospel message.
When he was nine years old, he had a dream that inspired him to devote his life to the teaching of youth. He began to entertain his companions as a young boy by alternating games with work, prayer, and religious education.
Through his teaching style and pastoral approach, focused on reason, faith, and loving-kindness, he brought young people to meet Christ. He inspired young people to pray, meditate, meet Christ and their brothers and sisters, study the faith, and commit to apostolic, civil, and professional service. Among the most notable fruits of his devotion is St. Dominic Savio.
His “constant union with God” and his firm faith in Mary Our Help, whom he regarded as the inspiration and support of his entire labor, were the sources of his ceaseless effort and the efficiency of his work.
John was ordained in 1841 after being encouraged as a child in Turin to become a priest so that he could work with young boys. His work with young people began when he met an impoverished orphan in Turin and taught him how to prepare for Holy Communion. He then collected a group of young apprentices and began teaching catechism to them.
Don Bosco founded the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales for boys after serving as a chaplain in a hospice for working girls. Several wealthy and prominent patrons provided funds, allowing him to set up two workshops for the youths, one for shoemaking and the other for tailoring.
Don Bosco’s “preventive system” for the education of youth is the greatest legacy he left the Church. When questioned about the secret of his success, he only mentioned three words: reason, religion, and kindness.
According to St. John Bosco, the end result is a true family when reason is employed instead of threats, when God is the housemaster, and when fear is replaced by love.
Facts
Novena Starts: January 22nd
Feast Day: January 31st
Birth: 16 August 1815
Death: 31 January 1888
Significance of St. John Bosco Novena
St. John Bosco devoted his life to improving the lives of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youngsters through education.
His teaching methods emphasized compassion rather than punishment, and he placed his students in environments where they were less likely to commit sin. Every year on the 31st of January, his feast day is commemorated to honor his remarkable deeds.
Read more: Footprints in the Sand prayer
St. John Bosco Novena: Version 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Father and Teacher of the Young,
In need of special help, I appeal with confidence to you, Saint John Bosco, for I require not only spiritual graces, but also temporal ones, particularly…
<<mention your special request>>
May you, who on earth had such great devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary Help of Christians, and who always had compassion for those who were suffering, obtain from Jesus and His Heavenly Mother the grace I now request, and also a sincere resignation to the Will of God.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Version 2
Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Love for Christ in the Blessed Sacrament
St. John Bosco,
who loved Christ in the Blessed Sacrament so deeply
and spread that love to so many,
help me to understand this mystery
of God’s love for us that I too may find,
in frequent attendance at Mass and Holy Communion
and visits to the Blessed Sacrament
comfort and strength throughout my life
and at the hour of my death.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Devotion to our Lady
St. John Bosco,
who had so enduring a love for Our Lady, Help of Christians,
ever your Mother and your Guide,
help me to share this deep and lasting love for Mary.
May I experience her powerful help
and protection throughout my life
and have her at my side
at the hour of my death.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Infant of Prague Novena
Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Loyalty to the Church and the Pope
St. John Bosco,
you had a deep love for the Church
and an unswerving loyalty to the Pope.
Help me to be a faithful member of the Catholic Church,
proud of my faith
and ever loyal and obedient to the Holy Father,
the Vicar of Christ,
and to the Bishops and priests
who share his authority.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
For Young People
St. John Bosco,
you had a generous and practical love for the young,
for so many of whom you were Father and Guide,
working for them with heroic sacrifice.
Young people are especially dear to our Saviour.
Help us, too, to work for them
with a holy and generous love
and to see in each one of them
the person of the young Christ growing up in Nazareth.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
For Salesian Priests, Brothers and Sisters.
St. John Bosco,
you founded the Salesian Society
and the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians
to continue your work for youth.
I pray that all these priests, brothers and sisters
may be filled with your spirit,
your zeal, your love and joy,
and so inspire other young people to follow them.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
For Salesian Cooperators
St. John Bosco,
in order to deepen Faith and Charity in the world,
and spread your work for youth,
you started a third family,
the Salesian Cooperators.
May they be strong, fervent, apostolic Christians,
supporting your work,
and spreading a love of Christ in their homes
and among young people wherever they live.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
For Missionaries
St. John Bosco,
whose zeal for the salvation of men
could not be kept within narrow frontiers,
you sent your Salesian sons and daughters
to the end of the earth.
From Heaven intercede for all missionaries
that their work be blessed.
Obtain for me a zeal like yours
that in working with generosity and enthusiasm
for the salvation of others,
I may save my own soul.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
For Purity
O heavenly Patron,
in whose name I glory,
pray ever to god for me:
strength me in my faith;
establish me in virtue;
guard me in the conflict;
that I may vanquish the foe malign
and attain to glory everlasting.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
For Family and Friends and those in need
St. John Bosco,
you had a heart full of compassion
when you saw people suffering or in need.
Obtain for me, for my family and loved ones,
the blessings of Our Lady, Help of Christians
and all the graces we need.
Pray especially that our families
may be united in peace and harmony in this life
and be gathered together with you
in the joy of praising God forever in Heaven.
Amen
Recite once
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Three Hail Marys Novena
