At the age of nine little John Bosco was given a mission in a vision. He was to transform wolves into lambs “NOT WITH BLOWS BUT WITH KINDNESS”.
That was the goal of his life. Overcoming untold hardship and hostility he became a priest on June 5, 1841.

His determination to be a priest for YOUTH combined with dynamic optimism resulted in the flowering of his long cherished goal in 1845. Don Bosco saw the untold misery of the poor boys of the working class at Turin. He saw them and other youths like them… comprehended their situation to the fullest extent and determined to conquer them with his educational system called “THE PREVENTIVE SYSTEM” – a system based on REASON, RELIGION and LOVING KINDNESS which springs forth from the heart of Christ, the Good Shepherd.His determination to be a priest for YOUTH combined with dynamic optimism resulted in the flowering of his long cherished goal in 1845. Don Bosco saw the untold misery of the poor boys of the working class at Turin. He saw them and other youths like them… comprehended their situation to the fullest extent and determined to conquer them with his educational system called “THE PREVENTIVE SYSTEM” – a system based on REASON, RELIGION and LOVING KINDNESS which springs forth from the heart of Christ, the Good Shepherd.

He opened his first little house in 1846. Blooming in spite of its poverty, it soon grew into a Boarding, a School, a Youth Centre and a Professional School.

In 1854 he grouped his few helpers into the nucleus of the Salesian Society vowed to committing their lives at the service of youth in the spirit of the “DA MIHI ANIMAS COETERRA TOLLE” – “Give me souls, take away the rest” forming youth into God-fearing and upright citizens.

In another vision, the Virgin Mary pointing to a group of girls said to him: “Take care of them, they too are my children”. This came as a heavenly confirmation to a cherished dream of his extend his work also in favour of girls. Thus on August 5, 1872, Don Bosco founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians who are the living monument of his gratitude to the Blessed Virgin Mary for all the favours received from her.