C.Ruegg

Photo found here Prayer to be said each day: St. John Bosco, you are such a remarkable saint, full of such kindness and mercy. Your heart went out even to those who were seen as hopeless cases. Please, turn an eye to me. Hear me. I beg of you to intercede on my behalf for all of my intentions but especially for (list intentions here). Please pray for my soul to be saved so that I may join you in heaven. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...  Prayer as a mother:   St. John Bosco, behold me, a poor little mother. This world is full of so many terrible temptations and I worry for my child’s soul. Please, take my child under your care as you did so many boys. Take my child as one of yours! May you be his/her guide and as it were another father to him/her. May you teach him/her to love Christ and His mother and to be a good Christian.   May you also teach me to be a good mother, to be truly charitable, compassionate, to care for my child for love of the Christ Child, and to imitate the V

By: Cara E. Ruegg Saint John Bosco is known for his care for the youth. His methods were perhaps seen as “new age” during his time, even though he drew inspiration from those before him such as St. Francis de Sales. His methods clearly bore good fruit, however, despite scrutiny from others. Under his care arose a great saint: Dominic Savio. He likewise converted many who were seen as hopeless cases. Below I have summarized one of Don Bosco’s writings: The Preventative System . In it, he outlines his discipline methods that bore such good fruit. I feel it can be easily applied both to educators as well as parents. Corporal Punishment is Largely Ineffective   Don Bosco says, "With the young, punishment is everything that is meant as a punishment. Thus it is known that a reproachful look is more effective than a blow...To strike one in anyway...and other similar punishments should be absolutely avoided." (pg 3) Punishment Should be Administered Privately "Except in very