Invoking Don Bosco's Assistance

Yup, it's unanimous. The patron saint we have chosen for homeschooling this year is.... St John Bosco! We thought that, because both of our students this year are boys (Christopher - Grade 4 and Joseph - Kinder), it would be so fitting to choose the great educator and patron saint for boys, Don Bosco.

This coming Sunday, January 31 is St John Bosco's feastday; and it is also the first day of the week that we officially start schooling this year. Isn't this remarkable? Almost feels strange, but I'm certain it is providential! It is a bit of a pity that we are only 5 days away from his feastday, 4 days short of the nine days usually required for a novena which we could have done, had we decided much earlier. Nonetheless, we will fervently pray for his special intercession in all our efforts throughout this schoolyear.

O glorious Saint John Bosco,
who in order to lead young people
to the feet of the Divine Master
and to mould them
in the light of faith and Christian morality
didst heroically sacrifice thyself
to the very end of thy life
and didst set up a proper religious Institute
destined to endure
and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth
thy glorious work,
obtain also for us from Our Lord
a holy love for young people
who are exposed to so many seductions
in order that we may generously spend ourselves
in supporting them against the snares of the devil,
in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world,
and in guiding them, pure and holy,
in the path that leads to God.
Amen.