Life of St Don Bosco

The young must know that they are loved For there is goodness in every young person Give me souls--the souls of young people These boys are not bad, these boys, they need me In their midst I feel completely at home I learned the hardships of an orphans life In this new town where I had to support myself Laboring in everything from being a blacksmith And as a tailor, waiting as a waiter and shoemaker All that to ease my mother's burden Every Sunday I'd meet the boys in a different place It didn't matter that it was a city church, a cemetery chapel, or an empty lot And during the week i'd tour the city shops, Making sure my boys hadn't forgotten my instructions I bought an empty lot and a dilapidated shed Next door was a saloon, across ,a hotel of shady reputation but what did it matter to me the oratory ground was sacred, for it later came to me in a dream That it was the burial ground of the Martyrs of Turin. It is enough that you are young And for you I give my life bound by one rule, dedicated to the double task of self-sanctification & care of youth But first tell the devil to rest, and then I'll rest too Do all the good you can Thats why while I have time, I must work My dear sir I tell you you are a good friend of mine, but God comes first, first of all Don Bosco is a priest So give me the souls, take away the rest My mother would say when I become a priest If ever became rich, she shall never enter my house!" Thats why I am poor, penniless Don Bosco, a shepherd boy of the hills. I have lived poor and shall die poor I have only one wish, to see you happy and in the next "I have been an instrument in the hands of Mary. She has done everything. Had I been a worthier instrument, I would have accomplished a great deal more." The PO£T