May — a Salesian Month

May 6 — Saint Dominic Savio (1842 - 1857)

He was twelve when he came to Don Bosco's school in Turin, Italy. He adapted himself so completely to Don Bosco's guidance that he became a model to his companions He died three weeks shy of his fifteenth birthday. At the urging of his companions, Don Bosco wrote a short biography extolling his virtues. A devotion arose around him that was confirmed by the Church with his beatification in 1950 and canonization in 1954.

May 13 — Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello (1837 - 1881)

The Church recognizes her as the cofoundress of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, together with Saint John Bosco. Cf. page 10 of this issue for more detail.

May 19 — Saint Leonard Murialdo (1828 - 1900)

Leonard Murialdo was a diocesan priest who gave religious instruction to youth, especially juvenile offenders in prisons and, to further this end, founded a religious congregation. He was a friend of Don Bosco and Don Bosco's mentor, St. Joseph Cafasso. He worked for the young with great love and kindness In 1887 he was stricken with a serious illness and Don Bosco, with less than a year to live, gave him a blessing. He soon got well enough to continue his work through trials and setbacks until his death in 1900. He was canonized in 1970 by Paul VI.

May 24 — The Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians

Mary, under the title of Help of Christians is the principal patroness of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and of the Salesian Family. Don Bosco fostered her devotion during difficult religious and social conditions prevailing in Italy during his life. He said that he was guided by her and all that he accomplished was through her intercession. He said, "the experience of eighteen centuries demonstrates in a most vivid way that Mary, in the Church, continues most effectively from heaven her maternal and helping mission which she began on earth." (SBW)