Don Bosco’s Birth Bicentenary (1815-2015)

Saint John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815 in Italy at becchi to Francis & Margret as their second son. He was called as Don Bosco. In Italy Don Means Father. When Don Bosco was two years old he lost his father and he had to go to work in the field. With faith in his heart and with other peoples support he went to school. At the small age itself he was very faithfull to mother Mary and the Eucharistic Lord. “Give me souls and take away the rest” was his moto.In 1841 After becoming a priest he sacrificed his life for the poor and the abandoned youth. And because of that there are so many centres in his name like Schools, Orphanages, Youth Centres. He showed his affection towards the youth at his young age itself. He died on January 31, 1888 at Italy in Torin. At the end of every month they dedicate this day celebrate in churches of his remembrance. At 1934 he was cannonised as a saint. 

He was buried in a place called Valchalichal. His body was sent for a research in 1917. They found that his right hand had not decayed and it is still preserved and worshipped till now. From April 25th, 2009 to August 16th, 2015 from Twin his body has gone to 132 countries to all the salesian congregations. Now in India there are about 1,563 Priests, 1238 Nuns and 125 Brothers. They are working in Schools, Orphanages and in all other places where there are Salesians There are two parishes in the name of Don Bosco the one which is in Mumbai Matunga and the other are in Chennai, Ayanavaram. The celebration of the Bicentenary year of Don Bosco many programmes have been taking place from 2013 August 16th to 2015 August 16th at Ayanavaram Don Bosco Shrine. The inaugural functions was a grand procession of Don Bosco where people were holding flags and Bishope, Priests, nuns and political leaders took part in it. There was a planting ceremony on behalf of it. Every month there were special programmes.

On 24/01/2015 the life history of Don Bosco and the 49 years of his events and church history of Don Bosco church there were about 2000 photos All these programmes and competitions were held with the help of the Parish Priest Rev.Fr.James and the Asst. Parish Priests Rev.Fr.Maria Louis, Rev.Fr.Stanislaws Swaminathan, Rev.Fr.Franklin and Rev.Fr.Pichai Muthu.They have been organising these programme very well.