Don Bosco Novena

Become a pilgrim of hope to accompany the young and the poor with Don Bosco. Learn from his example and root your efforts in Scripture!

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Each Day of the Novena, you will receive:


A Daily Reflection
A Short Prayer


Novena Themes

Day 1: Renewed Hope (Don Bosco's early life and dream at nine)

Day 2: Over Hills and Valleys (Don Bosco childhood and adolescence) 

Day 3: Stepping Stones (Don Bosco's return home and entering the seminary)

Day 4: Helping the “Outcasts” (Pre-Oratory)

Day 5: Welcome to the Oratory (Beginning of the Oratory at Valdocco)

Day 6: Trust All to Divine Providence (Working through money issues and with benefactors)

Day 7: The Beginning of Beautiful Partnerships (Establishing the Salesian Society, Salesian Sisters [with St. Mary Mazzarello], and Salesian Cooperators)

Day 8: Nothing by Ourselves (Don Bosco: “I have done nothing by myself. It is the Virgin Mary who has done everything.” / We can do all things to, for, and with God)

Day 9: Let the Young Know They Are Loved (Don Bosco's final words and lasting legacy)


Who are the Salesians of Don Bosco, SUE?

The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDBs) are a family of men and women founded by an Italian Catholic priest, Fr. John Bosco. Fr. John Bosco was popularly known as “Don” Bosco, using the Italian word "Don" to mean "Father" Bosco.

Our mission is to be in the Church signs and bearers of the love of God for young people, especially those who are poor (Salesian Constitution, 2).

After the example of our founder, we animate and form collaborators to share in this mission of the Church.

By our consecration, the Salesians of Don Bosco, Province of St. Philip the Apostle, are called to be signs and bearers of God's love for the young in the Eastern United States and Canada (SUE).

Prayer from the novena

Daily Prayer (Read by Fr. Franco Pinto, SDB)

Dear St. John Bosco, as we enter this Jubilee year as pilgrims of hope, help us be voices for those most needing them, especially the young and the poor. Give us the courage, strength, and fortitude to always speak up for the most vulnerable while simultaneously seeing God in everyone whom we encounter. May our young people learn how to do this and be not only “Good Christians and Honest Citizens,” but bearers of truth, light, love, faith, and hope, too. O holy St. John Bosco, who taught us that everyone can be holy and a saint, especially the young, please pray for us and our intentions. (Pause for a moment of silence to offer private intentions for St. John Bosco's intercession) May we follow your advice to “Trust all things to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary Help of Christians” and “see what miracles are.” In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Recite an Our Father, a Haily Mary, and a Glory Be) Mary Help of Christians, pray for us! St. John Bosco, pray for us!