Chronology of Don Bosco's Life
|
1784: February 4 |
Birth of Francis Bosco, father of John Bosco, at Castelnuovo d'Asti |
| 1788: April 1 | Birth of Margaret Occhiena, mother of John Bosco, at Capriglio |
| 1812: June 6 | Marriage of Francis Bosco and Margaret Occheina at Capriglio Parish |
| 1815: August 16 | Birth of John Melchior Bosco at Biglione's house in the hamlet of Becchi |
| 1815: August 17 | Baptism by Fr. Joseph Sismondi, Pastor of Castlenuovo |
| 1817: May 12 | Francis Bosco dies of pneumonia leaving three children: Antonio, Giuseppe, and John in the care of Margaret |
| 1825: June | The mysterious dreams foretelling Don Bosco's future began. The first dream showed him designs and details that would characterize his mission for poor and abandoned children. |
| 1826: March 26 | John makes his first communion on Easter Sunday. Mamma Margaret told repeatedly told him: "John, my son, God is going to give you a great gift. Try to prepare yourself to be worthy of him." |
| 1827-1829 | The discord between Giovanni and his stepbrother Antonio caused Giovanni to leave home in midwinter. The Moglia family's farm in Moncucco provided shelter for him. |
| 1831: November | John went to stay in Chieri public school for ten years. The experience of living as a boarder not only allowed to develop his knowledge of different trades, but also prepared him psychologically for his future youth apostolate. |
| 1833: August 4 | John was confirmed by Bishop Anthony Gianotti of Sassari at St. Blaise Parish, Butigliera. |
| 1833: October 26 | John received his clerical habit at the parish church in Castelnuovo |
| 1835-1841: | After overcoming many difficulties, John enters St. Philip's Seminary in Chieri. He began his philosophical and theological studies and started "Joyful Company" work with young people. |
| 1840: March 29 | John received tonsure and minor orders |
| 1840: September 19 | Reception of Sub-diaconate |
| 1841: February 17 | John Bosco is ordained to the Diaconate |
| 1841: June 5 |
John Bosco was ordained priest by Most Reverend Luigi Franzoni, archbishop of Turin. |
| 1841: | The Wandering Festive Oratory is formed with collaborators. |
| 1841: November 3 | Ecclesiastical college; 3 more years of Pastoral Theology |
| 1842: February | Oratory numbered 20 boys |
| 1842: November 3 |
Mother of John Bosco moves to the Oratory to help care for the boys. |
| 1845: September | A boy named Michael Rua came to the oratory for the first time. |
| 1845: October | Don Bosco published the Storia Eclesiastica for the use of students. |
| 1846: April 12 | The oratory moved to the rented shed of Mr. Francesco Pinardi in Valdocco. The oratory had found its home forever. |
| 1846: July | Don Bosco became seriously ill. |
| 1846: November | Because of his long and serious illness, Don Bosco decided to stay at home for a while until his recovery was complete. When he returned to Turin his mother Margaret came with him and became mother to his boys. |
| 1847: May | A young man came to the oratory looking for a place to sleep. This was the start of the boarding school. |
| 1847: December | Don Bosco started his second oratory in Porta Nuova |
| 1848: | Mama Margaret began the custom of the `Good-night' |
| 1851: | Don Bosco signed the first contract with an employer on behalf of young workers. This was a step toward union action in defense of workers. |
| 1853: Autumn | First workshops were opened with Don Bosco as the first teacher |
| 1854: January 20 |
Salesian Society is officially recognized |
| 1854: Summer | The cholera epidemic invaded Turin. Don Bosco's boys were distinguished for their care of the sick. |
| 1854: October 29 | Dominic Savio is registered at the oratory. He will be the first pupil of Don Bosco to be canonized. |
| 1855: March 25 | Michael Rua made his vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience into Don Bosco's hands. He became the first Salesian. |
| 1856: November 25 | Mama Margaret dies, Valdocco Oratory, Turin |
| 1857: March 9 | Dominic Savio died. |
| 1858: | Don Bosco went to Rome to introduce his institutions to Pope Pius IX. |
| 1860: July 29 | Michael Rua was ordained a priest. He was the first of Don Bosco's students to be ordained a priest. |
| 1863: | Don Bosco opened the first Salesian Institute outside of Turin in Mirabello. |
| 1864: March | Don Bosco began the construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady Help of Christians in Valdocco. |
| 1868: | The great Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians, the “mother-church” of the Salesian Movement, is completed |
| 1870: |
The Association of Salesian Past Pupils is established |
| 1871: December 7 | Don Bosco became very ill as he went to visit the Salesian Institute in Varazze |
| 1875: November 11 | The first group of ten Salesian missionaries departed for South America with Father Giovanni Cagliero leading them. |
| 1876: | Don Bosco founds the Salesian Cooperators, the lay branch of the Salesian Family |
| 1879: | The first Salesian missionary entered Patagonia, Argentina, and Chile. |
| 1880: | Pope Leo XIII requested Don Bosco to finish the Sacred Heart Basilica in Rome |
| 1884: December 7 | One of Don Bosco's students, Giovanni Cagliero, was ordained bishop. He would later be the first cardinal from the Salesian Congregation |
| 1887: April | Don Bosco traveled to Rome for the last time for the consecration of the Sacred Heart Basilica |
| 1888: January 31 | The Death of Don Bosco |
| 1934: | Don Bosco is canonized by Pope Pius XI on Easter Sunday |