St. John Bosco’s Oratory grew larger and larger, until its members numbered over 700 and would spill outside the chapel during the Mass. When John Bosco played with the children, he would also instill spiritual values – by inviting them to Confession, warning them against going to bad places, or dissuade them for swearing. Most children obeyed but some children needed special methods to bring to God. There was a 17-year-old youth who would always find excuses to not go to Confession. One day, John Bosco asked him for help with an important matter at the chapel. Thinking that he needed help with moving things, the young man agreed. But when the young man started to move a kneeler, John Bosco told him instead to kneel on it and prepare for Confession. The young man complained he was not ready, so John Bosco told him he had ample time to prepare. The young man relented, admitting that he had been previously avoided Confession for fear of being laughed at. When the young man confessed, he realized that Confession was not so hard after all, and emerged jubilant. From then on, he frequented Confession and promoted the sacrament to others. John Bosco was not afraid to step out and help youths grow closer to God.
Spiritual Talk – Fr Ho talks about St. John Bosco (43)
