Don Bosco was a man of prayer. He was constantly praying. I believe I have already shared with you that he encouraged his boys and Salesians to make frequent short visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Prayer opens us to God’s immense love and joy. Usually when we don’t feel we need to pray is probably when we need Jesus the most.
When I was a youth minister in Texas there was a small note that reminded me about the importance of prayer. It was always on my bulletin board and read “I will make time for 30 minutes of quiet prayer everyday, and on those days when I am really busy and swamped with work, I will sit with the Lord for an hour.”
Even though our lives can sometimes draw us away from sitting quietly in God’s presence, we must be faithful to the Lord. Sitting quietly with Him allows us to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and what He is calling us toward, with out Him we are lost.
As many people have been interested in prayers including St. John Bosco I am posting two below:
Prayer to St. John Bosco
(from an older Salesian Practices of Piety book)
O Saint John Bosco, father and teacher of youth, you have labored so much for the salvation of souls. Be our guide in seeking the good of our souls and the salvation of our neighbor. Help us to conquer our passions and human respect. Teach us to love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, Mary Help of Christians, and our Holy Father the Pope. And obtain for us from God the grace of a happy death,so that we may all join you in heaven. Amen
Prayer For Direction
Lord God, it is not clear to me how I should spend my life. It is not clear to me the way I should go. I am often confused. So many attractive things hold out empty promises for happiness.
Help me, through the prayers of Saint John Bosco, who was a friend to any young person in need. Help me to know your will for me, and give me the courage to follow.
May I know the true joys that are found in giving my life for others. Amen
What a wonderful blog! I will be linking to your blog.
Mahalo and God bless,
That prayer for direction is just what I needed today. Thanks so much for sharing. I just discovered your blog via A Catholic Life and will definitely be back!
[...] Sean wrote an interesting post today on Don Bosco and PrayerHere’s a quick excerptO Saint John Bosco, father and teacher of youth, you have labored so much for the salvation of souls. Be our guide in seeking the good of our souls and the salvation of our neighbor. Help us to conquer our passions and human respect. … [...]
A wonderful blog entry. . . indeed, a wonderful blog!. . . I know a few folks who could use St. Don Bosco’s Prayer for Direction. I’ll be sure to pass it on.