The Life and Mission of Saint John Bosco

Born on August 16, 1815, in Italy, John Bosco faced numerous challenges in his early life, including the death of his father when he was just two years old. Despite these hardships, Don Bosco nurtured a deep faith and believed in the potential of every young person he encountered. After his ordination as a priest in 1841, he devoted himself to the education and spiritual guidance of the impoverished youth of Turin.

Don Bosco established a unique educational approach that combined reason, religion, and loving-kindness—a method still influential in Catholic education today. His founding of schools, workshops, and oratories provided safe havens for at-risk youth, fostering both academic and spiritual growth.

Themes of Saint John Bosco’s Legacy

1. Empowerment through Education: Don Bosco believed in the power of education to transform lives. He saw learning as a pathway to freedom and self-fulfillment. As young people today, we are called to seek knowledge and use it to uplift ourselves and our communities.

2. Community and Belonging: Central to Don Bosco’s mission was creating a sense of belonging. He fostered community among young people. Let us build inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued, just as he did.

3. Joy in Service: Don Bosco’s motto was “Give me souls, take away the rest.” He found joy in serving others. We can honour his legacy by engaging in acts of service, helping those in need, and spreading joy through our actions.

As we celebrate the feast of Saint John Bosco, let us take inspiration from his unwavering dedication to youth and education. His legacy calls us to be compassionate leaders and advocates for those around us. May we remember his example as we strive to embody faith, service, and joy in our own lives, making a positive impact in our communities. Happy Feast Day to all – let us honor Saint John Bosco through our actions and by living out his mission every day!

​Pope Francis released a message on Tuesday 14 November ahead of the 38th diocesan World Youth Day, which will be celebrated on 26 November 2023.
In his letter, entitled “Rejoicing in Hope”, Pope Francis says that Christian hope is not “facile optimism” but rather certain knowledge of God’s presence among us, and proposes strategies for maintaining and sharing this positivity in dark times.

Hopelessness
“Rejoice in Hope”, the theme of Pope Francis’ World Youth Day letter, is a quotation from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Reflecting on the saint’s words, the Pope says that “youth is a time full of hopes and dreams, stirred by the many beautiful things that enrich our lives: the splendour of God’s creation, our relationships with friends and loved ones… and so many other things.”
However, he notes, we are living in a period of crisis, of war, when “for many people, including the young, hope seems absent.” Many, he says, “feel as if they are in a dark prison, where the light of the sun cannot enter.”
In such situations, Pope Francis asks, “How can we experience the joy and hope of which Saint Paul speaks? When we think of human tragedies, especially the suffering of the innocent, we too can echo some of the Psalms and ask the Lord, ‘Why?’”

Paths toward hope
In his letter, Pope Francis suggests two ways to maintain Christian hope in such difficult times.
The first of these, he says, is to recognise that hope is not “a product of our human efforts, plans or skills.” It is, rather, “born of an encounter with Christ. Christian joy comes from God himself, from our knowledge of his love for us.”
“Christian hope”, the Pope explains,” is no facile optimism, no placebo for the credulous: it is the certainty, rooted in love and faith, that God never abandons us and remains faithful to his promise: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me’.”
A second method for maintaining hope in the midst of suffering, he says, is to recognise that “we can also be part of God’s answer to the problem.”
“Created by Him in His image and likeness, we can be signs of His love, which gives rise to joy and hope even in situations that appear hopeless,” he says.
​
Hope grows when shared
Having received this joy and hope, Pope Francis says, we cannot keep it to ourselves.
“Nurture the spark that has been kindled in you,” he urges, “but at the same time share it. You will come to realize that it grows by being given away!”
In particular, he asks, “Stay close to your friends who may be smiling on the outside but are weeping within, for lack of hope. Do not let yourselves be infected by indifference and individualism.”
We cannot keep our Christian hope to ourselves, “like a warm feeling”, Pope Francis urges. “It is meant for everyone.”

After a break of a number of years due to pandemic related restrictions, we were once again pleased to have Bishop Larry present the Pope John Paul II Award to nearly 100 young people from across the diocese, on Friday 10th November.

Saint Michael’s Church, Enniskillen hosted the diocese's 13th JPII Award Ceremony, an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our young people in their parishes and in the wider community, the first group of young people from the Dicoese of Clogher received their award in 2009. 

A huge congratulations to all the young people who received their award, and thanks to the Award Leaders in their parishes who facilitate and journey alongside the participants each year.

Our thanks also to the Knights of Saint Columbanus, who continue to support the Pope John Paul II Award in the diocese, and to Supreme Knight, John Murphy for his presence and his assistance in presenting the awards on the night.

The course will take place on Wednesday afternoons (after school) starting on October 2nd, and in Monaghan over three Saturday sessions. Both groups will come together for a weekend residential November 8th-10th.

Places are limited, get in contact with James for more information: [email protected]

Along with 3,500 young people from across Europe and further afield (we were there for the week with the highest attendance this year!) our CdÓ teens attended daily small group bible study, joined with the Taizé Brothers three times a day for prayer, Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spent time together reflecting and journaling on their Taizé experience... simple living, stepping away from the regular routine of life, times of silence, less access to technology.

​Check out all our photos here.

July 5th-10th 2019
62 young people from across the Diocese, accompanied by Fr. Leo Creelman, Youth Director James McLoughlin and 9 volunteer leaders travelled to Lourdes as part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage.
The young people played a key role with the Assisted Pilgrims from the Diocese, making sure they got to all the Masses, liturgies and other events of the pilgrimage. The young people of Clogher don Óige also played a central role in the liturgies during our six days in Lourdes - leading the Low Stations, the Closing Ceremony and various prayers and music at Masses. The young people excelled themselves, with servant hearts were a credit to themselves, their families, parishes and communities.

​We're busy planning for Summer 2019, and are able to release the dates for our three main events:

• Pilgrimage to Lourdes: 5th-10th July
• Camp don Óige: 23rd-25th July
• Taizé Pilgrimage: 3rd-12th August

More information, including pricing and the booking process will be available in early 2019.

​You can download a Summer 2019 Poster here.

We are currently accepting applications (age 16+) for the 10th group of young people from across the diocese of complete the JPII Award. Since 2008, over 2000 young people have received the Award in the diocese.

Get in touch with the Parish Award Leader in your Parish, or contact the CdÓ office.