born: Becchi, aug16, 1815

died: Turin, jan 31, 1888

Founder of the Salesians, mostly an educator, who had a special devotion to Mary Help of Christians and had a Basilica with that name built in Turin.

When he was a boy Bosco used to present one-man shows of tricks learned from circus performers; after his performance, while he still had an audience, he would repeat what he had heard earlier in church.

John worked with young people mostly and started boarding schools for the poor, naturally some of his friends thought he had gone mad and tried to drag him away to a doctor.

Miracles are attributed to him.

Wingspan: 1,58m

Weight (approx): 91kg

Range and distribution: Italy

Color: black tunic

Special features: none