The Abando Youth of Turin

The middle decades of the nineteenth century were politically turbulent times on the Italian peninsula as the conglomeration of small independent states moved towards political unity, initially as the Kingdom of Italy and, subsequently, as the Republic of Italy. During this time relations between Church and State were severely strained, anti-clericalism was rife and successive governments proclaimed oppressive laws against the Catholic Church. Simultaneously, the Industrial Revolution was gaining momentum and rural people headed for the cities. Here their hopes of a more prosperous life were dashed. Unable to cope with the sudden population influx, the result was overcrowded cities, joblessness, slums, youth homelessness, crime and poverty.
During his post-graduate course in Pastoral Studies, Don Bosco visited the gaols, hospitals, streets and market places of Turin. Here he came into contact with the homeless, the unemployed and the poor. The young in particular were least able to fend for themselves and most in need of care - many were in the city without any family. Don Bosco began gathering the boys who roamed the streets with nothing to do - especially on Sundays. He organised games and activities for them, gave them religious instruction and held religious services for them.
Later he purchased an old shed, which he repaired and renovated with the assistance of his boys. Thus, he established his first permanent "Oratory." In order to meet the needs of the "poor and abandoned" boys in his care, Don Bosco gradually extended his work to include the provision of food, clothing and accommodation. He even brought his aging mother to Turin to help care for them. He also began to use the trades that he had learnt as a young student to teach his own boys trades that might make them more employable. Thus began the educational project that would constitute his life's work.
In spite of criticism from church and civil authorities, Don Bosco persevered and as the years passed, extended his work. He sought the assistance of fellow priests and some of his older students, some of whom "stayed with Don Bosco." He united these collaborators into a community, with St Francis de Sales as their patron. Hence, the name "Salesian" which Don Bosco gave to his fledgling group, which he later formed into a religious order within the Catholic Church. Later, he established an order of religious sisters known as the "Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians" to further his work amongst girls.