Quiz on Don Bosco

1. When was John Bosco born? 16 August 1815
2. When did his father die? 1817
3. When was Johnny Bosco’s first dream? In 1824
4. When did Johnny meed Cl. Cafasso for the first time? 1827
5. When did he meet Fr. Calosso? 1829
6. When did he join the seminary? 30 October 1835
7. When was Johnny’s confirmation? 4 August 1830
8. When was he ordained a priest? 5 June 1841
9. When did he being the oratory? 8 December 1841
10. When did Don Bosco meet Michael Rua for the first time? August 1841
11. When was Don Bosco’s help group called ‘Salesians’ for the first time? 26 January 1854
12. When did Dominic Savio enter the oratory of Don Bosco? 29 October 1854
13. When did Mamma Margaret pass away? 25 November 1856
14. When did Dominic Savio die? 9 March 1857
15. When was the congregation of Don Bosco officially called the Salesian congregation? 18 December 1859
16. When did the blessing of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians take place? 9 June 1868
17. When was the approbation of the Salesian congregation? 1 March 1869
18. When was Mary Mazzarello elected as the first Superior General of FMA? 1874
19. When did the first Salesian Missionaries go to South America? 11 November 1875
20. When did Don Bosco cry several times during the Mass, at the altar of Mary Help of Christians? 16 May 1887
21. When did Don Bosco celebrate the Mass for the last time? 11 December 1887
22. When did Don Bosco die? 31 January 1888 at 04:45 am
23. When did the process of his beatification begin? 4 June 1890
24. When was Don Bosco canonized? 1 April 1934
25. Who were the parents of Don Bosco? Francis Bosco and Margaret Occhiena
26. Who was against Don Bosco’s studies? His step brother Anthony was against his studies due to jealousy
27. Who was the Majestic person who appeared to Don Bosco in his dream at the age of nine? Jesus Christ
28. Name the priest who offered to teach Johnny Bosco? Fr. Calosso.
29. What was the name of the Bishop present at Don Bosco’s deathbed? Bp. John Cagliero
30. Who was the intimate friend of Don Bosco in the seminary? Louis Comollo.
31. Who ordained Don Bosco? Archbishop Luigi Fransoni.
32. Who was the boy raised from the dead by Don Bosco? Charles
33. Where was Don Bosco born? At Becchi, in Castelnuovo (Italy)
34. Where was Don Bosco baptized? At Castelnuovo.
35. Where did Don Bosco meet Bartholomeo Garelli? In the sacristy of St. Francis Assissi, Turin.
36. Where did he finish his seminary studies? At Chieri
37. Where was Don Bosco, a young worker for two years, until he was 14 years old? At the Moglia family at Monoucco.
38. Where was the first permanent oratory? At Valdocco.
39. To which place was the first Salesian missionary expedition? To Patagonia, Argentina.
40. Where are the mortal remains of Don Bosco preserved now? In the Bascilica of Mary Help of Christians, Turin.
41. What were the means Don Bosco used to spread devotion to Mary? The blessing of Mary Help of Christians, The medal of Our Lady Help of Christians and the ejaculation ‘Mary Help of Christians pray for us’.
42. When was the institute of Mary Help of Christians consecrated? 9 June 1868
43. What did Don Bosco suggest for the preservation of purity? Recitation of a Hail Mary during the elevation
44. How did Don Bosco acknowledge Our Lady’s help in the building of the Basilica? By saying, “Every brick of it is a miracle of Mary Help of Christians.”
45. Which is the invocation to Mary, which Don Bosco insisted be recited in the morning, noon and night? Dear Mother, ever a virgin, help me to save my soul.
46. What did Don Bosco say regarding the role of Mary in the congregation? “Mary most holy, is the foundress and she will be the sustainer of our work.”
47. What was the advice of Mamma Margaret to Don Bosco on Our Lady, after he received the cassock? “When you began your schooling, I recommended you almost exclusively to the Madonna. Now I beg you to belong to her entirely. Love those who love her, and if you become a priest someday, constantly promote devotion to the good Mother.”
48. Who were the Popes during Don Bosco’s lifetime? Pope Pius VII, Leo XII, Gregory XVI, Pius IX and Leo XIII.
49. Who was the first protector of the Salesian Society? Pope Pius IX.
50. Who entrusted Don Bosco the task of building the Church of the Sacred Heart in Rome? Leo XIII.
51. What did Pope Leo XIII say to Don Bosco about his work? “Your work is undoubtedly God’s work. Hence, go forward, courageously and fearlessly.”
52. Who canonized Don Bosco? Pope Pius XI.
53. Who defended Don Bosco saying, “When did Don Bosco not pray?” Pope Pius XI.
54. What advice did Mamma Margaret give to Don Bosco at his ordination? To begin to say Mass, is to begin to suffer.
55. What did Mamma Margaret tell Don Bosco in a dream four years after her death? “I am waiting for you, for we two can never be separated.”
56. How did Don Bosco greet his priests? Salve, salvando salvati, i.e., Hail! By saving others, save yourself.
57. What did Don Bosco say about sodalities? They are the keys of piety, safeguards of morals, sustainers of religious and ecclesiastical vocations.
58. What did Don Bosco say about good nights? “It is a key to good behaviour, to the smooth running of the school and to success in education.”
59. When his sons asked him to take rest, what did Don Bosco tell them? I shall rest in heaven. Till then the word ‘rest’ is not in my dictionary. Only when the devil rests, can I take rest.
60. What did Don Bosco tell his Salesians in the last will, regarding rules? If you have loved me in the past continue to love me in the future by the exact observance of our constitutions.
61. What words of St. Philip Neri was Don Bosco accustomed to quote regarding cheerfulness? “Play, jump about, shout, enjoy yourselves as much as ever you please, but don’t commit sin.”
62. After whom are the Salesians named? St. Francis de Sales.
63. What period Don Bosco’s life is called ‘The way of the roses’? When Don Bosco was trying to obtain the definite approbation of the rules of the Salesian society.
64. How many were the Salesians at the time of Don Bosco’s death? 768
65. When did the first General Chapter of the Salesians take place? 1878
66. Who are the principal patrons of the Salesian Society? Don Bosco, Mary Help of Christians, St. Joseph, St. Francis of Sales and Dominic Savio.
67. What is the motto of the Salesians? Work and temperance.
68. What is the motto of the Salesians as given on the coat of arms? Give me souls, take away the rest (Da mihi animas cetera tolle)
69. What is the so-called fourth vow of the Salesians? The Preventive System
70. Who are the successors of Don Bosco? Michael Rua, Paul Albera, Philip Rinaldi, Peter Ricaldone, Renato Ziggiotti, Aloysius Ricceri, Egidio Vigano, Juan Vecchi and Pascual Chavez.
71. What did Cardinal Aliminda say of Don Bosco? “It was Don Bosco who brought God into the 19th century.”
72. What did Cardinal Spellman say of Don Bosco? “No one during the last century did so much for so many as did Don Bosco. ”
73. How does Pius XII praise Don Bosco? “Don Bosco is one of the purest Glories of the Church.”
74. What did Cardinal Cardijn Founder of the ‘Young Christian Workers’ say of Don Bosco? “Don Bosco was the first person in the Church, to dedicate himself entirely to working for the youth.”
75. What did Leo XIII say of Don Bosco? “In Don Bosco I admire the super human and divine. The hand of God can be seen in the entire work of Don Bosco. If you study his works, you will be convinced that the Lord is with him.”
76. Who was the first benefactor of Don Bosco? Don Colasso.
77. Who was the Bishop who greatly opposed Don Bosco’s work? Msgr. Gastaldi, Archbishop of Turin.
78. Who was the minister who encouraged Don Bosco to form a society? Minister Urban Ratazzi
79. Which was Don Bosco’s bestseller? ‘The Companion of Youth’
80. Name the three saintly boys of the oratory whose biographies are written by Don Bosco? Dominic Savio, Mickey Magone and Francis Besucco.
81. What did Don Bosco say about music in the Salesian house? A Salesian house without music is like a body without a soul.
82. What politics did Don Bosco practice? The politics of the ‘Our Father’.
83. Which are the three elements of the Preventive System? Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness.
84. According to Don Bosco what does the Preventive System do? It aims at the human and Christian development.
85. Why did Don Bosco want Brothers in his congregation? Don Bosco said, “I need helpers. There are things that priests and clerics cannot do. These you can do.”
86. What are the two important events that happened in the year of Don Bosco’s birth? Napolean was sent into exile and Pope Pius VIII returned from exile.
87. What is the full name of Don Bosco? John Melchior Bosco
88. Which are the first three oratories Don Bosco founded in Turin? The oratory of St. Francis of Sales, of Aloysius Gonzaga and of the Guardian Angel.
89. Why did the many boys stay on with Don Bosco in spite of all the hardships? Because each one felt that Don Bosco loved him personally more than the others
90. What did the mysterious personage tell Don Bosco in his first dream? I will give you a teacher, under whose direction you can become wise and without whom all wisdom is foolishness.
91. What did Don Bosco promise his children? Work, bread and heaven.
92. What were the last words of Don Bosco? “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give my soul into your hands.”
93. Where was Don Bosco’s body kept after his death? It was kept in the Church of St. Francis de Sales.
94. Where was Don Bosco buried? He was buried at Valsalice near Turin.
95. What was the age of Don Bosco when he died? 72 years, 5 months and 15 days.
96. Who was Don Bosco’s confessor? Don Cafasso.
97. How many Salesians were there in the first missionary expedition? 10 Salesians: 6 priests and four Lay Brothers under the leadership of John Cagliero.
98. You’ll never die even if I throw you out of the window.” Who said this to whom? Don Bosco said these words in 1867 to Don Michael Rua when he was bed-ridden.
99. How many Salesians were there in the first missionary expedition to India in 1905? There were 3 priests, one Lay Brother, a Cleric and an aspirant.
100. Who is the first completely non-Italian Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation? Rev. Fr. Pascual Chavez
101. How many General Chapters have been held so far? 25
102. How many Salesian provinces are there in India? 10
103. Who is the patron of the Province of Hyderabad? St. Joseph
104. Who is the patron of the Province of Chennai? St. Thomas
105. Who is the patron of the Province of New Delhi? Jesus the Good Shepherd
106. Who is the patron of the Province of Guwahati? Mary Help of Christians
107. Who is the patron of the Province of Mumbai? St. Francis Xavier
108. Who is the patron of the Province of Bangalore? Sacred Heart of Jesus
109. Who is the patron of the Province of Dimapur? St. Francis De Sales
110. Who is the patron of the Province of Kolkotta? St. John Bosco
111. Who is the patron of the Province of Tiruchy? Our Lady of Annai Velankanni
112. Who is the patron of the Province of Panjim? Bl. Jose Vaz
113. How many continents do the Salesians work in? 5 continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Australia
114. Who is the present successor of Don Bosco? Fr. Pascual Chavez. He is the ninth successor of Don Bosco. He was elected in 2002.
115. Who form part of the Salesian family? The Salesian Fathers, Salesian Brothers, Salesian Sisters (FMA), Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC), the Salesian Co-operators, Past pupils, Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB) and many other movements and groups which follow the charism of Don Bosco form part of the Salesian Family.