"I am the one your mother taught you to pray to three times a day"

In his childhood, John Bosco learned from his mother (a widow) to love and pray to the Virgin Mary, and he turned to her often. When he was 9 years old, Mary showed him the path he should follow. He had a vision in the form of a "dream," something which happened several times in his life.

"I am the one your mother taught you to pray three times a day."

John told the story in his own words: "I found myself among children who were swearing, fighting and insulting each other. Right away, I tried to stop them by using my fists. Then, I saw a beautiful lady coming toward me who said: “Brute force will get you nowhere. Try using gentleness.” Suddenly, the children turned into a bunch of wild animals of all kinds. When they saw the Lady, they all turned into docile sheep. Then, I asked her who she was and she answered: “I am the one that your mother taught you to pray three times a day.” She pointed to her Son and told me he would help me.” This dream, called “the dream of the nine-year-old,” helped John Bosco understand his mission more clearly, over the years. It is plain that Mary played a central role in revealing his mission to John, which was to care for the poor and abandoned youth.

Read more : Library of Marian writings