Today, Saturday, January 31, 2026, this year is the day on which the anticipated Mass of the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost is celebrated because tomorrow is Seputagesima Sunday and there not only Sundays after Pentecost this year to pray each of the Masses after the Epiphany. As a consequence, the feast of of the great Saint John Bosco, to whom we are very devotedm celebrated, is downgraded to a commemoration.
This is a revised reflection on an extraordinary priest who had a zeal for the salvation of souls in his youth, a zeal that would last until he died on this date in 1888, one hundred thirty-eight years ago.
Saint John Bosco stands a rebuke to the conciliar revolutionaries, who refuse to seek converts to what they think is the Catholic Church and the manner in which they reaffirm unrepentant sinners in lives that could lead them to Hell for all eternity if they do not go to Confession and amend their lives. This brief reflection, written about fifteen years ago now, is an effort to capture the spirit of this magnificent teacher of the young, mystic and zealous apostle of souls.
I was nearing the completion of my next original commentary when it was clear that I would need another ninety minutes or so to finish the work, which is something that I just could do physically as another flu-like illness has decided to visit me once again as a very well deserved pre-Lenten penance, but I will get back to the work later today.
Our Lady, Help of Christians, pray for us.
Saint John Bosco, pray for us.
Saint Dominic Savio, pray for us.
Saint Maria Domenica Mazzarello, pray for us.