Abstract

The nineteenth century was a very difficult period in the history of Italy (wars, revolutionary movements). These events all contributed to the great impoverishment of Italian society. Many people undertook a number of preventive measures in the field of education in order to make the situation better for the young.  Father John Bosco was one of them. From 1841 to 1844, he worked as a chaplain in one of Turin’s prisons in which juvenile delinquents were serving prison sentences. Working with them strengthened Fr. Bosco’s conviction that everything should be done to prevent young people from going to prison.  With this goal in mind, John Bosco established various institutions which gave youth a roof over their heads and the opportunity to learn a profession. He also created his own system of education, which he called a preventive system, based on reason, religion and love. Italian society, European countries, and many countries worldwide turned to Fr. Bosco and asked for the Salesians to start educational work. This article presents the development of the Salesian Society in the field of social work and education during the years in which Fr. Michael Rua was Superior General of the Salesians and first successor of John Bosco.