Lenten campaign 2026
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Catholic parents are always looking for ways to inspire holiness in their kids, often worrying if they will grow up and lose their faith like so many of their peers.
While the modern world certainly has its unique challenges, that doesn't mean we can't look back and learn how saints were raised by their parents.
One example that can be inspiring to parents in the 21st century is the childhood of St. John Bosco.
Simplicity
St. John Bosco was raised primarily by his mother, Margaret, as his father died when John was only two years old. Margaret was 19 years old when her husband died and was left with the weighty task of raising her three boys on her own.
Despite the many difficulties that came with raising children as a single mom, she was able to give them beautiful childhood experiences that would shape their imaginations.
For example, she gave John much freedom to explore nature on his own. The book Life of Dom Bosco paints the picture:
Active and inquiring, he spent as much time as his mother allowed in the fields; an inveterate bird-nester, not, however, to destroy the eggs, but to feed and study the habits of young birds.
He would sometimes take these birds as pets, though being a young boy, he wasn't always the greatest master of them.
Margaret would use these episodes to teach him valuable life lessons that he kept with him as he grew older.
Furthermore, the days of John's childhood were a healthy mix of play, prayer, and work, "She called the boys at sunrise in summer, long before it in winter; the day was spent in prayer, work, play, but no idleness."
In addition to having a balanced day, Margaret also did what she could to provide positive influences for her children, telling them stories that captured their imaginations:
Dame Margaret added to the evening's interest by telling some story from the Bible or the lives of the saints and watched that nothing should occur contrary to religion, charity or morals, always ending with prayer.
Margaret's life itself was remarkable and worthy of imitation. She was proclaimed "Venerable" by Pope Benedict XVI and may someday join her son in the list of canonized saints of the Catholic Church.
If you are looking for inspiration on how to keep your kids Catholic, look to Margaret Bosco.
