By: Meg Naumovski

I grew up listening to stories about my dad’s Uncle Wendell.  At first, I remember thinking that this was some magical character my dad invented to entertain and inspire us, just the way my father seemed to be entertained and inspired by this man he adored. We would hear how when dad was a kid, he would follow Uncle Wendell around, entranced by his mechanical abilities to fix anything and entertained at the same time with his warm personality.

I imagined scenes of breezy late summer days in northern Ohio, white clouds in blue skies, soft lake breezes and the sound of Cicadas humming in the trees. I could picture a young version of my dad, blue eyes, tight blond curls, trying to make a whistle sound from his blade of grass (he always taught us this important skill as kids.) Little Glenn might have his freckled nose too close to the engine as he positioned himself “overseeing” Uncle Wendell’s work.  Maybe he tried to direct where he thought his uncle should connect a wire, and then I would recall some joke about how awesome “copper tubing” was, though I never quite understood what that meant. 

Many of the things my dad proclaimed to love about his uncle were the very things I loved about my dad. He was a handy man, an inventor, a jokester, and a craftsman.  As Dad would work in the garage, from a large project pile of scrap metal, wires, and other things that bewildered me, he whistled a tune that would float through the air, and his peaceful contentment was palpable. I would linger near him for hours at a time, just drawing or playing with dolls; whatever I could do to absorb any amount of his serenity.

Confidence and Love

It shouldn’t surprise me that when my oldest went looking for a confirmation saint, he was attracted to St John Bosco. I remember when he came home from school one day, very excited about his discovery, I asked him why he thought “Don Bosco” as he was affectionately known, was such a good pick for his saint.

“Mom!  He liked to help boys, especially boys that were poor or caused trouble. He would teach them things so they could do better. He would learn magic tricks and how to juggle, just so he could make the kids happy and help them. He was really funny too.” I couldn’t have been more in love with this answer. It was genuine. I was so happy with Don Bosco’s effect on my son, and many of the inspirations that would follow, that I decided to start a blog in honor of all that I was learning by proxy of Don Bosco’s joyful and tender way with kids.

As a former youth minister, I was drawn to the idea of trying to love our youth toward God.  I knew that people needed to feel seen and understood, and once kids had someone to care authentically about them, they would thrive. Despite so many flopped ideas that I attempted in ministry, the kids still seemed to enjoy coming to youth group. I quickly understood that they weren’t coming to youth group for my imperfect ideas, they needed a community where they knew they were loved and accepted, all based upon God’s perfect love.

Without confidence and love, there can be no true education. If you want to be loved…you must love yourselves, and make your children feel that you love them. (St John Bosco)

From Simplicity to Society

Saint John Bosco was born into a modest family near the Italian Alps in 1815. His father died when John was young and John needed to work to help his mother provide for her three sons.  At the early age of nine, he had a vision that revealed his great call to educate and guide youth toward God and holiness.  He didn’t know the details at the time, but he knew he was called to priesthood and so began his education.

“Our Lady wants us to found a Society. I have decided that we will call ourselves Salesians. Let’s put ourselves under the protection of St. Francis de Sales.” (Don Bosco speaking to young people with whom he was founding his order in 1854, per the Salesian Institute of Higher Education)

He would later found his order, the “Salesians”, which now has over 4000 schools, colleges and youth centers.  His “preventative system”, in which he believed gently guiding, teaching skills, providing for their needs, and a great deal of love, would be the way to shape these young souls to serve the Lord well. He emphasized the sacraments, prayer, work, duties and charity to wholly form those in his care.

“Father, Teacher, and Friend of the Youth” is the title that Pope John Paul II gave to St John Bosco, the importance of education of the youth, especially boys with wayward tendencies.  He was a writer and educator in Italy and when he passed at the age of 72 in 1888, on what is now his Feast Day, January 31, he left his students with these last words,

“Never forget these three things: devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to Mary Help of Christians, and devotion to (always be in support and come to the defense of) the Holy Father!”

From Bosco Back to Wendell

When my dad passed away in 2022, I received some of his belongings. One of the most cherished things I have, was a picture of Uncle Wendell.  He was wearing his Navy uniform and almost seemed to be dancing like Fred Astaire, as if his feet were off the ground.  The joy on his face and his entire countenance was fun, light, contented and tender. It occurred to me that this man who inspired my dad, who inspired me and my son, had a little something about him that was Bosco, and I give thanks to Don Bosco for his continuing legacy of teaching youth their value through love and joy.

About Our Guest Blogger

Meg Naumovski works in prayer ministry.  She enjoys writing, blogging, and illustrating.  Her background is in counseling and youth ministry, with more recent and long-standing work in women’s ministry and healing prayer in a Catholic health clinic. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, near her kids and grandkids. Visit her blog Bosco World to read more of her writing.