--- title: The Salesians and Optimism description: John Bosco, the benefactor of the poor and the friendless of Italian cities, was another optimist, image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/abstract%20fireplace%20flame%20background%20at%20home.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) # The Salesians and Optimism #### **From the website of The Salesian Sisters of St John Bosco** Understanding and recognizing the Salesian charism involves understanding and recognizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, given to Don Bosco for the mission of educating and promoting the young. Still today, the Holy Spirit continues to instil these gifts in those who are called to share in the mission of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello. The expression of these gifts are: Eucharist & Confession, devotion to Our Lady, fidelity to the Pope, pastoral charity, **joy and optimism**, work, and community. Each of these elements is crucial to living out our Salesian Charism, and each of them are etched in the heart of every Salesian Sister. Don Bosco set these down for us, and still today, we hold fast to his method, and his plan. #### **Helen Keller** Helen Keller wrote, "John Bosco, the benefactor of the poor and the friendless of Italian cities, was another optimist, another prophet who, perceiving a Divine Idea while it was yet afar, proclaimed it to his countrymen. Although they laughed at his vision and called him a madman, yet he worked on patiently, and with the labor of his hands he maintained a home for little street waifs. In the fervor of enthusiasm he predicted the wonderful movement which should result from his work. Even in the days before he had money or patronage, he drew glowing pictures of the splendid system of schools and hospitals which should spread from one end of Italy to the other, and he lived to see the organization of the San Salvador Society, which was the embodiment of his prophetic optimism."   [![Read More on Christian Optimism](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/f649ae5d-7f24-4fa9-9994-be63d77e77a3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/f649ae5d-7f24-4fa9-9994-be63d77e77a3)         [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Christmas](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christmas) , ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) #### [An Optimist's Christmas 2025](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/christmas?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/christmas?hsLang=en) ###### [United Kingdom](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/united-kingdom) , ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) , ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) , ###### [Islam](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/islam) #### [Faith, Optimism and Wellbeing: Insights from Britain](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/britain?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/britain?hsLang=en) ###### [Gratitude](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/gratitude) , ###### [Christian Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/christian-optimism) #### [Being Optimistic: Father Martin Maunsell](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/fathermartinmaunsell?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/fathermartinmaunsell?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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