Margherita Occhiena

Margareta Occhiena ( born April 1, 1788 in Capriglio, † November 25, 1856 in Turin), also briefly called Mamma Margaret, is the mother of St John Bosco, which was declared Venerable on account of their life on 15 November 2006 by the Vatican.

Life

Margareta Occhiena married in 1812 the widowed Francesco Bosco. This took account of a son (Antonio ) from his first marriage with the family. In addition, the children Giuseppe ( * 1813) and Giovanni came (* 1815).

1817 died suddenly her husband Francesco, and she had to take care of the three children and the mother alone. A particular concern was to give her faith, and she supported the request of her son Giovanni to become a priest. Don Bosco later reported that his mother had given him on the occasion of his ordination, following along the way: " Giovanni, you have put on the robe of the priest. I have all the joy that can only have one mother in the face of happiness of their child. But remember that it is not the dress that makes a stand honor, but the lived virtue. If you ever doubt of your calling, do not dishonor this robe. Set it now. I 'd rather have a poor peasants to the son as a priest who neglects his duties. "

At the age of 58 years, Margaret moved to the first Oratory of Don Bosco in Valdocco in Turin, took care of him to the neglected and poor young people and thus became the first Salesian employee of her son. After her death, Don Bosco said the grieving young people: "She was definitely a saint! "

Verehrungswürdigkeit

On 15 November 2006 was declared " venerable " Margareta Occhiena from the Vatican. This is considered the first step towards possible canonization.