Volunteer with Us
As a BOVA volunteer, you could be working in schools or orphanages passing on vital skills such as Music, Sports, Sciences and English. There are also opportunities to give pastoral care, or just to 'be there' for the children.
You will be paired with a community that needs the skills and experience you have, meaning the work you do will be of vital importance. Whatever skills you have, there will be a Salesian community that needs you! You'll also gain new skills, and have experiences that will help you grow and develop as a person and in your work.
BOVA's MISSION
Learning through action; serving the young and the poor alongside Salesian communities around the world.
In all aspects of our work there is a particular focus on providing a well-planned educational experience; stimulating, preparing and encouraging a long term involvement with development issues, faith and the Salesian Family
Latest Resources
What's On
Blessed Joseph Kowalski
29th May 2024
Memorial of Blessed Joseph Kowalski (1911-1942), Salesian priest killed in Auschwitz.
Feast of Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians
24th May 2024
On many occasions throughout the course of history, Christian people have experienced the protection of the Virgin Mary. The title of Help of Christians, which Don Bosco associated with that of Mary Mother of the Church, is an indication of the special intervention of Mary in the most difficult trials of personal human life, of the Church and of the whole human family.
The liturgical celebration was instituted by Pope Pius VII in gratitude for Mary's intervention in a critical period in the history of the Church. Driven out by violence from the See of Rome and held as a prisoner for five years, the Pontiff had implored the help of Mary and had invited all Christians to do the same. Contrary to all expectations he was freed and returned to his See on 24 May 1814.
Devotion to Mary Help of Christians was spread far and wide through the work of St John Bosco, and continues to be propagated in the world by the Salesian Family, which recognizes and invokes Mary, Help of Christians as its principal patroness.
Hands in search of God - Walking as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ towards the 2025 Holy Year
20th May 2024, 10:00 - 17:00
This is to invite you to participate in a conference to promote walking pilgrimage as an important part of the 2025 Jubilee in England & Wales. The event is organised with the support of the Catholic Bishops' Conference Department of Evangelisation & Discipleship. The programme includes:
• Experience of a short prayerful walking pilgrimage from St Mary Moorfield to the CCLA office visiting historic churches in the City of London
• Explanation of why walking pilgrimage should be an integral part of the Jubilee
• Inspiration for people (especially the young) to walk as Pilgrims of Hope
• Tools to equip dioceses and other Catholic organisations to confidently plan and undertake walking pilgrimages, with a focus on youth engagement.
The event will start at the Church of St Mary Moorfield and continue at the CCLA office. For more information, click the attachment below.
Feast of St Leonard Murialdo
18th May 2024
Saint Leonard Murialdo was born at Turin on 26 October 1828 into a well-to-do family. A friend and collaborator of Don Bosco, he dedicated himself to the Christian formation of poor youngsters, orphans and the abandoned, starting up with great faith and courage many initiatives at a social, spiritual, cultural and legal level.
He also had a hand in the foundation and running of organizations for Catholic workers. He founded a Congregation which he dedicated to Saint Joseph (Josephites of Murialdo) to continue the apostolate among the young and the poor in the spirit of the humble artisan of Nazareth, the educator of Jesus. He died at Turin on 30 March 1900, and was canonised by Paul VI on 3 May 1970.
You can read more about the life and work of Saint Leonard Murialdo here
O God, the source of all good things, in Saint Leonard Murialdo you have given to orphans a father and to young workers a guide: through his intercession grant that we may follow the precepts of your love in the service we give to our neighbour. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Feast of Saint Luigi Orione
16th May 2024
Louis Orione was born at Pontecurone, Italy, on 23 June 1872. He became a disciple of St John Bosco, whom he admired and imitated as a model of apostolic holiness. While still a student at the seminary of Tortona he began his apostolate among youth, and after his priestly ordination he continued to dedicate his energies to the relief of every kind of physical and moral distress, so as to spread among people the love for Christ and lead them to perceive his presence in the Church, the Pope and the bishops. He devoted his life to works of charity in many countries, especially Italy and Latin America, and founded several Congregations. After a life of hard work and suffering, he died at Sanremo, Italy, on 12 March 1940. He was beatified by John Paul II on 26 October 1980 and canonised by him on 18 May 2004.
You can read more about the life and work of St. Louis Orione here
God of boundless mercy, you empowered your priest, Saint Louis Orione, to love Christ your Son in the young and the poor; grant that we too may practise works of mercy, and daily experience the tenderness of your Fatherly love. We ask this through our Lord...
Feast of St Mary Mazzarello
13th May 2024
Today, 13th May, marks the Feast Day celebrations of St Mary Mazzarello.
St Mary Mazzarello was the Italian Founder of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, better known as the Salesian Sisters. Known by many as Mother Mazzarello, she was incredibly important in getting the Salesian Sisters, to grow their mission internationally.
You can read more about her life and work here
Father, source of all that is good,
you give us in Mary Domenica Mazzarello a shining example of Christian and religious life through her deep humility and ardent charity;
grant that we, in simplicity of spirit, may bear daily witness to your Fatherly love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
for ever and ever.Amen
God, our Father, you have a special love for the humble and imbue with your spirit of holiness hearts that are simple and sincere;
hear our prayer on this solemnity of Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello,
who shared with Saint John Bosco his love for the young and with him founded a new religious family.
Grant that we may be docile to her teachings and faithful to her example of educational activity.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
for ever and ever.Amen
Feast of St Dominic Savio
6th May 2024
Today, 6 May, marks the feast of St. Dominic Savio.
St. Dominic Savio was a student at Don Bosco's Oratory. St. Dominic Savio was a very devout young Catholic who wished to be a Priest and a Saint. He was often a great help to St. John Bosco especially with the Immaculate Conception Sodality, that other students were a part of.
However, St. Dominic Savio passed away at the age of 14 from Tuberculosis at his family home in Castelnuovo d'Asti.
You can read more about his life and work here
O God, the source of everything that is good,
in Saint Dominic Savio you have given to young people a wonderful example of charity and purity;
grant that we too may grow as your children in joy and love,
till we attain the full stature of Christ.
He is God, and lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever.Amen
Feast of St George
23rd April 2024
Today marks the feast day of St George. St George is the patron saint of England, Georgia, Ethiopia, Iberia, Russia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as Scouts, Farmers and Soldiers.
Saint George,
With courage, you stood up to those in power, to tell them that what they were doing was wrong.
Pray that we, too, may have courage to stand up for what is right, with God's help.
You were not ashamed of your faith.
Pray that we, too, may be proud of our faith, and may cheerfully show the love of Jesus in all that we do.
St George, pray for us.
Amen.
Prayer: CAFOD
Image: By evissa from sheffield, england Karen Turner.) uploaded by Victuallers - St George, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2600902
Episcopal Ordination of His Eminence Cardinal Angel Fernandes Artime and Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti
20th April 2024, 14:30 - 15:45
The Episcopal Ordination of His Eminence Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, and Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti is taking place in the Basilica of St Mary Major, Rome. You can watch the service live on the ANS Youtube channel, where there will be commentary of the event in English.
90th Anniversary of the Canonisation of St John Bosco
1st April 2024
On the 1st April 1934, Don Bosco was canonised as a Saint by Pope Pius XI.
Here is footage from the event, courtesy of the Salesian Sisters: