Ramsey: How Don Bosco Prep Reflects St. John Bosco

By Jennifer Passerino, P’15, ’20, Director of Events & Public Relations, Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, NJ

Since Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ was founded in 1915, it has carried out the education and evangelization of young men through the charism of St. John Bosco. Don Bosco Prep mirrors St. John Bosco, who advocated that “education is a matter of the heart,” as we strive to create a family spirit in an oratory environment.

Today, 12 members of the Salesian Community in residence at Don Bosco Prep, along with two Salesians residing in nearby care facilities, mirror St. John Bosco’s pastoral heart and joyful spirituality. They are actively involved in the lives of our students: in the classroom, in the chapels, in the lunch areas, in the auditorium, on the playing field, or—in a word—all around campus. They guide our students, their parents, and our lay colleagues by their example, their leadership, and their prayer. Their active presence is greatly felt.

St. John Bosco was an exceptional educator, whose preventive system transformed the whole person—body, heart, mind, and spirit—so as to then send the young forth to transform the world. So many of our students indeed become honorable citizens and good Christians and go forth to further their education and then make a difference in an array of vocations, including within the Church.

Over 150 alumni have gone on to serve as diocesan or religious priests or religious brothers. We currently have two alumni in formation for the Salesians and two alumni in formation for dioceses. Countless more alumni have become lay missioners in other countries, or serve in their local parishes in various ministries, including the diaconate.

But it all comes back to reaching the heart. “I think that the way we mostly reflect St. John Bosco is that we are a home that welcomes,” said Burton Oh ’22. “Everyone is always included, especially the new students. No one is ever excluded. And just like St. John Bosco used to do, before the pandemic, when kids would stay late after school to volunteer, the Salesians would invite us into their home for dinner. It is truly a home that welcomes all.”