Guardian · Turin, Italy
St. John Bosco’s Angel of Protection
During the 19th century, St. John Bosco worked with children in the dangerous slums of Turin, Italy. Local criminals constantly harassed him and made several attempts on his life because of his reform work.
But the local legend was that whenever John was attacked in an alley or cornered by thugs with clubs, a massive, fiercely protective dog — Il Grigio, “the gray one” — would appear out of nowhere to fight off the attackers. The dog would then escort John safely back to his monastery.
The dog would never accept food or water. He would always vanish into thin air without passing through any gates.
Years later, when John was traveling on a safe country road, the dog appeared to him one last time. The dog laid his head in his lap as if to say goodbye, and completely disappeared.
St. John Bosco believed the animal was a visible manifestation of his guardian angel, sent to protect his ministry.