Founder of the Salesian Society, born Becchi, Piedmont, Italy, 1815; died Turin, Italy, 1888. A priest at Turin, he decided to devote his life to neglected orphan boys, and in February, 1842, he formed the Oratory, an association of twenty youths, whose numbers grew rapidly and for whom he built night-schools, technical schools, workshops, and a dormitory. This was the foundation of the Salesian Society, which now cares for thousands of boys all over the world, and was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1874. He was declared Venerable by Pope Pius X, July 24, 1907, and Blessed by Pope Pius XI, June 2, 1929.