He began to work with orphaned and abandoned boys in Turin, teaching them catechism and helping them find work. The boys sheltered by Don Bosco in his Oratory numbered 36 in 1852, 115 in 1854, 470 in 1860, and 600 in 1861, reaching a maximum of 800 sometime later. He was a father, teacher and friend for all of the youth entrusted to his care. Saint Dominic Savio was one of the boys in his Oratory.
The Oratory is a religiously fervent and morally healthy environment that surrounds the young person in his totality so as to orient him towards possessing the heavenly life through the frequent reception of the Sacraments in a climate of religiosity, joy, freedom and youthful expression. We follow the methods and examples of Saint Philip Neri and Saint John Bosco using the preventative system of education with the youth, having the sole purpose of forming good Christians and honest citizens.