The aim of this paper is to present don Bosco's educational work based on love, that is, to illuminate the field of his pedagogy of love and to notice the elements of a modern holistic approach to education and the child, which are visible and present in his pedagogy. Don Bosco's pedagogy of love is first viewed from a philosophical point of view and then from a holistic educational perspective in order to notice elements of modern educational process and holistic approach to the process of education in his pedagogy. The paper presents the basic assumptions of the educational activities of priest and pedagogue Ivan Bosco and their importance and effectiveness as well as the actuality and necessity in today's pedagogy of the 21st century. Throughout his life, don Bosco testified that love is and should be the foundation of all educational activities. His educational methods show a holistic understanding of education with an emphasis on the role of love as a spiritual force and initiator of the educational relationship, the importance of the educator's presence among the students, the establishment of a relationship of mutual trust, recognizing the interests of children, respecting the freedom of students, the importance of a quality environment and family atmosphere. At the end of the paper, it is concluded that don Bosco's pedagogy of love has a number of points of contact with the modern pedagogical conception of the child and a holistic approach to education. Don Bosco strived to enable the complete development of each child and approached each student individually, which is the main place of intertwining of Salesian pedagogy and modern science of education.