Three Letters to the Salesians in America

Father John BoscoTHREE LETTERS TO THE SALESIANS IN AMERICA

CRITICAL EDITION: F. MOTTO - TRANSLATION & NOTES: P. LAWS

INTRODUCTION

As was noted in the Introduction to the Letter From Rome, Don Bosco's comments were directed at very real problems at Valdocco. These three letters have a comparable history.
    The Salesians arrived in
Argentina in 1875. In 1884 its leader Fr John Cagliero was appointed Bishop of Viedma, in Patagonia. Whilst making preparations to move to his see - at that time a frontier town - he and his secretary Fr Riccardi stayed at the Salesian College of Almagro, which was under the direction of the tough James Costamagna. They could not help but notice the very harsh disciplinary regime in use in the place. Eventually, Riccardi wrote several very strong letters of complaint to members of Don Bosco's Council, demanding action. After investigating the truth of Riccardi's allegations, Don Bosco's Vicar General, Fr Michael Rua, showed the letters to him. The following documentation is the result.
   

TEXT

1. TO BISHOP JOHN CAGLIERO

Dear Bishop Cagliero,

Your letter has given me great pleasure, and although my eyesight has become very weak, I wanted to read it myself from beginning to end, despite that handwriting of yours, which you say you got from me, but which has degenerated from its original form.
    When you write to the Propagation of the Faith and the Work of the Holy Childhood be mindful of all that the Salesians have done at various times. I understand you have with you the pro-formas that you should make use of in setting our affairs out before their respective Presidents, who are quite happy to receive letters in Italian, whenever there is any difficulty with writing in French. If one does not suffice, write several letters concerning the travels of Fr Fagnano, Fr Milanesio, Fr Beauvoir, etc. In particular note (the number of) those baptised, confirmed, instructed, given shelter, now or in the past. I am of the opinion that in setting things out for Propaganda, you should cover everything, but in general. For the Propagation of the Faith, travels, trade, discoveries; for the Holy Childhood say in detail the sorts of things that might interest boys and girls, the Sisters, or the Salesians.
    If by chance you do not have exemplars for setting out these reports, let me know, and we will send them to you. There is real good will in wanting to help you. However it is good that at this end I should be aware, at least in general terms, of whatever you write from there, since I could be asked questions at any time.
    Regarding the matter of the Coadjutor Bishops, I need a positive proposal, and at this stage I am hoping to achieve something. The formalities for getting a Cardinal's Hat for the Archbishop were well-advanced under Cardinal Nina, but now unfortunately for us he has passed into eternal life. I have tested other waters, and I'll let you know in due course.
    I am preparing a letter for Fr Costamagna, and for your guidance I will particularly touch on the Salesian Spirit we want to introduce into our houses in
America.
    Charity, patience, gentleness - never degrading rebukes, punishments never - do good to those you can, evil to no one. This holds for the Salesians among themselves, with their students and others, those who live with us, and outsiders. In dealing with our Sisters have great patience, but be strict in the matter of the observance of their Rules.
    In general then, although things are tight here, we will make every sacrifice to come to your aid. But urge everyone to avoid putting up buildings or acquiring property that is not strictly necessary for our use. Never buy things with a view to reselling them: neither fields or land or buildings with a view to financial profit.
    Try to help us this way. Do what you can to get vocations whether for the Sisters or for the Salesians, but do not take on too many works. Those who want too much achieve little and waste much.
    When you have cause to speak to the Archbishop, or to
Mons. Espinosa or personalities of that sort, say that I am entirely at their service, particularly in matters regarding Rome.
    Tell my niece Rosina to take great care of her health, and that she take great care not to go to heaven alone. She should go, of course, but accompanied by the many souls she has saved.
    God bless all our Salesian sons, our sisters the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. May he grant them all health, holiness, and perseverance along the road to Heaven.
    We will pray for all of you morning and evening at Our Lady's altar. You too, pray for this poor, half-blind man who will always be yours in Jesus Christ.

Your loving friend,

Fr John Bosco.

Turin, August 6, 1885

P.S. A countless multitude of people want to be remembered to you, and to pay their respects.


2. TO FR JAMES COSTAMAGNA

My dear and always beloved Fr Costamagna,

The time for our annual retreats is approaching, and in my declining years, I would like to have with me all my sons and our sisters in America. This not being possible, I have thought to write you a letter which might serve as a guide to you and to our other confreres at the time of your retreats which are not far off for us, for becoming true Salesians.
    Before anything else we ought to bless and thank the Lord who in his wisdom and power has helped us overcome many great difficulties, which we could never have done on our own. Te Deum, Ave Maria, etc
    Furthermore, I myself would like to give a sermon, or better a talk, on the Salesian Spirit which ought to inspire and guide our actions, and every word we say. The Preventive System should be truly ours. Never punishments for their own sake, never humiliating words, no severe dressings-down in the presence of others. Instead, in the classrooms gentle, kind, patient words should be heard. Never biting words, never a blow, heavy or light. Use should be made of negative punishments, and always in a way that those who have been warned become our friends more than ever, and never leave us cast down.
    There should be no grumbling against the decisions of the Superiors; instead we should put up with things not to our liking, or things that give us grief, or displease us. Every Salesian should become each one's friend, and should never seek revenge. He should be quick to forgive and to forget the things he has forgiven.
    The orders of the Superiors should never be put down, and everyone should strive to give good example, and encourage the giving of it. Every one should be urged - and it should be a constant recommendation - to promote religious vocations whether to the Sisters, or to the Salesians.
    Gentleness in speaking, in acting, in giving advice will win over everyone and everything.
    This will be the line you and the others who will share the preaching of the forthcoming retreats will follow.
    Give everybody much freedom, show them much confidence. Any one wanting to write to his
Superior, or who might receive letters from him, should on no account have these letters read by anyone, unless the one who receives the letter should so desire it. Regarding the more difficult matters, I warmly advise the Provincials and the Rectors to give appropriate talks. Indeed, I recommend that Fr Vespignani should have a clear understanding of these things and explain them to his novices and candidates with due prudence.
    As far as it lies in my power, I hope to leave the Congregation without discomfiture. Therefore I have it in mind to appoint a Vicar General who would be an alter ego for Europe, and another for America. But you will receive instructions in this matter in due course.
    From time to time during the year, it would be very appropriate for you to call a meeting of the Rectors of the Province to put to them the guide-lines set out above. Read, and encourage the reading and the understanding, of our Rules, in particular the chapter dealing with the regular prayers, the introduction that I have written to these same Rules, and the deliberations taken at our General and local Chapters.
    You can see that my words might require a lot of explanation but you are certainly capable of understanding them, and where necessary explaining them to our confreres.
    As soon as you can, go and see the Archbishop, Mgr Espinosa, the Vicars General, Mr Carranza, Rev. Dr Terrero, and our other friends, and greet each and all humbly and respectfully, as if I were speaking personally to each one.
    God bless you, dear Fr Costamagna, and with you may He bless and keep in good health all our confreres and Sisters. And may Mary, Help of Christians guide us always along the road to heaven. Amen.

All of you pray for me.

Your loving friend in Jesus Christ,

Fr John Bosco.

Turin, August 10, '85.


3. TO FR DOMINIC TOMATIS

My dear Fr Tomatis,

Since I rarely get letters from you, I must suppose you to be very busy, and I believe it. But letting your dear Don Bosco know how you are getting on surely merits being one of the matters you should not overlook. You will ask, "What should I write about?" Tell me about the state of your health, and that of your confreres; whether the Rules of the Congregation are faithfully observed; whether the monthly Exercise for a Happy Death is made, and how well; how many pupils you have, and what hopes you hold for their success. Do you do anything to cultivate vocations, do you have any hopes in this regard? Is Mgr. Ceccarelli always a friend to the Salesians? I am looking forward with great pleasure to your replies to these matters.
    Given that my life is racing at speed to its conclusion, so things I want to write to you in this letter are those I would want to recommend to you in the last days of my earthly exile, that is, my testament to you.
    Dear Fr Tomatis, keep firmly in mind that you became a Salesian to save your soul. To all our confreres preach and recommend the same truth. Remember it is not enough to know things, they must be put into practice. May God help us so that the Lord's words, "They speak, but they do nothing" not be addressed to us.
    Try to see the things that concern you with your own eyes. When some one is lacking, or negligent, warn him promptly, without waiting for evils to multiply.
    Through your exemplary manner of life, by your charity in speaking, in giving orders, in putting up with the defects of others, many will be won over to the Congregation.
    Constantly recommend attendance at the sacraments of Confession and Communion.
    The virtues that will make you happy in time and in eternity are humility and charity.
    Always be a friend and father to our confreres. Help them in every way you can both in spiritual and secular matters. Know how to make use of them for every thing that will bring glory to God.
    Each of the thoughts expressed on this page need something of an explanation. You can do this on your own behalf, and for others.
    God bless you, my ever-dear Fr Tomatis. Give my warmest greetings to all our confreres, friends and benefactors. Tell them I pray for them every morning during the Holy Mass, and that I humbly commend myself to the prayers of all.
    God grant we might be able to see each other again in this mortal exile, but that in any case we might one day praise the holy name of Jesus and of Mary in a blessed eternity. Amen.
    Before long I will write to you, or have others write, on matters of some importance.
    May Mary keep us safe and guide us along the path to heaven. Amen

Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,

Fr John Bosco.

Mathi, August 14, 1885