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VOLUME IX - 1868-1870
of Saint John Bosco

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Father Giovanni Battista Lemoyne
FATHER GIOVANNI BATTISTA LEMOYNE
(1839-1916) was the first and great chroni-
cler of the Iife of St. John Bosco and of
the first decades of the Salesian Congre-
gation.
From their first, providential meeting in
1864, Father Lemoyne esteemed Don Bosco
as a person of outstanding character and
holiness. He not only strove to understand
and acquire his spirit, but also took upon
himself the task of committing to writing
anything of significance that Don Bosco
did or said. Information concerning earlier
events he painstakingly gathered from eye-
witnesses and other sources.
In 1883 he came to the Mother House as
editor of the Salesian Bulletin and Secre-
tary of the Superior Chapter. The five
years that followed he spent in cordial
intimacy with Don Bosco and heard from
the Saint himself the story of the arduous
road he had to climb in his youth to ar-
rive at the priesthood, and of the wonder-
ful manner in which Providence guided the
Salesian work.
After Don Bosco's death in 1888, he was
formally charged with the compilation of
available materials for the life of the Saint.
Forty-five large volumes of galley proofs
bear witness to his dedicated research and
provide the material for the nineteen vol -
umes of the Biographical Memoirs of St.
John Bosco, the first nine of which he
authored. Noteworthy among his other
works are the Life of Don Bosco in two vol-
umes and the Life of Mamma Margaret,
Don Bosco's mother. He died in Turin on
September 14, 1916 at the age of 77.

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Membership
Countries
Provinces
Houses
Bishops
Archbishops
Cardinals
18,972
68
77
1 , 52 4
43
12
1
&ZffJ~(f/
dl(~~(f/~
1974
Membership
18,168
Countries
58
Provinces
65
H ouses
1,443
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF ST. JOHN BOSCO
Other Volumes Already Published
Volume I ... . .. . ..... $ 8.00
Vo lume II . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.00
Volume III . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.95
Volume N: . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95
Volu me Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95
Vo lume JlI . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95
Volu me fil . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95
Vo lu me WI . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95
Volume XI . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.95
plu s
shippi ng
Order From :
SALESIANA PUBLISHERS, DEPT . BM
148 Main Street • New Rochelle, N. Y. 10802

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Don Bosco's Statue In St. Peter's, Rome
A Faithful Translation of the Original Expertly Done
~· . ."~ .: ~ :; :~ :;- :: :: :: ;:. :,:
~:
-:.:
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·-
::
~·
:-.'":
~:: :·.
':."

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The
Biographical Memoirs
ef
Saint John Bosco
by
REV. GIOVANNI BATfISTA LEMOYNE, S.D.B.
AN AMERICAN EDITION
TRANSLATED
FROM THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN
REv. D1EGO BoRGATELLo, s.D.B.
Editor-in-chief
Volume IX
1868-1870
SALESIANA PUBLISHERS
NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK
1975

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IMPRIMI POTEST: Very Rev. Salvatore Isgro, S.D.B.
Provincial
New Rochelle, N.Y., December 8, 1974
Copyright © 1975 by the Salesian Society, Inc.
Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 65-3 I04rev
All Rights Reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
FIRST EDITION

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lrbtratrb
WITH PROFOUND GRATITUDE
TO
THE LATE, LAMENTED, AND HIGHLY ESTEEMED
VERY REVEREND FELIX J. PENNA, S.D.B.
(1904-1962)
TO WHOSE
WISDOM, FORESIGHT, AND NOBLE SALESIAN HEART
THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION
OF
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
OF
SAINT JOHN BOSCO
IS
A LASTING MONUMENT

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This Volume
Is Respectfully Dedicated
TO THE
MOST REV. EUGENE MEDERLET, S.D.B.
(1867-1934)
Archbishop of Madras (India),
Dynamic Salesian Pioneer,
Remarkable Religious Leader,
Enthusiastic Lover of the Poor.

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Editor's Preface to the First Nine Volumes
f,AINT John Bosco, the central figure of this vastly
extensive biography, was a towering person in the affairs of both
Church and State during the critical 19th century in Italy. He was
the founder of two very active religious congregations during a
time when orders were being suppressed; he was a trusted and
key liaison between the Papacy and the emerging Italian nation of
the Risorgimento; above all, in troubled times, he was the saintly
Christian educator who successfully wedded modern pedagogy to
Christ's law and Christ's love for the poor young, and thereby de-
served the proud title of Apostle of youth.
He is known familiarly throughout the world simply as Don
Bosco. 1 His now famous system of education, which he called the
Preventive System, was based on reason, religion and kindness,
and indicated by its descriptive name that, also in education, an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. He always sought
to place pupils in the moral impossibility of committing sin, the
moral disorder from which all evils flow.
To ensure the continuation of his educational mission in behalf
of youth he founded two worldwide religious congregations, the
Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesian Society) and the Institute
of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters),
which today number more than 40,000 members conducting 2,800
educational institutions throughout the world.
To help in the difficult art of educating the young, Don Bosco
planned to expound his method of education in a book, but,
absorbed as he was in the task of firmly establishing his two
religious congregations and in unceasing other labors, he had to
content himself with a simple outline of his ideas in a golden little
treatise entitled The Preventive System in the Education of
Youth.
1Don is an abbreviation of the Latin dominus, master. It is used in Italy as a title for
priests: it stands for Father.
ix

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x
EDITOR'S PREFACE
Fortunately, The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco are
ample compensation for a book which, if written, might have
given us only theories. These memoirs, a monumental work in
nineteen volumes, until recently reserved exclusively to Salesians
and published only in the original Italian, are now available,
unabridged, in this American edition not only to his spiritual
children, devotees and admirers, but also to all who are interested
in education.
In these volumes Don Bosco is shown in action: not theorizing
but educating. What he said and did in countless circumstances
was faithfully recorded by several of his spiritual sons, chief
among them Father Giovanni Battista Lemoyne. From the day he
first met Don Bosco in 1864 to his own death in 1916, Father
Lemoyne spent his life recording words and deeds of Don Bosco,
gathering documents, interviewing witnesses, and arranging raw
material for the present nineteen volumes of the life of Don
Bosco, eight of which he himself authored besides readying
another volume for the press before his death.
In the compilation of The Biographical Memoirs of St. John
Bosco, Father Lemoyne' s primary sources were the M emorie
dell'Oratorio dal 1835 al 1855 (Memoirs of the Oratory from 1835
to 1855) written by Don Bosco himself, the diaries and chronicles
of various Salesians who daily recorded what Don Bosco said or
did, numerous letters of the Saint, the Cinque lustri di Storia
dell'Oratorio di S. Francesco di Sales (The History of ~he First
Twenty-Five Years of the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales) written
by Father John Bonetti, S.D.B., and personally checked by Don
Bosco, the proceedings of the diocesan process of beatification
and other unimpeachable contemporary documents and testimo-
nies. Above all, Father Lemoyne, intelligent, conscientious, and
well-informed, not only used reliable sources, but was himself an
eye-witness. He recorded what he personally saw and heard from
Don Bosco. This enabled him to write a true history even though
not according to modern critical methods. 2 He concerned himself
· 2 True history in the sense that what he narrates is substantially true, though his method
of presentation, his chronology, and his treatment of sources could stand improvement.
The episodes and incidents he reports did not necessarily take place exactly as described.

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EDITOR'S PREFACE
xi
principally with presenting chronologically his vast selected
material, and therefore his narrative is somewhat fragmentary
and may lack scientific method. It is nevertheless true history,
even Volume I which deals mainly with Don Bosco's youth and the
training he received from Mamma Margaret, his mother. 3 When
gifted writers and scholars of the future will produce a critical
biography of Don Bosco, The Biographical Memoirs will still not
be surpassed because Father Lemoyne lived at Don Bosco's side,
wrote what he saw and heard, and eminently succeeded in giving
us a living portrait of Don Bosco.
In editing the translation of The Biographical Memoirs, accura-
cy and readability were the goals we set. This was not easy, and
occasionally, as regards the latter, we may have fallen short of the
mark. Nineteenth-century Italian does n.ot readily lend itself to an
agile version that strives to be an accurate translation and not a
paraphrase.
We have departed from the original in only one minor point: the
lengthy titles or series of subtitles in each chapter. Father
Lemoyne's method of chronological sequence in his narration
necessarily made the content of each chapter fragmentary. As it
was not possible, under these circumstances, to give them a
meaningful title and the volumes were not indexed, Father
Lemoyne prefaced each chapter with many subtitles. In some
volumes such subtitles fill a whole page. Since we have indexed
each volume and subtitles become unnecessary, we selected in
each chapter the most outstanding episode and gave it a title.
Finally, although we did not aim at publishing a critical edition,
we researched and-in most cases-were able to enrich the text
by adding in brackets first names, dates, and scriptural sources,
as well as numerous, helpful footnotes.
May the reading of these Memoirs portraying the life of a man
whom Pope Pius XI called "a giant of sanctity" inspire his
,cf. Francis Desramaut, S.D.B., Les Memorie I de Giovanni Battista Lemoyne. Etude.
d'un ouvrage fondamental sur la jeunesse de saint Jean Bosco, Lyon, 1962, pp. 411ff.

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xii
EDITOR'S PREFACE
spiritual children, to whom this work is primarily directed, and all
men and women of good will to walk their own path of life in a
spirit of service to God and man.
New Rochelle, N.Y.
June 5, 1965
Fr. Diego Borgatello, S.D.B.
Editor-in-chief
124th Anniversary of Don Bosco's Ordination
NOTE
As with Volumes VI, VII and VIII-and continuing through
Volume X-we will omit material from the original text that is of
little interest to American readers and of no direct consequence to
these biographical memoirs. Such omissions will always be
pointed out in the footnotes, except when they concern Letture
Cattoliche [Catholic Readings] in which case dots will be used.
New Rochelle, N. Y.
September 24, 1974
Fr. Diego Borgatello, S.D.B.
Editor-in-chief

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Acknowledgments
For the publication of The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John
.Bosco we owe a debt of gratitude to the Reverends August Bosio,
S.D.B. and John J. Malloy, S.D.B., Provincials emeriti of the
Salesians in the eastern United States and sponsors of this
project, and to the Very Reverend Salvatore Isgro, S.D.B., their
successor in office.
As regards this volume, we wish to express special thanks to
Rev. Paul Aronica, S.D.B., Prqvince Director of Education, New
Rochelle, N. Y., for his editorial assistance. We are also grateful
to those who have helped in one way or another, in particular Mr.
Joseph Isola of the Paulist Press in New York City. We also wish
to acknowledge our indebtedness to the Officio Stampa of the
Salesian Generalate, Rome, for its Dizionario Biografico dei
Salesiani, a valuable source of many footnotes in this volume.
Fr. Diego Borgatello, S.D.B.
Editor-in-chief
EDITORIAL BOARD
Rev. Diego Borgatello, S.D.B., Chairman
Rev. Henry A. Sarnowski, S.D.B., Secretary
Rev. Paul Aronica, S.D.B.
Rev. William Kelley, S.D.B.
Rev. Joseph Bajorek, S.D.B. Rev. Peter Lappin, S.D.B.
Rev. Emil Fardellone, S.D.B. Rev. Joseph Perozzi, S.D.B.
Rev. Chester Wisniewski, S.D.B.

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3 Pages 21-30

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Contents
DEDICATION ........................................... v-vii
EDITOR'S PIREFACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
SALESIAN GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
1 A Zealous, Talented Salesian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 A Dream: Predictions for 1868.......................... 5
3 Tips to Priests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4 An Extraordinary Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5 Fulfillment of Predictions ......................·. . . . . . . . 30
6 Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1868. . . . . . . . . . . . 35
7 Noteworthy Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
8 Unending Vexations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
9 Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10 Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
11 Gleanings from Oratory Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
12 A Dream: A Raging Torrent and Wild Beasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
13 Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian Society (Continued) . . 73
14 A Dream: A Mysterious Vine............................ 75
15 A Dream: To Hell and Back! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
16 Love for the Church.................................... 101
17 The Church of Mary, Help of Christians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
xv

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xvi
CONTENTS
18 Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued) .................. . 115
19 The Church of Mary, Help of Christians (Continued) ...... . 118
20 Consecration of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians .... . 125
21 Consecration Festivities ............................... . 130
22 Consecration Festivities (Continued) .................. . 134
23 Consecration Festivities (Continued) ................... . 137
24 Noteworthy Details (Continued) ........................ . 141
25 Special Charisms ..................................... . 147
26 Special Charisms (Continued) ......................... . 153
27 Spiritual Retreat for Salesians, 1868 .................... . 158
28 Spiritual Retreat for Salesians, 1868 (Continued) ......... . 162
29 Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian Society (Continued) . 170
30 Priestly Chastity ..................................... . 178
31 Fatherly Talks ....................................... . 183
32 Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian Society (Continued) .. 192
33 Apostolate of the Press ............................... . 194
34 Special Charisms (Continued) ......................... . 198
35 Year's End, 1868 ..................................... . 205
36 Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued) .................. . 214
37 Don Bosco's Third Journey to Rome ..................... . 217
38 Don Bosco in Florence ................................ . 221
39 Don Bosco in Rome ........•.......................... 225
40 Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
233
41 Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
241
~2 Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
247
43 Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
252
44 Don Bosco' s Return to Turin .................. , . . . . . . . . . 255

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CONTENTS
xvii
45 Family Briefings
265
46 Noteworthy Details (Continued) ........................ . 272
47 A Dream: Deadly Nooses ............................. . 278
48 The Daughters of Mary Immaculate .................... . 285
49 Noteworthy Details (Continued) ........................ . 295
SO Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued) ................... . 299
51 Special Charisms (Continued) .......................... . 302
52 Unexpected Harassment .............................. . 310
53 Admirable Tact ...................................... . 312
54 A Keen Disappointment .............................. . 319
SS A Providential Delay .................................. . 324
56 A Heartfelt Loss ..................................... . 330
57 Fair and Just ........................................ . 339
58 Oratory Family Life .................................. . 347
59 Unending Vexations (Continued) ........................ . 354
60 The Superior Chapter, 1869 ........................... . 365
61 Vatican Council I ..................................... . 370
62 Vatican Council I (Continued)
379
63 Vatican Council I (Continued)
389
64 Vatican Council I (Continued)
398
65 Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1870 . . . . . . . . . . . 403
66 Manifold Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
67 Manifold Activities (Continued) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
68 Feast of Mary, Help of Christians, 1870 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
69 Manifold Activities ( Continued)
424
70 Manifold Activities ( Continued)
430
71 Manifold Activities ( Continued)
436

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xviii
CONTENTS
72 Manifold Activities ( Continued) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442
73 Christian Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
74 Year's End, 1870 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
75 Apostolic Zeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458
APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
INDEX................................................ 475

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SALESIAN GLOSSARY
(For the General Reading Public)
ARTISANS: trade school students.
ASSISTANCE: Salesian method of supervision of boys and students, friendly and in-
formal in manner, stressing the prevention of disorders rather than the
punishment of offenders.
ASSISTANT: a Salesian engaged in supervising boys.
CLERIC: a member of the Salesian Society training for the priesthood.
COADJUTOR: a lay member of the Salesian Society.
COMPANION OF YOUTH, THE: a prayer book composed by St. John Bosco for the
use of boys, originally entitled II Giovane Provveduto.
COOPERATOR: one who contributes in any manner to the development of Salesian
work.
EXERCISE FOR AHAPPY DEATH: a monthly practice of piety that promotes spiritual
recollection and fervor by meditation on one's eventual death. It stresses the re-
ception of the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion as if for the last
time.
FESTIVE ORATORY: a Salesian work which offers boys and young men organized
recreational, educational, and religious activities, mostly on Sundays and
festive days.
The Festive Oratory was St. John Bosco's first work and, for a good many years,
his only one. He called it "oratory," that is, a place of prayer, because its primary
purpose was to teach boys to go to church and pray. "Its objectives were the
practice of religion and virtue, the boys' moral education, and, consequently, the
salvation of their souls; recreation, entertainment, singing, and schooling, which
followed in due time, were only the means." (The Biographical Memoirs of St.
John Bosco, Vol. II, p. 71. See also Vol. Ill, pp. 670
GooD NIGHT: a short talk immediately after night prayers, given by the Director
or someone in his stead. It consists of advice, exhortations, or occasional re-
marks.
ORATORY: see Festive Oratory, Oratory of St. Francis de Sales.
ORATORY, THE: abbreviated form of "The Oratory of St. Francis de Sales." (See
below)
ORATOR y OF ST. FRAN_CIS DE SALES, THE: the first festive oratory and the first
boarding school for boys founded by St. John Bosco in a district of Turin known
as Valdocco; the motherhouse of the Salesian Congregation.
On a rainy night of May 1847 a hungry youngster, drenched from head to foot,
knocked at Don Rosco's door. Don Bosco's mother fed him and prepared a place
for him to sleep. (See The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, Vol. III, pp.
141 fO Thus, side by side with the festive oratory there began a hospice that
eventually grew into a large boarding school and became the motherhouse of the
Salesian Congregation.
PREVENTIVE SYSTEM: the Salesian method of education and discipline, based on
reason and religion. It stresses vigilance, guidance, and sympathetic under-
standing in the training of the young.
VALDOcco: a district of Turin.
The name is probably a contraction of the Latin val/is occisorum, the valley of
the slain-i.e., some soldiers of the Theban Legion who were martyred under Em-
peror Maximian. The Salesian motherhouse stands on the site of their martyrdom.
(See The Biographical Memoirs ofSt. John Bosco, Vol. II, pp. 233ff, 268)

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THE
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
OF
SAINT JOHN BOSCO

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CHAPTER 1
A Zealous, Talented Salesian
a T the close of 1867, or very early in 1868, Don Bosco
completed a book on which he had been working on and off for the
past three years. Ever willing to collaborate in projects extolling
the Blessed Virgin Mary, he had already written or would soon
write on Our Lady's apparitions, shrines, and favors at La Salette:
Lourdes, 2 and Spoleto,·3 but he was now forwarding a brief
history of a Marian shrine at Ponzone in the Acqui diocese to the
pastor, Father Joseph Poggio, who had asked him to undertake
this task. 4· We found a copy of this manuscript among the papers
of Father John Bonetti,5 to whom Don Bosco would entrust his
writings-even before the latter's ordination-for editing or,
sometimes, completion. This partnership lasted till Don Bosco's
death. In these matters Father Bonetti was Don Bosco's inde-
fatigable right-hand man. A brilliant writer in his own right, he
was so painstaking in his editing that many pages of his manu-
scripts are almost illegible. He left a great number of sermons.
Seemingly, he never mounted the pulpit without first writing his
sermons out completely or at least in detailed outline with great
richness and profundity of doctrine.
1 See Vol. II, pp. 448-53. [Editor]
2.See Vol. VI, pp. 42ff. [Editor]
3:See Vol. VII, p. 105. [Editor]
4 We are omitting a description of this shrine and Father Poggio's letter to Don Bosco
ab.out some editing of his. [Editor]
, John Bonetti (1S-38-f891) entered the Oratory as a student in 1855. In 1859, alo~g w.ith
other young men, he barided with Don Bosco to form the Salesian Society. At their first
meeting he was elected to its. Superior Chapter. (See Vol. VI, pp. 181f) Jn.1864 he was
ordained a priest. A prolific writer, he authored numerous hagiographical, ascetical, apol-
ogetic, and Salesian publications, chief among them The History ofthe First Twenty-Five
Years ofthe Oratory-one of the sources of these Biographical Memoirs. (Seep. x) In 1866
he was elected Spiritual Director of the whole Salesian Congregation. He died in that post
at the age of fifty-three, fulfilling Don Bosco's prophecy .that Father Bonetti would be the
first member of the Superior Chapter to follow him to the grave. [Editor]
1

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2
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
When, as we have already said, 6 Don Bosco lost several note-
books of his universal church history, he asked Father Bonetti to
fill in this gap. 7 The latter began working on this project in 1862
and kept at it for many years. All that has reached us is the first
epoch in two hand-written volumes of 1,261 pages replete with
quotations from biblical and patristic sources, as well as ecclesi-
astical and lay authors. Don Bosco himself added many marginal
notes in his own hand. Father Bonetti's manifold occupations,
however, finally ended a task which, as we shall see later, 8 Pius
IX himself wished to see done, particularly in support of papal
infallibility. To please Father Victor Alasonatti, Father Bonetti
also authored an unpublished biography of Blessed Cherubim
Testa 9 and later a Life of the Virgin Mary and a Life and Teach-
ings of Jesus Christ. In due course we shall speak of other
writings of his published in Letture Cattoliche [Catholic Read-
ings].
Father Bonetti's vast culture was matched by a deep spirit of
piety instilled into him by Don Bosco ever since his entrance into
the Oratory in 1855. Sayings and maxims which he jotted on his
notebook covers were taken directly from Don Bosco's talks and
writings. On his high school notebooks we read: "Frequent re-
course to Mary"; "Strict avoidance of idleness"; "Mary is your
Mother." In these notebooks he jotted down the etymology and
meaning of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew words which Don Bosco
used in 1857 in his sermons or in public and private talks to his
boys. On the covers of his philosophy notebooks he wrote: "Sedes
Sapientiae, ora pro me [Seat of Wisdom, pray for me]"; "Da mihi
animas, caetera tolle [Give me souls, away with the rest]"; "One
must detach one's heart entirely from earthly things if he wishes
to enjoy full spiritual freedom"; "Detachment from friends and
relatives draws one nearer to God and His angels." On several
pages he wrote: "Dominic Savio 10 was my schoolmate and friend.
Therefore, Si ille, cur non ego? If he achieved [sanctity], why
can't I?"
6 See Vol. V, p. 382. [Editor]
7/bid.. pp. 382f. [Editor]
8 ,See p. 392. [Editor]
9 ,See Vol. VIII, p. 110. [Editor]
1°For detailed information about Dominic Savio consult the Indexes of Volumes V
through VIII. [Editor]

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A Zealous, Talented Salesian
3
He also loved to invoke Michael Magone, 11 another saintly boy
quite dear to him and a former pupil of his. He treasured this
lad's school papers which now are preserved in our archives.
Lastly, on his theology notebooks we find these inscriptions:
"Long live Mary, long live Don Bosco." "Diabolus te semper
occupatum inveniat" [Let the devil always find you busy-St.
Jerome]. "Dulcedo multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos" [A
sweet word multiplies friends and appeases enemies-Sir. 6, S].
Inside an envelope addressed in Don Bosco's hand to "The Cleric
Bonetti," we found a collection of nosegays on strips of paper
[which we shall list in the Appendix]. 12
Father Bonetti also left a record of the following two sug-
gestions Don Bosco gave him: "Devotion to the Blessed Sacra-
ment and to the Virgin Mary will strongly help you and all those in
whom you will inculcate it"; "Let Mary be your heavenly pro-
tectress now and forever. Into Her hands I commend your soul."
On another paper we read: "On November 27, 1863, as I was
leaving for Mirabello/3 Don Bosco said to me, 'You asked me to
put you to the test. This is it! Now we'll find out what the Lord
specifically wants of you. I have looked after you and will continue
to do so. As long as the Lord shall grant me life, I'll do my utmost
to make you happy, both spiritually and temporally. Keep
smiling. When bothered spiritually or physically, write to me and
I'll clear away your troubles. Your ecclesiastical patrimony is
being settled now, and I'll keep you informed. Do your best to
help Father Rua. God bless you.'"
Generously reciprocating these sentiments and determined to
keep his resolutions, Father Bonetti [shortly before his ordina-
tion] wrote thus to Don Bosco:
Mirabella, April 25, 1864
1. I will do my best to achieve an intimate union with Jesus and Mary
through frequent spiritual Communions and fervent invocations.
2. I am determined to hold even my least action and prayer in high
regard. I will strive to do everything well by reminding myself that thus I
11 See the Indexes of Volumes V and VI. [Editor]
-12 See Appendix 1. [Editor]
13 See Vol. VIII, p. 128. [Editor]

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4
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
shall add a lovely rose or precious gem to my heavenly crown. 0 Mary,
be my Mother!
We shall remark here that most of his confreres were likewise
pious, hard-working, and self-sacrificing. We singled him out be-
cause only recently did we come across these notes of his along
with other records of the years already covered in these memoirs.
We-~ also wished to make his relationship to Don Bosco better
known.
Toward the end of 1867, the members of the Salesian Society-
many of w~om we shall later mention-numbered nearly a
hundred. Fourteen . were priests, forty-eight were theology
students, twenty-three were philosophy students, and three were
coadjutors. Some of the theologians had made their vows or
intended to do so; others belonged to other dioceses to which they
wanted to return. These too Don Bosco housed, fed, and educated
at his own expense. Among the philosophers, twelve had not yet
donned the cassock because Don Bosco was thinking of opening a
lyceum for them elsewhere.
A bit of advice that Don Bosco gave all is contained in this
letter:
Turin, 'December 30, 1863
My dear Bonetti:
I am enclosing a few papers from Canon Gliemone..14 I was glad to
hear from you.
Have courage; concentrate your efforts on preserving unity of will
among the superiors, so that all may strive for one thing alone-saving
many souls, including their own. May God bless you.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
14 Father Joseph Gliemone had often helped Don Bosco in the early years of the Oratory.
See Volume III, p. 297. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 2
A Dream: Predictions for 1868
tis we now reach the end of 1867, we have recorded
Don Bosco's surprising, incessant activities as well as his dreams
manifesting the state of conscience of many persons and his pre-
dictions of particularly important events and their fulfillment. He
was convinced of the truth of his own words, and his conviction
was shared by all men of good will-that vast majority unencum-
bered by prejudices or unswayed by passion. Don Bosco's dreams
did immeasurable spiritual good to his pupils, but they also kept
them mentally occupied and free from unwholesome thoughts-a
most valuable benefit indeed. The rumor that Don Bosco would
soon relate one of his dreams always created a stir at the Oratory,
and his boys could hardly wait.
It is indeed natural for people to wish for a glimpse of the
future, especially in critical times. The history of mankind makes
this abundantly clear, and no one should be surprised. Of all
people, those who endlessly consult mediums and spiritualists
should be the last to deride good Christians who limit their curios-
ity to heeding the advice of devout souls they believe to be par-
ticularly dear to God and favored with special insights by Him.
This is not to deny that, possibly, even easily, these good people
may err in judgment. Hence prudence teaches us to avoid two
pitfalls: first, absolute disbelief in any prophecy, save those au-
thentically found in the Bible, excluding all commentaries; sec-
ond, total credulity in all prophecies which people, including up-
right, God-fearing souls, accept as such.
St. Paul too warns us against these extremes in exhorting us
not to despise prophecies but to put them to the test: "Do not
despise prophecies, but test all things." [1 Thess. 5, 20-21] One
5

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6
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
who scorns prophecies is as wrong as one who accepts them
hastily. St. Paul's words confirm that even non-biblical pro-
phecie.s may be genuine. Furthermore, it is a fact that the gift of
prophecy, like other charisms, has always flowered within the
Church and been recognized as such by her. Consequently, just
as no Catholic may demand of others an absolute belief in pre-
dictions which are humanly sound and authoritative, so likewise
we cannot impose absolute disbelief in predictions which are
judged to be improbable and fantastic. Where the Church has not
pronounced herself, one is entirely free to accept or reject private
revelations. In such cases, sound judgment and good common
sense, rather than faith, are needed. We shall now resume our
narrative.
On December 31, 1867, Don Bosco gathered all the boys in the
church for night prayers, after which he addressed them from the
pulpit as follows:
At the close of the year, friends exchange gifts and parents like to give
their children presents. ,I go along with this custom too. Tonight, my
dear boys, I want to give you a memento that may serve you as a norm
of conduct for the new year.
For some days now I have been thinking of some gift to give you, but
until last night, no matter how much I racked my brains, I could think of
nothing worthwhile. Even last night, after going to bed, I kept wonder-
ing what to tell you for the new year, and for the life of me I couldn't
think of a thing. After a long while spent in worrying about it, I finally
fell into a twilight sleep, that middle state in which one can still hear and
even reply if addressed. In such a state, then, I began to dream, though
I wasn't really dreaming. I seemed to be in my own room. As I stepped
toward the balcony, I found myself in front of a beautiful, walled garden
filled with countless gorgeous roses. On the gate was a number-68-in
very large letters.
A doorman ushered me into the garden, where I saw you playing,
shouting, and running merrily about. Many of you crowded about me,
talking of many things. Afterward, we took a walk and came to a spot
along the wall where many boys stood singing and praying with a few
priests and clerics. On drawing closer, I found that I did not really know
them; in fact, most of them were strangers to me. They were chanting
the Miserere and other prayers for the dead.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. "Why the Miserere? Has any-
body died?"

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A Dream: Predictions for 1868
7
"Don't you know? they replied. "We are praying for a boy who died on
such a day and hour."
"What boy?"
"Don't you know?" they repeated.
"No," I answered.
"Maybe he wasn't told," they remarked among themselves. "Well,
so-and-so died," they finally informed me.
"He did?"
"Yes, but he died a good, enviable death. He received the Last Sacra-
ments fervently and edifyingly, fully resigned to God's will. We are
praying for him as we lay him to rest, though we hope he is now in
heaven and praying for us. In fact, we are sure he is in heaven."
"So he really died a holy death! God's will be done! Let us imitate his
virtues and pray that the Lord will grant us also the same blessing."
With these words I left the boys. After some time-a rather lengthy
period-we came to a verdant meadow. All the while I kept saying to
myself: Strange! I went to bed and now I am in a garden with a crowd of
youngsters. Then I noticed a large group of boys kneeling in a circle
around something I could not see. I drew closer. A coffin was lying on
the ground and the boys were reciting prayers for the dead and chanting
the Miserere.
"Whom are you praying for?" I asked.
"Another lad died," they replied. "He too died a holy death after de-
voutly receiving the Last Sacraments. Now we are about to bury him. He
was ill only eight days, but his parents were able to see him."
When I learned the boy's name, I was deeply grieved. "How sorry I
am!" I exclaimed. "He was so close to me and yet I could not bid him
farewell. The same thing happened with that other boy. Is everybody
dying now? Two deaths-one yesterday, and one more today. I can't be-
lieve it!"
"Why not?" they countered. "You may think it is a short while, but
over three months have passed since the first one died."
On hearing this, I thought: Am I dreaming? I did not think I was
dreaming, but what I heard confused me. We resumed our walk, and
after another fairly long while, I again heard the Miserere being chant-
ed. We stopped and saw another large group of boys approaching us.
"Who are they and where are they going?" I asked those closest to
me. I was told they were coming from nearby. Hastening to meet them
halfway, I saw that tears were streaming from their eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Oh, if you only knew!"
"Knew what?"

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8
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF. SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"A boy has died."
"For heaven's. sake, another death? Who is it now?"
"It's so-and-so!"
"He died?"
"Yes, but .... "
"But what? Wasn't his a holy death?"
"Far from it!"
"Didn't he receive the Last Sacraments?"
"At first he refused; then he agreed, but only half-heartedly, showing
little compunction. He edified no one. In fact, we are very concerned for
his eternal salvation. Too bad that an Oratory boy should have died so!"
"If he received the Last Sacraments," I said, trying to comfort them,
"we can hope that he is safe. We should not despair of God's great
mercy." I could see, though, that I had failed to raise their spirits.
Deeply disturbed, I sadly wondered about the time of their deaths
when a stranger suddenly materialized from nowhere and came toward
me.
"Look," he said, "there they are, all three!"
"Who are you?" I countered. "We have never met before."
"First listen to me," he replied, "and then I'll tell you who I am. Do
you want to know the meaning of what you have seen?"
"Yes!"
"Well, then, the number you saw on the gate stands for the year 1868
during which those three boys will die. As you have seen, the first two
are well prepared. Your task will be to prepare the third lad also!"
Wondering whether those three dear sons of mine were really to die in
1868, I asked, "How do you know?"
"Wait and see," was the reply. His poise and amiability convinced me
that he was a friend.
"Am I dreaming perhaps?" I asked as I walked by his side and pon-
dered his words. "No, it can't be! I am wide awake. I can see, hear, and
understand."
"You are right," he replied. "You are not dreaming."
"In that case," I went on, "do me a favor. You told me the future. Now
tell me something of the present, something that can serve me as a New
Year's strenna 1 for my boys."
"Very well! Tell your boys that the first two lads who died were ready
1.A New Year's gift customary in Italy. From the very beginning of the Oratory (see Vol.
Ill, p. 433), Don Bosco had started the custom of giving a "spiritual" strenna or gift to his
boys and co-workers on the last day of the year. It took the form of a motto or slogan to be
practiced throughout the year then about to dawn. This custom is still kept by Don Bosco's
successors. [Editor]

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A Dream: Predictions for 1868
9
because they regularly received Communion with the proper disposi-
tions. That's why they also received edifyingly at their death. The third
boy seldom went to Communion when he was healthy and strong, and
so, when death came, he had little desire for it. Tell your boys that if
they wish to die a holy death, they must go to Holy Communion often
and be properly prepared, first of all with a good confession. This, now,
is the strenna [for 1868]: 'The devout and frequent reception of Holy
Communion is the most effective guarantee of a holy death and eternal
salvation.' Now come with me and be alert!"
I followed him down a path to a large clearing crowded with boys. I
stopped to observe them. I knew them all. Seemingly there was nothing
different about them to attract my attention, but on closer observation I
saw something amazing and horrifying. Many lads had two little horns
protruding from their foreheads. The little horns varied in length; some
were broken, others were intact. Some boys had scars where horns had
grown. Others, it seemed, had not been able to prevent their broken
horns from growing again, even bigger than before. To make matters
worse, still other boys went after their companions butting them with all
their might. Some lads had a single, exceptionally large horn in the cen-
ter of the forehead. These were the most feared. There were others,
however, whose calm, smooth foreheads had never been disfigured. At
this very moment'I could tell you what each one of you was doing in that
garden.
Along with my guide, I left that group, and after some time we reach-
ed the top of a hill, from which I could see a vast expanse of land where
countless soldiers were struggling in a furious battle. The merciless
blood-bath went on for a long time. From my position I could clearly see
each soldier as he fell to the ground mortally wounded.
"Why the slaughter?" I asked my guide.
"There will be a frightful war in 1868," he replied, "and much blood
will be shed."
"Will it happen in our land? Are those our soldiers?"
"Look at their uniforms and you'll know."
I noticed then that the soldiers belonged to various nations, though I
also saw Italian contingents.
"Italy, too, will be in this war," my guide remarked.
We turned away from that carnage and after a short walk came to
another section of the garden where a multitude of people kept running
about, screaming, "Let us out of here or we'll all die!" In fact, many of
them, though they looked strong and healthy, would suddenly collapse
and die.

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10
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"What are you fleeing from?" I asked them.
"Cholera!" was the answer. "Many have died already. We shall too, if
we don't flee."
"I. can't believe it," I told my guide. "Is death everywhere?"
"A terrible cholera will break out in 1868!" he exclaimed.
"We are in the dead of winter," I objected. "Are people dying of
cholera now?"
"Yes. Reggio Calabria already has a daily toll of fifty."
We resumed our passage and came upon a countless multitude of
people who were pale, dejected, emaciated, and exhausted, with their
clothes in tatters.
"What has happened to them? What does this mean?" I asked in utter
astonishment at their misery.
"A fearful famine will come in 1868," he answered. "These people are
starving."
"What!" I exclaimed. "Has hunger reduced them to this state?"
"Yes indeed."
I watched them hunting for food and finding none, searching for
water and having nothing to quench their. thirst. In total dismay I said to
my guide: "Are all plagues then to fall on our unfortunate land this year?
Is there no way to prevent these scourges?"
"Yes, there is a way. People must resolve to sin no more and to stop
blaspheming. Rather, they should revere Jesus in the Blessed Sacra-
ment and invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom they have so shame-
fully forsaken."
"Will this famine be material or spiritual?"
"Both. People will starve physically because there will be no food, and
spiritually because they will refuse the means of grace."
"Will my boys also have to suffer these evils or die of cholera?"
"It depends," my guide replied, after studying me from head to toe.
"If all your boys will avoid sin and be devoted to Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin, they shall be spared. These de-
votions are two all-powerful safeguards. Without them, nothing can be
obtained. If your boys neglect them, they too shall perish. Remember,
~ven if only one of them were to commit mortal sin, it will suffice to draw
God's wrath and cholera upon the Oratory!"
"Will my boys perhaps have to suffer hunger too?"
"Yes, they shall."
"I was hoping that famine would touch me only, since it is my duty to
provide for them. If there is no food in the house, what fault is it of
theirs?"

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A Dream: Predictions for 1868
11
"Both you and your boys will go hungry. Likewise, their families and
benefactors will have to struggle to pay tuition and meet their other
necessities. Many will be totally unable to pay. Without funds the
Oratory will no longer be able to provide for the boys' needs, and so they
too shall suffer."
"Will they also feel the lack of spiritual nourishment?"
"Yes, a few because they will refuse it, others because they will be
deprived of it."
As we conversed, we kept walking through the garden. Suddenly dark
clouds covered the sky and a violent gale arose. I looked about and saw
at a great distance that the boys had started to flee. I went after them
hoping to overtake them and seek safety with them, but soon I lost sight
of them. Thunder and lightening followed in swift succession. It seemed
as though we might be incinerated at any moment. Then came a heavy
downpour the like of which I have never seen. I kept roaming through
the garden, looking for my boys and for shelter, but found _neither. The
whole place was deserted. I made for the exit, but in my haste I drew
farther and farther away from it. Finally a terrible hailstorm broke out.
Never had I seen hailstones that huge. Some struck me on the head with
such force that I woke up, only to find that I was more tired than when I
had fallen asleep.
Well, as I say, I saw these things in a dream. I am not trying to make
you believe they were real, but since we can learn something from them,
let us take advantage of the opportunity. Let us consider as fantasy what
does not apply to us, but let us hold as genuine what may benefit us, and
all the more so since similar things I have told you in the past have come
true. These too could come true. Let us profit by them; let us keep our-
selves prepared for death; let us pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary and
shun sin.
Now this is the strenna I give you: "Frequent and devout confession
and Communion are powerful means of saving one's soul." Good night!
Don Bosco narrated this dream on two consecutive nights. The
above account, written and signed by Stephen Bourlot, an Oratory
student of theology, is dated January 29, 1868. It bears this post-
script: "I have reported Don Bosco's dream just as I believe I
heard it and in the same sequence, without, however, using all his
exact words because I do not remember them very well. But I
know for certain that the substance is here. This should suffice." 2
2 We are omitting at this point a digression about Father Bourlot's apostolic work in
Buenos Aires among Italian immigrants. [Editor]

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12
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Bourlot, a serious, intelligent youth, had entered the Oratory
only a short time before with the intention of joining the Salesian
Society. Feeling somewhat skeptical about Don Bosco' s dreams
about which his older companions kept telling him, he kept a
watchful eye out for these three predicted deaths and their cir-
cumstances.
Together with Joachim Berto3 and Joseph Bologna4 he decided
to keep a written record of ~vents as they occurred, all three of
them signing the document every time a prediction was fulfilled.
They were astonished to see how wondrously and precisely Don
Bosco' s predictions came true.
Regrettably, their reports-except the one concerning the first
boy's death-were lost when they were carelessly moved else-
where with other written records. Fortunately, when Father
Bourlot returned from [South] America for a short spell, he
furnished us with additional details of the dream and of the
deaths of the other two boys. On October 12, 1889, he signed the
following statement: "I can testify, under oath, that the three
deaths predicted by Don Bosco did take place. Father [Joachim]
Berto and Father [Joseph] Bologna can confirm this." He added
that, though he could not recall the surnames of the secohd and
third boys, he was still certain that the surname of one of them-
a blacksmith apprentice-began with "B" and that this lad died in
the hospital after making his last confession to Don Bosco.
We shall further comment upon Father Bourlot's statement by
matching it with other material from these memoirs, Father Rua's
notes on the matter, and the Oratory obituary, and as we continue
our narrative of the events of 1868, we shall present our con-
clusions. We must add that the prediction of these three deaths
'Father Joachim Berto (1847-1914) entered the Oratory in 1862, joined the Salesian
Society in 1865, and was ordained a priest in 1871. While Berto was still a clerical student,
Don Bosco made him his secretary-a post he retained for the next twenty years. During
this time he accompanied Don Bosco on his most important trips to Rome and Florence.
While carrying out his secretarial duties, Father Berto also carefully recorded and
documented important details concerning Don Bosco and the Salesian Society. He also
authored several devotional and ascetical pamphlets. He died at the Oratory on February
21, 1914. [Editor]
4 Father Joseph Bologna (1847-1907) entered the Oratory in 1863, joined the Salesian
Society in 1868. and was ordained a priest in 1872. In 1878 Don Bosco sent him to Mar-
seilles to open the St. Leo Festive Oratory, which he directed until 1892, when he was
appointed provincial of the houses in southern France. In 1898 he was named provincial of
northern France and Belgium. He died at the Oratory on January 4, 1907. [Editor]

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A Dream: Predictions for 1868
13
did not exclude the possibility that others too might be called to
eternity that same year. Augustine Parigi 5: assured us that a few
days later Don Bosco revealed that six other boys would die.
When one of his hearers became frightened that he might be one
of them, Don Bosco dispelled his fear by saying, "Don't worry.
The Lord does not want you yet." Indeed so it happened.
Thus nine boys were destined to die among the eight hundred
or more residents of the Oratory. Why then did the dream allude
only to three deaths which were to occur within the space of al-
most a year? [Perhaps] the other six deaths, at in-between inter-
vals under unknown circumstances, were to act as an alarm clock
to alert the Oratory residents to the memory of that dream and to
their own state of conscience.
The fulfillment of the prediction of the three deaths suffices to
confirm the veracity of the prediction of the three scourges.
Occasionally, the prophets of Israel predicted events which were
to occur centuries later, and they proved the veracity of their first
prediction by prophesying some other imminent, unforeseen
event. We shall return to this matter later.
~ Augustine Parigi entered the Oratory in 1867 at the age of eleven. That year Don Bosco
predicted to him that he would live to see Father Joseph Cottolengo declared "Blessed."
His prediction came true. See Vol. VIII, p.' 253. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 3
Tips to Priests
..BT the beginning of January, Don Bosco wrote to Oc-
tavius Bosco, son of Count Bosco of Ruffino:
Dear Octavius,
Turin, January 3, 1868
This unrelenting snowfall prevents me from enjoying your company at
dinner tonight, and so I shall have to content myself with wishing you a
safe trip. I'll remember you in a special manner at Mass tomorrow.
The best of everything to you, your mother, and your sister Julie. I
recommend myself to the prayers of all of you.
Affectionately yours,
Fr. John Bosco
The almost total absence of callers caused by the bad
weather-which also kept him at home-afforded Don Bosco
many peaceful hours which he spent in private discussions with
his pupils, giving them details of his dream, explanations, and
advice. The priests and clerics were particularly delighted by the
opportunity of talking with him because they always benefited by
it. One evening, when asked how a priest, especially if newly
ordained, could handle an unexpected request for a sermon at
some solemn feast with no time for preparation, he answered,
"It's best to be ready for such eventualities. I suggest you start
working on a few sermons which in necessity can serve for feasts
of Our Lady. For instance, prepare a sermon along these lines:
1. The Madonna is the Mother of God. 2. She is also our Mother.
This topic will do quite well for any Marian celebration. Do the
same for feasts of saints by choosing a virtue, such as charity,
obedience, prayer, purity and the like, as a main theme. With
14

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Tips to Priests
15
slight changes such a sermon can fit any saint, whom you will
portray as a model of one virtue or another."
Others sought his advice for effective preaching.
"Besides researching and developing a topic," he replied, "one
should take the liturgical season into account. The Church asks us
to celebrate feasts at appointed times, and a preacher must act
accordingly. For example, during Advent one should choose such
topics as may prompt his hearers to receive the Child Jesus lov-
ingly into their hearts. During Lent, sermons should aim at lead-
ing sinners to penance by reminding them that Jesus gave His life
for them on the cross. During Pentecost, one may speak of the
gifts of the Holy Spirit, the founding of the Church, the miracles
of the Apostles, the victory of martyrs, the glories of the papacy,
and so on. Furthermore, one must also take into account the age,
social condition, and education of his audience.
"When talking to children, a priest must go down to their level.
As St. Paul told the Corinthians, he must feed them milk, not
bread. To reach this audience, a priest should try to teach through
examples, incidents, and similes. Only then will he get his
message across. Let his textbook be the catechism; he will also
find that suitable for all sorts of people.
"As regards his listeners' social condition, a priest must
certainly not tell the poor what pertains to the rich, nor servants
and dependents what should be pointed out to their masters. Be-
sides being bound by general precepts, each social class has its
own specific obligations, but the honey of charity should always
temper the bitterness of reproof. Never offend people through
irony or invective. In small towns especially, never say anything
which may be interpreted as an allusion to any individual. Avoid
also anything smacking of politics. Corroborate your statements
with scriptural quotations, especially from the Gospels, so that no
one will take it amiss if certain truths are unpleasant to swallow.
For example, when talking to the wealthy about their obligation to
give alms, the parable of the rich man will free _you of the neces-
sity of inveighing against hardness of heart.
"As regards the audience's level of education, the priest must

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16
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
aim at making himself understood; therefore, if his congregation
is uneducated, he must adapt himself to their way of speaking and
thinking, to their world of fields, factory, workshop, and so on, as
did Our Lord when preaching to the farmers, shepherds, and
fishermen of Galilee. If instead an audience is well educated, a
more elevated style is called for, always with due regard to the
character of sacred eloquence. A sermon's excellence should rest
on its clarity of expression, concepts, and chain of reasoning. The
sacred orator should not be guided by worldly standards but by
God's Spirit.
"Furthermore, he should not digress into polemics. It is unwise
to raise doctrinal objections in the pulpit for the purpose of re-
butting them, because some listeners, bent on arguing, may un-
wittingly side with the opposition and sit in judgment. This stance
at times defeats our purpose. One must also bear in mind that re-
buttals are not often understood or may be misinterpreted and
that certain people more easily absorb error than truth. These
controversies are better left to scholars who know where, when,
and how to conduct such discussions when they preach in larger
towns and cities to an audience trained to follow long, subtle
reasoning.
"Should there be heretics in a town where one is preaching, the
priest must take care not to arouse their hostility. Let his words
always be kind and charitable. Let him refute errors and sophisms
simply by a solid proof of the truths they deny. By forestalling
objections, he will take the wind out of their sails. Let him explain
the true meaning of the scriptural passages they have falsified
and then base his theme on them. Invectives never bring about
conversion because self-love rebels. This was the system adopted
and recommended by St. Francis de Sales, who used to say that
Protestants flocked to him and liked his sermons because he did
not rave and rant like their own ministers."
Early in the month, the January issue of Letture Cattoliche,
Historical Incidents about the Popes, from St. Peter to Pius IX,
came off the press ....
The Pope! This was the theme which Don Bosco wished to de-

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Tips to Priests
17
velop incessantly so as to keep the supremacy and glory of
Christ's Vicar ever uppermost in the minds of the faithful. For
this reason, although treating of many matters in his letters, he
often recommended subscribing to Letture Cattoliche. 1
At this time he was also busy replying to the many people, in-
cluding his Mirabello and Lanzo pupils, who had sent him holiday
greetings. To Lanzo he wrote as follows:
Dear Father Lemoyne:
Turin, January 8, 1868
I have received your letter as well as those of the boys, individual and
collective. They heartened me exceedingly. I must admit that I was
repeatedly moved by their affection and good will. Unfortunately I lack
time to reply to each individually, but I hope I can do so personally
before long. Meanwhile please tell them these three things in my name:
1. I thank you all for the good will and affection you have shown me
beyond my merit. I shall try to reciprocate by praying.for you in my daily
Masses as if you were present with me.
2. This year I insist that charity reign in your house. Everyone-su-
perior and subject alike-should strive to bear annoyances patiently and
give good advice whenever it is opportune. This is the secret for
spending a happy year.
3. Let all promote frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament as an
effective means-rather, as the only means-of averting the many ca-
lamities, public and private, which threaten us this year.
At an opportune time explain these points and comment on them.
This year we must obviate bad literature and promote good reading. I
would indeed be very pleased if all your pupils subscribed to Letture
Cattoliche. Let all the confreres and boys try to promote this publication
among their friends and acquaintances. I am enclosing pertinent fliers. I
would like you and Father Sala to enclose them in more important
letters.
Tu vigila, in omnibus labora, opusJae evangelistae, ministerium tuum
I We omit four letters of his addressed respectively to Father Raphael Cianetti, Father
Salvator Bertini, Chevalier Frederick Oreglia, and Mother Magdalene Galeffi. The first
tw~ are mostly congratulatory while also promoting Letture Cattoliche; the third is mostly
business, and the last deals with contributions for an altar in the new Church of Mary,
Help of Christians. [Editor]

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18
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
imple. Argue, obsecra, increpa in omni patientia et doctrina et in perdif-
ficilibus rebus die constanter: Omnia possum in Eo qui me confortat [Be
vigilant, labor in all things, do the work of an evangelist. Reprove, en-
treat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine and when faced with very
difficult problems keep saying to yourself, "I can do all things in Him
who strengthens me"].
May God bless you and your efforts, your staff, and all the boys. Pray
for me.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco

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CHAPTER 4
An Extraordinary Challenge
DoN Bosco's letter delighted the Salesian pupils at
Lanzo and spurred them on to firm resolves, but the pupils at
Mirabello were far more deeply moved by another letter of his
which they eagerly awaited for a special reason. Toward the end
of November [1868] their director, Father John Bonetti, had
written to Don Bosco in these terms:
Dear Don Bosco:
[Mirabello, November 29, 1868]
A strange thought flashed into my mind as we started the Immaculate
Conception novena. Let me tell you about it. It dawned on me that we
call the Madonna "Mother" whereas, as far as angels are concerned, She
is "Queen." We are therefore Her children, rather than subjects and ser-
vants. In fact, the words "Behold your son ... behold your Mother" were
addressed to us, not to the angels. Undoubtedly a child's love should be
more ardent than a subject's, no matter how devoted. Our love for Mary,
therefore, should not be inferior to that of the angels. True, at present
they can outdo us in their love for Her, but that is because of their
beatific state. Still, we-Her children-have more rights, wider claims,
and stronger obligations than they to love and venerate Her, especially
because of Her countless favors. Therefore, although at first glance it
seemed presumptuous, I suggested that our pupils challenge the angels
in their celebration of the novena and feast of the Immaculate Concep-
tion, urging them to do their very utmost to surpass the heavenly spirits
in fervently loving our most tender Mother. Rebutting the objection that
angels are not. subject to passions or temptations and therefore can
easily beat us, I proved that passions and temptations could be an asset
for us if we controlled them with the unfailing help of Jesus and Mary. In
judging this contest, God would certainly consider our greater efforts.
Right or wrong, I did make the suggestion, and the boys accepted it.
19

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20
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
The novena began today with warm fervor, and a goodly number of boys
seem ready to win or die. I need all the prudence of a general to temper
and channel their enthusiasm. But now I find myself in a fine predica-
ment. The boys asked me who would referee this contest. Overconfi-
dently perhaps, I replied that I left it to the Madonna to let us know the
outcome in some way or other. I fear that I have been too daring; that's
why I am appealing for aid. How? With one of your usual dreams.
During this novena I will pray to Our Lady to send you one.
Hopefully in such a dream or in some other way, you might see the
Mirabella boys, all or in part, as winners of this contest or as at least
deserving of a caress from the Blessed Virgin as a token of Her satisfac-
tion. To top it off, you would do us a great favor if, at the novena's end or
on the feast day itself, you would tell us in Mary's name the results of
the contest we hope to win.
Dear Don Bosco, for heaven's sake, do not leave me in the lurch, but
come to my aid promptly.
The sick boy whom I recommended to you quickly recovered. Another
(Stella by name), the nephew of Canon Manfredi of Voghera, has just
taken a turn for the worse. I recommend him to your prayers.
All the others are well. Not counting the boys we are expecting, we
now have exactly a hundred and forty-five, ten less than last year. Pray
for us.
Yours affectionately,
Fr. John Bonetti
Don Bosco must have smiled at this letter, but since it gave him
a chance to heighten his pupils' filial devotion to the Blessed
Virgin, we must assume that, after a fervent prayer to Her, he felt
sure it would be heard. Nevertheless, postponing a reply, he let
the feast of the Immaculate Conception go by and asked Father
Bonetti to send him a list of all the pupils, the staff, and the
members of the Provera family. He asked him to write each name
on a separate line so that he could then add a motto, a suggestion,
or a word of praise or rebuke in Our Lady's name. We must note
that he had met some of the new pupils only once and that those
who arrived after his November visit 1 were completely unknown
to him. Father Bonetti hastened to send the list on sheets ofpaper
written only on one side. Something quite similar had taken place
1 See Vol. VIII, p. 421. [Editor]

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An Extraordinary Challenge
21
in 1862 when Don Bosco gave the New Year's strenna to the Ora-
tory boys. 2 Once more Don Bosco filled the pages in his own
handwriting and returned them to Mirabello with the following
letter:
My dear Father Bonetti:
Turin, January 7, 1868
Before challenging the angels, I thought it best to delay somewhat
Our Lady's reply to the Mirabello boys. I could not mail it sooner
because the dictation was rather long. You will find some very severe
reprimands, but no one should take them amiss. Anyone who has
objections should take them up with Our Lady Herself. However, one
thing is certain. No one will be able to say: "This strenna is not for me."
Nasi, Chicco, Cerruti, Belmonte, and a few others sent me really de-
lightful letters. I am keeping them on my desk for a quick reply.
The messages after the names are very concise, but the blame is
yours! In sending me the boys' list, why didn't you leave more space
between the names? Help the boys with my handwriting and let each
keep his own message. On my next visit to Mirabello, I shall give each
lad a more detailed explanation of what I now simply point out.
May God shower abundant blessings on the Mirabello boys and Sale-
sians! I give no strenna because I do not want to intermingle the sacred
with the profane. Let all of you pray for
Yours affectionately,
Fr. John Bosco
P. S. Please promote Letture Cattoliche whenever you see fit. Enclose
fliers in your letters.
Father Bonetti received the messages and copied them in a
notebook, using only initials to indicate the names. He then cut
the original names and messages into strips and gave each to the
proper lad. The first messages seemed to be addressed to the
confreres:
Speak often and charitably to tho&e in your charge.
If you wish to fly high, start from below. Humilitas totius aedificii
spiritualis fundamentum [Humility is the foundation of the whole spirit-
ual edifice].
2 .See Vol. VII, pp. 2-9. [Editor]

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22
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Always strive to practice what you preach.
Quaere primum regnum Dei [Seek first the kingdom of God]. Sursum
corda [Let us lift up our hearts].
In patientia felicitas et salus tua [Patience will bring you happiness
and salvation].
Cave ne ponas manum ad aratrum et respicias retro [Beware lest you
set your hand to the plough and then turn back]. Borne patiently, this
life's small crosses will become heavenly crowns of glory.
Multis modis vocat nos Deus ad Se [God calls us to Him in various
ways]. In patientia tua possidebis animam tuam [By your patience you
will win your soul].
Placentia superiori, placent et Deo tuo. Perge! [What pleases your
superior will also please God. Go ahead!]
Ama nesciri [Love to be unknown].
Non multa, sed quae Deo, non tibi, placent agenda sunt [What
matters is not doing many things but doing things which please God, not
yourself].
Hamines vident quae parent, Deus autem intuetur cor [Men see the .
exterior, but God beholds the heart].
Nondum coepisti,· et quae coepisti Dei non sunt [You have not even
started yet, and what you started is not of God].
An pergis? Quid vis? Pete, ora, et operare [Are you going forward?
What do you want to do? Seek God's help, pray and get busy].
Consecrate your health to God, and you shall be healthy.
Excita somnolentos et teipsum si calumniatus fueris [Shake up the
lazy ones and yourself, if you have been spoken ill of].
Meditation and Communion will be your salvation.
Si vinum bonum, opera bona, feceris, laetificabis cor Dei et hominum
[If you make good wine and perform good deeds as well, you will delight
both God and men].
If you must account to God for your words and thoughts, how will you
fare with your actions?
Si cum bonis bonus eris, cum perversis perverteris [If you are good
[only] with the good, you will be bad with the bad].
Satage ut per bona opera vocationem certiorem facias [Strive by good
works to make your calling sure].
Why do you not keep your promises? What has happened to your res-
olutions? If you will be faithful to meditation and spiritual reading, you
will overcome your laziness and the vice I told you of.
Get started! God is not pleased with you.
Qui dicit bene et male agit, erunt ei mala in interitu [He will fare
badly in the end whose words are good and whose deeds are evill.

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An Extraordinary Challenge
23
Charity and humility are wings to lift you up to God.
It is not enough to begin; one must persevere, even at the cost of sac-
rifice.
Let Jesus Christ be your friend. Shun bad companions.
Those who give bad advice and those who accept it both run a grave
risk.
God dislikes your indolence. Why are you so careless in your
meditation and spiritual reading?
Your bad advice calls God's wrath upon you. Mend your ways while
you can.
Open your heart entirely to your director and make fervent, frequent
Communions.
Keep going if you want to win. Don Bosco will tell you the rest.
If you do not retrace your steps, you are on the way to perdition.
Stop your nonsense. Act as a shining light to others.
You are guided by evil counselors. Listen to your confessor.
You had better be humble or you'll lose the loveliest of virtues.
One who gives or takes evil counsel becomes the devil's servant and
slave.
Let past misfortunes be a lesson to you for the future.
lnchoantibus proemium promittitur, perseverantibus datur [A reward
is promised to those who start, but is given only to those who persevere].
A great reward awaits you. Never mind fatigue.
Frequent Communion and meditation will be your good fortune.
Your arrogance and waste of time will be two thorns in your side at the
time of death.
Go with good companions and follow your confessor's advice.
Avoid vanity and laziness. Visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Make good use of your time; go often to Communion; be obedient.
Take heart; do good; never mind others.
If you want the reward, keep going to Communion often.
He who indulges in foul conversation is an agent of Satan. Mend your
ways.
Have frequent recourse to Mary and keep going.
Associate with good companions, go to Communion often, and take
heart.
Why think of home so much? Why not think a little more of your soul?
Carry out the resolutions you make at confession.
Be faithful to your meditation and spiritual reading; they are
indispensable to you. Go to Communion often.
God expects something more from you. Give Him your heart. Go to
Communion often.

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24
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
You still have time, but woe to you if you delay. Shun idleness.
Love your soul more than your body. Courage! You are still in time.
The world deceives you. Listen to God who has a great reward in store
for you.
Your coldness and indifference put you in grave danger of perdition.
Beware of bad counselors. Make friends with your director and your
teacher.
Take courage; go often to Communion; avoid idleness.
Mary is calling you. Listen to Her and never mind others.
Be more humble; make your meditation better.
Seek good counselors, lest you be in great danger.
Cleanse your soul often and practice your confessor's advice.
Do not mask the poison in your heart. Look for better companions.
Have greater trust in your Sl.lperiors and follow their advice.
Avoid idleness and meditate better.
Cut out the clowning; be more devout and diligent.
You are [still] in time. Do what is right and never mind others.
Your brothers expect good example and advice from you.
Meditation, spiritual reading, and frequent Communion will be your
fortune, if you do them well.
If you do not rid yours~lf of the vice you know, you will prepare an un-
happy future for yourself.
Trust your superiors; follow your confessor's advice .
•The world pays poorly. Associate with good companions and go to
Communion often.
Why don't you make up for the past? Why persist in doing evil? Ask
Mary's help.
The world is fooling you. God alone will truly reward you. Call upon
him.
Let your superior's advice be your norm of conduct.
Thoroughly cleanse your soul and then shun evil.
Be a good companion by your good example, and go often to
Communion.
God is not pleased with you. You must change radically.
Obedience and diligence will unfailingly lead you to heaven.
Pay no heed to fatigue, but think of the reward that God gives to those
who serve Him.
Meekness and obedience are absolutely necessary.
Go with good companions and avoid bad ones.
You are not doing evil but that is not enough. God wishes you to do
good.

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An Extraordinary Challenge
25
Open your heart to your superiors, and they will tell you how to mend
your ways.
He who clings to his own way pays with his own coin. Be more
obedient.
Practice the resolutions you make at confession.
Your hot temper and bad example cause us worry. Amend your ways.
Why worry about so many things, but so little about your soul?
You give bad advice and are much too concerned about your body.
Amend your ways.
Do you know where fights and squabbles belong? Be patient and
obedient.
At the point of death the slothful will cry over the time they have
wasted.
A certain bad habit of yours will spell disaster for you unless you
amend your ways.
Be more sincere; occupy your time better, and avoid ....
Communion and meditation will make you happy.
You are not doing enough for your soul, nor are you sufficiently
diligent.
Be more faithful to the promises you make to God.
Are laziness and fickleness your friends?
Keep busy, give good example, and God will help you.
God wants you to be more diligent in your duties.
Go with good companions and don't be idle. Have courage!
Think less about home. Pay more attention to your soul and to your
studies.
Never mind others; do what is right; associate with good companions.
Avoid idleness; be more recollected in church.
Avoid foolish companions; be more diligent.
Perform your duties, but pay more attention to spiritual matters.
Be more charitable with your companions; resist the bad habit you
have.
Mary wants you to be more diligent in your duties.
Be more devout in church and more diligent in your school work.
Be more attentive at meditation and spiritual reading.
Respect your superiors and control your temper.
Mary wishes you to be devout and obedient.
Mend your ways or you'll end up badly. You still have time.
The time you waste leads you into sin. If you go on like this, where will
you end up?
Your laziness is displeasing to God; start being more diligent.
We can fool the world, but not God. Be sincere.

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26
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Be more attentive in school and more devoted to Mary.
You are too light-minded; be more diligent; have recourse to Mary.
Lying lips bring death to the soul.
Forget the past and turn over a new leaf.
Follow your superiors' advice and suggestions.
Be kind to your companions, respectful to your superiors, and more
devout in church.
You made a good start, but keep it up. Be obedient and devout.
Resolve to associate with good companions.
Receive the sacraments often. Pay attention to the spiritual reading.
Open your heart fully to your director and do what he tells you.
Piety and diligence in school work will make you happy.
Spend your time better; be more devout in church.
If you speak in times of silence, you'll harm yourself spiritually and
physically.
Your negligence displeases God: make better use of your time.
Recollection in church will draw many blessings upon you.
Listen to your superiors and you will not go wrong.
Spiritual reading and obedience will keep you on the right path.
Why do you misbehave in church? Be more recollected.
Your levity is displeasing to God. When are you going to mend your
ways?
Your tomfoolery and carelessness do your soul great harm.
If you do not put an end to your negligence and fighting, you'll have
no heavenly reward.
Strive to be a little more obedient and everything will go well.
What reward can a lazy and negligent boy expect?
Be more devout; be more charitable toward your companions.
If you wish to make headway, be charitable to your companions and
respectful to your superiors.
Attention in the classroom and devotion in church will make you
pleasing to God.
Learn from the ant and meditate on the Seventh CommandIJ\\ent.
It is not enough to begin; one must do one's best to persevere. ~-
Stop lying; your negligence is displeasing to God.
Do you wish to become good? Be recollected in church and attentive in
school.
You are hurting your soul with your negligence and chatter.
Obedience is a must for you. Pray to Mary.
Do you want to be sure of following the right path? Be obedient.
Stop being lazy, lest you fare badly spiritually and physically.
The devil wants to make you lazy. Do not listen to him.

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An Extraordinary Challenge
27
Associate with good companions, avoid bad ones, and you will do
well.
You are heading for ruin unless you change radically.
Your confessor's and your teacher's advice will be your fortune.
Do you want to be good? Be recollected in church and attentive in
school.
If you do not begin now, you will jeopardize your future.
If you are devoted to Mary, you will fare well spiritually and
physically.
Ask your director for his advice and follow it.
You have made a start. Well and good! Now keep going.
Seemingly the next messages were for the school's workers:
Give great importance to religious matters.
Bear up with others and they will bear up with you. Be more devout.
Now you can, but don't want to; a time will come when you will want
to, but will be unable.
He who is more concerned about the body than the soul will fall into
the devil's snares.
Receive the sacraments more often and you will surely be on the right
path to heaven.
The Gospel tells us that God condemned the lazy servant. Have
courage!
If you do not like to be spoken ill of, do not speak ill of others.
Being respectful and obedient will greatly benefit you.
Keep working out of love for God. He will reward you generously.
These other messages were addressed to members of the Pro-
vera family whom Don Bosco gratefully considered to be his
spiritual children:
A great deal of patience is needed with young people.
Bear up with other people's frailties.
Let God's glory be the goal of your activity.
(To the father:) Reprimand constantly; apply the stick when
necessary.
Courage! We will get our reward at the end.
(To the mother:) Bring up your family in the faith by word and
example. Help Papa in correcting and advising but do not neglect
yourself. A great reward awaits you after your trials and struggles.

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28
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Watch over your own temporal and spiritual welfare and that of your
family.
The distribution of these messages made history at Mirabella.
While the boys were mulling over their personal messages and
looking forward to Don Bosco's visit, several wrote him thank-you
notes. One is so full of genuine affection that we think we should
report it:
Very Reverend Father:
Mirabello, January 15, 1868
How much I kissed the beloved strenna you sent me in Our Lady's
name. I too would like to give you a gift with all my heart if you would
but accept it. I have heard such wonderful things about your Salesian
Society that I can't wait to join it. This may be just a simple, fleeting
emotion; if it is, you know it better than I. I want to place myself entirely
into your hands because I know in whose hands you will place 'me. You
know me and my capabilities inside out; do with me as you think best.
Tearfully I beg you to set my heart at peace. In the past, there were
times when I felt so elated that I was even tempted by pride, whereas at
other times I felt terribly depressed and upset. How happy I was when
my confessor, in whom I fully confided, assured me that I had nothing to
worry about the past! But then I made my confession to you, as you
surely remember, and you asked me questions which made me think.
Only a short time ago, Father Director said that you had urged him to
warn those who make sacrilegious confessions. He added that when he
asked how he should go about it, you replied that if they claimed to be at
peace on that score, a general admonition was all they needed. The
responsibility was theirs! This is what makes me shiver. Please, Don
Bosco, tell me my state of conscience. I am ready to obey you in all
things. I fear that somehow you meant to warn me too by this. For
heaven's sake, please set me at peace. Tell me everything. I'll do
anything you say.
Please forgive me, dear Don Bosco, if I have taken up too much of
your time. I am overwhelmingly anxious to obtain this favor, and I am
confident that you will be so good as to grant it.
Filially yours,
Carones, Cleric

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An Extraordinary Challenge
29
When the weather improved and the snow had been cleared off
the roads, Don Bosco went to visit a son of Countess Callari at a
boarding school in Valsalice [in the outskirts of Turin]. Writing to
the mother about it, he also let her know that the ever-rising cost
of living was aggravating the Oratory's financial straits. He in-
formed her too of a delay in the printing of II Cattolica Provveduto
and of the temporary shelving of plans for a lyceum in Turin. 3
Though constantly hard-pressed for money, he kept his heart
open to those who needed help. In his chronicle Father Rua wrote:
Toward evening on January 10, 1868, Don Bosco was still in town
when a beggar came up to him. By now Don Bosco had spent all the cash
he had except for a single lira. Moved to pity, he told the beggar, "It is
all I have. Take it, and may the Lord bless you. But before you go home,
pass by the Consolata [Our Lady of Consolation Shrine] and recite a
Salve, Regina for me that the Madonna may send me some money."
Then they parted. An hour later, as he was on his way home, a person
handed him a package postmarked "Rome" without telling him of its
contents. Don Bosco thought it contained holy pictures. Upon opening it,
however, he found 1,600 lire in bills! They came in very handy to pay
some overdue debts.
As we shall later see, the package had been sent to him by
Count De Maistre.
3This paragraph is a condensation. We are also omitting another short letter to
Countess Callori and a request to the Department of Defense for army blankets and
clothing. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 5
Fulfillment of Predictions
l I (RITING to Chevalier Frederick Oreglia in Rome in
early January 1868, Don Bosco voiced his gratitude to Our Lady
for Her many favors to Her devotees and then went on to give him
some news of the Oratory: 1
The cold spell still with us and getting worse. Today [January 12] the
mercury dipped to a new low of 18 degrees (centigrade). 2 The ice in my
rooms has not thawed, despite my stove. This morning we delayed the
boys' rising. Since most of them are still in summer wear, they try to
keep warm by doubling their shirts, waistcoats, and trousers or by
wrapping themselves in military capes and blankets. It looks like Mardi
Gras! But they still feel the cold. In fact, during this morning's
recreation period, not a single boy was outdoors playing, and that is very
unusual. Under the circumstances, we sent the artisans to their shops,
the students to the study hall, and whoever wished into the dining room.
Notwithstanding these hardships, they are quite cheerful and content.
For some months now no one has been sick, thank God .... Today, the
13th, the temperature is -21 degrees [-5 degrees F] and the snow is 60
centimeters [about two feet] deep. All the boys are well and wish to be
remembered to you ....
While this letter was in the mail, Don Bosco received one from
Chevalier Oreglia, dated January 15, requesting prayers for
benefactors and informing him that [Dominic] Cardinal Consolini
had broached the subject of entrusting the management of Vigna
~We have omitted introductory excerpts of letters from various people recommending
themselves to Don Bosco's prayers. [Editor]
2:About O degrees Fahrenheit. [Editor]
30

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Fulfillment of Predictions
31
Pia 3 to Don Bosco..4 He was pleased -because it was his ardent
wish to have a permanent foothold in Rome for furthering the
Salesian Society's interests. He felt confident that the difficulties
he foresaw could be overcome. On this score we have the
following entry in Father Rua' s chronicle under the dateline of
February 1868:
One day we were talking about taking over a Roman institution for
which overtures had already been made. Since it was not autonomous
but depended on another organization, some confreres objected and
pointed out the danger of arousing envy, clashing with the controlling
agency, and perhaps even jeopardizing our Society's reputation. Don
Bosco countered that all these dangers could be easily avoided if we took
care not to set ourselves up as know-it-alls, but would rather accept re-
commendations readily and humbly, implementing them when compat-
ible with our rules.
Meanwhile Don Bosco's predictions were beginning to come
true [as we gather from this letter of Father Francesia]:
My dear Chevalier Oreglia:
January 20, 1868
Your absence is more and more felt not only at the Oratory but in town
too ....
Things are fine here, though the devil tries to rouse trouble in some
way or other. The annual strenna was important because of the
announcement of three forthcoming deaths: the first one, very good; the
last one, very bad.
While we were discussing these matters rather worriedly, the news
came that the cleric [Joseph] Mazzarella had taken ill in Lanzo and was
in critical condition.
Don Bosco assured us that Mazzarello would not make the Exercise
for a Happy Death, which in fact was held last Thursday [January 16].
Our fear was as great as our suspense. Such an announcement so shook
the boys that very, very few-you could count them on the fingers of one
hand-did not make the Exercise for a Happy Death. Everbody wanted
3 A type of agricultural reform school for boys in the outskirts of Rome. See Vol. VIII, pp.
266f. [Editor]
4This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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32
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
to make a general confession. Our Lord always grants supernatural effi-
cacy to Don Bosco's words.
The cold spell has waned, but the price of bread has gone up.
Bishop Gastaldi was here and just left. He asked about you and wants
to be remembered to you. He paid a visit to our church and was quite
pleased ....
Father [John Baptist] Francesia
Joseph Mazzarello died at Lanzo on January 22 [1868]. Don
Bosco's dream was beginning to .prove true. It is worthwhile to
recall some striking circumstances of this death-the first of the
three predicted by Don Bosco. First, Mazzarello died at Lanzo
where, as the dream clearly pointed out, Don Bosco did not yet
know all the pupils. Second-and more striking-Don Bosco told
Stephen Bourlot 5 ( as he himself testified), before anyone knew of
the cleric's illness, that the first one to die would be a cleric.
Third, before Mazzarello took sick, Don Bosco publicly announced
that the surname of the first one to die began with the letter "M?
In his chronicle Father Rua observed: "When Don Bosco was
informed that the cleric Joseph Mazzarello had taken ill at Lanzo,
his comments to those present were such as to convey the
impression that the cleric would die, even though he himself had
not seen the patient and the doctor had hopes of saving him."
Don Bosco replied to Chevalier Oreglia's last letter on the eve
of Mazzarello's death. Determined to have the new church [of
Mary, Help of Christians] consecrated within the year, he ordered
that special commemorative medals be coined for this desired
event. The medals were to bear on the front the fa~ade of the
church with the inscription: Church of Mary, Help of Christians,
Turin, and, on the reverse side, the usual image of Mary, Help of
Christians with the invocation: Mary, Help of Christians, pray for
us. Smaller, lighter medals for popular distribution were to carry
the image of Mary, Help of Christians on the front and a symbol
of the Blessed Sacrament on the reverse side. These were the
instructions Don Bosco gave to Chevalier Oreglia; he also en-
trusted him with errands and gave him news of the Oratory and
its benefactors. In another letter, some days later, Don Bosco in-
i See pp. llf. [Editor]

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Fulfillment of Predictions
33
formed him of Mazzarella' s death and also told him that he was
separately mailing to him copies of circulars to promote Letture
Cattoliche.6
In reply to this last letter, Oreglia sketched out his activities in
Rome and explained why he had to stay a little longer. Don
Bosco' s answer follows:
My dear Chevalier:
Turin, January 29, 1868
After reading your letter, I agree that it is best for you to stay a little
longer in Rome. Do all you can, then, for God's greater glory. Remem-
ber, though, that we owe our baker two months' payments and that our
suppliers of construction material for the church keep sending us bills.
So, whenever you can, send us whatever money Roman charity may
have donated. In the meantime thank all donors and assure them that we
shall pray for them and their dear ones who are sick. In fact, it is my
intention that this Sunday, as we celebrate the feast of St. Francis de
Sales, all Masses, prayers, and Communions will be offered to God to
obtain health and prosperity for all our sick Roman friends who have
helped us or will help us bring our undertaking to completion ....
No one in the house is sick; the same can be said of Lanzo and
Mirabello. The cold spell has returned. This morning we were down to
-14 degrees. 7 Doctors claim that it is purifying the air and is beneficial,
but meanwhile Turin's mortality rate is three times higher than usual.
My dear Chevalier, rest assured that all of us feel a most fraternal af-
fection for you. Since your departure, I have prayed in my daily Mass for
your physical and spiritual well-being, and I shall continue to do so, that
God may keep us true friends on earth and sharers in the true joys of
heaven. Do not forget your daily meditation and spiritual reading. May
God preserve us all in His holy grace! Amen.
Your affectionate friend,
Fr. John Bosco 8
On the same day Don Bosco sent written instructions to Father
Lemoyne, whom he had sent to Genoa to raise funds for the new
6 This paragraph is a condensation. We are also omitting a digression about correspon-
dence between Father Francesia and Chevalier Oreglia. [Editor]
7About -11 degrees Fahrenheit. [Editor]
8 We are omitting a short letter from Chevalier Oreglia to Father Francesia giving him
some news of happenings in Rome. [Editor]

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34
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
church. 9 Meanwhile, the February issue of Letture Cattoliche.
Severino or The Adventures of an Alpine Boy, written by Don
Bosco, was off the press. It was the true story of a former Oratory
pupil who became a Waldensian and then, tormented by remorse,
returned to the Church.10
In 1876, while discussing a story that he was planning to write
in order to point out the harm that summer vacations might bring
to incautious youngsters and what they could do to forestall it,
Don Bosco revealed a few things about the boy Severino. He gave
the names of the two Waldensian ministers who had misled the
boy, and he declared that, aside from a few minor details which in
no way substantially affected the truthfulness of the narrative, the
facts about Severino were strictly true. "I also have," he added,
"authentic documentation concerning a·companion in Severino's
apostasy, who died in the Waldensian hospital in Genoa. His
brother came to see me from time to time and we often talked
about these past sad events."
~This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
10 We are omitting a review of this booklet by Unita Cattolica. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 6
Annual Conference of St. Francis de
Sales, 1868
~HE Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, the festive
oratories, the boarding schools [at Mirabello and Lanzo], Letture
Cattoliche, and the Church of Mary, Help of Christians severely
taxed Don Bosco's strength, but his overriding concern and
greatest need was the Holy See's approval of his Society. Upon
that depended the very survival and expansion of all his thriving
projects.
To obtain such approval, he fir.st had to secure episcopal letters
of recommendation as he had previously done for the decree of
praise. The bishops of Fossano and Alessandria had already sent
such letters at the close of the previous year. Early in 1868, Don
Bosco appealed also to the bishop of Casale, accompanying his
request with this brief history of his Society:
Brief History of the Society of St. Francis de Sales
This Society's origins are found in the simple catechetical instructions
conducted by Father John Bosco in a hall adjacent to St. Francis of
Assisi Church with the consent and advice of Father Louis Guala 1 and
Father Joseph Cafasso.2 Its aim was to gather the most forlorn and des-
titute boys on Sundays and holy days in order to keep them occupied
with church services, sacred songs, and wholesome diversions.
Particular attention was given to young men released from prison or
exposed to grave moral dangers. 3 This venture proved rewarding. Boys
flocked to these gatherings and filled the hall to capacity.
:Founder of the Convitto Ecclesiastico. See Vol. II, pp. 31ff, 96f. [Editor]
2 Don Bosco's spiritual director and now a canonized saint. Ibid., p. 40 and passim.
[Editor]
3/bid., p. 199. [Editor]
35

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36
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
In 1844 Father Bosco became chaplain of St. Philomena Hospital near
the Rifugio 4 and, with Archbishop Fransoni's permission, set aside a
section of the building for divine worship. For some time church services
were held there. The next two years the Oratory had no permanent
quarters, but in 1846 a place was rented and, later, purchased. There, in
due time, the present Church and Oratory of St. Francis de Sales were
built. The dearly beloved archbishop came personally several times to
administer Confirmation and hold sacred services. He also gave
permission to hold triduums and novenas, to admit candidates to
Confirmation, and to distribute Holy Communion even in fulfillment of
the Easter duty.
As the number of boys kept increasing, the archbishop recommended
and approved the opening of the St. Aloysius Festive Oratory at Porta
Nuova in 1847, ~ [of the Guardian Angel] at Bargo Vanchiglia in 1849, 6
and finally of St. Joseph at Bargo San Salvario in 1859. 7 In due time
Sunday schools, night schools, and even day schools followed. 8 When a
goodly number of boys were found to be in need of food, shelter, and
clothing, part of the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales was turned into a
boarding school, which now shelters some eight hundred youngsters. 9
To offset the decline in priestly vocations in these difficult times, a
drive was started among the boys of little or no means. Thus, at the
Oratory of St. Francis de Sales [in Turin], in our boarding school at
Lanzo, and in our junior seminary at Mirabello these lads-who for the
most part want to become priests-receive a religious and scientific
education along with more than four hundred other pupils.
In a certain sense, the head of all these oratories was always the
archbishop [of Turin] whose judgment and advice directed everything.
For practical purposes, the priests who chose to exercise their ministr)
in these oratories constantly recognized Father John Bosco as their
superior, and to him they felt bound not by vows but by a simple promise
to be at his disposal in whatever he thought would best promote God's
greater glory.
On several occasions Archbishop Fransoni recommended that some
means be found to insure the oratories' survival after the founder's
death. In 1852, he voluntarily gave an overall approval of the regulations
of the festive oratories and appointed Father Bosco as their superior
4 An institution for wayward girls. Ibid., pp. 184f. [Editor]
~See Vol. III, pp. 197ff. [Editor]
6,/bid., pp. 393ff. [Editor]
7·See Vol. VI, pp. 85f. [Editor]
"See Vol. II, p. 199. [Editor]
9 See Vol. III, pp. 140-46. [Editor]

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Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1868
37
with all necessary and opportune prerogatives. Even when forced into
exile by adversity, he kept recommending that the festive oratories be
safely allowed to continue and grow through some organization. 10 In
1859, he advised Father Bosco to go to Rome and consult the Holy
Father about setting up a religious society whose members would retain
full civil rights.
Kindly and solicitously the Holy Father approved the plan, laid down
the basics, and helped formulate the regulations. Finally, with Francis
Cardinal Gaude's assistance, the first regulations of the Society were
revised, as may be seen in the enclosed copy. Pius IX himself wrote
several letters of advice and suggestions for the success of this
enterprise. He also directed that, after the regulations were tried for
some time, they should again be submitted for the Holy See's approval.
As for the exiled Archbishop Fransoni, he studied the rules and set
down in writing some observations which were duly taken into account.
He then forwarded our constitutions to his vicar general, urging him to
take the necessary steps for thei~ formal approval. This beloved
shepherd's death brought matters to a standstill. Under the
circumstances, the vicar capitular thought it best to let matters rest till
the appointment of a new archbishop, meanwhile obliging with a warm
recommendation which was forwarded with others to the Holy See in
1864. The Holy Father accepted these recommendaions with fatherly in-
terest and passed them on to the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and
Regulars, along with the constitutions and a memorandum. A few
months later this same Sacred Congregation issued a decree (copy
enclosed) praising and commending the constitutions, though-as is
customary-deferring formal approval of each article to a more oppor-
tune time. For the time being, however, the [Salesian] Society was
vested in the person of the Superior General for life, and in his successor
whose term of office would last twelve years.
This Society could thus be considered as generically approved, but
now, before proceeding to its definitve approval, the Holy See wants to
ascertain if it measures up to its aims. Your predecessor, Bishop Louis
Nazari of [the Counts of] Calabiana, graciously recommended it to the
Holy See, stressing particularly that this Society was operating and
directing a junior seminary in his own diocese.
Don Bosco closed this brief history of the Salesian Society with
the humble request that the present bishop of Casale would add
his own letter of recommendation to the commendatory letters of
other bishops.
The bishop of Casale graciously obliged, approving the
11).See Vol. IV, p. 77. [Editor]

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38
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Salesian Society as a diocesan congregation and recommending it
to other bishops and to the Holy Father himself. u
Other copies of this brief history of the Salesian Congregation,
slightly adapted to local circumstances, were also prepared for
other bishops. One such copy Don Bosco sent to the archbishop of
Genoa on January 29, 1868.
On Sunday, February 2, the Oratory had a joint celebration of
the feasts of the Purification of Our Lady and of St. Francis de
Sales. On the following day, the annual conference of the Salesian
Society was held. 12 A textual, interesting summary of this con-
ference follows:
February 3, 1868. This evening, Don Bosco called the directors of all
the houses and the Salesians in the Oratory to a meeting in his room.
Starting with Father Dominic Pestarino of Mornese, each director
presented a report.
Don Bosco approved what was being done at Mornese to keep young
people from unwholesome diversions during the carnival season and
stated that he was deeply gratified by the genuine piety of the village
folk. Again he heartily thanked them for their contributions to his new
church and encouraged their zealous friend, Father Pestarino, to
continue in his holy enterprise.
He said that he was satisfied with the zeal of the superiors of
Mirabello seminary in devising effective means to enhance church
services and to make the Blessed Sacrament13 and Immaculate
Conception 14 sodalities attractive. Asked for advice on correcting unruly
youngsters, his answer was that the superior should call them aside and,
after gently showing his disappointment at their conduct, exhort them to
mend their ways. Then he should follow this up by asking their teacher
to take special care of them and to keep reminding them of the director's
words, while doing his best to help them better themselves.
Don Bosco then commented on our school at Lanzo. He showed how
the Immaculate Conception Sodality could be set up there too. If the
boys were not yet ready for it: a start could be made among the young
clerics, who would in turn gradually initiate their pupils and turn it over
to them as soon as they could handle it.
Lastly he came to the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales. After briefly
commenting on its operation, he pointed out that it was very difficult to
present an exact evaluation of matters because of the overly large
11 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
12 For similar conferences see Vol. VIII, pp. 16, 154f, 313; Vol. XI, pp. 11-19. [Editor]
13See Vol. V, p. 499. [Editor]
14.fbid., pp. 312-21. [Editor]

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Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1868
39
number of students and artisans. Still, on the whole, things seemed to
be going well, considering that there were fewer clerics for supervis-
ion and that some of these could not be fully relied upon because, having
come from seminaries, they were inexperienced and unaccustomed to
our way of life.
He also lamented the demise of some good confreres. Since the last
annual conference, two outstanding, promising members had passed
away, both so virtuous that one would be hard put to determine which
had earned a greater heavenly reward. The first, cleric Joseph Mazza-
rello, 15 was innately good, unfaltering in resolves, and obedient; the
other, Father Henry Bonetti,16 had achieved self-mastery and had
overcome all difficulties raised by his fiery temperament.
Don Bosco then went on to declare that it was very important for all
Salesians to take heart and willingly make sacrifices for Our Lord's sake..
He exhorted priests and clerics to set the example in observing·the rules
and urged all to strive to acquaint themselves with them. He
recommended that the prefect of studies see to it that a few articles of
the rules be publicly read every week to the assembled priests, clerics,
and pupils. He rejected a suggestion not to make public the rules which
bound clerics and priests. The boys, he countered, would have reason to
complain if they thought they alone were bound by rules and
regulations. One must be cautious in a public discussion of blameworthy
incidents, yet he must frankly proclaim the rule.
Passing on to the Salesian Society, he announced that two houses had
·been offered to us at Novara and Rome, adding that these new
foundations would be materially and morally beneficial because of the
good will they would generate among important people. He then read
the decree of the bishop of Casale approving our Society in his diocese,
and the congratulations he had received on that score from Bishop
[Eugene] Galletti [of Alba] and Bishop [Lawrence] Gastaldi [of Saluzzo].
The latter, in particular, had called this approval a spark which would
set off a mammoth fire and consume all obstacles to the general
acceptance of our Society. Bishop Galletti had requested and received a
copy of this decree in the hope that many other prelates would join him
in lending us their support.
Speaking of obstacles, Don Bosco mentioned a dream he had had in
the early years of the [Salesian] Society,17 in which he had seen his
co-workers strolling down a long, shaded walkway paved with thorns
and walled in on both sides by roses and thorns, while overhead, other
roses formed a roof. He interpreted the dream to mean that Salesians
15 Mazzarello had made his perpetual vows on December 6, 1865 (see Vol. VIII, p. 127)
and had died at La1;1zo on January 28, 1868. See p. 32. [Editor]
16 Father Bonetti had died on July 14, 1867. (See Vol. VIII, p. 384) For other biographical
details see also Vol. VI, p. 447. [Editor]
17 See Vol. III, pp. 2Sff. [Editor]

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40
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
must not only walk over the thorns of hardships and toil, but must expect
to be hurt and hindered in their work by the thorns of obstacles and
opposition. The devil, the enemy of good, does his best to block those
who wish to do good; what is more, in hellish spite he makes sure that
obstacles are raised by devout, well-intentioned people who, miserably
deceived, in turn deceive others. "Let us fight bravely and steadfastly,"
he exclaimed, "and with God's help we shall triumph over everyone and
everything. Great undertakings are crowned with success only after
great efforts. The roses overhead mean that our reward is in heaven.
This is the only goal worth striving for with all our strength.
"And now," he continued, "let us try to swell our numbers. To achieve
this end, each of us must take it upon himself to win over new members.
Directors, especially, should shoulder this task. They must strive to win
and retain the confidence of those boys who they clearly foresee have the
potential for doing great good. This is the only way to draw them into the
Salesian Society. I say this from experience. I assure you that if a boy
consistently has had full confidence in his superior and director during
his stay in our schools, he will easily be won over. Seeing in his director
a father rather than a superior, he will pour out his heart to him and do
all his director suggests. He will love the house and practice our rules
even before he learns of our Society. And once he comes to know it, he
will join, never to leave it, unless something happens to destroy his con-
fidence. On the contrary, other boys come to us, conduct themselves
blamelessly throughout the course of their studies, and probably are
good and praiseworthy, but, lacking such confidence in their superior,
they give but very slim hopes that they will join the congregation and
persevere in it. The reason is that they did not look upon their director as
a father, but as a superior who limited himself exclusively to watching
over their exterior conduct. We must inspire affection in order to dis-
cover the tendencies of our pupils and of other dependents. Let this be
our norm."
He concluded: "Shall we all meet again for this conference next year,
or will some of us have been summoned into eternity? I do hope we shall
meet again, but this rests in God's hands. Let us be ever ready for
death."
Don Bosco then closed the meeting with a De Profundis for our
beloved deceased confreres.

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CHAPTER 7
Noteworthy Details
~HE directors returned to their schools on February 4.
A few days later, Father John Bonetti, always very concerned
with the spiritual care of his pupils, wrote to Chevalier Oreglia
[in Rome]:
Dear Chevalier:
Mirabello, February 7, 1868
Would you consider giving me and my dear boys a fine present? If you
have a chance to approach our beloved Holy Father, please tell him how
much we all love him. Ask him for a gift for us, perhaps an indulgence.
Then we would have to reciprocate by holding a celebration in his honor,
for we deeply love him.
This year is the [third] centenary of St. Stanislaus' [death]. I want the
boys to celebrate it with solemnity, so that they may come to admire his
virtues. I would be much obliged if you could get me a relic of this
lovable young saint.
We are all well but fear one of us may have to die, as Don Bosco saw in
his dream. He will be here next Thursday ....
Fr. Bonetti
Don Bosco's dream and predictions for the year 1868 were now
common knowledge. Mazzarello's death at Lanzo had triggered
fears that the dream did not refer exclusively to Oratory pupils
and that a similar fate might therefore befall someone at Mira-
bello. Don Bosco's arrival was very anxiously awaited also be-
cause
everybody
wanted
an
explanation
of
the
yearly
s
t
r
e
n
n
a
.
1
,
1 We are omitting a letter of Father Francesia to Chevalier Oreglia telling him of Don
Bosco's trip to Milan the previous week and of the enthusiasm he aroused there. We are
also omitting a business letter of Don Bosco to Chevalier Oreglia. [Editor]
41

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42
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
On February 13 Don Bosco went to Mirabello. One may
imagine the welcome he got! After assuring everyone that the
dream did not refer to them, he spent the day explaining the
strenna and hearing confessions. The boys felt both enthused and
moved by the fact that the strenna was an accurate reflection of
their own spiritual condition. He recalled to them the seminary's
good reputation and some of the saintly schoolmates who had
died, urging them to emulate the virtues of Ernest Saccardi,
Francis Rapetti, and eleven-year-old Joseph Allievo, son of the
well-known professor of pedagogy, who had died in Milan on July
5, 1867. On that occasion, Father Bonetti had delivered a magnif-
icent eulogy at the boy's funeral.
During Don Bosco's stay at Mirabello, a strange thing hap-
pened, of which Father John Garino has left us a written account:
In 1868 I was teaching the senior class at the Mirabello junior semi-
nary. In the morning of February 3, the feast of St. Blaise, I went to
church with the others to have my throat blessed. Shortly afterward, it
got terribly sore and I had trouble swallowing. A few days later Don
Bosco came to Mirabello. When I went up with a friend of mine (Paul
Albera, I think) to greet him, my friend remarked, "Don Bosco, guess
what St. Blaise did for Garino! (He was a young cleric at the time.) He
had his throat blessed and promptly it got sore!" Don Bosco smiled and
told me to bear with it until the feast of the Annunciation (March 25).
Things turned out exactly that way. I kept teaching as best I could,
though in pain. Then on March 25, while I was chatting with some boys
in the playground, the soreness suddenly vanished. I immediately re-
membered Don Bosco's words and told them what had happened. Their
admiration for Don Bosco increased.
From Mirabello, Don Bosco went to Casale to thank Bishop
Peter Ferre for his approval of the Society of St. Francis de Sales.
On this trip an amusing incident occurred, similar to others we
have narrated elsewhere. It must be remembered that in the
district of Alessandria, Casale, Vercelli, and Novara, markets
were well attended by cattle dealers and merchants-often a
rather earthy and vulgar lot. It so happened that a fellow pas-
senger of Don Bosco on the train was one of those people who, fed
by anticlerical literature, think they are qualified to attack the
Church. 2 After some trivial remarks and a wink in Don Bosco's
2 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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Noteworthy Details
43
direction, this gentleman steered the conversation to religion, and
in particular to Christ's miracles. Declaring they could all be ex~
plained on a natural level, he picked as an example the miracle of
St. Peter walking on the water. "No miracle at all!" he exclaimed.
"Everyone knows that the waters of the Dead Sea are so dense
that ships cannot navigate. Thus it is quite easy for a man to walk
on them. In St. Peter's time the bituminous crust may well have
been thick enough to support him."
Don Bosco had kept silent, but at that point he gave the man a
pitying look and remarked, "What nonsense! For your informa-
tion, Our Lord was never on the Dead Sea with His disciples. You
are confusing it with the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of
Tiberias or Lake of Gennesaret. The two are about seventy miles
apart."
At this, the other people in the compartment broke out into a
hearty laugh. "Well, that's what I read," muttered the poor
fellow, embarrassed and peeved. "I was misinformed."
"Let me tell you something," Don Bosco went on. "If, instead of
reading certain books which only tend to destroy people's faith,
you were to go to church and listen to a sermon, you might not
make such blunders."
On another occasion, Don Bosco was sitting opposite a fellow
passenger who loudly began defending a priest he claimed had
been unjustly punished by his bishop. "The Inquisition is over,"
he said. "Priests are now free citizens. Who gave the bishop the
right to suspend him from saying Mass?"
"Jesus Christ, that's who!" Don Bosco replied. "If the bishop
suspended him, then he must have had his reasons. And tell me,
who appointed you judge of the Apostles' successors?"
"I have heard that this bishop, unlike others, abuses his power
and opposes freedom."
"Did he suspend many other priests?"
"I don't think so. Only the one I mentioned."
"Why didn't he suspend others as well?"
The man was stumped.
"I'll tell you why," Don Bosco went on. "Because the other
priests do what they are supposed to do."
Then, lowering his voice, he went on: "As for your friend, let
me tell you that he was suspended because he is rarely found in
church, does not care to hear confessions, and never gives a
sermon. More often than not, he is in a bar and does not wear

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44
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
clerical garb. His bishop warned him many times but he refused
to obey. He even got worse. And you take up his defense? Would
you allow such a wretch to offer Holy Mass? If you would, I won't
waste another word on you because I'd be certain I wasn't
speaking to a Catholic! "
The man was silent for a few moments.
"To tell the truth," he countered, "I don't even know this
priest. All I know is what I heard from others."
"Well," Don Bosco concluded, "be more cautious in your
speech, especially as regards bishops, for we owe them the
greatest reverence. They know their duties better than we do and
carry them out conscientiously."
On February 15, after returning from Turin, he wrote to an
officer of the Department of Defense to ob.tain aid for pupils
recommended to the Oratory by the same department. 3 The
following week he went to Lanzo, where he spent three tireless
days giving himself to the spiritual care of his beloved pupils.
When he got back to Turin, he found this letter from Cosimus
Cardinal Corsi, archbishop of Pisa:
Dear Reverend Father:
February 20, 1868
For some years now I have been familiar with the great amount of
good done among the people by your festive oratories. Seeing the
progress of your Society, I repeatedly thank God for blessing it and
making it prosper. I also admire the zeal of its founder and superior and
that of his tireless co-workers. Truly, I would like nothing better than to
help it as best I can. I am therefore ready to issue a letter of commenda-
tion, as you requested on February 10.
I do believe, though, that you might do better if you first obtained and
submitted letters of recommendation of at least the majority of the
bishops of Piedmont, as well as a letter from Philip Cardinal De
Angelis, archbishop of Fermo, whose word carries great weight. His
long residence in Turin qualifies him as a more competent judge and
more authoritative evaluator of your Society's excellence and merits.
Furthermore, His Eminence is soon going to Rome, and his presence
and influence would enhance the effect of his own letter of recommend-
ation. Once these steps have been taken, let me hear from you, and I
shall promptly oblige.
I am truly happy to learn that you and your confreres have been so
3 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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Noteworthy Details
45
good as to remember me constantly in your prayers. I am all the more
grateful because of my great personal need at this time.
Yours affectionately,
• Corsi, Archbishop ofPisa
Meanwhile, the Oratory students had already begun their
month-long devotion in honor of St. Joseph, the great saint in
whom Don Bosco had lively faith. The artisans, especially those
belonging to the St. Joseph's Sodality, 4 vied with their school-
mates by observing its rules 5 and by other devotional practices. 6
4See Vol. VI, pp. 103ff. [Editor]
~Ibid.• pp. 654ff. [Editor]
6We are omitting Father Bonetti's original draft of the regulations of this sodality which
came to light in 1912. This draft agrees substantially with the revised edition reported in
Vol. VI, pp. 654ff. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 8
Unending Vexations
VERY disagreeable controversies [between Don Bosco
and Archbishop Alexander Riccardi of Turin concerning the
status of the Salesian Society] made it abundantly clear that the
Society's definitive approval by the Holy See was an absolute
necessity. In January 1868, wishing to have Francis Dalmazzo,
James Costamagna, and Paul Albera ordained within the year,
Don Bosco again sent Father Cagliero to the archbishop to inform
him of his intentions and to ascertain the latter's will. The prelate
received him courteously, but he firmly insisted that all three
clerics-natives of the archdiocese-should live at least one year
in the seminary prior to their ordination.1
This was a clear refusal to recognize in any way the Salesian
Society, notwithstanding the Holy See's decretum laudis [decree
of praise of July 23, 1864]; 2 it was also an abuse of power to de-
mand of its members what was not required of several diocesan
clerics of wealthy families who were allowed to pursue their
studies at home.
Father Cagliero reiterated what he had already said on his
previous call in December 1867. 3
"My decree still stands," the archbishop replied.
"Then you want to destroy the Oratory!"
"I only want my own clerics."
"Pardon me, Your Excellency, but I must again restate that this
amounts to destroying the Oratory. Boarding schools can't be run
without teachers and assistants. For us this is a matter of life and
1 See Vol. VIII, pp. 40Sff. [Editor]
2 See Vol. VII, p. 425. [Editor]
~See Vol. VIII, pp. 426f. [Editor]
46

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Unending Vexations
47
death, a question of survival, and a juridical affair as well, be-
cause everyone has a right to his own existence. Furthermore,
what the Oratory has done for the diocese is self-evident. Just
count the priests who were educated and formed at the Oratory."
.."I am grateful for what you have done for the diocese, but now I
want you to obey my decree."
"Very well, then. I'll go back to the Oratory and tell Don Bosco,
'Father, let's hand the Oratory keys over to the archbishop and let
him look after it.' You will have eight hundred boys to provide for,
Your Excellency."
"But, but .... " the archbishop mumbled, profoundly per-
turbed. "You are forcing me into a difficult situation. I can't go
back on my decision .... "
Feeling sure that the bishop had been ill advised by others,.
Father Cagliero went on respectfully but fearlessly, "Consider the
consequences, Your Excellency. Think of the gossip this will
generate, of the boys who will have to be sent back to their homes
or turned out into the streets, of the disapproval which will be
voiced by the faithful."
The archbishop became more perturbed and invited Father
Cagliero to sit down. Excusing himself, notwithstanding the pre-
late's insistence, with his permission Father Cagliero continued,
"Like others, I too became a· priest with Don Bosco's advice.
Never would I have believed that the very person from whom I
expected support would be the first to oppose what is good. I
would have been better off wielding a hoe-working hard, yes,
but without so much aggravation! Was it worth it for Don Bosco to
undertake so beneficial a work for his own diocese, only to see it
so soon destroyed?"
He then excused himself and left. The audience had lasted
about an hour. More than forty persons had been kept waiting.
"You have been there for quite a while," they remonstrated, as
he emerged.
Glancing about, Father Cagliero could not keep from exclaim-
ing, "You are here to speak for yourselves! I came to speak for
forty people! "
Father Cagliero's visit proved fruitless, but Bishop Gastaldi of
Saluzzo and Bishop Galletti of Alba rallied to Don Bosco's cause.
After warmly and repeatedly urging Archbishop Riccardi by letter

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48
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
to leave Don Bosco in peace, Bishop Gastaldi came to the Oratory
to ascertain the true state of affairs. He then called on the arch-
bishop and urged him not to put any further obstacles to the
ordinations of the Oratory clerics. Bishop Galletti also intervened
and tried to show him that the Society of St. Francis de Sales had
been canonically established and that the vows which some of
Don Bosco's clerics had already pronounced were valid. Over-
. whelmed by such insistence, the archbishop finally consented to
the ord. ination of Albera, Costamagna, and Dalmazzo, to take
place m the latter part of Lent.
The clerics' troubles were not over. During their spiritual re-
treat held in the seminary, Father [Joseph] Soldati, the spiritual
director, tried what he had already attempted with other Oratory
clerics-he used every argument he could think of to persuade
them to leave Don Bosco. 4 His maneuvers brought about the
opposite effect. Francis Dalmazzo, who still hesitated to join the
Salesian Society definitively, became so disgusted that he ex-
claimed, "I'll be a Salesian just because they don't want me to
be."
On March 25 [1868] the archbishop personally administered
tonsure and the four minor orders; then, on March 28, he
ordained them subdeacons. After services, however, in the
presence of his seminarians, he spoke some caustic words against
the Oratory clerics, the Salesian Society, and Don Bosco himself,
implying that they were capriciously trying to withdraw them-
selves from his jurisdiction.
The fact is-and we regret having to say it-that at that time
Archbishop Riccardi could not stomach the Salesian Society's
definitive approval by the Holy See. In spite of lengthy
discussions and pertinent documents kept on file in his chancery
office, he dared to state that he had no knowledge at all of the
existence of the Society of St. Francis de Sales.
However, on June 6, the eve of the feast of the Holy Trinity, he
conferred the diaconate on the three clerics, and later he allowed
Francis Dalmazzo and Paul Albera to be ordained priests, re-
spectively, by Bishop Baima and Bishop Ferre on July 19 and
4For other similar endeavors of his see Vol. XI, p. 36. [Editor]

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Unending Vexations
49
August 2. He ordained James Costamagna himself on September
19, as we shall see later on.
At this time yet another cross troubled the Oratory clerics. The
rumor kept spreading that, overburdened with ·teaching and
supervising, they could not properly attend to their theology
courses. The allegation, circulated by Don Bosco's enemies,
reached the archbishop, who in turn complained to Don Bosco. At
this point, Stephen Bourlot, an outspoken, steadfast cleric, called
at the chancery to request permission for the Oratory clerics to
take mid-year theology exams at the seminary.
"But you men aren't ready for them," Father Gaude and others
replied.
"Why not?"
"Because you're too busy with all sorts of things and do not at-
tend seminary lectures."
"With all due respect, one can do more than one thing at a
time."
"Impossible!"
"We passed our previous examinations, and our grades were
never below those of the seminarians."
"Yes, yes, but your preparation was hasty and superficial."
"That may be, but the fact is that we know as much as they do."
"Very well, what treatises have you studied?"
"Those dictated by the seminary professors, except for the
treatise on the Eucharist authored by Banaudi."
"Why this exception?"
"Because it seemed preferable."
Father Gaude duly informed the archbishop of this request.
The latter consented and so, on February 22, thirteen Oratory
clerics reported to the semi.i1ary for examinations. On returning
home they found Don Bosco waiting for them at the Oratory gate.
"How did you make out?" he asked immediately.
"Very well," Bourlot replied. "Most of us got an optime [excel-
lent]; Cagliero received a peroptime [most excellent], and
Dominic Vota, Peter Norza, and I received an egregie cum laude
[above excellent with praise]."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely! I saw the grades myself. We beat all the seminar-
ians."

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50
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Deo gratias!" exclaimed Don Bosco. "Now I'll answer the
archbishop's letter."
The monsignor who had presided over the examinations and
did not know which clerics came from the Oratory had praised
them. Since there was a seminarian named Bourlot, the mon-
signor believed that this was the one who had earned the cum
laude; later he found out that it was his cousin, Stephen Bourlot of
the Oratory.
As these troubles gradually eased, Father Francesia received
the following note from Chevalier Oreglia: "Bad days are ahead.
Fortifications in Rome are almost complete now. They wait to be
put to the test. Let us hope they will meet our expectations with
the help of Don Bosco's prayers. 'Unless the Lord guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep vigil.' [Ps. 126, 2] Right now every-
thing is peaceful. Even the carnival celebrations are tame. Flocks
of visitors, but little merriment."
If there was little merriment in Rome, the Oratory overflowed
with it. Stage plays, games, the breaking of the traditional pifiata,
raffles, and music, vocal and instrumental, kept the boys in high
spirits during the last three days of the carnival season. Their joy
stemmed from their peace of mind which had been strengthened
by the monthly Exercise for a Happy Death, during which prayers
had been offered up for the holy souls in purgatory, especially for
the soul of the cleric Secundus Pettiva, who had recently died at
St. Aloysius Hospital in Turin.
Pettiva, an Oratory alumnus and a very gifted musician, had
run the music department since 1858. It might well have been·
called a "Music Academy" because, through Don Bosco's initia-
tive, it trained prominent organists, composers, and vocalists for
sacred services all over the world. Father John Cagliero, Father
Joseph Lazzero, Father Louis Chiapale,, Joseph Buzzetti, James
Rossi, John Turchi, Callixtus Cerruti, and Joseph Dogliani were
its first pupils and [in due time] teachers. There followed Ber-
sano, Tomatis, Reano, Fumero, Brunetti, Dassano, and hundreds
of others who in their turn trained thousands of pupils. Several
years later, for reasons of his own, Pettiva took leave of Don
Bosco and went to the Mirabello junior seminary, where he
helped for several months. Then he also left Mirabello and, after

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Unending Vexations
51
various events, fell ill with tuberculosis and ended up in St.
Aloysius Hospital. Father Rua's chronicle has this entry concern-
ing him:
As his condition worsened, Pettiva asked for Don Bosco. Despite his
multiple occupations, the good father went to see him twice, heard his
confession, and gave him all the spiritual comfort he needed. Surpris-
ingly, until then Pettiva had always firmly believed that he would
recover by spring. After Don Bosco' s first visit, however, his attitude
changed completely. All he talked about was his impending death, and
all his thoughts were on preparing himself for it. Without frightening
him but frankly telling him that his end was near, Don Bosco had made
the man understand that his hopes of recovery were just wishful think-
ing. He used such tact and warmth that the patient not only felt no fear,
but after Don Bosco' s second visit he even manifested joy, for Don Bosco
had assured him that soon after his death he would go to heaven. Nor
were Don Bosco's words a deception, for just a few days later Pettiva
breathed his last in a most edifying manner.
When news of his death reached the Oratory, many imagined
that he was one of the three youths whose death Don Bosco had
foreseen in the dream, but such was not the case, as we gather
from a letter of Father Francesia to Chevalier Oreglia in Rome:
"Poor Pettiva died in an enviable spirit of resignation to God's
will. Yet Don Bosco assures us that he was not the second youth
who had to pack for eternity. He added, though, that yesterday
one person of our house made his last Exercise for a Happy
Death. Cheer up, therefore, because you are not the next one to
go .... Meanwhile I inform you that Father Pechenino's Greek
grammar has been printed, and we are now giving renewed at-
tention to the Italian Classics for the Young. The program is al-
ready in writing .... "
As we see, Don Bosco was thinking of founding a type of "Book
of the Month Club" that would publish expurgated editions of
Italian classics. On his part, Don Bosco wrote to Chevalier
Oreglia, candidly stating that the Oratory's financial straits were
a godsend for those who wished to obtain favors from Our Lady.
He also wrote: "A lot of people say that you will remain forever in
Rome. I always deny it, but they keep asking for you." 5
~ We are omitting the rest of the letter dealing with business and other minor details.
[Editor]

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52
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Both in whispers and aloud the news was spreading that
Chevalier Oreglia would no longer return to the Oratory. Full of
charity toward all, Don Bosco most solicitously did his very best to
help this beloved spiritual son to persevere in his vocation, as will
become evident from his many other letters.

9 Pages 81-90

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CHAPTER 9
Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian
Society
~HE bishops from whom Don Bosco had requested
letters of commendation of the Salesian Society promptly obliged,
so that by March 1868, Don Bosco had the official approval of the
ordinaries of Acqui, Asti, Ancona, and Turin. 1 The archbishop of
Turin, however, besides qualifying his approval of the Salesian
Society, sent the following confidential letter to Angelo Cardinal
Quaglia, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and
Regulars:
Your Eminence:
Turin, March 14, 1868
Father John Bosco, the founder and rector of the Society of St. Francis
de Sales, has insistently asked me for a letter of commendation so that
this Society may be approved by the Holy See as a religious congrega-
tion on the basis of the constitutions he himself submitted. I am willing
to support him in this aspiration as long as it is within limits which, in
my opinion, will make his institution beneficial to the Church. I have
issued my commendation and enclose a copy. Your Eminence will
clearly see that my approval is restricted to the Society's original aim to
gather boys for religious instruction and teach them trades or handi-
crafts. If I am now petitioning for its establishment as a religious con-
gregation, I do so under the proviso of a careful revision and amending
of its constitutions by the Holy See. Frankly, had I not been firmly con-
vinced that your Sacred Congregation would radically modify this
Society's constitutions, I would never have committed myself to such a
step regardless of the unpleasant repercussions such a refusal could
cause. Indeed, I see it as a betrayal of my episcopal duty if I were to
~This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
53

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54
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
endorse a congregation which, approved in its present status, could only
bring very grave harm to the universal Church, to our diocese, and to
our clergy.
For the good of the Salesian Society itself, and still more for the good
of the Church, I have thought it wise to submit under separate cover the
more obvious observations which came to my mind upon reading the
proposed constitutions. I have also made marginal notes on certain arti-
cles which I thought should be amended.
Lest I might have been prejudiced, I submitted the same constitutions
to Father Maria Anthony Durando, 2 an experienced, scholarly Vincen-
tian respected and admired by all, and he too agreed that these consti-
tutions need amendments.
I submit all these observations to your wise judgment so that you may
bear them in mind when the Sacred Congregation convenes to examine
the aforesaid constitutions. I truly wish that the [Salesian] Society may
find ways to perpetuate itself and grow, but within the limits of its
original purpose, and that steps be taken to forestall unpleasant compli-
cations which might arise were it to be established as a religious congre-
gation. I also entreat this Sacred Congregation not to grant any sort of
approval until an impartial observer of its choice-pious, scholarly, ex-
perienced, and well versed in the education of youth-has studied mat-
ters on the spot and reported his findings. This secret investigation may
unearth many deficiencies or irregularities which have escaped my own
attention; it would enlighten the Sacred Congregation and enable it, by a
better knowledge of the background, to amend and rewrite the
constitutions in order to meet the needs of the present times.
I trust that Your Eminence and the Sacred Congregation will consider
what I have had the honor of bringing to your attention in the interest of
both the Church and the Salesian Society. With profound esteem, I am
Your humble servant,
Ill Alexander [Riccardi], Archbishop ofTurin
The archbishop's observations 3 concerned the following points:
1. The Salesian Society should limit itself to educating boys, helping
the diocesan clergy, and spreading good literature.
2. The status of lay religious should be more clearly spelled out.
2 Father Durando had been given the same task by Archbishop Fransoni in 1860. See
Vol. VI, pp. 421ff. [Editor]
3 What follows is a summary. The original observations are found in Volume IX, pp.
97-101 of the Memorie Biografiche de/ Venerabile Don Giovanni Bosco. [Editor]

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Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian Society
55
3. The course of studies of clerical and lay members is not clearly
spelled out. Likewise, nothing is said about clerical members engaging
in other tasks during their studies.
4. The present provisions concerning ecclesiastical benefices seem
detrimental to the dioceses.
5. It does not seem proper that this Society concern itself with
the formation of seminarians except on the specific request of local
ordinaries.
6. Provision shouid be made for an ecclesiastical patrimony, since it is
possible that members may leave the Society.
7. Though a probation period of at least one year is prescribed for ap-
plicants, nothing is said about where and how this shall take place.
8. Apparently one may seek admission to this Society even if only to
pursue an education. This would be detrimental to its spirit.
9. Unity of purpose is lacking in this Society. Residents at the
motherhouse include apprentices, secondary school students, lay
religious, clerics, and priests. What can a congregation achieve if it is
made up of such disparate elements?
These observations were mailed to Rome without Don Bosco's
knowledge. Basically, they stemmed from ignorance of the true
state of affairs, from suspicions about Don Bosco' s intentions,
from prejudices, from fears of imaginary dangers, from misinter-
pretation of articles, from demands that could not then and there
be satisfied, and from erroneous conclusions. We wish to stress,
however, that Archbishop Riccardi was not prompted by ill will
but was rather misled by inaccurate reports and by the opinions
of a few hostile advisers whose views were antiquated.
True, the Salesian Society was not yet fully formed and some
articles of its constitutions needed revision. Yet the vast good that
it had already done was evident proof-if one cared to see it-
that it was inspired by God.
As was his steady rule, Don Bosco again showed in those very
days the reverence which was due to his ecclesiastic superior, as
we see from the following letter:
Dear Reverend Don Bosco:
Turin, March 16, 1868
Sister Clarac of the Sisters of Charity informs me that you wished to
4.Sister Louise Clarac was the founder of St. Mary's Institute in Turin. [Editor]

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56
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
have my consent before sending one of your priests to the chapel of the
aforesaid congregation for Mass and catechetical instruction. Since I
have no reason to object, I fully grant the request. May the Lord grant
you all his blessings.
Your devoted servant,
• Alexander, Archbishop

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Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
~HE March, April, and May issues of Letture Cat-
toliche were entitled respectively Angel's Flight, Reflections and
Maxims on Current Events, and The Miracles of the Mother of
God under the Title of Mary, Help of Christians. The first dealt
with the power of prayer, the second with the corruption of com-
mon sense through ignorance and irreligious publications, and
the third with the power and goodness of Mary, proven by Her
beneficial intervention in favor of Her devotees. Don Bosco him-
self had written this last issue to prepare the faithful for the forth-
coming dedication of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians,
whose construction went steadily forward. 1
Meanwhile, Father Francesia, writing early in March to
Chevalier Oreglia, informed him that his prolonged absence was
unavoidably lending credence to rumors about his intentions:
Turin, March 5, 1868
My dear Chevalier:
You were not far from wrong when you remarked that it is feared you
have deserted us. Truthfully, I have never thought so, but what can you
expect? You too are partly responsible for these strange rumors.
When your friends from town come to see us, they immediately ask
about you, and on hearing again and again that you are still in Rome,
they begin to wonder and to draw their own conclusions, as you well
know and lament ....
Work on the church has made great progress. It now seems almost
certain that by May it will be open for worship. We were surprised to
1This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
57

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58
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
hear that you have already ordered thirty thousand medals. What a
downpour it will be! I have received very many reports of cures obtained
through the intercession of Mary, Help of Christians. I think that your
presence here will be not only useful but necessary in order to get things
ready for that solemn occasion. You know how good we are at organ-
izing. Much has to be done on publicity. Don Bosco is preparing a bro-
chure, but someone has to see to its printing. It must be a neat job in
both a popular and a deluxe edition, with no penny-pinching. Then,
there are the Italian and Latin inscriptions and a thousand other details
that call for your eagle eye. We know you are using your time well to the
Oratory's great advantage and thank you for it, but we eagerly await
your return ....
The boys are well. Except for some slight seasonal ailments, the
general heath is good. The political situation too is good. Don Bosco so
far did not tell me a thing about you and your brother's wish. Perhaps he
himself will write.
You know of Don Bosco's visit to Momese and of the reception they
gave him. However, the court inquiry is still going on. 2 The whole
village is up in arms..The mayor and his councillors were very helpful
with their report to the prefect of the province~ Perhaps the whole thing
will be thrown out of court ....
May God bless you and bless you and bless you, dear Chevalier.
Father Rua and Father Savio and the whole house wish to be
remembered to you.
Yours affectionately in Christ,
Father Francesia
At just about this time Pius IX announced the elevation to the
cardinalate of the following prelates: Hannibal Capalti, Edward
Borromeo, Lucien Bonaparte, Innocent Ferrieri, Raphael Monaco
La Valletta, Lawrence Barili, Joseph Berardi, and Eustace
Gonella. 3 Their names were to be announced in the secret con-
sistory of March 13, and the cardinal's hat was to be bestowed in
the public consistory of March 16. On learning of this news, Don
2 In December 1867 Don Bosco had gone to Mornese to accept the villagers' gratitude to
Mary, Help of Christians for having saved their crops. Rumors that Don Bosco was taking
advantage of the pec;,ple's gullibility in order to raise fun~s for his new church reached the
civil authorities who in turn made an investigation. See Vol. VIII, p. 429 [Editor]
3-This sentence is a condensation. The Gonella family had always been very friendly to
Don Bosco and to the Oratory. See Vol. II, p. 202; Vol. III, p. 22; Vol. IV, p. 320; Vol. V, pp.
133, 171; Vol VI, pp. 27f, 153, 436, 608f; Vol. VII, pp. 162f, 322f. [Editor]

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Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
59
Bosco wrote to Chevalier Oreglia, instructing him, among other
things, to offer his congratulations to the new cardinals, while on
March 26 he personally sent his congratulations to Monsignor
[Francis] Ricci, 4 the newly appointed secret chamberlain to Pius
IX.
Meanwhile, a most astonishing thing had taken place at the
Oratory. At Pettiva' s death 5 Don Bosco had declared that the
young cleric was not the second youth he had seen in his dream, 6
but that another would die before the next Exercise for a Happy
Death. The statement had been made at the end of February.
Customarily, the next Exercise for a Happy Death would routinely
have been held a month later. Instead, to everybody's surprise-
as Archbishop Pasquale Morganti of Ravenna, then an Oratory
pupil, told us-Don Bosco publicly announced at the beginning of
March that the next Exercise for a Happy Death would be held
two weeks in advance, on March 19, the feast of St. Joseph. He
explained that this change was being made because an Oratory
boy was to die before that day but would receive Holy Communion
on the morning of his death. He urged everyone to prepare by a
good confession.
March 18 arrived. As the day wore on talk was rife, especially
among the pupils, since nobody in the house was sick.
"This time Don Bosco goofed," the boys whispered. "The
Exercise for a Happy Death is about to start7 and nobody is sick.
What a blunder!"
At six that evening confessors were in their appointed places,
but, strangely, the boys felt little inclined to go to confession.
They left the study hall or workshops ostensibly for that reason
but, once outside, they roamed about. Father Francesia tried to
coax them into church but detected traces of a sneer on many
faces. At his urging, several boys entered the church, only to walk
4 See Vol. VIII, p. 266. This paragraph is a condensation. We are omitting a letter of
Father Francesia to Chevalier Oreglia giving him news of the Oratory, of generous
contributions toward the new church, and of people's faith in Don Bosco's charisms.
[Editor]
, See p. 51. [Editor]
6See pp. 6ff. [Editor]
7 The Exercise for a Happy Death always began in the early evening with confession and
ended the following morning with Mass, Communion, and prayers for a happy death.
[Editor]

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60
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
out by another door. Some of them, called out of one playground,
drifted into another. Never had they been so restless!
When Father Francesia found out why, he sought to reason
with them, but he too was at a loss because there were no indica-
tions whatever that Don Bosco's prediction was about to be ful-
filled. Furthermore, a few newcomers seized on this apparent
failure to ridicule all the amazing things they had heard about
Don Bosco. Very great harm was being done, especially among
the artisans.
At supper time, 8 those who were on duty as waiters went to the
dining room and found that the tables were not set. Several went
looking for Spirito Rossi, the man in charge of the dining room
and of the wine cellar, but they could not find him anywhere.
Father Rua, being informed, asked who had last seen him and
was told by Cyprian Audisio that at two that afternoon he had
been washing vats with Rossi in the wine cellar and had left him
there.
The cellar was locked. After repeated knocking, the door was
forced open. Inside, Rossi's shoes were lying on the floor. A
search of the empty vats led to the discovery of his body in one of
them. The fumes had killed him. His body, still warm, was im-
mediately pulled out and brought into the open. The news spread
like lightning, and all the boys flocked to view the body. The
skeptics fell silent. Seized by a mysterious fear, all rushed to con-
fession, keeping Don Bosco busy till nearly midnight. Even the
most skeptical among the Oratory residents became convinced of
Don Bosco's prophetic spirit. Father John Cagliero was a witness
to this. Father Michael Rua made this entry in the Oratory
obituary:
March 18 [1868]. Spirito Rossi of Saliceto died today, at age twenty-
six. Obedience and piety were his most outstanding characteristics. He
wanted to he a priest but had to discontinue his studies because of a poor
memory and limited intelligence. Upon returning to his family, he
became mentally disturbed. He was lucky enough to return to the
Oratory and to recover perfectly with no other treatment than blind
obedience to his director. His death was sudden, but not unprovided for.
8 Usually they had supper at 7:30 P.M. [Editor]

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Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
61
He received Communion this very morning and was well prepared for
death.
But not even Rossi was the second youth seen in the dream.
Stephen Bourlot stated in writing that, when questioned about
Rossi some time after [Joseph] Mazzarello's death,9 Don Bosco
answered that the second boy would not make the Exercise for a
Happy Death more than three times, his illness would last about
eight or ten days, and his family would visit him, but that he (Don
Bosco) would not assist him in his last moments. Rossi's death
had been quite sudden. Father Francesia thus informed Chevalier
Oreglia:
March 19, 1868
Dear Chevalier:
I again send you news of a funeral. Yesterday at this time, Spirito
Rossi was still alive; now he is dead. He went into the wine cellar to
scrub out an empty vat, but one of the staves gave in and he fell into it.
The fumes gradually killed him. We found him after a three-hour
search, his body still warm. Note that yesterday was the last day for the
fulfillment of Don Bosco's prediction.
It came to pass with such precision that the impact was tremendous.
Yesterday was the day of the Exercise for a Happy Death. [It was
predicted that] one would not be able to make it, and so it happened.
You know how really good Rossi was. He received Holy Communion that
same morning, and thus we need not fear for his eternal salvation.
His death was a most timely warning to all. This morning saw a truly
general Communion. At the very most, only one or two people failed to
receive the sacraments; all the rest gave their souls a good cleanup. Don
Bosco felt this tragic event very much and still looks quite grieved ....
Bishop Gastaldi has promised work for our printshop .... Vale, o
dulcissime caput [Good-bye, my dearest chief].
Fr. Francesia
As soon as the marchioness of Villa Rios heard about this death
[from Chevalier Oreglia], she commented as follows in a letter to
Father Francesia:
9See p. 32. [Editor]

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62
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Rome, March 23, 1868
Dear Reverend Father Francesia:
Chevalier Oreglia has informed me of the recent extraordinary hap-
pening-the prediction of the death of that unfortunate youth and the
unusual manner of its fulfillment.. You truly do live in the midst of won-
ders. The steady favors granted by Mary, Help of Christians and the
exceptionally large donations you receive are indeed astounding! How
fortunate you are! How happy I would be if in the lovely month of May I
could be privileged to make a trip to Turin to participate in the dedica-
tion of the new church! But I see that it is utterly impossible ....
Our good chevalier seems to be really in earnest about leaving Rome
after Easter, unless further obstacles prevent him. . . . It is really
incredible how much he does and how much he achieves.
[Marchioness] Villa Rios
Other letters from Rome brought news of Vigna Pia.Io Writing
to Father Francesia on March 18 about this institution, Father
Joseph Oreglia made it very clear that there was absolutely no
danger of arousing envy in accepting it. This type of school, its
remoteness from town, and the unhealthy climate of the area
were such as to discourage would-be contenders.It
S 101 ee Vol. VIII, p. 266. See also pp. 30f. [Editor]
11 This paragraph is a condensation. We are also omitting another short business letter
from Father Oreglia. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 11
Gleanings from Oratory Lzfe
awARE of the opposition of several _bishops to the
Salesian Society, Father [Joseph] Oreglia [S.J.] thus wrote to
Father Francesia on April 2 [1868]: "We must be patient with our
opponents! No doubt they are convinced they are doing the right
thing-putantes obsequium se praestare Deo. These oppositions,
inspired or at least permitted from on high (as they always are),
will always do us good in the end. Be of good cheer, therefore,
and take heart. Above all, let us pray for each other."
This was Don Bosco's norm in times of adversity, the source of
his constant serenity. The God of consolation constantly and gen-
erously conforted him.
Archbishop Riccardi often agreed to perform church services
at the Oratory. On Passion Sunday, March 29, he administered
Confirmation in the little Church of St. Francis de Sales to the
festive oratory boys who had attended the Lenten catechetical in-
structions. To see so many lads so well behaved delighted him.
After the ceremony, Don Bosco, biretta in hand, accompanied
him to the dining room for coffee and then to his coach, keeping
his head bare despite the cold weather.
On March 20, Bishop [Eugene] Galletti of Alba wrote to Father
Rua to recommend a devout, studious boy, Thomas Cagliano, on
behalf of his poor mother, who begged that her son be kept gra-
tuitously to finish his secondary schooling. The bishop closed
by saying: "Please give my most cordial respects to the revered
Don Bosco. Tell him too that I am about to come to an understand-
ing with Bishop Gastaldi of Saluzzo about ways and means to
grant a unanimous approval to your well-deserving Society."
The bishop of Casale also gave Don Bosco fresh proof of his
63

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64
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
benevolence by granting several faculties to Don Bosco personally
and to the superiors of the Mirabella junior seminary. He also
allowed the [Salesian] philosophy and theology students to take
courses and examinations at the junior seminary itself. 1
Don Bosco was also thrilled by the forthcoming consecration of
the Church of Mary, Help of Christians. In view of this he wrote to
Chevalier Oreglia as follows:
Turin, March 25, 1868
My dear Chevalier:
I received your letter of last October or December, as well as those you
sent me before and after your spiritual retreat. What you told me is
fine ....
Try to set a date for your return. Our archbishop has already
scheduled the consecration for the first half of June. The festivities are
to last nine days, with one bishop preaching every day while another
conducts the sacred services. Just think of all that has to be done!
Therefore I really need you. If you had to, you could return to Rome after
the celebrations.
Last year, Archbishop Vitelleschi gave me some hope that he might
favor us with a visit on this occasion. Please ask him in our name to come
and consecrate our church: if that is too burdensome, then would he at
least celebrate a pontifical Mass and preach? Please beg him and invite
him also on behalf of the archbishop of Turin.
Please remember that you are categorically and urgently needed. I
will be glad to have you here, or at least on your way, as you wrote, by
Easter.
We are all well here. Dalmazzo, Albera, Costamagna, Fagnano, and
Merlone are preparing for ordination.
God bless you, your work and intentions. Pray for me.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. Please drop by the Nicoletti Bank and ask Mr. Nicoletti, a very
good friend of ours, what is the best way to ship a very fine painting that
has been donated to our new church.
Father Francesia added these few lines to Don Bosco's letter:
1We are omitting the pertinent bishop's decree. [Editor]

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Gleanings from Oratory Life
65
Don Bosco allowed me to fill this blank page. Croci, that good,
cheerful Swiss boy, died at home the other night. He fell ill in Turin, and
when he recovered his father forcibly took him home. It may have heen
the journey, or perhaps God was calling him ....
Fr. J. B. Francesia
Not even this death was the one predicted by Don Bosco, as he
himself declared. 2
In April 1868 an important innovation was introduced in [the
three existing] Salesian schools. Until this time, pupils were
allowed home some eight days during the Easter holidays and had
to return to school for a month during the long summer vacation.
Having noticed that these holidays at home were not without
serious drawbacks, Don Bosco decided to do away with them.
Therefore, two weeks before Easter, he informed the pupils'
parents that, effective immediately, Easter recess at home was
permanently 3:bolished and that consequently their sons would
spend Holy Week in their respective schools. This step naturally
increased his financial burdens because the boys remained in
school at his expense, but he did not mind, as long as their moral
well-being was at stake. The pupils themselves, though eagerly
looking forward to the holidays, readily agreed, so strong was
their sense of obedience. Anyway, their Easter recess at school
proved very enjoyable because, with no lessening of the Holy
Week services, they were given particular activities, treats at
table, and an outing, brass band and all. This last item, however,
was not renewed in the ensuing years.
A month after this successful experiment, Don Bosco sent a
circular from each school announcing that from then on the
summer vacation would extend from September 15 to October 15,
as was the practice in other well-known boarding schools. 3 Father
Fra.ncesia, informing Chevalier Oreglia of this new policy in a
letter dated April 8, also told him of the exceptional force of a
2 We are omitting at this point a letter of Don Bosco to Chevalier Oreglia, dated April 3,
acknowledging the latter~s communication that he would be in Turin by May 1. We are
also omitting a thank-you note to a benefactress for donations collected for the new church.
[Editor]
3 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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66
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
triduum that Don Bosco had preached to the boys to prepare them
for their Easter duty:
Yesterday [Tuesday], April 7-he wrote- the artisans made their
Easter duty quite fruitfully. The credit, however, after God, is due to
Don Bosco's heartfelt, most moving sermons. On Monday night he
spoke about the particular judgment. After deeply shaking everybody
with a most vivid description of that fateful moment, he himself felt so
moved that he could not go on. It was most soul-stirring. He was weep-
ing and so were all the boys! That night, the eve of their Easter duty,
was a "bath-night." The older artisans chose to go to confession to him
and kept him busy till eleven, and again, the next morning, from six to
nine. Would that this fervor could last ....
Meanwhile, Don Bosco, too, was keeping up his correspond-
ence with Rome. He had to hurry final preparations for the
consecration of the church, and Chevalier Oreglta was the man for
that. While asking him to see to a few more errands in Rome and
Florence, Don Bosco tactfully reminded him that he was urgently
needed at the Oratory. "There are many things that require your
presence," he wrote. "I hope that God will send you back in good
health so that together we can take care of them. The rising cost
of bread puts us in severe straits. The monthly bill for the
Oratory, Lanzo and Mirabello has risen to 12,000 lire. We also
have enormous expenses for the church, but Our Lady keeps
granting favors most generously to our contributors, and so we
can go on .... Pray for me. "4
4 We are omitting some brief entries from Father Rua's chronicle about contributions
made for favors received from Our Lady. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 12
A Dream: A Raging Torrent
and Wild Beasts
ON January 10 [1868] Don Bosco had written to
Countess Callari: "This year at least we shall have to forget about
a lyceum, badly needed though it is." Nevertheless, he kept
searching for ways and means to carry out this long-desired
project of his. [Fortunately] two distinguished benefactresses-
Countess Callari and Mrs. Angela Chirio-came to his aid with
offers of financial assistance and of a building, respectively. Don
Bosco therefore drafted a tentative contract, 1 but unexpected dif-
ficulties which threatened long, harmful delays nullified his
efforts.
In view of this setback, he submitted a new plan to Countess
Callari on April 12 with Mrs. Chirio's approval. "For this pur-
pose," he wrote, "I would set aside part of a building adjacent to
the Oratory. Several advantages would result, such as less ex-
pense, easier movement of personnel, and full control on my part.
I have already tried it out this year with twenty-five philosophy
students and am very satisfied with their 1ntellectual ind moral
progress. Would this plan affect your offer of financial support?" 2
The following day, Easter Monday, April 13, Don Bosco went to
Lanzo for a rest. While there he received an appreciated thank-
you note.3 from Eustace Cardinal Gonella. Not feeling well, Don
Bosco was unable to spend much time with the boys. At night he
could not rest because of series of dreams that kept disturbing
him for about ten days. He purposely delayed going to bed until
eleven, hoping to sleep more soundly, but this precaution availed
1 Omitted in this edidtion. [Editor]
2 This paragraph is a condensation. The plan eventually fell through. [Editor]
}Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
67

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68
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
nothing. One of the dreams concerned the Lanzo boys, and Don
Bosco told it to their director [Father John Baptist Lemoyne] on
April 17, the morning of his departure, asking him to narrate it to
the community. Father Lemoyne accompanied him to Turin
because he had to go to Mirabella to preach the spiritual retreat,
and from Turin he wrote the following letter to his boys at Lanzo
to acquaint them with Don Bosco's message:
My dear sons,
April 18, 1868
My hurried departure prevented me from saying good-bye to you as I
had wished, but now, while in Turin, I send you in writing what I wanted
to tell you. Listen carefully because it is the Lord speaking to you
through Don Bosco.
The last night of Don Bosco's stay in Lanzo was a very bad one. As you
know, my room is next to his. Well, that night I was startled out of my
sleep twice by what I thought were prolonged, frightening screams. I sat
up in bed and listened carefully. I was sure the screams were coming
from Don Bosco's room. The next morning I mulled over what I had
heard and decided to mention it to Don Bosco. "It's quite true," he
replied. "Last night I had dreams which truly grieved me. I seemed to
be on the bank of a torrent, not too wide, but turbulent with muddy
frothy waters. All the Lanzo boys were with me, trying to jump to the
other side. Many took a running leap and landed safely on the opposite
bank. They were good athletes. However, others did not do so well.
Some barely hit the bank, fell backward, and were swept away by the
current; others toppled into the middle of the torrent and vanished; still
others struck rocks jutting out of the water, fracturing their skulls or
suffering other injuries. This went on for a considerable time while Don
Bosco fruitlessly kept shouting to them to be more careful. The torrent
was now strewn with bodies which, tumbling through the rapids, were
finally dashed against a boulder set in a bend of the torrent where the
water was deepest, and were sucked into a whirlpool.
How many of my poor sons now listening to the reading of this letter
are now in those depths and in danger of being eternally lost! But why
did boys [like you]-so lively, cheerful, and nimble-fail to land safely
on the opposite bank? It was because wretched companions tripped
them or held them back by their coats or shoved them as they jumped.
These unhappy scoundrels (a few, mind you), who are in league with the
devil and try to ruin their companions, are also listening to the reading
of this letter. Let me ask them in Don Bosco's own words: "Why, by your
evil conversation, do you want to kindle in your companions' hearts the

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A Dream: A Raging Torrent and Wild Beasts
69
flame of passions that will consume them for all eternity? Why do you
teach evil to some who may still be innocent? Why crack certain jokes
and make certain deals which keep you away from the sacraments? Why
won't you listen to one who can put you on the path to heaven? All you
gain is God's curse."
Never forget Our Lord's frightful threats that I have so often repeated.
My dear sons, listen: you are a cause of evil to others, but you are still
dear sons of mine and you have a special place in my heart because you
need me more than all the others do. Give up sin; save your souls. If I
were to know that even one of you were to be lost, I would never have a
moment's peace in my life again! Your eternal salvation is my sole
thought, my sole desire, my sole worry. All I want is to make good
Christians out of you and help you reach heaven. You will listen to me,
won't you?
The dream needs no explanation. You already know its meaning. The
bank on which Don Bosco stood is our present life. The opposite bank
represents eternity, heaven. The torrent which swept the boys away is
sin which drags people to hell.
Stricken in anguish by such a sight, Don Bosco tried to save you with
shouted warnings. He awoke and said to himself, Oh! How I wish I could
warn the boys I recognized, but tomorrow I have to leave.
Then he fell asleep again. He seemed to find himself in a vast meadow
where you were playing and running. To his horror he also saw in your
midst all kinds of wild animals-fiery-eyed lions, tigers clawing the
earth, wolves crouching about you, grimacing bears squatting on their
haunches and stretching out their front paws to hug you. Such a horrible
company! And, worse, you were at the mercy of these ferocious animals
which furiously kept lunging at you.
Some of you were lying on the ground, covered by beasts which tore
you to pieces with their claws and fangs; others were being pursued and
were fleeing in terror to Don Bosco. At this sight the wild animals
retreated. There were also boys who strove to defend themselves
single-handedly, but, overcome by the beasts' superior strength, they
were torn to pieces. Then-you wouldn't believe it-there were young-
sters who, instead of running to safety, stood there smiling at those
monsters petting them, as if they enjoyed being smothered by them.
Don Bosco kept running here and there, shouting and trying to summon
you to him, but no matter how much he shouted, some would not listen.
The meadow was now strewn with dead and wounded. Groans and
whimpers strangely mingled with the snorting and roaring of wild
animals and Don Bosco's cries. It was then that he awoke a second time.
This was the dream, and you know the dreams Don Bosco has! You

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70
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
may imagine my heartbreak on hearing it. If, formerly, the mere thought
of being momentarily away from you weighed heavily upon me, you can
be certain that after hearing the dream I would have returned to you
instantly had not my duty of obedience kept me where I was. I wouldn't
worry so much if you weren't so dear to me.
What do these lions, tigers, and bears represent, if not the devil and
his temptations? Some boys overcome them because they run to their
guide for help; others fall victims because they yield to temptation; still
others love sin and the devil and freely run into his clutches. My sons,
will you be brave? Will you always keep in mind that you have a soul
to save?
Later, Don Bosco told me, "I saw all these boys. I came to know the sly
foxes among them! But I shall keep this secret to myself. As soon as I
will be able to come back to Lanzo, I shall tell each one what concerns
him. This time my toothache prevented me from talking to all, but in my
next visit I shall warn those who need it."
So I know nothing, my dear sons, because Don Bosco told me nothing,
but a day will come-Judgment Day-when I shall know everything.
How sad I shall be if, after having spent my best years working hard for
you, loving you with my whole heart, I should have to be separated from
s9me of you for all eternity! If you do not begin to love God now, you will
not love Him in your later ·years. Adolescens iuxta viam suam, etiam
cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea [A young man according to his way,
even when he is old, he will not depart from it-Prov. 22, 6].
My sons, my children, do not belittle my words, for they are the words
of our beloved Don Bosco. Spend the few days of your life trying to earn
paradise. Pray that my spiritual retreat may proceed well and that my
sermons may bear fruit.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Father J. B. Lemoyne
At this time, the Italian government and Turin's municipal
authorities were busily engaged in preparations for the wedding
of Prince Humbert, the first-born of King Victor Emmanuel II, to
Princess Margaret, daughter of th.e late Duke of Genoa. The
festivities, marked by parades, horse races, concerts, tourna-
ments, illuminations, and fireworks, began on April 19 and lasted
several d-ays. The religious ceremonies included a three-day
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A Dream: A Raging To"ent and Wild Beasts
71
The Oratory boys had an opportunity to pray in front of it. 4
News of the popular attractions caused great excitement among
the Oratory boys and also afforded Don Bosco the occasion to give
a further proof of his exemplary prudence. An Oratory alumnus,
now a prominent clergyman, testified under oath as follows:
At the time of the marriage of Crown Prince Humbert of Savoy in
1868, two friends and I managed to elude our superior's vigilance one
night and sneaked out of the Oratory to see the·illuminations in the city.
One of my friends slept in a room over the sacristy of the Church of St.
Francis de Sales. Squeezing through the loose grating on the window,
we were able to drop down into a backyard and run off. The following
Saturday I went to confession as usual and candidly told Don Bosco
about my escapade in all its details. He limited himself to a good scold-
ing, making me understand that it was a grave disobedience. "If your
superiors were to know of it, they ·would send you home."
He never availed himself of the information I gave him in confession.
My companion continued to sleep in the room, the grating on the
window remained the same as before, and I received no further reproof.
But I never did that again! The boys were so convinced of his prudence
and reserve in all that concerned confession that they preferred to
confess their secret failings fully to him rather than to any other priest.
During the wedding festivities, Eugenia Telles de Gama, lady-
in-waiting to the queen of Portugal, called on Don Bosco. She
had been anxious to meet this priest of whom she had heard so
much at home. She had a long talk with him, and on her return to
the royal palace she showed the queen a picture of the Madonna
which Don Bosco had given her. She spoke so enthusiastically
about him as of a saint that the queen, very respectfully admiring
the holy picture, exclaimed "How licky you are! If I could only
disregard court potocol, I too would go to Don Bosco and ask him
for a picture."
Before leaving Turin, the same lady-in-waiting mailed her
calling card to Don Bosco with these few lines in French: "I lack
the time to write at length, but you are so good that yoµ will
forgive me if I take the liberty of asking you for a great favor. I am
sure that the sick lady of whom I spoke to you would be very
happy if you would also give her a holy picture with a few words
4 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
from you just as you did for me. Her address is: Countess de
Murca, Via Formosa 139, Lisbon, Portugal. If you prefer, you may
address it to me here at the royal palace in Turin, .but I must have
it by Thursday because '1 believe that we shall be leaving at
four-thirty in the morning on April 26. A thousand thanks for
everything."
At the close of these extraordinary festivities, Don Bosco began
preparing his pupils for the solemn celebrations in honor of Mary,
Help of Christians.
At the "Good Night" on April 29 he spoke as follows:
Tomorrow evening we start Mary's month, during which each of you
should try to tell his companions some edifying story, preferably about
the Madonna, but, in any case, on a topic that may help one to virtue. If
you have none to tell, ask a companion to tell you one. If he can't, ask
him, "What was today's nosegay? Did you practice it?"
If possible, go to Communion frequently, or at least make a spiritual
Communion. This too pleases Our Lord. I wish, though, that those who
go to Communion in the morning would not behave foolishly throughout
the day. As you see, I do not demand anythng difficult from you. Each is
to do his best to perform his schofastic and religious duties diligently. I'd
also like you to practice the nosegays which will be suggested every
night.
The following day, he mailed to Countess Callori one of the first
copies of his prayerbook II Cattolico Provveduto [The
Well-Prepared Catholic] with this note:
Dear Countess:
Turin, April 30, 1868
Here is the book. Please forgive the delay ....
Courage, my lady! I will particularly remember you daily in my
Masses during Mary's month. Every day four boys will receive
Communion for your intentions. Let us all have much faith and hope.
May God bless you, your husband, and your whole family. Pray for
me.
Yours gratefully,
Fr. John Bosco

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CHAPTER 13
Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian
Society (Continued)
~HROUGHOUT April 1868 Don Bosco kept asking
bishops for letters of recommendation of the Salesian Society to
hasten its approval by the Holy See. He also wrote to Bishop
[Louis] Moreno of Ivrea to assure him of his respect, hoping to
reconcile him with the Oratory: 1
Your Excellency:
Turin, April 15, 1868
I beg you to forget for a moment unpleasant memories caused by fi-
nancial disagreements and see if you can grant me a request. The matter
at hand is the same one I discussed with Your Excellency some time ago.
As a reminder, I am enclosing copies of pertinent documents. The Sale-
sian Society has already received the Holy See's decree of praise, but to
obtain its definitive approval it would need letters of recommendation
from the bishops of our ecclesiastical province, each of them pointing
out what he considers worthy of distinction. I therefore respectfully but
warmly beseech you to do me the great favor of a commendation which I
shall forward to the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars.
If you should decide to refuse my request for good reasons of your own
which I shall always respect, I would appreciate it if you would kindly let
me know.
As in the past, I will continue to pray that God may grant you health
and happiness for many more years.
Very gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
After receiving no reply for more than a month, Don Bosco re-
1 A long-drawn-out dispute about Letture Cattoliche 's ownership had ended the bishop's
friendship with Don Bosco. See Vol. VII, pp. 9Sff. [Editor]
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
newed his request on May 28. 2 It fared no better. Such silence
must have caused him pain, but he drew comfort from the
enthusiastic commendations of the bishops of Parma, Novara,
Reggio, Mondovi, Alessandria, Lucca, Fermo, Susa, Guastalla,
and Albenga..3
Don Bosco forwarded these commendations to the Sacred Con-
gregation of Bishops and Regulars along with an authenticated
copy of Archbishop Fransoni's decree-dated March 31, 1852 and
signed by Canon Philip Ravina, vicar general, and Father Balla-
dore, secretary-naming him spiritual director of the festive
oratories of St. Francis de Sales, the Guardian Angel, and St.
Aloysius in Turin.·4 The authenticated copy, duly notarized by
Father Gaude, acting chancellor, was issued by the Turin
chancery on May 12, 1868.
2 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
3 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
4 See Vol. IV, p. 527. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 14
A Dream: A Mysterious Vine
QN [Wednesday] April 29 [1868], Don Bosco made this
announcement to the Oratory students: "Tomorrow night, Friday
night, and Sunday night I'll have something special to tell you. If I
were to neglect this, I believe that I would have to die before my
time. What I must say is far from pleasant. I wish the artisans to
be present too."
Accordingly, on the following night the artisans came from
their portico, where Father Rua or Father Francesia usually ad-
dressed them after night prayers, and joined the students. Don
Bosco addressed the assemblage:
My dear boys, last night I said that I had something unpleasant to tell
you. It's a dream I had. I wasn't going to talk about it because I thought
it was nothing but a dream and because, whenevei: I have narrated my
dreams, remarks and objections have been made. Now, however, a
second dream forces me to reveal the first, and all the more so consider-
ing that for the past few nights-particularly the last three nights-I
have been repeatedly troubled by nightmares. You know that I went to
Lanzo for a little rest. Well, on my last night there, no sooner had I fallen
asleep than I dreamed that I saw a most loathsome toad, huge as an ox,
enter my room and squat at the foot of my bed. I stared breathlessly as
its legs, body, and head swelled and grew more and more repugnant, its
green body, fiery eyes, red-lined mouth and throat, and small bony ears
presenting a terrifying sight. Staring wildly, I kept muttering to myself:
But a toad has no ears. I also noticed two horns juttingfrom its snout and
two greenish wings sprouting from its sides. Its legs looked like those of
a lion, and its long tail ended in a forked tip.
At the moment I seemed not a bit afraid, but when that monster began
edging closer to me, opening its huge, tooth-studded jaws, I really
became terribly frightened. I thought it was a demon from hell because
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
it looked like one. I made the Sign of the Cross, but nothing happened. I
rang the bell, but no one responded. I shouted, but in vain. The monster
would not retreat. "What do you want of me, you ugly devil?" I asked.
As if in answer, it just crept forward, ears fully stretched out and
pointing upward. Then, resting its front paws on the top of the bedstead
and raising itself on its hind legs, it paused momentarily, looked at me,
and crawled forward on my bed until its snout was close to my face. I felt
such revulsion that I tried to jump out of bed, but just then the
monster opened its jaws wide. I wanted to defend myself and shove the
monster back, but it was so hideous that even in my predicament I did
not dare to touch it. I screamed and frenziedly reached behind me for the
small holy water stoup, but I only hit the wall. Meanwhile the monstrous
toad had managed to mouth my head so that half of my body was inside
its foul jaws. "In the name of God," I shouted, "why are you doing this to
me?" At these words, the toad drew back and let my head free. Again I
made the Sign of the Cross, and since I had now dipped my hand in the
holy water stoup, I flung a few drops of water at the monster. With a
frightening shriek it fell backward and vanished, whiJe a mysterious
voice from on high clearly said: "Why don't you tell them?"
The director of Lanzo, Father Lemoyne, awakened by my prolonged
screams, heard me pounding on the wall. "Don Bosco," he asked me in
the morning, "were you having nightmares last night?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I heard your screams."
I realized that God willed I should reveal what I had seen. For this
reason, and to rid myself of these nightmares, I have decided to tell you
everything. Let us thank the Lord for His mercy. Meanwhile, let us
strive to carry out His admonitions, no matter what way He may choose
to make them known to us, and let us use the means He sends to enable
us to save our souls. Through these dreams I have come to know the
state of conscience of each of you.
I wish, though, that you keep wiihin these walls what I am going to
disclose to you. I beg you not to write about it or talk about it outside the
house because such things are not to be ridiculed, as some people might
do, and also because I want to avoid possible unpleasant complications. I
tell you these things confidentially as a father to his beloved sons, and
you should listen as though it were your own father telling them to you.
Well then, here are the dreams which I would rather forget but must
reveal.

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A Dream: A Mysterious Vine
77
I began to have these dreams on [Sunday] April 5, at the very
beginning of Holy Week, and this went on for several miserable nights.
These dreams so exhausted me that in the morning I felt more done in
than if I had been working all night. They also alarmed and upset me
very much. The first night I dreamed that I was dead: the second, that I
was standing at God's judgment seat to settle my accounts. Each time I
awoke to realize that I was alive and had time to prepare better for a holy
death. The third night I dreamed that I was in heaven. I surely enjoyed
that, but it all vanished when I woke up the next morning. I nevertheless
felt determined, no matter what the cost, to gain that eternal kingdom
which I had glimpsed. So far these dreams did not concern you in the
least and would have meant nothing to you. When one falls asleep with
something on his mind, his imagination goes to work and he dreams
about it.
Anyway, I had another dream, and this is the one I must tell you. The
night of Holy Thursday (April 9) I had hardly dozed off when I dreamed I
was standing in these porticoes with our priests, clerics, and boys
around me. Then all of you vanished, and I seemed to step into the play-
ground with only Father Rua, Fath~r Cagliero, Father Francesia, Father
Savio, and young Preti. A little distance away stood Joseph Buzzetti and
Father Stephen Rumi, a good friend of ours from the Genoa seminary.
Suddenly the Oratory, as we now know it, changed its appearance and
looked as it had been in its very beginning, when only those just
mentioned were there. At that time our playground adjoined vast,
untilled fields stretching up to the citadel meadows where our boys often
strayed in their games.
We sat near the present cabinet shop under my bedroom window,
where once we had a vegetable garden, and began talking about the
house and the boys. Suddenly a gorgeous vine-the very one that used
to be there-sprouted out of the ground in front of this pillar supporting
the water fountain near the entrance of the old Pinardi shed.1 (The
platform on which Don Bo~co was standing was backed against this
pillar.) We were astonished at the appearance of the vine after so many
years, and we wondered how it could have happened. Meanwhile, the
vine kept growing to about a man's height, spreading countless shoots
and tendrils into all directions until it covered the entire playground and
stretched beyond it. Oddly, its shoots did not grow upward, but spread
out parallel to the ground like a very vast arbor with no visible support.
Its budding leaves were a deep green, and its shoots were astonishingly
1 See Vol. II, pp. 330ff. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
healthy and strong. Soon handsome clusters of grapes broke out, grew
in size, and took on a purplish-red color.
"How can this vine have grown so quickly?" we asked each other in
amazement. "What does it all mean?"
"Let's wait and see," I replied.
I kept watching the vine most carefully, when suddenly all the grapes
fell to the ground and turned into a crowd of lively, cheerful boys. In no
time the whole playground and the area covered by the vine were filled
with boys who were jumping about, playing, and having a grand time. It
was a sight to behold. There under that unusual arbor I could see all the
boys who ever have been, are, or will be at the Oratory and in other
Salesian schools. Very many were unknown to me.
You know that a guide always shows up in my dreams. Well, at this
point a stranger appeared at my side and stood watching the boys with
me. Then a mysterious curtain abruptly appeared before us, blotting out
this joyous scene.
No higher than the vine itself, this curtain in its entire width seemed
to be hanging from the shoots of the vine like a stage curtain. All we
could see now was the upper part of the vine stretched out like an
enormous green carpet. In the meantime the boys' cheerful hubbub had
quickly turned into gloomy silence.
"Look!" the guide told me, pointing to the vine.
I got closer. The lovely grape-laden vine had now nothing but leaves,
bearing this inscription: Nihil invenit in ea! [He found nothing on
it-Matt. 21, 19] Puzzled as to its significance, I asked my guide, "Who
are you? What does this vine symbolize?"
In answer, he parted the curtain. Only a portion of the great many
boys I had seen before were there now, most of them unknown to me.
"These boys," he explained, "have plenty of opportunities for doing
good, but they do not aim at pleasing God. They make believe they are
doing good to keep up appearances, painstakingly obey house rules to
avoid reprimands or loss of esteem, and are respectful toward superiors,
but they do not profit by their teachings, exhortations, or efforts. All
these boys strive for is some prominent, money-making position in the
world. With no concern to discover their vocation, they readily reject the
Lord's call while they keep disguising their intentions lest they lose any
advantage. In short, they are those who do things out of necessity and
derive no good for eternity."
How disappointed I was to see in that group several boys whom I
believed to be very good, affectionate, and sincere!
"Unfortunately this is not all," my guide continued, letting go of the
curtain. "Look up there now." And he pointed to the upper part of the
arbor.

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79
Among the leaves I could see clusters of grapes that looked very tasty.
Happily I got closer and noticed that the grapes were pockmarked,
overripe, moldy, wormy, pecked, rotten or shriveled-a total disaster.
Their stench fouled the air.
Again the stranger lifted the curtain. "Look," he said. I saw another
throng of boys, but not the countless number as at the beginning of the
dream. Formerly very handsome, they now appeared ugly, sullen, and
covered with hideous sores, and they walked about with great melan-
choly as if stooped or wasted by age. No one spoke. All were past,
present, and future pupils of ours. The last mentioned were the most
numerous. They all looked dejected and did not dare raise their eyes.
My companions and I were dismayed and speechless. "What
happened?" I finally asked my guide. "These boys, once so handsome
and jnyful-why are they now so ugly and melancholy?" •
"Because of their sins," was· the answer, and as these boys were
meanwhile walking past me, he added, "Take a good look at them."
I noticed then that their foreheads and hands bore the name of each
boy's sin; To my great surprise, I recognized several boys. I had always
believed them to be very virtuous; now I was dtscovering that hideous
sores were festering in their souls.
As they filed past, I could read on their foreheads: Immodesty,
Scandal, Malevolence, Pride, Idleness, Gluttony, Envy, Anger,
Vindictiveness, Blasphemy, Impiety, Disobedience, Sacrilege, Theft.
"Not all the boys are as you see them now." my guide remarked, "but
they will be so one day if they do not change their ways. Many of these
sins are not serious in themselves, but they will lead to serious falls and
eternal perdition. Qui spernit modica, paulatim decidet [He who
despises trifles will sink down little by little-Sir. 19, l]. Gluttony breeds
impurity, contempt for superiors leads to contempt for priests and the
Church, and so on!
Downhearted at such a sight, I took my notebook and pencil to jot
down the names of the boys I knew and their sins, or at least their
predominant sin, so that I might warn and correct them. But the guide
held my arm. "What are you trying to do?" he asked.
"I want to jot down what's written on their foreheads in order to warn
them so that they may amend their lives."
"You may not do that."
"Why not?"
"They have all they need to go through life unscathed. They have
house rules; let them observe them. They have superiors; let them obey
them. They have the sacraments; let them receive them. They have
Penance; let them not profane it by concealing different sins. They

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
have the Holy Eucharist; let them not partake of it in the state of mortal
sin. Let them check their eyes, avoid bad companions, bad books, foul
conversations, and so on. Keeping the house rules will save them. Let
them promptly obey the bell; let them stop trying to fool their teachers
so as to idle away their time. Let them willingly obey their superiors
instead of looking upon them as boresome watchdogs, self-interested
counselors, or even enemies. Let them not consider it a great victory
when they succeed in concealing their wrongdoings and escaping
punishment. Let them be reverent in church and pray willingly and
devoutly without disturbing others or chattering. Let them study when
it's time to study, work when it's time to work, and behave at all times.
Study, work, and prayer are the things that will keep them good."
Notwithstanding his prohibition, I kept pestering my guide to let me
write down the boys' names. At this, he snatched my notebook and
threw it on the ground, saying, "For the last time, I say there is no need
to write down their names. God's grace and the voice of conscience will
tell your boys what to do and what not to do."
"Does. this mean," I asked, "that I cannot tell my dear boys anything
of what I have seen? Have you any suggestion for them?"
"You may tell them whatever you will remember," he replied.
He again let the curtain drop and once more we saw the vine. Its
nearly leafless shoots held handsome clusters of ruddy, full-grown
grapes. I went closer and found them to be as good as they looked. Their
delightful sight and pleasant smell made my mouth water.
Again my guide lifted the curtain. Under that arbor I once more saw
many boys-our present, past, and future pupils. They were handsome
beyond compare and radiant with joy.
"These," the stranger explained, "are the boys who, thanks to your
care, are yielding or will yield good fruit. They are those who practice
virtue and will greatly console you."
Delighted though I was, I somehow also felt grieved that their number
was not as great as I had hoped. As I stood watching them, the bell rang
and the boys left. The clerics who were with me went to their tasks. I
looked about me and found myself alone. The vine was gone and my
guide had vanished. At this point I woke up and was able to get a little
rest.
On Friday, May 1, Don Bosco continued his narrative:
As I told you last night, I awoke thinking I had heard the bell ring, but
then I returned to sleep. Suddenly somebody shook me. I found myself

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A Dream: A Mysterious Vine
81
in my room, answering my mail. Afterward, I walked to the balcony,
gazed for a moment at the majestic dome of our new church, and then
went downstairs and stepped into the porticoes. At short intervals,
priests and clerics came from their various assignments and crowded
around me, among them Father Rua, Father Cagliero, Father Francesia,
and Father Savio. As I stood chatting with them, the Church of Mary,
Help of Christians, and all our present buildings abruptly disappeared,
and we found ourselves in front of the old Pinardi shed. [As in the pre-
vious dream] a vine sprouted up in exactly the same place, as if from the
same roots, grew to the sa~e height, and then spread its shoots hor-
izontally throughout a very vast area. The shoots in turn sprouted
leaves; then there came clusters of grapes that ripened under my very
eyes. But no boys were to be seen. The bunches of grapes were truly
enormous, like those of the Promised Land. One of them would have
taxed the strength of a man. The perfectly ripe, golden grapes were
oblong and extraordinarily large so that a single one would have been
quite a mouthful. Briefly, they looked so good as to make one's mouth
water. "Eat me," they seemed to say.
Father Cagliero and the other priests marveled, while I kept
exclaiming, "How gorgeous they are!"
Unceremoniously Father Cagliero plucked a few grapes and put one in
his mouth. No sooner did he sink his teeth into it than he spat it out so
forcefully that we thought he was vomiting. The grape had the taste of a
rotten egg. "Goodness gracious!" he exclaimed after much spitting.
"What stuff! It's enough to kill a man!"
We all stood speechless. Atthis moment, a serious-looking man came
out of the sacristry of the old chapel and determinedly strode up to me.
"How can such beautiful grapes taste so rotten?" I asked him. As if in
answer, he gravely fetched a bundle of sticks, picked a well-knotted one,
and offered it to Father Savio, saying, "Take this and thrash these
shoots!" Father Savio refused and stepped back. The man then
approached Father Francesia, but he too declined. The stranger then
turned to Father Cagliero and, taking him by the arm, tried to press the
stick in his hand. "Take it and strike!" he said. "Thrash and knock
down." So saying, he pointed to a certain spot. Startled, Father Cagliero
stepped back. "Are you joking?" he exclaimed, striking his fist into his
other hand. But the stranger insisted, "Take it and strike!" "Not I!"
Father Cagliero shot back. Then he hid behind me in fright.
Foiled but unperturbed, the stranger turned to Father Rua who, like
Father Cagliero, took refuge behind me. The man then came up to me.
"Take this stick and strike those shoots," he commanded. I made a great

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
effort to see whether I was dreaming or awake, but it all seemed very
real to me.
"Who are you?" I asked. "Why must I knock these shoots to the
ground? Am I dreaming? Am I imagining things? Are you speaking to
me in God's name?"
"Draw closer to the vine," he answered, "and see what's written on
those leaves!" I complied and read: Ut quid terram occupat? [Why does
it still encumber the ground?-Luke 13, 7].
"That's from the Gospel," my guide exclaimed.
"Yes," I remarked, "but remember that in the Gospel we also read
that Our Lord allowed the vinedresser to dig around it and manure it,
putting off its destruction until every attempt had been made to help it
bear good fruit."
"All right. We will postpone the punishment. Meanwhile, take a
look." So saying, he pointed to the vine. I looked but could not
understand what he was driving at.
"Come here," he said, "and read what's written on the grapes."
I noticed then that they bore the name of each pupil and his
predominant sin. I was aghast at what I sa:w. I was particularly fright-
ened by such inscriptions: "Proud, Unfaithful to His Promises, Un-
chaste, Two-Faced, Neglectful of His Duties, Calumniator, Vindictive,
Heartless, Sacrilegious, Contemptuous of Authority, Stumbling Block,
Follower of False Doctrines. I saw the names of those quorum deus
venter est [whose god is their belly]; of those who scientia in.flat [are
bloated by knowledge]; of those who quaerunt quae sua sunt, non f1Uae
Jesus Christi [seek their own interests, not Our Lord's]; of those who
scheme against their superiors and the house rules. Those .names inden-
tified past, present, and future pupils of ours. The last mentioned-
quite a number of them-were unknown to me.
"This is the fruit we get from this vineyard," the man said gravely-
"bitter, bad, and harmful to eternal salvation."
I immediately tried to jot down some names in my notebook, but again
my guide stopped me. "What are you up to?" he asked.
"Please let me take down the names of those I know so that I may
warn them privately .and correct them," I pleaded.
It was no use. He would not consent.
"If I tell my boys the pitiful state they are in, they will amend their
lives," I insisted.
"If they do not believe the Gospel," he replied, "they won't believe
you either."
I kept insisting that I wanted to take some notes for the future, but,
ignoring me, he walked up to Father Rua with the bundle of sticks.

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A Dream: A Mysterious Vine
83
"Take one," he told him, "and strike the vine." Crossing his arms,
Father Rua bowed his I1.ead and, murmuring "Patience," glanced at me.
I nodded approval. Father Rua then grabbed a stick, got close to the
vine, and began to beat it at the spot indicated. He had hardly dealt a
blow when the guide motioned him to stop and shouted to all of us to
step back.
We all withdrew a certain distance. From where we stood we could
see the grapes swell up and, though retaining their golden color and
oblong shape, become hideous masses resembling' shell-less snails.
Again the guide shouted: "Watch now: the Lord takes His vengeance!"
Immediately the sky darkened and a dense fog covered the vine entirely
from our sight. Through the darkness lightning flashed, thunder roared,
and dreadful thunderbolts struck everywhere over the playground. The
vine shoots bent under the furious wind and all the leaves were stripped
away. Finally a hailstorm hit the vine. I tried to flee, but my guide held
me back. "Look at the hail!" he said.
I noticed that the hailstones, big as eggs, were either black or red,
each pointed at one end and flat at the other, like a mallet. Those nearest
to me were black but beyond I could see the red ones.
"It's weird!" I exclaimed. "I never saw hailstones like these."
"Get closer," the stranger said, "and you will see something else."
I complied, but an awful stench made me draw back immediately. At
the man's insistence, I picked one up to examine it, but, unable to
stomach the smell, I dropped it instantly. "I couldn't see anything," I
said.
"Try again," he replied.
Overcoming my revulsion, I took up a black hailstone and read on it:
"Immodesty." Then I walked over to the red hailstones. Though
ice-cold, they started fires wherever they fell. I picked one up. It still
smelled very badly, but I found it easier to read on it: "Pride."
Somewhat embarrassed by these findings, I asked, "Are these then the
two main vices threateni1:1g this house?"
"These are the two main vi~es that ruin most souls not only in your
house but all over the world. In due time, you will see how many will
plunge into hell because of them."
"Then what must I tell my sons to make them abhor them?"
"You will soon find out," he said and moved away from me. Mean-
while hailstones kept pelting the vine furiously amid thunder and
lightning. The grapes were now a mess, looking as if they haci been
thoroughly crushed by vintners' feet in a vat. The juice fouled the air
with such a sickening stench that it was hardly possible to breathe. Each
grape gave out a foul smell of its own, each more repelling than the

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
other, depending on the number and kind of sin. Unable to stand it, I put
my handkerchief to my nose and turned to go to my room. I realized then
that I was utterly alone. Father Francesia, Father Rua, Father Cagliero,
and all the others had fled. In that silence and solitude I became so
frightened that I broke into a run and woke up.
As you see, this was a very nasty dream, but what happened the
following night was much worse~ I'll tell you about it soon. What these
dreams imply are at present beyond your understanding. I shall explain
them in due time. It is late now, and so I'll let you go to bed.
We must bear in mind that the grave faults revealed to Don
Bosco did not all refer to that specific year but to future years as
well. He not only saw all his past and present Oratory pupils bbt
countless others, unknown to him, who would attend his schools
throughout the world. Similarly, the parable of the fruitless vine
in the Book of Isaiah spans several centuries.
Furthermore, we should not forget for a moment what the
guide said: "Not all the boys are now as you see them, but they
will be so one day unless they mend their ways." The path of evil
leads to the abyss.
We also wish to point out that after the appearance of the vine a
stranger came upon the scene who, though not immediately
recognized by Don Bosco, later acted as his guide and interpreter.
In narrating these and other dreams, Don Bosco occasionally
called him "a stranger" in order to play down what w~s most
striking about his dreams and-let us say it-what too clearly
indicated a supernatural intervention.
Taking advantage of the intimacy with which he honored us, we
often asked him about this "stranger." Though we did not get a
clear-cut answer, we became convinced through other clues that
the guide was not always the same. In turn, he may have been an
angel, a deceased pupil, St. Francis de Sales, St. Joseph, or some
other saint. On certain occasions, as Don Bosco explicitly stated,
Louis Comollo, 2 Dominic Savio,3 and Louis Colle4 had acted as
guides. Sometimes, too, other personages appeared along with
them.
2 A fellow seminarian of Don Bosco. See Vol. I, pp. 249-56, 339-45. [Editor]
3-See Index of Volume V. [Editor]
4.A saintly French youth whom Don Bosco prepared for death during his visit to Toulon
(France) in ·1881. More will be said about him in Volumes XV through XVIII. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 15
A Dream: To Hell and Back!
ON Sunday night, May 3 [1868] the feast of St. Joseph's
patronage, Don Bosco resumed the narration of his dreams:
I have another dream to tell you, a sort of aftermath of those I told you
last Thursday and Friday which totally exhausted me. Call them dreams
or whatever you like. Anyway, as you know, on the night of April 17 a
frightful toad seemed bent on devouring me. When it finally vanished, a
voice said to me: "Why don't you tell them?" I turned in that direction
and saw a distinguished person standing by my bed. Feeling guilty
about my silence, I asked: "What should I tell my boys?"
°"What yoii have seen and heard in your last dreams and what you
have wanted to know and shall have revealed to you tomorrow night!"
He then vanished.
I spent the whole next day worrying about the miserable night in store
for me, and when evening came, loath to go to bed, I sat at my desk
browsing through books until midnight. The mere thought of having
more nightmares thoroughly scared me. However, with great effort, I
finally went to bed.
Lest I should fall asleep immediately and start dreaming, I set my
pillow upright against the headboard and practically sat up, but soon in
my exhaustion I simply fell asleep. Immediately the same person of the
night before appeared at my bedside. (Don Bosco often called him "the
man with the cap. ")
"Get up and follow me!" he said.
"For heaven's sake," I protested, "leave me alone. I am exhausted!
I've been tormented by a toothache for several days now and need rest.
Besides, nightmares have completely worn me out." I said this because
this man's apparition always means trouble, fatigue, and terror for me.
"Get up," he repeated. "You have no time to lose."
I complied and followed him. "Where are you taking me?" I asked.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Never mind. You'll see." He led me to a vast, boundless plain,
veritably a lifeless desert, with not a soul in sight or a tree or brook.
Yellowed, dried-up vegetation added to the desolation. I had no idea
where I was or what was I to do. For a moment I even lost sight of my
guide and feared that I was lost, utterly alone. Father Rua, Father
Francesia, and the others were nowhere to be seen. When I finally saw
my friend coming toward me, I sighed in relief.
"Where am I?" I asked.
"Come with me and you will find out!"
"All right. I'll go with you."
He led the way and I followed in silence, but after a long, dismal
trudge, I began worrying whether I would ever be able to cross that vast
expanse, what with my toothache and swollen legs. Suddenly I saw a
road ahead. "Where to now?" I asked my guide.
"This way," he replied.
We took the road. It was beautiful, wide, and neatly paved. Via
peccantium complanata lapidibus, et in fine illorum inferi, et tenebrae,
et poenae [The way of sinners is smooth stones and at their end are hell
and darkness and pain-Sir. 21, 11]. Both sides were lined with magnif-
icent verdant hedges dotted with gorgeous flowers. Roses, especially,
peeped everywhere through the leaves. At first glance, the road was
level and comfortable, and so I ventured upon it without the least
suspicion, but soon I noticed that it insensibly kept sloping downward.
Though it did not look steep at all, I found myself moving so swiftly that I
felt I was effortlessly gliding through the air. Really, I was gliding and
hardly using my feet. Then the thought struck me that the return trip
would be very long and arduous.
"How shall we get back to the Oratory? I asked worriedly.
"Do not worry," he answered. "The Almighty wants you to go. He
who leads you on will also know how to lead you back."
The road kept sloping downward. As we were continuing on our way,
flanked by banks of roses and other flowers, I became aware that the
Oratory boys and very many others whom I did not know were following
me. Somehow I found myself in their midst. As I was looking at them, I
noticed now one, now another fall to the ground and instantly be
dragged by an unseen force toward a frightful drop, distantly visible,
which sloped into a furnace. "What makes these boys fall?" I asked my
companion. Funes extenderunt in laqueum; iuxta iter scandalum
posuerunt [They have spread cords for a net; by the wayside they have
laid snares for me-Ps. 139, 6].
a "Take closer look," he replied.

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I did. Traps were everywhere, some close to the ground, others at
eye level, but all well concealed. Unaware of their danger, many boys
got caught, and they tripped, they would sprawl to the ground, legs in
the air. Then, when they managed to get back on their feet, they would
run headlong down the road toward the abyss. Some got trapped by the
head, others by the neck, hand, arms, legs, or sides, and were pulled
down instantly. The ground traps, fine as spiders' webs and hardly
visible, seemed very flimsy and harmless; yet, to my surprise, every boy
they snared fell to the ground.
Noticing my astonishment, the guide remarked, "Do you know what
this is?"
"Just some filmy fiber," I answered.
"A mere nothing," he said, "just plain human respect."
Seeing that many boys were being caught in those traps, I asked,
"Why do so many get caught? Who pulls them down?"
"Go nearer and you will see!" he told me.
I followed his advice but saw nothing peculiar.
"Look closer," he insisted.
I picked up one of the traps and tugged. I immediately felt some
resistance. I pulled harder, only to feel that, instead of drawing the
thread closer, I was being pulled down myself. I did not resist and soon
found myself at the mouth of a frightful cave. I halted, unwilling to ven-
ture into that deep cavern, and again started pulling the thread toward
me. It gave a little, but only through great effort on my part. I kept
tugging, and after a long while a huge, hideous monster emerged,
clutching a rope to which all those traps were tied together. He was the
one who instantly dragged down anyone who got caught in them. It
won't do to match my strength with his, I said to myself. I'll certainly
lose. I'd better fight him with the Sign of the Cross and with short
invocations.
Then I went back to my guide. "Now you know who he is," he said to
me.
"I surely do! It is the devil himself!"
Carefully examining many of the traps, I saw that each bore an
inscription: Pride, Disobedience, Envy, Sixth Commandment, Theft,
Gluttony, Sloth, Anger and so on. Stepping back a bit to see which ones
trapped the greater number of boys, I discovered that the most
dangerous were those of impurity, disobedience, and pride. In fact,
these three were linked together. Many other traps also did great harm,
but not as much as the first two. Still watching, I noticed many boys run-
ning faster than others. "Why such haste?" I asked.

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Because they are dragged by the snare of human respect."
Looking even more closely, I spotted knives among the traps. A provi-
dential hand had put them there for cutting oneself free. The bigger
ones, symbolizing meditation, were for use against the trap of pride;
others, not quite as big, symbolized spiritual reading well made. There
were also two swords representing devotion to the Blessed Sacrament,
especially through frequent Holy Communion, and to the Blessed
Virgin. There was also a hammer symbolizing confession, and ·other
knives signifying devotion to St. Joseph, to St. Aloysius, and to other
saints. By these means quite a few boys were able to free themselves or
evade capture.
Indeed I saw some lads walking safely through all those traps, either
by good timing before the trap sprung on them or by making it slip off
them if they got caught.
When my guide was satisfied that I had ·observed everything, he made
me continue along that rose-hedged road, but the farther we went the
scarcer the roses became. Long thorns began to show up, and soon the
roses were no more. The hedges became sun-scorched, leafless, and
thorn-studded. Withered branches torn from the bushes lay criss-
crossed along the roadbed, littering it with thorns and making it impass-
able. We had come now to a gulch whose steep sides hid what lay be-
yond. The road, still sloping downward, was becoming ever more horrid,
rutted, guttered, and bristling with rocks and boulders. I lost track of all
my boys, most of whom had left this treacherous road for other paths.
I kept going, but the further I advanced, the more arduous and steep
became the descent, so that I tumbled and fell several times, lying pros-
trate until I could catch my breath. Now and then my guide supported
me or helped me to rise. At every step my joints seemed to give way,
and I thought my shinbones would snap. Panting, I said to my guide,
"My good fellow, my legs won't carry me another step. I just can't go
any farther."
He did not answer but continued walking. Taking heart, I followed
until, seeing me soaked in perspiration and thoroughly exhausted, he
led me to a little clearing alongside the road. I sat down, took -a deep
breath, and felt a little better. From my resting place, the road I had
already traveled looked very steep, jagged, and strewn with loose
stones, but what lay ahead seemed so much worse that I closed my eyes
in horror.
"Let's go back," I pleaded. "If we go any farther, how shall we ever
get back to the Oratory? I will never make it up this slope."
"Now that we have come so far, do you want me to leave you here?"
my guide sternly asked.

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At this threat, I wailed, "How can I survive without your help?"
"Then follow me."
We continued our descent, the road now becoming so frightfully steep
that it was almost impossible to stand erect. And then, at the bottom of
this precipice, at the entrance of a dark valley, an enormous building
loomed into sight, its towering portal, tightly locked, facing our road.
When I finally got to the bottom, I became smothered by a suffocating
heat, while a greasy, green-tinted smoke lit by flashes of scarlet flames
rose from behind those enormous walls which loomed higher than
mountains.
"Where are we? What is this?" I asked my guide.
"Read the inscription on that portal and you will know."
I looked up and read these words: Ubi non est redemptio [The place of
no reprieve]. I realized that we were at the gates of hell. The guide led
me all around this horrible place. At regular distances, bronze portals
like the first overlooked precipitous descents; on each was an
inscription, such as: Discedite, maledicti, in ignem aetemum quj
paratus est diabolo et angelis eius [Depart from Me, you cursed, into
everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels-Matt.
25, 41]; Omnis arbor quae non facit fructum bonum excidetur et in
ignem mittetur [Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire-Matt. 7, 19].
I tried to copy them into my notebook, but my guide restrained me:
"There is no need. You have them all in Holy Scripture. You even have
some of them inscribed in your porticoes." 1
At such a sight I wanted to turn back and return to the Oratory. As a
matter of fact, I did start back, but my guide ignored my attempt. After
trudging through a steep, never-ending ravine, we again came to the
foot of the precipice facing the first portal. Suddenly the guide turned to
me. Upset and startled, he motioned to me to step aside. "Look!" he
said.
I looked up in terror and saw in the distance someone racing down
the path at an uncontrollable speed. I kept my eyes on him, trying to
identify him, and as he got closer, I recognized him as one of my boys.
His disheveled hair was partly standing upright on his head and partly
tossed back by the wind. His arms were outstretched as though he were
thrashing the water in an attempt to stay afloat. He wanted to stop, but
could not. Tripping on the protruding stones, he kept falling even faster.
"Let's help him, let's stop him," I shouted, holding out my hands in a
vain effort to restrain him.
"Leave him alone," the guide replied.
"Why?"
1 See Vol. V, pp. 357ff; Vol. VI, p. 566; Vol. VII, p. 254. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Don't you know how terrible God's vengeance is? Do you think you
can restrain one who is fleeing from His just wrath?"
Meanwhile the youth had turned his fiery gaze backward in an
attempt to see if God's wrath were still pursuing him. The next moment
he fell tumbling to the bottoiv of the ravine and crashed against the
bronze portal as though he could find no better refuge in his flight.
"Why was he looking backward in terror?" I asked.
"Because God's wrath will pierce hell's gates to reach and torment
him even in the midst of fire l"
As the boy crashed into the portal, it sprang open with a roar, and
instantly a thousand inner portals opened with a deafening clamor as if
struck by a body that had been propelled by an invisible, most violent,
irresistible gale. As these bronze doors-one behind the other, though
at a considerable distance from each other-remained momentarily
open, I saw far into the distance something like furnace jaws spouting
fiery balls the moment the youth hurtled into it. As swiftly as they had
opened, the portals then clanged shut again. For a third time I tried to
jot down the name of that unfortunate lad, but the guide again
restrained me. "Wait," he ordered. "Watch!"
Three other boys of ours, screaming in terror and with arms
outstretched, were rolling down one behind the other like massive rocks.
I recognized them as they too crashed against the portal. In that split
second, it sprang open and so did the other thousand. The three lads
were sucked into that endless corridor amid a long-drawn, fading,
infernal echo, and then the portals clanged shut again. At intervals,
many other lads came tumbling down after them. I saw one unlucky boy
being pushed down the slope by an evil companion. Others fell singly or
with others, arm in arm or side by side. Each of them bore the name of
his sin on his forehead. I kept calling to them as they hurtled down, but
they did not hear me. Again the portals would open thunderously and
slam shut with a rumble. Then, dead silence!
"Bad companions, bad books, and bad habits," my guide exclaimed,
"are mainly responsible for so many eternally lost."
The traps I had seen earlier were indeed dragging the boys to ruin.
Seeing so many going to perdition, I cried out disconsolately, "If so
many of our boys end up this way, we are working in vain. How can we
prevent such tragedies?"
"This is their present state," my guide replied, "and that is where
they would go if they were to die now."
"Then let me jot down their names so that I may warn them and put
them back on the path to heaven."

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"Do you really believe that some of them would reform if you were to
warn them? Then and there your warning might impress them, but
soon they will forget it, saying, 'It was just a dream,' and they will do
worse than before. Others, realizing they have been unmasked, will
receive the scraments, but this will be neither spontaneous nor meritor-
ious; others will go to confession because of a momentary fear of hell but
will still be attached to sin."
"Then is there no way to save these unfortunate lads? Please, tell me
what I can do for them."
"They have superiors; let them obey them. They have rules; let them
observe them. They have the sacraments; let them receive them."
Just then a new group of boys came hurtling down and the portals
momentarily opened. "Let's go in," the guide said to me.
I pulled back in horror. I could not wait to rush back to the Oratory to
warn the boys lest others might be lost as well.
"Come," my guide insisted. "You'll learn much. But first tell me: Do
you wish to go alone or with me?" He asked this to make me realize that
I was not brave enough and therefore needed his friendly assistance.
"Alone inside that horrible place?" I replied. "How will I ever be able
to find my way out without your help?" Then a thought came to my mind
and aroused my courage. Before one is condemned to hell, I said to
myself, he must be judged. And I haven't been judged yet!
"Let's go," I exclaimed resolutely, We entered that narrow, horrible
corridor and whizzed through it with lightning speed. Threatening
inscriptions shone eerily over all the inner gateways. The last one
opened into a vast, grim courtyard with a large, unbelievably forbidding
entrance at the far end. Above it stood this inscription: ]bunt impii in
ignem aeternum [And these (the wicked) shall go into everlasting
fire-Matt. 25, 46]. The walls all about were similarly inscribed. I asked
my guide if I could read them, and he consented. These were the
inscriptions:
Dabo ignem in cames eorum ut comburantur in sempitemum [I will
give fire ... into their flesh that they may burn forever-Cf. Judith 16,
21].
Cruciabuntur die ac nocte in saecula saeculorum [They will be
tormented day and night forever and ever-Apoc. 20, 10].
Hie universitas malorum per omnia saecula saeculorum [Here all
kinds of torments forever and ever].
Nullus est hie ordo, sed horror sempitemus inhabitat [Here disorder
and everlasting horror dwell-Job 10, 22].
Fumus tormentorum suorum in aetemum ascendit [The smoke of

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
their torments goes up forever and ever-Apoc. 14, 11].
Non est pax impiis [There is no peace to the wicked-Is. 48, 22].
Clamor et stridor dentium [There shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth-Matt. 8, 12].
While I moved from one inscription to another, my guide, who had
stood in the center of the courtyard, came up to me.
"From here on," he said, "no one may have a helpful companion, a
comforting friend, a loving heart, a compassionate glance, or a
benevolent word. All that is gone forever. Do you just want to see or
would you rather experience these things yourself?"
"I only want to see!" I answered.
"Then come with me," my friend added, and, taking me in tow, he
stepped through that gate into a corridor at whose far end stood an ob-
servation platform, closed by a huge, single crystal pane reaching from
the pavement to the ceiling. As soon as I crossed its threshold, I felt an
indescribable terror and dared not take another step. Ahead of me
I could see something like an immense cave which gradually disap-
peared into recesses sunk far into the bowels of the mountains. They
were all ablaze, but theirs was not an earthly fire with leaping tongues of
flames. The entire cave-walls, ceiling, floor, iron, stones, wood, and
coal-everything was a glowing white at temperatures of thousands of
degrees. Yet the fire did not incinerate, did not consume. I simply can't
find words to describe the cavern's horror. Praeparata est enim ab heri
Thopeth, a rege praeparata, profunda et dilatata. Nutrimenta eius, ignis
et ligna mu/ta; flatus Domini sicut to"ens sulphuris succendens eam
[For in Topheth there has been prepared beforehand ... a pit deep and
wide with straw and wood in plenty. The breath of Yahweh, like a stream
of brimstone, will set fire to it-Is. 30, 33].
I was staring in bewilderment about me when a lad dashed out of a
gate. Seemingly unaware of anything else, he emitted a most shrilling
scream, like one who is about to fall into a cauldron of liquid bronze, and
plummeted into the center of the cave. Instantly he too became
incandescent and perfectly motionless, while the echo of his dying wail
lingered for an instant more.
Terribly frightened, I stared briefly at him for a while. He seemed to
be one of my Oratory boys. "Isn't he so and so?" I asked my guide.
"Yes," was the answer.
"Why is he so still, so incandescent?"
"You chose to see," he replied. "Be satisfied with that. Just keep
looking. Besides, omnis enim igne salietur et omnis victima sale
salietur [Everyone shall be salted with fire; every victim shall be
salted-Mark 9, 48].

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As I looked again, another boy came hurtling down into the cave at
breakneck speed. He too was from the Oratory. As he fell, so he
remained. He too emitted one single heartrending shriek that blended
with the last echo of the scream that came from the youth who had pre-
ceded him. Other boys kept hurtling in the same way in increasing num-
bers, all screaming the same way and then all becoming equally motion-
less and incandescent. I noticed that the first seemed frozen to the spot,
one hand and one foot raised into the air; the second boy seemed bent
almost double to the floor. Others stood or hung in various other
positions, balancing themselves on one foot or hand, sitting or lying on
their backs or on their sides, standing or kneeling, hands clutching their
hair. Briefly, the scene resembled a large statuary group of youngsters
cast into ever more painful postures. Other lads hurtled into that same
furnace. Some I knew; others were strangers to me. I then recalled what
is written in the Bible to the effect that as one falls into hell, so he shall
forever remain. Lignum, in quocumque loco ceciderit, ibi erit [Where the
tree falls, there it shall lie-Eccles. 11, 3].
More frightened than ever, I asked my guide, "When these boys come
dashing into this cave, don't they know where they are going?"
"They surely do. They have been warned a thousand times, but they
still choose to rush into the fire because they do not detest sin and are
loath to forsake it. Furthemore, they despise and reject God's inces-
sant, merciful invitations to do penance. Thus provoked, Divine Justice
harries them, hounds them, and goads them on so that they cannot halt
until they reach this place."
"Oh, how miserable these unfortunate boys must feel in knowing they
no longer have any hope," I exclaimed.
"If you really want to know their innermost frenzy and fury, go a little
closer~ my guide remarked.
I took a few steps forward and saw that many of those poor wretches
were savagely striking at each other like mad dogs. Others were clawing
their own faces and hands, tearing their own flesh and spitefully
throwing it about. Just then the entire ceiling of the cave became as
transparent as crystal and revealed a patch of heaven and their radiant
companions ·safe for all eternity.
The poor wretches, fuming and panting with envy, burned with rage
because they had once ridiculed the just. Peccator videbit et irascetur;
dentibus suis fremet et tabescet [The wicked shall see and shall be
angry. He shall gnash his teeth and pine away-Ps. 111, 10].
"Why do I hear no sound?" I asked my guide.
"Go closer!" he advised.
Pressing my ear to the crystal window, I heard screams and sobs,

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
blasphemies and imprecations against the saints. It was a tumult of
voices and cries, shrill and confused.
"When they recall the happy lot of their good companions," he
replied, "they are obliged to admit: Nos, insensati, vitam illorum aes-
timabamus insaniam et finem illorum sine honore. Ecce quomodo
computati sunt inter filios Dei et inter sanctos sors illorum est. Ergo
e"avimus a via veritatis [Fools that we were! Their lives we deemed
madness and their deaths dishonored. See how they are accounted
among the sons of God; their lot is with the saints. We, then, have
strayed from the way of the truth-Wis. 5, 4-5].
"That is why they cry out: Lassati sumus in via iniquitatis et
perditionis. E"avimus per vias difficiles, viam autem Domini
ignoravimus. Quid nobis profuit superbia? . .. Transierunt omnia ilia
tamquam umbra [We had our fill of the ways of mischief and ruin. We
journeyed through impassable deserts, but the way of the Lord we knew
not. What did our pride avail us? ... All those things passed like a
shadow-Wis. 5, 7-9].
"Such are the mournful chants which shall echo here throughout eter-
nity. But their shouts, their efforts and their cries are all in vain. Omnis
dolor irruet super eos! [All evils will fall upon them-Cf. Job. 20, 22].
"Here time is no more. Here is only eternity."
While I viewed the condition of many of my boys in utter terror, a
thought suddenly struck me. "How can these boys be damned?" I asked.
"Last night they were still alive at the Oratory!"
"The boys you see here," he answered, "are all dead to God's grace.
Were they to die now or persist in their evil ways, they would be
damned. But we are wasting time. Let us go on."
He led me away and we went down through a corridor into a lower
cavern, at whose entrance I read: Vermis eorum non morietur, et ignis
non extinguetur [Their worm shall not die and their fire shall not be
quenched-ls. 66, 24]. Dabit Dominus omnipotens ignem et vermes in
carnes eorum ut urantur et sentiant usque in sempiternum [He will give
fire and worms into their flesh, that they may burn and may feel for
ever-Judith 16, 21].
Here one could see how atrocious was the remorse of those who had
been pupils in our schools. What a torment was theirs to remember each
unforgiven sin and its just punishment, the countless, even extraordi-
nary means they had had to mend their ways, persevere in virtue, and
earn paradise, and their lack of response to the many favors promised
and bestowed by the Virgin Mary. What a torture to think that they
could have been saved so easily, yet now are irredeemably lost, and to

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remember the many good resolutions made and never kept. Hell is
indeed paved with good intentions!
In this lower cavern I again saw those Oratory boys who had fallen into
the fiery furnace. Some are listening to me right now; others are former
pupils or even strangers to me. I drew closer to them and noticed that
they were all covered with worms and vermin which gnawed at their
vitals, hearts, eyes, hands, legs, and entire bodies so ferociously as to
defy description. Helpless and motionless, they were a prey to every
kind of torment. Hoping I might be able to speak with them or to hear
something from them, I drew even closer but no one spoke or even
looked at me. I then asked my guide why, and he explained that the
damned are totally deprived of freedom. Each must fully endure his own
punishment, with absolutely no reprieve whatever.
"And now," he added, "you too must enter that cavern."
"Oh, no!" I objected in terror. "Before going to hell, one has to be
judged. I have not been judged yet, and so I will not go to hell!"
"Listen," he said, "what would you rather do: visit hell and save your
boys, or stay outside and leave them in agony?"
For a moment I was struck speechless. "Of course I love my boys and
wish to save them all," I replied, "but isn't there some other way out?"
"Yes, there is a way," he went on, "provided you do all you can."
I breathed more easily and instantly said to myself, I don't mind
slaving ifI can rescue these beloved sons of mine from such torments.
"Come inside then," my friend went on, "and see how our good,
almighty God lovingly provides a thousand means for guiding your boys
to penance and saving them from everlasting death."
Taking my hand, he led me into the cave. As I stepped in, I found
myself suddenly transported into a magnificent hall whose curtained
glass doors concealed more entrances.
Above one of them I read this inscription: The Sixth Commandment.
Pointing to it, my guide exclaimed, "Transgressions of this command-
ment caused the eternal ruin of many boys."
"Didn't they go to confession?"
"They did, but they either omitted or insufficiently confessed the sins
against the beautiful virtue of purity, saying for instance that they had
committed such sins two or three times when it was four or five. Other
boys may have fallen into that sin but once in their childhood, and,
through shame, never confessed it or did so insufficiently. Others were
not truly sorry or sincere in their resolve to avoid it in the future. There
were even some who, rather than examine their conscience, spent their
time trying to figure out how best to deceive their confessor. Anyone

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
dying in this frame of mind chooses to be among the damned, and so he
is doomed for all eternity. Only those who die truly repentant shall be
eternally happy. Now do you want to see why our merciful God brought
you here?" He lifted the curtain and I saw a group of Oratory boys-all
known to me-who were there because of this sin. Among them were
some whose conduct seems to be good.
"Now you will surely let me take down their names so that I may warn
them individually," I exclaimed.
"It won't be necessary!"
"Then what do you suggest I tell them?"
"Always preach against immodesty. A generic warning will suffice.
Bear in mind that even if you did admonish them individually, they
would promise, but not always in earnest. For a firm resolution, one
needs God's grace which will not be denied to your boys if they pray.
God manifests His power especially by being merciful and forgiving. On
your part, pray and make sacrifices. As for the boys, let them listen to
your admonitions and consult their conscience. It will tell them what to
do."
We spent the next half hour discussing the requisites of a good
confession. Afterward, my guide several times exclaimed in a loud
voice, "A vertere! A vertere!"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Change life!"
Perplexed, I bowed my head and made as if to withdraw, but he held
me back.
"You haven't seen everything yet," he explained.
He turned and lifted another curtain bearing this inscription: Qui
volunt divites fieri, incidunt in tentationem et laqueum diaboli [Those
who long to be rich fall a prey to temptation and to the sna,res of the
devil-1 Tim. 6, 9].
"This does not apply to my boys," I countered, "because they are as
poor as I am. We are not rich and do not want to be. We give it no
thought."
As the curtain was lifted, however, I saw a group of boys, all known to
me. They were in pain, like those I had seen before. Pointing to them,
my guide remarked, As you see, the inscription does apply to your
boys."
"But how?" I asked.
"Well," he said, "some boys are so attached to material possessions
that their love of God is lessened. Thus they sin against charity, piety,
and meekness. Even the mere desire of riches can corrupt the heart,

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especially if such a desire leads to injustice. Your boys are poor, but
remember that greed and idleness are bad counselors. One of your boys
committed substantial thefts in his native town, and though he could
make restitution, he gives it not a thought. There are others who try to
break into the pantry or the prefect's or economer's office; those who
rummage in their companions' trunks for food, money, or possessions;
those who steal stationery and books .... "
After naming these boys and others as well, he continued, "Some are
here for having stolen clothes, linen, blankets, and coats from the
Oratory wardrobe in order to send them home to their families; others
for willful, serious damage; others, yet, for not having given back what
they had borrowed or for having kept sums of money they were
supposed to hand over to the superior. Now that you know who these
boys are," he concluded, "admonish them. Tell them to curb all vain,
harmful desires, to obey God's law and to safeguard their reputation
jealously lest greed lead them to greater excesses and plunge them into
sorrow, death, and damnation."
I couldn't understand why such dreadful punishments should be
meted out for infractions that boys thought so little of, but my guide
shook me out of my thoughts by saying: "Recall what you were told
when you saw those spoiled grapes on the vine." With these words he
lifted another curtain which hid many of our Oratory boys, all of whom I
-recognized instantly. The inscription on the curtain read: Radix omnium
malorum [The root of all evils].
"Do you know what that means?" he asked me immediately.
"What sin does that refer to?"
"Pride?"
"No!"
"And yet I have always heard that pride is the root of all evil."
"It is, generally speaking, but, specifically, do you know what led
Adam and Eve to commit the first sin for which they were driven away
from their earthly paradise?"
"Disobedience?"
"Exactly! Disobedience is the root of all evil."
"What shall I tell my boys about it?"
"Listen carefully: the boys you see here are those who prepare such a
tragic end for themselves by being disobedient. So-and-so and
so-and-so, who you think went to bed, leave the dormitory later in the
night to roam about the playground, and, contrary to orders, they
stray into dangerous areas and up scaffolds, endangering even their
lives. Others go to church, but, ignoring recommendations, they

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
misbehave; instead of praying, they daydream or cause a disturbance.
there are also those who make themselves comfortable so as to doze off
during church services, and those who only make believe they are going
to church.-Woe to those who 1teglect prayer! He who does not pray
dooms himself to perdition. Some are here because, instead of singing
hymns or saying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, they read
frivolous or-worse yet-forbidden books." He then went on mentioning
other serious breaches of discipline.
When he was done, I was dee_ply moved.
"May I mention all these things to my boys?" I asked, looking at him
straight in the eye.
"Yes, you may tell them whatever you remember."
"What advice shall I give them to safeguard them from such a
tragedy?
"Keep telling them that by obeying God, the Church, their parents,
and their superiors, even in little things, they will be saved.
"Anything else?"
"Warn them against idleness. Because of idleness David fell into sin.
Tell them to keep busy at all times, because the devil will not then have a
chance to tempt them."
I bowed my head and promised. Faint with dismay, I could only
mutter, "Thanks for having been so good to me. Now, please lead me
out of here."
"All right, then, Come with me." Encouragingly he took my hand and
held me up because I could hardly stand on my feet. Leaving that hall, in
no time at all we retraced our steps through that horrible courtyard and
the long corridor. But as soon as we stepped across the last bronze
portal, he turned to me and said, "Now that you have seen what others
suffer, you too must experience a touch of hell."
"No, no!" I cried in terror.
He insisted, but I kept refusing.
"Do not be afraid," he told me; "just try it. Touch this wall."
I could not muster enough courage and tried to get away, but he held
me back. "Try it," he insisted. Gripping my arm firmly, he pulled me to
the wall. "Only one touch," he commanded, "so that you may say you
have both seen and touched the walls of eternal suffering and that you
may understand what the last wall must be like if the first is so
unendurable. Look at this wall!"
I did intently. It seemed incredibly thick. "There are a thousand walls
between this and the real fire of hell," my guide continued. "A· thousand
walls encompass it, each a thousand measures thick and equally distant
from the next one. Each measure is a thousand miles. This wall

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A Dream: To Hell and Back!
99
therefore is millions and millions of miles from hell's real fire. It is just a
remote rim of hell itself."
When he said this, I instinctively pulled back, but he seized my hand,
forced it open, and pressed it against the first of the thousand walls. The
sensation was so utterly excruciating that I leaped back with a scream
and found myself sitting up in bed. My hand was stinging and I kept
rubbing it to ease the pain. When I got up this morning I noticed that it
was swollen. Having my hand pressed against the wall, though only in a
dream, felt so real that, later, the skin of my palm peeled off.
Bear in mind that I have tried not to frighten you very much, and so I
have not described these things in all their horror as I saw them and as
they impressed me. We know that Our Lord always portrayed hell in
symbols because, had He described it as it really is, we would not have
understood Him. No mortal can comprehend these things. The Lord
knows them and He reveals them to whomever He wills.
The next several nights I could not fall asleep because I was still upset
by this frightful dream. What I told you is but a brief summary of very
lengthy dreams. Later I shall talk to you about human respect, the Sixth
and Seventh Commandments, and pride. I shall do nothing more than
explain these dreams, which fully accord with Holy Scripture. In fact,
they are but a commentary on the Bible's teachings on these matters.
Some nights ago I told you something, but I'll tell you the rest and
explain it whenever I have a chance to speak to you.
Don Bosco kept his promise. Later, he narrated this dream in a
condensed form to the boys of our schools in Mirabello and Lanzo.
In the retelling he introduced variations but made no substantial
changes. Likewise, when he spoke of it privately to Salesian
priests and clerics, with whom he enjoyed greater familiarity, he
would add new particulars. Occasionally he omitted details when
talking to some people, while revealing them to others. Concern-
ing the devil's traps, while discussing bad habits, he elaborated
on the devil's tactics for luring victims to hell. Of many scenes he
offered no explanation. For instance, he said nothing about the
majestic figures he saw in that magnificent hall, which we are
inclined to call "the treasure house of God's mercy for saving boys
who would otherwise perish." Were these persons perhaps the
principal dispensers of countless graces?
Some variations in his narration stemmed from the multiplicity
of simultaneous scenes. As they flashed back into his mind, he

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100
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
would select what he considered most suited to his audience.
After all, meditating on the Four Last Things was a habit with
him. Such meditation kindled a most lively compassion in his
heart for all sinners threatened by such a frightful eternity. This
ardent charity helped him overcome any reticence as he prudently
but frankly invited even very prominent people to mend their
ways. It also made his words so effective as to work many con-
versions.
We have faithfully recorded what we ourselves heard at length
from Don Bosco or what was testified to us orally or in writing by
various priests after coordinating it into one single narrative. It
was a difficult task because we wished to record most accurately
every word, every link between scenes, and the sequence of
incidents, warnings, reproaches, and whatever else he said but
did not explain and was perhaps misunderstood. Did we achieve
our aim? We can assure our readers that we most diligently
sought one thing only: to expound as faithfully as possible Don
Bosco' s long talks.

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CHAPTER 16
Love for the Church
{Q1TH the close of 1867 came the ending of a very
serious, three-year-old scandal in the Church. Jerome Cardinal
d' Andrea [bishop of the suburban see of Sabina, near Rome], a
scholarly, haughty man, had for quite some time been at odds not
so much with Pius IX, whose deep mysticism he often derided, as
with [James] Cardinal Antonelli, whose policies he rejected and
whose post he envied. Intoxicated with flattery, he left his diocese
against the Pope's orders in June 1864 and went to Naples,
allegedly for health reasons. He was welcom~d with great honor
at the border, and the liberal newspapers spread the word that as
a genuine patriot and champion of progress, he had severed all
connections with Cardinal Antonelli and the Jesuits.
The cardinal defended his actions in a letter of December 28,
1864 to the editors of Conciliatore, which closed with the state-
ment: "From here on I remain silent, for undeniably mind and
tongue are not used honestly by everyone." Later, on February
15, 1865, he sent a Lenten pastoral letter to his diocese informing
the faithful that poor health had forced him to prolong his stay in
Naples. Since the cardinal was residing outside his diocese, Pius
IX issued a brief that same month depriving him of his revenue.
In May the cardinal countered with an open letter of protest to
Mario Cardinal Mattei, dean of the Sacred College. It was given
ample coverage in the press, and anticlerical papers had a field
day with tongue-in-cheek comments about the cardinal and his
alleged opponents. Finally, on September 10, 1865, rather than
comply with the Pope's request that he return to Rome, the
cardinal sent a letter to his fellow cardinals and bishops in
defense of his political views concerning papal temporal power in
101

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102
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
the face of Italy's unification. He closed his letter as follows: 1
I shall return to Rome as soon as my health, now improving, will allow
me to do so. I wish to make it clear that this should not be interpreted as
an act of submission, for no one has the right to ask that of me, either
fairly or canonically. I shall return of my own free will when I think I
have recovered sufficiently to resume my duties .... I hope that someday
the Holy Father will open his eyes to the intrigues hatched against me
and that in fairness he will deem it necessary ·to put a stop to it all.
As a matter of fact, the Pope had always been indulgent with
the cardinal and in 1865 had even undertaken his defense against
new complaints lodged against him. "Do not believe everything
that the anticlerical press writes about him," he had remarked,
"but be convinced that the higher a man stands, the lower he will
fall if God's grace forsakes him. Let us pray for Cardinal d'Andrea
and hope for the best. Do not talk to me of him until you have
consoling news." Such tidings he awaited in vain. On March 23,
1866, Lo Stivale of Naples published another letter of Cardinal
d'Andrea to the dean of the Sacred College, lambasting Cardinal
Antonelli, Cardinal Caterini, various bishops, and the Roman
Curia. 2 This new outburst prompted the Holy Father to consult
the Sacred College as to measures to be taken in this lamentable
situation. The answer was that since he had been absent two
years, the cardinal should be deprived of his diocese unless he re-
turned there within a very short time. 3
In a brief dated June 12, 1866, the Pope withdrew the diocese of
Sabina and the abbey of Subiaco from the cardinal's jurisdiction
and censored him for his activities, his stubborn disobedience,
and his insults to his fellow cardinals and bishops. Lamenting the
cardinal's disdain of the fatherly letters he had personally written
to urge him to come to his senses and repent of the scandal given
to the Church, Pius IX forbade him any exercise of his sacred
ministry, either private or public, and any claim of jurisdiction
over the diocese of Sabina and the abbey of Subiaco.
1 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
2 We are omitting the fruitless intervention of the cardinal's brother-Marquis Francis
Xavier-who apologized to the Pope and to the Society of Jesus for the cardinal's irre-
sponsible behavior. [Editor]
3,This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Love for the Church
103
In retort, the cardinal notified his diocese on June 28, 1866 that
the brief was to be rejected as totally null and void to all canonical
effects and purposes, and that he was appealing from "a badly
misinformed to a better informed Pope." On its part, the Italian
government chose not to grant the Exequatur to the aforesaid
brief.
Cardinal d'Andrea went to greater excesses with a very lengthy
appeal to the Pope dated July 6, full of self-praise and of coarse
insults to the episcopate and especially to the Sacred College and
to the Pope himself, while protesting respect for him. 4
Don Bosco had heard of the cardinal's scandalous rebellion
through both Unita Cattolica and confidential letters from Rome.
Deeply grieved by the outrages committed against the kind-
hearted Pius IX by one who should rather have bolstered him in
the midst of so many religious and political difficulties, he looked
for a way to end the scandal. However, prudence dictated that
since he was quite well known, he should not personally get in-
volved in polemics. He therefore entrusted the delicate task to
Father John Bonetti who was to act on his own.
Among the latter's papers we found the rough copies of five
letters-two to newspapers urging them to rally to the Pope's de-
fense, and three to the cardinal himself. The former were
addressed respectively to Monsignor Nardi, editor of La Voce
della Verita, and, probably, to Father James Margotti, editor of
Unita Cattolica. We are not sure of this second letter because the
rough copy bears no name. We cannot conceive that Father
Bonetti would presume to take it upon himself at that time to ad-
monish a cardinal. Nor do the substance and style of the three
letters addressed to the cardinal sound like his own. They reveal
rather the predominant traits of the one who had inspired them-
Don Bosco with his frank, conciliatory, respectful, level-headed,
and warm-hearted approach. He doubtless briefed Father Bonetti
thoroughly, and it seems not unlikely to us that he also edited the
letters to the cardinal. We believe that Father Bonetti did little
more than faithfully execute a mandate. 5 Here is his first letter to
Cardinal d' Andrea:
4 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
~ ,We are omitting the letters to the two newspapers. [Editor]

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104
Your Eminence:
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Mirabello Monferrato, September 1866
Lift your eyes and heart to heaven! May the purest joys and delights
of this blessed kingdom enable you to trample underfoot this world's
fleeting glory.
Eminence, I love you, and for this reason I fear that you have offended
God, and have as a result perhaps forfeited your place in the land of the
blessed. In the stillness of the night, in the intimacy of your chambers,
examine your conscience and ask your heart whether my fears are un-
founded or not. Perhaps Your Eminence acted unwisely. If so, do not
deceive yourself with the thought that you can atone for the evil at the
end of your life. Do not forget that mors non tardat. Therefore, recant
now, and you will be happy in your last moments.
Believe me, to recant at this time would mean greater glory even here
on earth than that which you can seek from those who now pose as
admirers. In these crucial times your example may prove a burst of light
dispelling the blindness of so many who now flounder in error. It may
powerfully jolt many unfortunate people who, either through weakness
or deception, have strayed from the Catholic Church and slumber in the
fatal sleep of error. 6
Your courageous recanting can do immense spiritual good and earn
you the gratitude of the Church and the admiration and applause of the
faithful. Jesus Himself will generously reward you. Restore peace to
your heart, console Pius IX, edify the Church, and give joy to the angels.
Lastly, remember that, put this off as you may, death keeps marching
on. It may already be fast approaching. I again urge you to lift your eyes
and heart to heaven. Sacrifice anything at all, but do not sacrifice
heaven.
Most respectfully yours,
Fr. John Bonetti
The cardinal's reply was a printed self-defense, probably his
appeal to the Pope of Jun~ 28. Father Bonetti countered as
follows:
Your Eminence:
September 29, 1866
I have just received your public statement. If you personally sent it to
6 This paragraph was crossed out with a pencil in Father Bonetti's original draft.
[Author's note]

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Love for the Church
105
me, I thank you for your trouble. I do not deserve so much consideration.
Allow me to take this opportunity to make some remarks which, I
believe, are prompted by my deep love for the Holy See, Christ's Vicar,
and Your Eminence. You plead that you are innocent, and you declare
the Holy Father guilty. Others hold the contrary. To say the least, the
matter is doubtful. You may well be innocent, I grant, but even so, why
should you-through your writings-act as a son who, to rid himself of
infamy, thrusts it upon his own father? If this is so, Your Eminence,
what can we think of you? I think that your conduct would have been far
more laudable and of much greater benefit to the Church if, like St.
Francis de Sales, you had contented yourself with setting forth your
good reasons with evangelical simplicity and not spread written state-
ments far and wide. They only provided ammunition to the Church's
enemies andc did not in the least help you to achieve your goals. Were
you trying to justify yourself to the good or to the wicked? If to the
former, understand that you have failed, because in this heated question
the good will always side with the Pope sooner than with any cardinal.
Some of these people know too that, just as in the past even great minds
have erred, so also now even those gifted with your lofty intelligence can
make mistakes. This is all the more credible because of expressions in
your writings which are rather disrespectful to the Holy Father. More-
over, I can hardly believe that you seek to justify yourself to the wicked.
Why fear their judgments? Why care about their opinions? You might
well have said of them: Quid mihi de iis qui Joris sunt? Your approach,
however, achieved no good. These people could not care less; they mock
both Pope and cardinals and scornfully pay no attention to either. Your
statements did not make them any better, either. On the contrary, they
did much harm by helping the Church's enemies. Again and again
several voices made themselves heard: "If a cardinal can take this stand
against the Pope, we can too!"
I tell you sincerely, Your Eminence, that I would much prefer to suffer
persecution, just or unjust, than to give an occasion for scandal to our
enemies, and even more so to all priests. Unwittingly, perhaps, you
have rendered singular service to the adversaries of the Church, who
indeed brag and are elated over it. If my plea means anything to you,
please stop spreading writings which cannot help but contribute to the
ruin of souls for which Jesus not only abased Himself, but shed all His
precious blood. One day Jesus will ask you whether you cooperated in
the salvation of these souls. Keep in mind that a fearful judgment will
await you if you have scandalized any of them. I fear for you. Set your-
self heart and soul to undo at least partially the evil which is still
spreading through your writings.

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106
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
I recommend myself to your prayers, hoping for heavenly consola-
tion ....
Father John Bonetti
It would appear that the cardinal calmed down a bit after these
letters. He stopped publishing invectives, though he stubbornly
remained in Naples: Previous admonitions and censures having
proved ineffective, the Pope invoked the constitution of Innocent
X (Cum iuxta of February 19, 1646) and suspended him from all
honors, insignia, and rights of cardinals, including passive and
active voice in papal elections. He also peremptorily ordered him
to report to Rome within three months to humbly receive the
Pope's orders. Failure to appear would deprive him of rank and
benefices. The apostolic letter, dated September 29, 1867 (a year
after the last of Father Bonetti's letters), was delivered to the
cardinal on October 12. After playing a bit for time, Cardinal
d' Andrea arrived in Rome on December 16 by special train, but
he was not received at the Vatican until December 26, after he
had first signed a statement declaring:
1. That he asked the Holy Father's pardon for his
disobedience.
2. That he regretted the scandal caused by his articles in the
Esaminatore of Florence and deplored that paper's editorial
policies.
3. That he totally concurred with the bishops' statement of
1867.
4. That he declared null and void his protests against the papal
brief of June 12, 1866.
5. That he humbly apologized to the Pope, his colleagues, and
those he might have offended.
Two days before the signing of this statement, Father Bonetti
wrote to the cardinal as follows:
Mirabello Monferrato, December 24, 1867
Praise Be to the Infant Jesus!
Your Eminence:
Just over a year ago, grieved by a regrettable false step of yours, I
wrote to you in sorrow and begged you to return to the Holy Father, to

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Love for the Church
107
console him, and again to set an inspiring example for all. You replied
with a printed declaration which brought me to tears. Thank God, those
evil days are gone and the long-desired day has dawned. I am writing to
you again, but this time my heart overflows with the purest joy. I thank
you for your courage in trampling human respect underfoot and
submitting to our most amiable Holy Father. Now indeed are you truly
lofty in my estimation. Satan cannot boast of having overcome and sub-
jugated you. Your rising has cost him far more than he gained by your
fall. So go on, Your Eminence, as bravely as you have begun. God, the
Blessed Virgin, and the saints are delighted with you. Be convinced that
Jesus Christ will see to it that the Catholic world will forget your lament-
able fall and will remember only the shining example of your glorious
repentance. Do not feel dismayed by the thorns you may find in your
way. If you must experience heartaches, remind yourself that Our Lord
preceded you on the road of sorrow and on the Cross.
Remembering your fault will make your suffering more bearable. May
the Child Jesus and His Blessed Mother shower plentiful blessings on
you. Please accept my humble regards.
Most respectfully and gratefully yours,
Father John Bonetti
In a brief of January 14. 1868 the Pope restored all dignities and
appointments to the repentant cardinal except the bishopric of
Sabina and the abbey of Subiaco. Then, on January 18, Cardinal
d' Andrea joined his fellow cardinals in the solemn recitation of
the Divine Office in St. Peter's. A few months later, as he was
planning to go to the Pyrenees fo~ thermal treatments, he suf-
fered a stroke and died on the night of May 14, 1868 at the age of
57.

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CHAPTER 17
The Church ofMary, Help of Christians
QN May 8 [1868] news of the situation in Rome reached
Chevalier Frederick Oreglia at the Oratory from Count Con-
nestabile della Staffa:
At the mon:ent everything is very quiet. Garibaldi's troops are power-
less just now, but full-scale war is possible, though we have no indica-
tion that the enemy will make the first move. It is rumored that French
troops are coming to our aid, but so far we haven't seen them, although
billets for five thousand have been readied. On May 5, in the Vatican
gardens, the Holy Father solemnly blessed two magnificent banners em-
broidered by ladies in Spain and in the United States of America. After
formally presenting them to the gendarmes and the Zouaves, the Pope
addressed the troops. Recalling that the day honored the memory of
Pius V, he reminded them that this Pope's soldiers had stunningly
crushed the Moslem assault and had saved Europe from enslavement.
He firmly stressed his own duty to defend the Church's rights and his
reliance on the proven bravery of his own militia. Indeed, he assured
them that they could justly glory in having upheld the cause of religion
and justice and that God would generously reward them in the next life:
Alluding to the armed conflict of the year before, he exclaimed: "The
past is but a prelude, a beginning. Let us not lose heart, for the Church
as always will triumph, and with her the State as well. Like Pius V, I too
am a prince of peace, but a warrior as well."
Pius IX fully trusted in Mary who "terrible as an army in array"
would in God's own time unfailingly come to the assistance of
Christ's vicar.
Meanwhile, work on the Church of Mary, Help of Christians
was coming to completion. Its fame would one day be worldwide
and devotion to Mary under that title would spread everywhere,
108

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The Church of Mary, Help of Christians
109
drawing countless heavenly favors upon all nations. It was a
monument being readied for a victorious day! Inde gloria mea
read the inscription Don Bosco had seen in a memorable vision. i
Realizing the timeliness of this undertaking, Pius IX had hastened
to contribute money and spiritual favors. 2
In our preceding volum~s we described the exterior of this
church; 3 we shall now say something ofits interior as it looked in
those days and was described by Don Bosco.
The main door, designed by architect Anthony Spezia, reflects
the exquisite craftsmanship of Mr. Ottone of Turin. Just past the
entr3:nce, one sees two _marble columns, their pedestals carved
into holy water stoups, which support a two-level choirloft design-
ed for three hundred singers. It is the work and gift of master car-
penter Joseph Gabotti of Locarno, a resident of Turin.
The walls are whitewashed because they are still damp. Socles,
dosserets, and cornices are of granite. The latter are protected by
iron railings which line the base of the dome as well. The
imposing walnut pulpit, designed by Anthony Spezia, rises
against a massive pillar at the right side of the altar, next to the
balustrade, and offers a clear view of the preacher from any part
of the church. All the woodcarving-the gift of an anonymous
Turinese lady-was done at the Oratory. A gilded inscription on
the pulpit reads: Tribute to Mary, Help of Christians, for a grace
received.
The entire church floor is done in Venetian style, while the
floors of the side chapels resemble mosaics. The sanctuary floor is
exquisite in itself, so that no carpet will be needed to add to the
solemnity of certain feasts.
There are five marble. altars. Four have designs and bas-reliefs
by Gussone of Turin, who also made the marble balustrades. St.
Ann's altar in the first side chapel at the right of the entrance is
outstanding because of its precious marbles: antique green,
Spanish red, Oriental alabaster, and malachite. It is the work of
Louis Medici and the gift of a gentleman from Bologna.
The two transepts have two doors apiece to allow for an easier
I See Vol. III, pp. 312f. [Editor]
2 See Vol. VII, pp. 394f. [Editor]
i:Jbid., p. 393. [Editor]

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110
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
flow of crowds. Two of them-one in each side-lead into the
sacristies flanking the sanctuary.
The right transept will have an altar to St. Peter, the gift of a
Roman noble lady for a grace received. St. Joseph's altar in the
left transept will be surmounted by a painting of the Holy Family
by Thomas Lorenzone, in which St. Joseph is portrayed as
standing on a cloud, with the Infant Jesus resting on his left arm.
The Child holds a basket of roses which he hands one at a time to
St. Joseph who then drops them upon the Church of Mary, Help
of Christians, visible beneath the clouds against a background of
the Superga hills. The Holy Child is indescribably graceful as lie
smiles with ineffable sweetness at His foster father. The holy
patriarch looks estatic at that divine smile, and the heavenly joy of
the Divine Infant seems to increase twofold as it shines on that
beloved face. The Blessed Virgin completes the charming group.
Standing beside the Child Jesus, Her hands gracefully clasped in
deep devotion, She seems ecstatic with joy as She gazes on this
exchange of ineffable love between Her Divine Son and Her most
pure spouse. Three angels-one holding a flowering rod-hover
beside the Holy Family. Above the ensemble, two other angels
display a scroll with inscription: Ite ad Joseph [Go to Joseph].
The painting is slightly more than six by twelve feet. The angel
holding the flowering rod resembles Marchioness Fassati's young
daughter who had died of burns a few years previously; this was a
kind gesture on Don Bosco's part that profoundly moved the
marchioness. This is how DonBosco described the painting which
he himself had commissioned.
The most superb adornment of the church, however, is the
altarpiece, the large painting surmounting the main altar,
measuring over twelve by twenty-one feet and exquisitely en-
cased in a magnificent gilt frame. Lorenzone had every good
reason to be proud of his work.
The Virgin, bathed in light and draped in a regal mantle, stands
out majestically on a throne of clouds. A halo of stars and a crown
proclaim Her as Queen of heaven and earth. Her right hand holds
a scepter, a symbol of Her power, as if to illustrate what She had
said to Her cousin Elizabeth: "He who is mighty has done great
things for Me." Her left arm supports the Holy Child who also

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The Church of Mary, Help of Christians
111
wears a crown. His outstretched arms offer favors and mercy to
all who appeal to His august Mother. Behind and above Our Lady
one catches a glimpse of heaven with choirs of beautiful little
angels paying homage to their Queen.
At the top of the painting an all-seeing eye symbolizes God the
Father; slightly below, a dove represents the Holy Spirit, from
whom light radiates and wholly envelops the Blessed Virgin, as if
to say: "Hail, Mary .... The power of the Most High shall over-
shadow You."
On a lower plane, on either side of the Blessed Virgin in a
descending scale, larger than life-size apostles and evangelists
gaze ecstatically upon their Queen. Saints Peter and Paul stand
out among them on a lower level where, between them, one can
see in the distance the Church of Mary, Help of Christians and the
Oratory with part of the original neighborhood and the Superga
hills. From this spot the faithful give thanks to the Holy Virgin for
Her favors and implore Her to continue to be their merciful
Mother in the grave dangers of their present life. A singular merit
of the painting is the religious sentiments it generates in all who
gaze ppon it.
Remarkably-and we might say miraculously-not a single
accident marred the construction of this church. The only near
exception was Father Angelo Savio who, while checking the work
near the top of the dome, stepped on the tip of a plank and nearly
fell off the scaffold. Fortunately, as the plank gave way, he
managed to hang on to an upright beam and regained his balance.
This preservation from accidents should cause no surprise if we
consider that every brick symbolize4 a favor from heaven's
august Queen. One-sixth of the <::onstruction cost, some one mil-
lion lire, was met by the substantial contributions of devout per-
sons, but all the rest came from small donations gratefully con-
tributed by people who had obtained some favor or other from
Mary. We know this from written records and from Don Bosco' s
own affirmation.4
Turin marveled at this achievement, especially those who had
recalled, with a tinge of irony, the Gospel words: "If one of you
decides to build a tower, will he not first sit down and calculate
the outlay to see if he has enough money to complete the project?
4 We are omitting a few instances of favors received. [Editor]

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112
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
He will do that for fear of laying the foundation and then not being
able to complete the work; for all who saw it would jeer at him,
saying: 'This man began to build what he could not finish'" [Luke
14, 28].
Don Bosco had begun not only without making an estimate but
without any means at all, so it was only natural that a few people
would accuse him of acting unwisely. As work was starting on the
foundations, a priest had told Don Bosco that he would eat a dog if
construction would ever get to the roof. He now had to call on Don
Bosco to offer his contribution and smilingly ask him to excuse
him from his promise. Father James Margotti [editor of Unita
Cattolica], at the close of a dinner at the Oratory attended by
several priests, stood up to offer this toast to Don Bosco: "They
say that Don Bosco is learned, but I am not impressed by that. In
fact, I think nothing of it. They also say that he is a saint, but I
smile at that. I hear that Don Bosco performs miracles, and I don't
challenge that. Yes, there is one miracle which I defy anyone to
deny: this Church of Mary, Help of Christians-a million-lire
church built within three years with no means!"
Indeed, this miracle, like the many others that made Don
Bosco's institutions possible, and Our Lady's interventions on his
behalf prove his holiness, his heroic faith, and his limitless spirit
of sacrifice in obedience to God's will. Divine Providence is ever
ready to assist if we do our utmost by seeking advice and help, by
using our talents, and by doing our very best. Don Bosco did just
that because he was convinced that heavenly aid had to be earned
by self-sacrifice. 5
• As part of the celebrations, Don Bosco sent out a large mailing
of a booklet entitled Miracles of the Mother of God, Invoked
under the Title ofMary, Help ofChristians. Hardly a day passed
that he did not try to inspire devotion to Our Lady through letters
or holy pictures.
On May 14 he offered his pupils some suggestions on how to
make the novena to Mary. Help of Christians:
I have good news for you. Tomorrow we start the novena to Mary,
Help of Christians. As yet we aannot make it in the new church, but we
~ This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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The Church of Mary, Help of Christians
113
hope to do so very solemnly next year. During this novena we shall do
nothing more than in the past, but we must do it well-for instance, by
putting into practice the nosegays to be announced every evening. Each
of you must perform some devotion during the day and recite three
Paters, Aves, and Glorias to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and three
Salve Reginas to Our Lady. She wants to help us. Let each of you ask of
Her what you most need-perhaps strength to overcome impure tempta-
tions, to rid yourself of some fault such as anger, or to refrain from using
harsh words or being lazy. I want each of you to be very diligent in your
duties. In this way, our chances of obtaining what we need are ninety-
nine out of a hundred. And what shall I ask for myself? I shall pray that I
may be able to save all of you.
On May 21, at three in the afternoon, the five church bells were
solemnly blessed in the sanctuary of the new church. 6 Each bell
bore inscriptions at the top and the bottom drafted by Don Bosco.
The five sets of inscriptions read respectively as follows:
I. Uni Trinoque Domino sit sempitema gloria, MDCCCLXVIII.
Dirigat Dominus familiam Viancino. Auxilium Christianorum, ora pro
ea.
Unending glory to the One Triune God, 1868.
May God guide the Viancino family. Mary, Help of Christians, pray
for them.
II. Deo provido benedictio et gratiarum actio, MDCCCLXVIII.
Celebrini Cristina e suo .figlio Giuseppe ad onore de[ Beato Odino
fanno ossequio a Maria Ausiliatrice.
Benediction and thanksgiving to our provident God, 1868.
Christine Celebrini and her son Joseph pay homage to Mary, Help of
Christians in honor of Blessed Odino.
III. Qui timetis Dominum, benedicite Eum, MDCCCLXVIII.
O Rosa Mistica, Tu nos ab hoste protege et mortis hora suscipe.
Famiglia Mercurelli di Roma.
You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord. [Ps. 134, 20]
.0 Mystical Rose, protect us from our enemy and receive us at our
death. The Mercurelli Family, Rome.
IV. Ab omni malo libera nos, Domine, MDCCCLXVIII.
Laudo Deum, plebem voco, defunctos ploro, festa decoro. Gambone e
sua famiglia.
From all evil, deliver us, 0 Lord.
6 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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114
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
I praise God, call the faithful, mourn the dead, brighten feast days.
Cambone and family.
V. Sit nomen Domini benedictum, MDCCCLXVIII.
Quando Maria prega tutto si ottiene, nu/la si nega. Totum nos Deum
habere voluit per Mariam.
Blessed be the name of the Lord. [Job 1, 21]
When Mary intercedes everything is granted, nothing is denied. God
wanted us to obtain everything through Mary.
One of the bells was dedicated to Pius IX, and another to Arch-
bishop Riccardi. Both bore the profiles of the prelates. Don
Bosco's own profile was also engraved on two other bells.
The church was packed with boys and guests. After blessing
the bells, Bishop Baima explained their symbolism and purpose.
There followed a short carillon and then the bells were hoisted
into place. 7
Don Bosco was meanwhile busily planning how he might best
use the land he owned in front of the church, a strip of about 50 x
150 feet that was to be fenced in by a handsome iron railing. Via
Cottolengo ran in front of it, and beyond stretched a square, still
undeveloped, that reached to the present Corso Regina
Margherita, which Don Bosco sometimes used to cross when
going to town. One day as he stood there with Father Garino, he
looked at the fasade of the church with manifest pleasure and ex-
claimeJ: "I would like to build a monument right here in the
middle of the square, representing Moses in the act of striking the
rock, with a jet of water gushing forth and gathering into a pool."
Looking about him, he added that he also planned a large
building, a sort of hostel for clergy, benefactors, and parents of
pupils who would make a pilgrimage to the church. However, be-
fore he could put his plans into action, he first had to purchase
several adjacent lots. This he did by June of 1868. 8
7'This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
8 This paragraph is a condensation. We are omitting a brief from Pope Pius IX granting
indulgences to pilgrims visiting the new church. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 18
Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
as the months went by, the Oratory boys quite
anxiously awaited the second death predicted in Don Bosco's
dream. 1 It was calculated to occur at the latest in May, and so it
did. Peter Corecchio, 16, a student, died at the Oratory on May 24
after a short illness, as recorc._l~d al~o in Unita Cattolica in its
obituary column of May 26, 1868.
As the dream had pointed out, the boy's parents were able to
see him, but Don Bosco could not bid him farewell because he was
out of town, as we shall later narrate. Other circumstances that
positively identified Corecchio as the second boy destined to die
were his devout reception of the Last Sacraments, his edifying
death, and his eight-day illness.
Father Michael Rua recorded this death in the Oratory obituary
as follows: "May [24] 1868. Death of Peter Corecchio of San
Damiano (Santhia), born November 25, 18~2. His faithful atten-
dance at church services and his intellectual qualities won for him
his pastor's interest and admission to the Oratory. Level-headed
and usually reserved, he was quite candid with his superiors.
Very diligent and talented, he gave promise of splendid success.
A violent illness, patiently endured, wrested him from the love of
his parents, superiors, and schoolmates and transplanted him
into paradise."
Another remarkable circumstance is that Don Bosco also saw
this boy's coffin in his dream, because, of the three persons who
were to die, he was the 'only one to die at the Oratory. The first
one-the cleric Mazzarello-died at Lanzo, and the third young
man, as we shall see, was to die in a hospital.
1 See pp. 7, 31f. [Editor]
115

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116
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
In those days Don Bosco was at Alba, where he was to preach
on St. Philip Neri to his spiritual sons on the feast of their
founder. For the occasion, he had written his sermon and gone
over it painstakingly, and then he had passed it on to Father
Bonetti for further editing, though it proved unnecessary.
Amazingly, Don Bosco managed to keep a lucid and fertile mind
even when he had hardly a moment to himself. A half-hour walk
usually took him two or three hours because of people stopping
him or joining him t_o discuss business or spiritual matters. In
railroad cars or stations, he always met people who wanted to talk
to him. There was not a village or town in which he did not have
benefactors, friends, acquaintances, or former pupils.
"The only place where no one ever disturbs me is the pulpit,"
he used to say. "Preaching is a rest for me."
He had the same experience in Alba, where Bishop Eugene
Galletti awaited him with the affection of a saint eager to talk to
another saint. We cannot adequately tell how highly he thought of
Don Bosco and how often he praised him to his seminarians,
whom he visited every evening. Don Bosco had brought his
sermon with him, but the incessant flow of visitors until the last
minute did not allow him ·even to glance at it. So, standing in the
pulpit, he discarded his prepared text and launched into the topic
in a poetic fashion as we have already described in the second
volume of these memoirs. 2
While Don Bosco was preaching, many who knew and admired
his zeal for the salvation of souls, especially those of youngsters,
saw his own likeness mirrored in his words, and whenever he
referred to the saintly endeavors of St. Philip Neri, they would
whisper: "Don Bosco! Don Bosco!"
From Alba he went to Barolo and then back again to Turin to
see to preparations for the consecration of the new church. Mean-
while, in a brief of May 25, Pope Pius IX had bestowed on the
main altar of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians the singular
title of a "privileged" altar for seven years. 3 At this time too, the
2 See Vol. II. pp. 37f. We are omitting this sermon. For an idea of Don Bosco·s style in
preaching, see other sermons in Vol. VI, pp. 635-38, 641-46, 649-51. [Editor]
i An altar is said to be privileged when, in addition to the ordinary fruits of the
Eucharistic sacrifice, a plenary indulgence is also granted whenever Mass is celebrated
thereon; the indulg~nce must be applied to the individual soul for whom Mass is
celebrated. [Editor]

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Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
117
Oratory bookstore had put on sale fl Cattolico Provveduto, a
prayer and instruction manual for adults, on which Don Bosco had
worked for several years with Father Bonetti's assistance. 4
Countess Callari had ardently desired such a book and had also
generously financed its publication. Don Bosco had mailed her
one of the first copies some time before. 5
4 See Vol. VII, pp. 473f. See also p. 29 [Editor]
~ .See p. 72. This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 19
The Church ofMary, Help of Christians
(Continued)
INTERIOR work for the Church of Mary, Help of
Christians was now completed, but nearly all appurtenances had
yet to be provided. However, God, the master of the human heart,
took care of this by inspiring people to supply whatever was
needed. A handsomely wrought chalice with a silver cup and a
gold-plated stem came from Rome, the gift of Dr. Tancioni,
professor of medicine and surgery at the University of Rome. In-
curably ill and near death, he had been encouraged by friends to
make a novena to Mary, Help of Christians and to promise a gift
for Her church if he recovered. Halfway during the novena he was
out of danger. He kept his promise faithfully and had this in-
scription engraved at the base of the chalice: Familiae Tancioni
Romanae votum 1868. With the chalice he included a pall ex-
quisitely embroidered with Our Lord's image, the work of the
Sisters of the Child Jesus at Aix-la-Chapelle.
Other Roman benefactors sent two beautifully wrought chalices
and a gold-plated reliquary with an authenticated relic of the Holy
Cross in thanks for favors received from Mary, Help of Christiaqs.
Indeed, it seemed as if someone were telling the recipients of
heavenly favors what to offer in thanksgiving. Albs, surplices,
amices, palls, corporals, altar cloths, finger towels, chasubles,
copes, dalmatics, missals, ciboriums, oil lamps and oil, sacristy
and altar bells, monstrances, antependiums, pictures, cruets and
even bell ropes-everything was marvelously provided within a
short time without duplication and without the omission of a
single item. There is a story behind the gift of the sacristy bell. A
Turinese who suffered from headaches seemingly traceable to a
spinal cord disorder came to the new church one day to implore
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The Church of Mary, Help of Christians (Continued)
119
Our Lady's aid. Passing by the sacristy, he overheard someone
remark that a sacristy bell was needed. "If I get some relief from
my pain," he broke in, "I shall provide one immediately." So
saying, he entered the church, prayed, and to his great joy felt
perfectly cured. Delighted, he immediately carried out his
promise.
Another great need was candles. Some time previously, Don
Bosco had written to a manufacturer for a donation but had
received a negative reply because of a business slump and the
manufacturer's straitened circumstances. Others, however, made
up for him. The Holy Father himself sent an exquisitely wrought
candle which had been given to him by the canons of the Lateran
Basilica. This prompted Don Bosco to remark that the Salesians
and their boys. now had the Vicar of Christ himself holding a
lighted torch before the high altar to remind them that to be
fervent and fruitful their faith should always be illumined and
guided by the Vicar of Christ. Other benefactors sent or promised
donations. 1
Our Lady's marvelous assistance in providing all that was
necessary to divine worship was matched by Her solicitude for
material needs as well. Many guests who came from a distance or
were taking part in the sacred services, such as bishops and their
attendants, could not leave the premises without grave incon-
venience. Naturally they posed a grave problem for Don Bosco,
whose poverty could not provide for so many illustrious guests.
Providentially a wealthy gentleman put exquisite dinnerware,
silverware and glassware at his disposal. Furthermore, generous
meals had to be prepared for twelve hundred Salesian pupils and
for an additional five hundred guests-visiting priests, bands-
men, and singers.
How was Don Bosco to provide for such numbers? Benefactors
from everywhere-some utterly unknown-sent barrels of good
table wine and cases of choice bottled wines along with meats,
cheese, fruits, pastries, and other delicacies. 2 A revered prelate,
noticing the variety of foods and whence they came, exclaimed
emotionally: "To deny that the donors were inspired by the Holy
1 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
2 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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120
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Spirit would be like denying the sun's light when it shines at
noon!"
While donated sacred vestments were being blessed and stored
away in the sacristies, seven Latin inscriptions prepared by
Professor Thomas Vallauri were being put in place inside the
church. 3
We should not think that Don Bosco was engrossed solely in
material preparations. He was primarily anxious that the
festivities should be marked by the greatest possible splendor of
the sacred services for the edification of the crowds. For this task
he called upon the many talented Salesians he had at the Oratory.
Altar boys, young clerics, and priests spent many hours re-
hearsing, especially for the pontifical services} On their part,
more than four hundred singers spent a good part of the day· in
rehearsals. Among them were many music teachers and
distinguished tenors and bassos from the city who had
volunteered their services. The National Guard had also freely
offered its brass band for the solemn Mass on Wednesday, June
10, and for other church services. Other preparations were also
afoot: flags and festoons, illuminations, stands for the sale of
religious articles, novelties, and refreshments, and so on. 5
Don Bosco had sent invitations to Archbishop Riccardi of Turin,
Bishop Ghilardi of Mondovi, Bishop Formica of Cuneo, Bishop
Rota of Guastalla, Bishop Galletti of Alba, Bishop Jans of Aosta,
Bishop Gastaldi of Saluzzo, Bishop Ferre of Casale, and Bishop
Baima of Ptolemais, and also to city and state leaders 6 and to
benefactors and friends. He was also spreading far and wide
some prints of Lorenzone's painting and medals of Mary, Help of
Christians which he himself had blessed. Their marvelous effi-
cacy prompted such a great demand for them that soon there was
need for a hundred thousand a year, and, after Don Bosco's
death, for one million. It is also noteworthy that, at Don Bosco's
3 See Appendix 2. [Editor]
4 We are omitting a digression about weekly classes in sacred ceremonies held at the
Oratory. [Editor]
i This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
6.We are omitting a reply on behalf of the Duke of Aosta accepting the invitation to visit
the new church during the forthcoming festivities. [Editor]

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The Church of Mary, Help of Christians (Continued) ., 121
invitation, some of the foremost Turinese noblemen volunteered
to collect donations at the church doors. 7
In the midst of these festive preparations, while the whole
Oratory brimmed with joy and the Blessed Virgin graciously
poured heavenly favors on Her devotees, Don Bosco received a
letter from Bishop Lawrence Renaldi of Pinerolo informing him
that he could not give a letter of commendation of the Salesian
Society. At the same time, the bishop was writing to Angelo
Cardinal Quaglia, prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Bishops
and Regulars, as follows:
Your Eminence:
Pinerolo, June 6, 1868
Father John Bosco, the excellent rector of the Oratory of St. Francis
de Sales in Turin, has requested a letter of commendation from me to
the Holy See with a view to obtaining approval of his Society on the basis
of the constitutions he has submitted. I replied that I could not oblige
and stated my reasons, which 1 now think I should manifest to Your
Eminence.
I concur with all who praise the beneficial activity of the hard-working,
indefatigable Don Bosco. His sheltering so many homeless boys, feed-
ing them, and giving them a Christian education surpass all praise, all
the more so because this. genuine Christian upbringing is matched by a
training in those trades and crafts which will help them earn their
livelihood. . . . On this score, Don Bosco' s work deserves every support
and commendation.
Not so, however, as regards the education and formation of clerics and
his intention to turn the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales into a seminary
for the archdiocese of Turin and other Piedmontese dioceses. In
principle, I totally oppose it. I respect the opinion of my colleagues who
approve of it, but I would never do so myself.
I do not contest the merits of such an arrangement. Conceivably the
clerics could be given the best priestly formation along with an adequate
education. What I am concerned about is every bishop's obligation, in
conformity with the wise prescriptions of the Council of Trent, to
supervise the education of his own clergy either personally or through
others of his choice whom he may replace when necessary. Likewise, it
is the bishop's duty to gather all necessary information about his candi-
7 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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122
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
dates so that, fully knowing the facts, he may either accept or dismiss
them or defer their ordination as the sacred canons or circumstances re-
quire. Painful experience shows us constantly that priests who have not
been trained by their own bishops have a divided loyalty and will seek to
subtract themselves in a thousand ways from proper submission-if not
openly and defiantly, at least secretly.
Other problems also arise: ecclesiastical patrimony, constant limita-
tions set by the rules in regard to the obedience due to one's bishop,
examinations, directives, and controls, of which every bishop would
have to strip himself to hand over to others; in addition, there are
countless other consequences unpleasant to any bishop who seeks to do
his duty and exercise his authority. These consequences would result
from the constitutions [of this Society], as others may already have
pointed out to you.
I have limited myself to a mere mention of these problems. In conclu-
sion, while wholeheartedly praising the charity of the zealous Don Bosco
in sheltering and educating so many underprivileged boys, I cannot con-
sent that he be also entrusted with the formation of seminarians. True,
conditions are getting worse every day, but we shall make every possible
effort and God will assist us. If it becomes necessary, we shall move into
our seminaries and live with our seminarians, we shall even turn our
episcopal residences into seminaries, but we shall never abdicate our
fatherly right to educate our young clergy, for this right and duty have
been wisely and repeatedly mandated to us by the decrees and canons of
pontiffs and councils and have been sublimely and effectively summar-
ized by the Council of Trent.
I am convinced of my duty to constantly resist any direct or indirect
attempt to remove or restrict this highly important episcopal obligation.
Your humble servant,
• Lorenzo, Bishop ofPinerolo
Obviously the bishop of Pinerolo had misunderstood our rules.
In referring to the training of seminarians, our rules stated that
the purpose of the Salesian Society was not only to give an
education to underprivileged boys through our festive oratories
and trade schools, but also to provide priestly vocations through
academic schools. Don Bosco never intended to supplant
seminaries. Yet a few misinterpreted his providential efforts on
behalf of priestly vocations. In those trying years, when diocesan
seminaries were being closed, his zeal even prompted him to pro-

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The Church of Mary, Help of Christians (Continued)
123
vide young clerics with philosophy and theology courses so that
Piedmont's dioceses could have well-trained, exemplary priests.
Bishop Lawrence Gastaldi of Saluzzo, who was far better
acquainted with Don Bosco's spirit and that of the Salesian
Society, expressed quite a different opinion in the following letter
to Angelo Cardinal Quaglia:
Your Eminence:
Saluzzo, May 25, 1868
I, the undersigned, declare that I am thoroughly acquainted with the
institute founded and directed by the Very Reverend Father John Bosco,
born in Castelnuovo, in the diocese of Turin, for I myself saw the origin
and growth of this institute and its steady precious fruits of Christian
doctrine and virtue.
Through its motherhouse in Turin and its dependent festive oratories,
this institute offers the very same edifying spectacle of the oratories
once begun in Rome by St. Philip Neri.
The astounding number of boys who attend these oratories, the
attitude and disposition which they there acquire toward piety and
Christian life, the persevering Christian spirit which the majority retain
as they grow up, and the very singular attachment they show for Don
Bosco and his co-workers, and maintain even long after ceasing to
attend the oratories, furnish evident proof that God showers His
blessings abundantly on this institute and that it has a special mission on
behalf of youth.
God's blessing on this institute is also evident in the priestly vocations
it has produced. From 1848 through 1868, when the archdiocesan
seminary of Turin was closed, D~n Bosco educated and trained
seminarians for the diocese in his Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, which
also educates some eight hundred boys. Archbishop Fransoni himself,
while languishing in exile.at Lyons, told the undersigned how pleased he
was with Don Bosco's work for vocations.
Don Bosco could have done but a fraction of such good had he not
been eventually joined by companions and had he not formed a Society
of clerics and priests who would carry out their charitable work to help
the aforementioned boys under his direction.
The undersigned states his personal knowledge of the origin and
development of this Society, its constitutions, and its fruits. He has seen
the observance of the rules matched by an unflagging spirit of obedi-
ence, submission, humility, piety, concord, peace, and charity. He

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124
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
always found the members of this Society to be of one mind and heart.
As if by a miracle, he saw an imposing church rise within this Society-a
church which arouses the admiration of all. That it cost priests who own
nothing nearly a million lire is proof that God is blessing this Society.
The undersigned cannot but hope that this Society and its rules will be
approved by the Holy See and recognized as a religious order; he is
confident that this would vastly benefit not only the faithful, the clergy,
and the Church at large, but, above all, young people who more than
ever today need the finest educators. We have a need for religious
orders that will look after the young with that same spirit of charity, dis-
cretion, and patience which can be found in the Society founded and
directed by the aforesaid Father John Bosco.
With the deepest respect, the undersigned humbly kisses the sacred
purple and remains,
Yours most respectfully,
•'Lawrence, Bishop ofSaluzzo
The archbishop of Pisa had also sent his commendation directly
to Rome, but we were not able to find this document.

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CHAPTER 20
Consecration of the Church of Mary,
Help of Christians
a T about noon on June 6 [1868], the Oratory's brass
band and boys gave a rousing welcome to the Salesian pupils of
Lanzo who had come for the festivities. Led by the band amid
joyous shouts, the new arrivals filed to the porticoes, and when
Don Bosco appeared on the balcony to welcome them, they greet-
ed him with endless rounds of cheers. After lunch, the Lanzo boys
went out sightseeing.
On June 7, the feast of the Holy Trinity, the Oratory and Lanzo
pupils crowded into the little Church of St. Francis de Sales at the
usual hour for Mass; most went to Holy Communion. Don Bosco
saw to it that at breakfast that morning and throughout the
festivities they should have a special treat. At ten o'clock a
general rehearsal of Father Cagliero's composition Sancta Maria,
Succurre Miseris was held, and at 5:30 Vespers, a homily, and
Benediction in the Church of St. Francis de Sales. Unita Cattolica
carried the complete program of the festivities in its issue of June
.7.1
On Monday, June 8, the eve of the consecration, the choirboys,
aside from their customary prayers, spent the entire day re-
hearsing. A full two hours were needed for the magnificent Mass
expressly composed by Maestro De Vecchi for this solemn event.
The whole day was marked by ceaseless hustle and bustle as
distinguished visitors came from far and near. The Salesian
pupils of Mirabella arrived early in the morning to join the Ora-
tory and Lanzo boys who warmly welcomed them with music,
applause, and friendly delight. They too were most eager to do
their share in the singing, church services, and assembly pro-
•See App~ndix 3. [Editor]
125

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126
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
grams. Bishop Peter Ferre of Casale and his secretary came on
the same train with the Mirabello boys.
At six in the evening, Archbishop Alexander Riccardi of Turin
arrived with his master of ceremonies and secretary for the
opening rites in the Church of St. Francis de Sales. A sudden out-
burst of foul weather threatened to disrupt the festivities but,
fortunately, wind, thunder, lightning, and hail ended abruptly
and merely cleared the skies. Throughout the storm the arch-
bishop exhibited at the St. Aloysius' side altar the relics of Sts.
Maurice and Secundus-two of Turin's principal patrons-which
were to be used the following day in the consecration of the new
church's altars. The exposition of the relics was followed by the
chanting of the Divine Office which, as required, was continued
until 5:30 the next morning when the solemn consecration of the
new church was scheduled to start.
At 5: 15 A.M. the archbishop arrived at the Oratory and, alight-
ing from his coach, was greeted by 1,200 Salesian pupils lined up
in two long rows. As the brass band gave him a rousing welcome,
he walked between the lines to the Church of St. Francis de Sales,
giving his blessing as he went on. There, numerous priests and
the choirboys received him.
Shortly afterward he came out processionally with the clergy
and the choir and ritually circled the new church three times.
Meanwhile the bishop of Casale was celebrating the boys' Mass
in the Church of St. Francis de Sales. The procession finally
halted at the main entrance, which, like the two side doors, was
closed. One group of choirboys stood outside the church, and
another inside. With his crozier the archbishop knocked on the
door three times while the choirs alternated in singing:
Attollite portas, principes, vestras, et elevamini portae
aeternales, et introibit Rex gloriae [Lift up your gates, you
princes; be lifted up, eternal gates, and the King of glory shall
enter in-Ps. 23, 7].
Quis est iste Rex gloriae [Who is this King of glory?-Ps. 23,
8J.
Dominus fortis et potens, Dominus potens in proelio. Attollite
portas . ... [The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in
battle. Lift up your gates .... -Ps. 23, 8].
Then the door was swung wide open to let the clergy in, and
closed again behind them.

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Consecration of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians 127
An X-shaped cross of ashes stretched over the entire floor.
With the tip of his crozier, the archbishop traced the Greek and
Latin alphabets on the arms of the cross. He then proceeded to
anoint twelve small crosses set up around the interior of the
church. After each anointing a candle was lit in front of each
cross. Afterward, he consecrated the altars, encasing in each the
relics of martyrs which had been brought processionally from the
adjacent Church of St. Francis de Sales. The ceremony ended at
10:30, at which time the doors were flung open to the public.
The archbishop celebrated the first Mass, assisted by Don
Bosco who had taken part in the whole ritual with ineffable joy.
Father John Baptist Francesia and Father John Baptist Lemoyne
were privileged to serve his Mass.
After Mass and a long thanksgiving, Don Bosco spoke at length
with a Salesian priest and his mother, remarking: "You will not be
the only Salesian in your family!" It was a singular prediction, for
there were five other children in the family-four boys who had
no thought of religious life and a little girl. Inexplicably, fourteen
years later, the girl joined the Daughters of Mary, Help of
Christians, and in 1893-twenty-five years after Don Bosco's pre-
diction-through unforeseeable circumstances, one of the boys
became a Salesian. Talking to a fellow priest in 1886 about this
future conquest, Don Bosco explicitly stated: "I want to steal him
for myself! "
Leaving the sacristy, Don Bosco went to the guests' dining
room, which had been set up in the library, where several bishops
and important people were waiting for him. Toward the end of the
meal, several speakers extolled Don Bosco's great undertakings,
particularly his new, imposing church, the fruit of his extra-
ordinary unfailing courage. Showing no complacency at so many
plaudits, Don Bosco replied with his usual simplicity and
humility: "I claim no credit for the great achievements you have
mentioned. It is all due to the Lord and to the Blessed Virgin Mary
who chose to avail themselves of a poor priest for such under-
takings. I put nothing of myself into it. Aedificavit Sibi domum
Maria [Mary built Herself this church]. Each stone, each orna-
ment, recalls a favor of Hers." This was testified to by Joseph
Reano who was present. During the meal, Reano and a few others
had entertained the guests with music.

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128
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
At 5:30 that evening, the archbishop presided at Vespers. As
the service went on, the church became so packed that some
whispering was inevitable. Nevertheless, at the first notes of the
antiphon Sancta Maria, Succurre Miseris, every whisper ceased.
The three-choir ensemble was arranged as follows: a hundred and
fifty tenors and bassos, symbolizing the Church militant, stood at
St. Joseph's altar; two hundred sopranos and contraltos, repre-
senting the Church triumphant, were stationed high up in the
dome; and another hundred tenors and bassos, symbolizing the
Church suffering-Le., the souls in purgatory-were in the choir-
loft. It was extremely difficult to synchronize choirs at three dif-
ferent stations, but the difficulty was overcome by riggi:ug up a
type of transmitter. A long wire attached to the poles of a battery
was connected to small electric bells placed in the middle of each
choir and to a specially constructed transmitter. Holding it in his
left hand, the conductor gave the beat on it with his right, thus
activating the three bells. Through this device the choirs were
kept in unison. Commenting on the masterful rendition of this
antiphon, Don Bosco wrote: "Divine Providence saw to it that the.
execution measured up to the expectation. Both the choirmasters
who had come to hear and those who joined in the singing
declared themselves fully satisfied."
The harmony of all three choirs singing in unison cast a spell
over the entire congregation. As the voices blended together, the
listeners felt that they had been immersed into a sea of voices
which rose from all directions. A distinguished guest, moved at
the magical effect, exclaimed: "It feels like being in St. Peter's!"
Another, overenthused, cried: "Only in heaven can such singing
be surpassed!" 2
During the singing, Canon John Baptist Anfossi was kneeling
behind the main altar with Don Bosco. As far as he could
remember, he had never seen or heard Don Bosco stir or say any-
thing while at prayer. On this occasion, however, Don Bosco
looked at him with moist eyes full of joy and whispered: "Dear
Anfossi, doesn't it feel like being in heaven?"
After the singing, the bishop of Casale mounted the pulpit and
eloquently showed how the splendor of the liturgy fulfills the
needs of the faithful. He also exhorted everyone to trust heartily
in Mary's goodness and generosity and closed with unstinted
:_This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor)

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Consecration of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians 129
praise of Don Bosco's charitable undertakings on behalf of youth.
The Tantum Ergo, another excellent composition of Father
Cagliero sung by a hundred boys' voices from high up in the dome
and by the two other choirs in the choirloft, moved all beyond
description. The bishops of Saluzzo and Alba were kneeling be-
side Don Bosco behind the main altar. Bishop Gastaldi was so
moved that he kept gripping and shaking his prie-dieu, while
Bishop Galletti, calm and motionless, kept muttering: "Paradise,
paradise!"
On leaving the church, the people were treated to a gas
illumination of the dome. The starry crown about Mary's statue,
its pedestal, a huge "M" on the last cornice and railing-all shone
with hundreds of flickeriJ?.g flames. This illumination was repeat-
ed every evening through the week-long festivities.
After supper, the pupils of the three Salesian schools
assembled in the playground which was illumined by thousands
of glimmering candlelights. There Don Bosco addressed them,
intoning, as he himself wrote in his description of these
festivities, a hymn of thanksgiving to Mary: Almae Dei genitrici
Mariae, amantissimae nostrae ac potentissimae Auxiliatrici,
perennes cum laudibus preces [To Mary, Mother of God, and our
most loving and powerful helper, let us offer unceasing prayers
and praises]. 3
What else did Don Bosco do that day? Always at everyone's
service when free from other demands, he was instantly besieged
by people who wanted to speak with him. Before Vespers we saw
him outside the church at the top of the steps leading to St.
Peter's side altar chapel surrounded by a crowd. Ailing persons
begged for a cure, some just wanted to greet him, and others
merely watched this spectacle. Don Bosco gave his blessing to all.
A man told him that he had come to obtain relief from a severe
toothache. Don Bosco suggested that he say a Hail Mary and his
pain instantly ceased. Another, whose sight had failed him for
years, was also instantly cured. All experienced a deep emotion
and joy at the powerful intervention of Don Bosco's Madonna.
We shall see how this religious enthusiasm constantly
increased during the ensuing days.
3 We are· omitting an article in UnitJ Cattolica of June 11, 1868 describing the above-
narrated consecration ceremonies. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 21
Consecration Festivities
a T 6:30 on the morning of Wednesday, June 10, the
Oratory boys entered the new church with a large number of the
faithful to recite their usual morning prayers and rosary for all
benefactors of the church and the Oratory-a practice which has
continued, by Don Bosco's direction, to this very day. "I will ever
be grateful to you," he wrote to donors. "As long as I live, I will
ceaselessly call God's blessings upon you, your families, and your
friends. I will do so particularly in my daily sacrifice of the Mass.
May God shower His heavenly treasures upon you, my generous
donors, and grant you a long, happy life,. along with the precious
gift of final perseverance so that He may receive you all one day in
eternal beatitude. That our merciful Lord may second these
wishes, a special church service shall be held daily for all who
have contributed or will contribute in any way to the church or its
adjoining Oratory. This service shall consist of prayers, rosary,
sacramental or spiritual Communion, and Holy Mass for all bene-
factors. It shall be held every morning in the new church, at-
tended by the Oratory boys and as many of the faithful as wish to
take part." 1
That morning-like every morning during the week-long fes-
tivities-Bishop Thomas Ghilardi of Mondovi delivered a brief,
fervent talk before Mass. During Mass, altar boys filled the
sanctuary while the choir, accompanied by a harmonium, sang
inspiring motets of famous composers. The same procedure was
followed for the rest of the festivities. So many priests came to say
1 Rimembranza di una solennita in onore di Maria Ausiliatrice pel Sac. Giovanni Bosco.
Torino, 1868, pp. 93f. [Author's note]
130

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Consecration Festivities
131
Mass that each day the side·altars were continually occupied from
4 to 11 A.M. 2
At the ten o'clock pontifical Mass offered by the bishop of
Casale, the choir sang the Mass which had been composed by
John De Vecchi, the Oratory's bandmaster. The orchestra
ensemble accompanying the J\\1;ass had at least thirty violins. The
composition and the execution were masterful.
At noon a noteworthy incident occurred. A distinguished
looking gentleman arrived in a coach, made his confession, and
then devoutly received Communion and spent some time in
prayer. Later he walked into the sacristy and left a donation,
saying: "Pray for me and publicize the wonders the Lord does
through the Blessed Virgin's intercession."
"May I ask who you are and what brought you here?" Don
Bosco queried.
"I came from Faenza," the man replied. "My four-year-old son,
in whom I had placed all my hopes, fell critically ill. His case was
hopeless and I wept disconsolately for him as for a dead child. To
console me, a friend suggested that I make a novena to Mary,
Help of Christians and promise a donation to this church. I did so
and also promised to bring the donation personally and go to the
sacraments if I obtained the grace. God heard my prayers. Mid-
way through the novena, my son improved considerably and is
now in perfect health. Forever I shall consider him Mary's son
more than my own. I have traveled two days to carry out my
obligation, but I am happy and shall forever bless the Mother of
Mercy, Mary, Help of Christians."
At that moment a woman walked in with a girl about thirteen.
"I am here to keep my promise," she said.
"Who are you?" Don Bosco asked.
"I am Teresa Gambone, the mother of this girl, Rosa."
"Where do you come from?"
"From Loggia di Carignano."
"Why have you come and why is your daughter so joyful?"
"Don't you remember? I brought her here recently. She was
nearly blind, having been that way for some four years, barely
able to tell day from night. You blessed her and told her to pray to
2 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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132
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Our Lady from Easter to the Ascension. Well, on the feast of the
Ascension she regained her sight. We have come to thank the
Blessed Virgin and make a humble offering. We are only poor
farmers and cannot do more, but we shall always remember this
great favor."
At five o'clock the Oratory boys returned from an enjoyable
walk. Don Bosco had directed that during the festivities they
should go for a walk every day, so as to be out of the way and
under supervision. They split into groups and went to the hills or
sightseeing to the city. The older boys of the Lanzo school were
also allowed to go boating on the River Po. In addition, Don Bosco
had asked that between church services the pupils should have
other diversions such as gymnastics, displays; and musical and
·dramatic performances.
At six o'clock that evening, Bishop Ghilardi officiated at
Vespers, and the bishop of Casale gave a sermon on the need of
religious instruction in the schools, closing with a moving prayer
to the Blessed Virgin. 3
On Thursday, June 11, the feast of Corpus Christi, a large
number of pilgrims attended the early morning services at which,
as usual, the bishop of Mondovi preached. During Mass more
than a thousand people went -to Holy Communion. Since no
services were scheduled between nine in the morning and six in
the evening because of the solemn Corpus Christi procession at
the cathedral, Don Bosco had a greater opportunity to speak with
pilgrims who had come to thank God for favors received or to im-
plore the Holy Virgin to come to their assistance in their
problems.4
At this time something happened that drew general attention ..
A young lady, twenty or so, was brought into the sacristy in the
hope that she might recover from a paralysis which had stricken
half of her body from the shoulders down. Carried by her brother
and mother into an adjoining room, she was made to kneel down
as best she could, tearfully begging Mary, Help of Christians for a
cure. The bystanders joined in prayer. Don Bosco then gave her a
3 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
4 1This paragraph is a condensation. We are omitting the description of two cures
attributed to Our Lady's intercession. [Editor]

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Consecration Festivities
133
blessing and more prayers were offered. At this point, the young
lady began to move her hand and then her arm. "I'm cured," she
suddenly exclaimed, and in a burst of emotion she fainted. On
regaining consciousness, she found that she had been completely
cured of a paralysis that had kept her immobilized for four years.
Exclamations of wonder and thanksgiving broke out on all sides.
Without further ado, the girl and her relatives entered the church
to ·offer thanks. Later, unassisted, she joyfully stepped into a
coach and left with her family, while in the sacristy people still
called upon Don Bosco from every side, clamoring for his blessing
or trying to tell him of favors they had received. Under these cir-
cumstances it was impossible to record any depositions.
At four in the afternoon an entertainment was presented in
honor of Mary, Help of Christians, attended by many guests. It
opened with a triumphant march by Maestro De Vecchi to the
words of a hymn entitled Reminiscences ofthe Victory ofLepanto
which was sung enthusiastically by the pupils of the Mirabello
and Lanzo schools. The hymn was followed by prose and poetry
compositions in honor of Mary 5 and by the solemn awarding of
prizes to the best pupils. The program concluded with musical
and dramatic selections composed by Father James Costamagna.
At six in the evening the bishop of Mondovi presided at pontifi-
cal Vespers, and Bishop Balma of Ptolemais gave a scholarly and
moving sermon on the greatness of the Virgin Mary, pointing out
that She had been foreshadowed by many women of the Old
Testament and that throughout all ages She had always been
venerated by Christians and had been a source of comfort to
them. Bishop Ghilardi then offered Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament.
) We are omitting one such poem. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 22
Consecration Festivities (Continued)
exCITEMENT abated at the Oratory by Friday, June
12, and church services were held more punctually. The bisliop of
Mondovi preached and said Mass at the usual time and Bishop
Baima sang the pontifical Mass. On this day, too, several note-
worthy incidents took place. Let one suffice. A beggar attended
Mass and received the sacraments but, grieved by his inability to
contribute to the new church, he dashed from the church and
went begging from door to door until he collected ten soldi. He
then returned, prayed, and brought his offering into the sacristy.
At noon Don Bosco received a telegram from Bishop Peter Rota
of Guastalla: "Gavazzi, a heretic, is in Guastalla to preach im-
piety. I have postponed my coming. Pray to Mary, Help of
Christians that She will deliver us from this evil."
At this news public prayers were said in the new church and the
Blessed Virgin heard them. After a vain attempt to address the
people, Gavazzi challenged the bishop and others to debate, but
once they accepted, he lost his courage and, fearing defeat,
sought pretexts to call it off. Public opinion soon forced him to
leave in great haste, sparing that town the grave moral harm he
had caused elsewhere. This incident confirmed the Church's cor-
rectness in praising Mary: Cunctas haereses sofa interemisti in
universo mundo [Single-handedly You destroyed all heresies
throughout the whole world].
During the afternoon the boys enjoyed themselves playing at
the breaking of piiiatas, while the upperclassmen went on a tour
of the Museum of Natural History, the Egyptian Museum, and
the Museum of Ancient Weapons. At six in the evening, Bishop
Lawrence Gastaldi officiated at pontifical Vespers and Bene-
diction. Between services the bishop of Mondovi preached.
The early Mass on Saturday, June 13, was again said by the
134

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Consecration Festivities (Continued)
135
bishop of Mondovi who also gave the homily. Later that morning
a delegation of forty men came from Mornese, led by the mayor
and Father Dominic Pestarino, to pay homage to Mary, Help of
Christians and thank Her for Her favors. They received the
sacraments and devoutly participated in all the religious services
on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, after which they left to return
to their families. At ten o'clock Bishop Gastaldi celebrated the
pontifical Mass, and in the afternoon the pupils were treated to a
comedy entitled The Pickpocket. ~
At six that evening, the bishop of Mondovi officiated at Vespers
and Bishop Gastaldi preached. He began by expressing wonder at
seeing a church honoring the Mother of God in a place that had
once been barren. He then summarized the history of the festive
oratories, particularly that of St. Francis de Sales, whose birth
and growth he had witnessed himself. The oratories' purpose led
him to speak of the need of religious vocations for youth, de-
claring that this could only be obtained within the Catholic
Church. He then exhorted Don Bosco's co-workers to keep up
their good work; in conclusion, he urged the vast congregation to
support and patronize this educational institution, for it would call
down God's blessings and man's gratitude upon them. Services
closed with solemn Benediction imparted by the bishop of
Mondovi.
A two-inch commemorative medal bore on one side the image
of Mary, Help of Christians with the inscription: Maria, Auxilium
Christianorum, ora pro nobis-A ugustae Taurinorum Anno
MDCCCLXVIII [Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us-Turin
1868]; on the reverse was a fine bas-relief of the new church.
Some time previously Don Bosco had told Father [Paul] Albera:
"We shall strike a medal to commemorate the consecration of this
shrine. I think I'll have these words engraved on it: Totum nos
Deus habere voluit per Mariam [God willed that everything be
given to us through Mary]. 2
On Sunday, June 14, no sooner had the church opened than it
was filled to capacity. Bishop Ghilardi said Mass at six o'clock and
delivered the homily. At 10:30 Bishop [Eugene] Galletti of Alba
celebrated the pontifical Mass, after which the church seemed
1lThis paragraph and the preceding ones are condensations. [Editor]
2:we are omitting a list of the recipients of this commemorative medal. [Editor]

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136
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
more crowded than before; as a result, the bishop of Mondovi
again stood in the pulpit and delivered a moving address. 3
There were several reasons for such an unusually large atten-
dance in a newly consecrated church: sacred services and
sermons by bishops who were well known for their eloquence; the
fact that it was a Sunday; then, too, a keen desire to hear again
the choir sing the Mass with orchestra accompaniment, the anti-
phon Sancta Maria, Succurre Miseris, and the Tantum Ergo;
finally, there was the ever increasing rumor that on this solemn
occasion the Blessed Virgin would grant special favors. Many
people, in fact, asserted that they had come with members of
their families or friends to thank God for favors received. For
these same reasons many distinguished persons had come from
as far as Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and
other cities. The church remained literally packed throughout the
day, so that at times people could neither enter nor leave. Many
claimed to have received favors that day, but since they were
spiritual favors for the most part, they were not publicized; other
favors were temporal, but the persons concerned thought it best
to keep quiet about them. 4
At four o'clock that afternoon Bishop Galletti officiated at
Vespers and Bishop Gastaldi gave the sermon. We cannot say
how many thousands heard that sermon. Certainly those outside
the church waiting for their chance to enter were even more
numerous than those jammed inside.
It was certainly due to Our Lady's special protection that with
such a crush there was no disorder either inside or outside.
Everyone waited patiently to express his personal devotion. After
the sermon, Bishop Galletti imparted Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament.
At seven o'clock an outdoor gymnastics display was given first
by the Lanzo pupils and then by teams of Oratory boys; a huge
audience of pupils and visitors attended. Don Bosco watched the
show from the second floor balcony without saying a word or
applauding, just being delighted to see his boys enjoying them-
selves. He chose to enhance their enjoyment by his presence, but
his mind was absorbed in other thoughts.
3 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
4 We are omitting the description of a few physical cures. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 23
Consecration Festivities (Continued)
~ONDAY, June 15, saw undiminishing crowds of
the faithful attending services at the new church. Bishop Gastaldi
celebrated the usual early Mass and delivered a simple but deeply
moving sermon on Christ's love for us in giving Himself as
nourishment in the Holy Eucharist. Then, at ten o'clock, the
bishop of Mondovi offered the pontifical Mass. 1
At three in the afternoon, the Oratory boys staged a Latin
comedy entitled Phasmatonices or Larvarum Victor [The Ghosts'
Conqueror]. 2 Don Bosco liked to have such plays now and then to
give his pupils a chance to become familiar with the pronuncia-
tion, reading, and understanding of the ancient, majestic
language of Rome and of the Church, thus proving that religion is
by no means hostile to science or literature. The presence of a
well-educated, scholarly audience, including bishops and
distinguished visitors from the city and elsewhere, further
heartened the actors to deliver their lines well. At six o'clock the
bishop of Mondovi officiated at Vespers, and Bishop Galletti de-
livered the sermon.3·
On Tuesday, June 16, the closing day of the iestivities, the·
bishop of Mondovl celebrated the early Mass and gave a short
homi~y before Communion. At ten o'clock came the pontifical
Mass celebrated by Bishop Galletti. At three in the afternoon the
pupils enjoyed a comedy, Heritage in Corsica, staged by their
companions.
I This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
2 See Volume VIII, p. 72. [Editor]
3 We are omitting an outline of the plot. [Editor]
137

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138
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
At six o'clock Bishop Galletti officiated at Vespers. Bishop
Ghilardi delivered the final sermon, in which he depicted the
Catholic Church as a veritable earthly paradise by virtue of the
real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, a presence
which of itself suffices to fill us with joy and delight. Then a
solemn Te Deum was sung and Bishop Galletti imparted Bene-
diction of the Blessed Sacrament.
During the week-long festivities special prayers had also been
offered daily for those contributors whom God had called to Him-
self before the new church had been opened for worship, but on
June 17, at seven in the morning, all the Oratory pupils and those
of Lanzo and Mirabella gathered for a special commemorative
service attended by many of the faithful. Special prayers and the
rosary were offered for the dead; afterward Bishop Galletti cele-
brated Mass and gave Holy Communion to a large number of boys
and others in attendance. He closed the service with an
appropriate sermon and Benediction. Thus ended the week-long
festivities. 4
June 17 was a joyful day, too, until it was time for the Mirabella
and Lanzo pupils to return to their schools. At two in the after-
noon they all lined up in the playground facing Don Bosco's
window, and Don Bosco bid them good-bye from his balcony. The
Oratory band then escorted them to the gate amid cheers and
farewells.
During the week-long festivities nothing had happened to cast a
shadow of sadness over the Oratory, but an hour after the de-
parture of the visiting students, a zealous Salesian, Father Joseph
Bongiovanni, breathed his last.
As the consecration of the new church had been drawing near,
Father Bongiovanni had continued to work extra hard to train the
altar boys and have them ready to perform their tasks with
devotion throughout the octave-long services. On retiring the
night of June 8, the eve of the consecration, he left his window
open. During the night a sudden storm chilled the air abruptly.
The next morning, Father Bongiovanni felt his chest congested
and found it so hard to breathe that he was unable to get up. In
spite of the solicitous attention of his doctors and confreres, his
4 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Consecration Festivities (Continued)
139
condition remained critical for a few days. He kept praying
fervently to Our Lady to favor his ardent wish of offering at least
one Mass in the new church. On Sunday, June 14, he felt so much
improved that he was able to say Mass with intense joy. After-
ward, he told several friends that his happiness was such that he
was ready to sing his Nunc Dimittis. Indeed, so it happened. His
strength waned, and he returned to bed never to rise again. On
Wednesday morning, June 17, he seemed to have improved
considerably, but toward three that afternoon he suffered a re-
lapse and was given the Last Sacraments. Within an hour,
assisted by Don Bosco and his dearest friends and confreres,
Father Joseph Bongiovanni went to his reward. 5 However, his
was not the third expected death, although it had indeed been
most edifying.~
The week-long festhities were judged a triumph for the
Church, as can be said of the annual feast of Mary, Help of
Christians. Contributing to this triumph had also been countless
spiritual and temporal favors granted by the Madonna-favors
which people firmly believed had been obtained through Don
Bosco. Hence the steady flow of letters from persons seeking his
prayers or thanking him; hence, the respect and esteem they
showed him. Don Bosco did not want all this attention but
submitted to it with dignity as one aware of being the Madonna's
servant and executor of Her wishes. In his humility, he never took
the least credit for such heavenly favors, declaring always by
word and by writing: "If you seek favors from the Blessed Virgin,
make a novena, saying three Paters, Aves and Glorius daily to the
Blessed Sacrament, three Salve Reginas to Mary, Help of
Christians, and these two invocations: Blessed and praised every
moment be the Most Holy and Divine Sacrament and Mary, Help
of Christians. pray for us. Also receive the sacraments at least
once."
When honored, applauded, or made the object of veneration by
crowds imploring his blessing at the Oratory and elsewhere in
Italy, France, or Spain, he refused to regard these manifestations
as directed to him personally, but rather to his priesthood and to
I This paragraph is a condensation. For other biographical details see Vol. V, pp. 313,
499f, 517; Vol VI. pp. 181. 362; Vol. VII, pp. 101, 199, 202, 330; Vol. VIII, p. 168. [Editor]
6 See pp. 6-8. [Editor]

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140
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
the Church. He often remarked, as Father John Bonetti testified:
"Let us thank the Lord for so much faith among the people," or
"Such great faith and such respect people have for the priest-
hood," or "Who would even think of Don Bosco ifhe didn't belong
to th~ Church? They treat him this way because he is a priest. It is
the only reason. " 7
7This paragraph is a condensation. We are omitting five letters of Don Bosco to Mar-
chioness Mary Fassati dating back to 1865 and seeking her aid in the disposal of lottery
tickets, in the construction of the new church, and in the provision of an ecclesiastical
patrimony for one of his ordinands. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 24
Noteworthy Details (Continued)
~RUE to his promise, Bishop Peter Rota of Guastalla
arrived at the Oratory on June 19 to see the new church, to pre-
side at several services~ and to thank Mary, Help of Christians for
having rid his diocese of the pernicious influence of Gavazzi. 1 He
also joined in the observance of Don Bosco's name day on June
24. 2 At the close of the entertainment in his honor, Don Bosco
thanked all those who had honored him in prose, poetry, song,
and music. He also expressed his regret that for some time
several boys had refused to open their hearts to him while others
had kept away from him. He urged them all to be firm and
determined in virtue, promising to forget past faults if their con-
duct improved, warning them too that relapses would only result
in ruin. He begged them to save their own souls and to pray for
him that he not neglect his. He ended by saying: "The sole
purpose of the Oratory is the salvation of souls."
By a happy coincidence, the June issue of Letture Cattoliche
was a biography of St. John the Baptist.3
On Saturday, June 27, after confessions, Don Bosco read a
letter at suppertime to several Salesians, among them Father Rua
and the cleric Berto. It had come, with an offering for favors re-
ceived, from some nuns in southern Italy who, realizing that their
community had grown lax, had prayed to Mary, Help of
Christians and had found that soon all the nuns had regained their
1• See p. 134. [Editor]
2 At his baptism, Don Bosco had been named after the Apostle John, but in 1846 the
Oratory boys, believing his name to be John the Baptist-a very popular saint in
Turin-began to celebrate his name day on June 24, the feast day of this saint. [Editor]
3 We are omitting a letter to Bishop Rota from the archbishop of Modena concerning
letters of commendation of the Salesian Society. [Editor]
141

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142
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
fervor. The conversation then turned to the causes which ad-
versely affect the spirit of piety and obedience, such as attach-
ment to one's own comfort and habits contracted against the spirit
of the rules. It was also brought out that many religious orders
had been destroyed by their own wealth. Indeed, attachment to
earthly matters weakens and often totally extinguishes the desire
for the things of heaven. To show how an immoderate attachment
to wealth can enslave even good souls, Don Bosco narrated the
following two incidents.
A very elderly marchioness, an outstanding benefactress of the
Oratory where she was well known, fell seriously ill and sent for
Don Bosco. "Have I come to the end of my days?" she asked ap-
prehensively after making her confession. Don Bosco replied that
only God knows the limit of our days and that we should therefore
remain tranquil and fully trust in Him.
"Must I leave this world and all I possess?" she went on, partly
delirious. "Will I lose everything?"
Don Bosco tried to comfort her with the thought that God's re-
ward for those who love Him makes earthly riches seem as worth-
less as mire, but the elderly marchioness paid no heed. "Must I
leave this palace, my suite, my lovely drawing room?" she
rambled. "I have felt quite comfortable here. Why must I leave?"
She called for her servants and ordered them to carry her into the
drawing room. They hesitated lest she die in the attempt, but
when she insisted, Don Bosco thought it best to indulge her
whims, lest a refusal prove more harmful. The drawing room was
furnished with many precious and rare artifacts. A Persian cloth
draped a table in the center of the room. The marchioness had her
bed put down next to that table and, fingering the cloth, kept ex-
claiming: "How lovely! Is this to be my last look? Do you know,
Don Bosco, this cost me 40,000 lire .... And to think th.at it will no
longer be mine!"
She then glanced about that luxurious room, as in a final
good-bye. And it was there, in that very room, that she died
shortly afterward. How difficult it is for the rich to detach them-
selves from earthly things, and how painful is the separation
when death wrests them from all they possess.
Don Bosco recalled another incident which must not be con-

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
143
fused with a similar one formerly narrated. 4 We heard this from
Don Bosco ourselves. A Turinese millionaire couple were very
much upset by the thought that, being childless after twenty-five
years of marriage, they would have to leave their fortune to
distant relatives. In vain they had prayed for a child and made
pilgrimages. At last, they called on Don Bosco for his blessing,
promising a handsome donation to the Oratory and the new
church if their prayers were heard. Don Bosco encouraged them
to consider the favor as granted. In fact, they did have a healthy
baby boy. They went back to Don Bosco to thank him profusely,
but said nothing about their promise. Don Bosco reminded them
of it, but they adduced excuses for not keeping their word. "I have
no personal interest in this," Don Bosco replied, "but your in-
gratitude will not go unrewarded. Remember that He who gave
you your boy can also take him away." A few months later the
child became ill and died.
In their bereavement, the couple waited nearly a year before
calling on Don Bosco. They acknowledged their fault, again
sought his blessing, and renewed their promise. Moved by their
tears, Don Bosco gave them some wise advice, promised to pray
for them, blessed them, and again assured them that the favor
would be granted. They did have another son, but this time they
did not even bother to thank Don Bosco and completely ignored
their promise. Don Bosco waited for over a year and then paid
them a visit. They, ill at ease, received him and when he pointed
out that it was not wise to disregard one's promise to the
Madonna, they advanced a lot of excuses for their lack of
integrity. Don Bosco took leave convinced that such shameless
greed would not go unpunished. Soon afterward the little boy be-
came ill. Don Bosco was sent for at once, but he refused to go and
the child died. Eventually, the couple's vast fortune went to the
very people to whom those selfish parents would never have left it
of their own accord.
Don Bosco used to say that the generosity and unselfishness of
the poor generally draws wondrous favors upon them, whereas
extraordinary efforts are needed to induce the rich to make any
considerable sacrifice.
4.See Vol Vlll, pp. 230ff. [Editor)

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
The feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga was observed on Sunday,
June 28 with a solemn High Mass, homily, procession, and fire-
works. That evening, the eve of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
and of the name day of Bishop Peter Rota, the Oratory boys strove
to show the bishop their gratitude with vocal and instrumental
music, prose and poetry, illumination of the buildings, and
spontaneous cheers.
The feast of Sts. Peter and Paul was observed very solemnly.
St. Peter's altar in the right transept of the new church was hand-
somely adorned with candles and flowers. Above the altar9 a
painting, surmounted by the keys and papal tiara, portrays Our
Lord handing the keys of heaven to His Vicar, the first Pope. It is
the work of Carcano, a renowned Milanese artist. On several
occasions Don Bosco had stated that the feast of St. Aloysius
should no longer be transferred to June 29, as had often been
done in the past, because he wanted this day to be dedicated
exclusively to St. Peter. Bishop Rota said the Pontifical Mass at
ten o'clock and officiated at Vespers, after which he delivered a
magnificent homily-later published-on the theme: Tu es
Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam M eam, et
portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam [You are Peter and
upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it-Matt. 16, 18].5
That evening news reached Turin that on that very day the
Pope had issued a bull convoking an Ecumenical Vatican Council
on December 8, 1869, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. In
this memorable document, the Pope explained that the Council
was necessary in order to find remedies for a host of evils, such as
the very distressing state of human society, the widespread con-
tempt for Church authority and dogma, the profanation of sacred
things, the dissolution of religious orders, the confiscation of
church property, the harassment of the clergy, the growth of anti-
clericalism, and the evil influence of an irreligious press and
pernicious secularistic education.
This announcement stirred up strong feelings everywhere. Pius
IX's considerate invitation to Protestants only managed to irritate
them, and his invitation to schismatic bishops stirred up old ani-
~ We are omitting a long excerpt from this sermon. [Editor]

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
145
mosities, prejudice, and pride. Both invitations were rejected.
However, before the close of the Vatican Council, God summoned
both the Greek and Armenian patriarchs of Constantinople as well
as the Greek and Coptic patriarchs of Alexandria to His judgment
seat. The news of this forthcoming Council gladdened all genuine
Catholics and strengthened their conviction that the Holy Spirit
would inspire the Council to condemn the errors of the century.
Many bishops also expressed the hope that the Council would de-
fine the dogma of papal infallibility, although the Pope had not as
yet expressed his own opinion on this matter. 6
On June 30 the bishop of Guastalla reluctantly took leave of
Don Bosco, but he obligingly accepted his invitation to visit the
Mirabello junior seminary before returning to his diocese. Father
John Cagliero went ahead of him to arrange for his worthy
reception and to preach a triduum in preparation for the feast of
St. Aloysius, which was to be celebrated on Thursday, July 2. A
slight problem arose in Turin at the bishop's departure. Due to
some misunderstanding, the person who had been told to pur-
chase first-class rail tickets for the bishop and his secretary did
not show up at the station. Don Bosco, punctilious in such
matters, immediately sent a note to Father Bonetti at Mirabello to
remedy this blunder. He also gave his opinion of the latter's bio-
graphy of [Ernest] Saccardi: 7
Dear Father Bonetti:
Turin, July, 1868
When Bishop Rota arrives, please tell him that Chevalier Oreglia,
through some mixup, went to Porta Nuova instead of Porta Susa with the
rail tickets. Please give a refund to the bishop's secretary. Arrange this
with Father Cagliero.
I have read your book and like it very much. I have already given it to
the printer and you will soon have the proofs. I thought it best to edit out
what could lead readers to accuse us of going overboard in practices of
piety, or to think that lack of recreation gravely affected Saccardi's
health. I also deleted the Corona Quotidiana. It is an excellent thing,
but it might be considered excessive on top of everything else. See the
proofs and edit as you judge best.
6 We are omitting two letters to Don Bosco telling him about Count Vimercati's death.
[Editor]
1'See Vol. VIII, pp. 137, 189ff. [Editor]

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146
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Best wishes to you and to your dear pupils for the forthcoming cele-
bration.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
Bishop Rota paid his respects to Bishop Ferre of Casale and
then joined him in the celebrations at the Mirabello junior
seminary. Bishop Rota said the Community Mass and Bishop
Ferre the High Mass. At dinner Father Bonetti offered toasts to
the two prelates. Afterward the pupils paid homage to them with
prose, poetry, and song. At Vespers Bishop Ferre preached on St.
Aloysius. The sermon was followed by a solemn procession and
Benediction. 8
Shortly before Bishop Ferre' s departure, a pupil read the fol-
lowing address:
Dear Bishop:
Someone told me you are an angel. I've never before seen an angel,
and so I am grateful to you for having come to us today. I shall now recite
the prayer which my mother taught me to say to my guardian angel:
"Angel of God, you who are my guardian, look after me this day,
enlighten my mind, govern my affections, and guide my sentiments so
that I may never offend the Lord, my God. Amen."
My good angel, I ask yet another favor of you. I hope that you will
grant it because you are so good. Stay with us always. We will build you
a lovely church and make you feel welcome and love you with all our
hearts. Are you glad? Please say yes; otherwise we shall hold you by
your wings and not let you fly away.
And if you do not want to stay always with us, at least come to see us
often and tell us how to become very, very good and how to turn into
angels so that we too can fly with you to heaven. Good-bye, dear angel,
good-bye, good-bye.
We have dwelt upon these details to make ever clearer the
veneration which Don Bosco himself felt and instilled into his sons
toward the shepherds of the Church.
8 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 25
Special Charisms
~0 expedite the printing of Letture Cattoliche, the
Oratory received in July [1868] an additional printing press pur-
.chased in Don Bosco's name by Chevalier Fredrick Oreglia for
8,500 lire. 1 The September issue of Letture Cattoliche, entitled A
Biography of Ernest Saccardi, a pupil of the Mirabello Junior
seminary, had been written by Father John Bonetti. Don Bosco's
letter to the author2 has already demonstrated the former's care
in reading and correcting the biography. It was Don Bosco's cus-
tom at this time to examine closely every writing of his co-workers
intended for publication, and he likewise insisted that th~y
examine his own.
At the "Good Night" of July 5, he told both students and art-
isans: "On the 15th we shall solemnly open the Forty Hours'
devotions. Bishop Balletti will come to preach. To prepare, let us
concentrate on nothing but our duties, be they spiritual,
scholastic, or manual, each according to his own condition. "3
The Forty Hours' devotions were carried out with the greatest
solemnity. Kneeling at the foot of the altar, altar boys, clerics and
priests took turns in around-the-clock adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament. During the day, students and artisans adored in
groups at the altar rail. The faithful attended in large numbers,
drawn also by the sermons of the saintly Bishop Galletti.4
1 This paragri;iph is a condensation. [Editor]
2 See p. 145. [Editor]
'.l We are omitting a letter of Don Bosco agreeing to check out the scholastic standing of
Count Provana's sons and an exchange of news between Father Francesia and Chevalier
Oreglia in Rome. [Editor]
4 We are omitting a thank-you note from Bishop Ferre of Casale to whom Don Bosco had
donated a complete set of Letture Cattoliche. [Editor]
147

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148
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
On July 16 Don Bosco received a letter from the Department of
Railroads recommending a boy to the Oratory. Thousands of
similar requests reached him every year, and he only wished that
he could accept them all. To his co-workers he kept repeating-
and we heard him ourselves: "Take in as many boys as you can.
Fili the house, the attic, and even the space under the stairs. If
you have no other place, put them in my room and under my
bed!"
Bearing in mind Our Lord's words: "Whoever receives one
such little child in My-name receives Me" and "It is not the will of
your Father in heaven that a single one of these little one~ should
perish," he was genuinely happy to be able to accept yet another
boy and grieved when he had to refuse one. In every lad he saw a
soul to be saved, and he left no stone unturned in order to save it.
Father Rua's chronicle entry of July 20 reads: "People keep
coming in large numbers to our new church to seek Our Lady's
favors. We may say that never a day goes by without letters
pouring in from people who recommend themselves to Mary,
particularly through Don Bosco's prayers and those of his sons.
Likewise we may say that we daily receive letters of thanksgiving
for favors received." 5
On July 25, Don Bosco was at Fenestrelle near the Alps. The
curate of the nearby village of Rua had been bitten by a rabid dog,
and was so scared that he wanted at all costs Don Bosco's bless-
ing. Yielding to the insistence of friends waiting for him at
Pinerolo, Don Bosco went to the poor priest, and blessed him.
Reassured, the latter fully recovered and lived many more years.
On Sunday, July 26, the feast of St. Anne, Don Bosco preached
in the chapel of Puy in the parish of Fenestrelle. The next day he
went to Usseaux, the birthplace of Joseph Ronchail, who had just
completed his philosophy courses and wanted to become a priest.
His grandfather, instead, bent on making a merchant out of him,
had already placed him with a Lyons firm and had even arranged
for him to leave for Lyons that Saturday. The young man had not
dared raise objections. Upon arriving in Fenestrelle, Don Bosco
called on the pastor. When his presence became known in town,
two of Joseph's friends who were studying theology at the
~ ,We are omitting one such letter from an Austrian baroness. [Editor]

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
149
seminary, called 1on him to tell him of Don Bosco. Ronchail had
not only never met him, but had never even heard his name. The
seminarians, however, had heard so much about Don Bosco that
they were extremely eager to meet him, and they invited Ronchail
to go with them immediately. He obliged.
No sooner had the three been ushered in than Don Bosco,
ignoring the seminarians, warmly greeted Ronchail. Grasping his
hand, he exclaimed: "Here is a bird that should be caged." His
words made a deep impression on the young man and aroused his
dormant priestly vocation. After a second meeting with Don
Bosco, his determination to dedicate himself to God's service
became so strong and unshakable that he decided to follow him to
Turin. There was still his grandfather to convince, but an extra-
ordinary incident swept all obstacles away. Our source is Father
Charles Gros, who in 1904, at 82, was the pastor at Pomaretto. He
described the incident to Father Peter Pestarino of Rossiglione so
that it could be forwarded to us.
In 1868 Father Gros was a chaplain in that area. One blustery
day he met Don Bosco who was returning to Fenestrelle from
Laux in a carriage with Stephen Bourlot. 6 As they rode along,
they were greeted by Joseph Ronchail, his mother, and his two
younger sisters. As Bourlot halted the carriage, the good woman
begged Don Bosco to bless her daughters. The elder, just
fourteen, was nearly blind, while the younger suffered from a
chronic eye inflammation which forced her to keep her eyes
closed because of the pain caused by the daylight. Don Bosco
suggested that they make a novena to Mary, Help of Christians
and say daily three Paters, Aves, and Glorias and one Salve
Regina. Then, having told Joseph to lead his mother and sister in
these prayers, he blessed them. The elder girl recovered her sight
instantly and completely and never again suffered any eye
ailment; the younger girl continued the novena. On the last day,
shortly after saying the suggested prayers, she noticed that the
inflammation had vanished, leaving only.a tiny scar as a reminder
of her former affliction. She too regained her sight perfectly.
6 ,Stephen Bourlot (1849-1910) first met Don Bosco in 1866 and spent some time with him
at the Oratory. In 1871, after completing his theological studies in the Turin seminary, he
was ordained. Later he returned to Don Bosco, became a Salesian in 1876, and that same
year was assigned to Argentina. See also pp. 12f. [Editor]

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150
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
These extraordinary happenings caused her brother to become
a firm believer in Don Bosco. Convinced of the latter's
supernatural enlightenment regarding his vocation, Ronchail
entered the Oratory on October 1 of that year. Later we shall see
the important mission that the Lord had reserved for him in
France. He himself confirmed this story to us.
According to the chronicle, Don Bosco left Fenestrelle on July
27. Toward evening that day, two unknown priests came to the
Oratory to see him. Since he was still away, they waited till
nightfall without identifying themselves. As soon as he saw them,
Don Bosco warmly greeted them. "I am Monsignor Ricci, cham-
berlain to His Holiness," one said. The other identified himself as
Father Guglielmotti, O.P., the famous historian of the papal navy.
Both were happy to accept Don Bosco's hospitality. The following
day, after a tour of the Oratory, Father Durando escorted them to
our school at Lanzo. On the morning of July 29 they left for Rome.
Seemingly they were on a special mission. Their visit gave Don
Bosco the opportunity to write to Monsignor Ricci in September to
enlist his help in obtaining a papal honor for one of his benefac-
tors. 7
On July 28 Don Bosco had to beg leave of his distinguished
guests and absent himself for nearly two days because of a
previous commitment at Borgo Cornalese [some fifteen miles
from Turin]. During his absence, Father Rua had an attack of
acute peritonitis. Overworked for the past several months and
constantly weakened by a scanty four-hour rest each night, he
collapsed on July 29. Very devout, he immediately sought and re-
ceived Holy Viaticum. The doctor had given him up. Later, Dr.
Fissore, who had first treated him, declared that his condition had
been so serious that his chances for survival had been two out of a
hundred, at most.
We may well imagine the anxiety that swept the whole Oratory.
Don Bosco was called back and arrived by evening. The superiors
and boys swarmed around him in large numbers to tell him of
Father Rua's critical condition and to urge that he hasten to give
him the blessing of Mary, Help of Christians. "Hurry," they
insisted. "He may die at any moment!"
7 We are omitting this letter. [Editor]

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
151
"Be at ease," Don Bosco replied smilingly. "I know Father Rua.
He will go nowhere without my permission!"
Since the Exercise for a Happy Death was starting that eve-
ning, Don Bosco went straight to his confessional, where he was
kept busy a very long time. When he was finished, his secretary,
Father Berto, insisted that he visit the patient. "Yes, I'll see
him," he replied. "Don't worry!" However, nothing daunted, he
went to the dining room for supper. Only after having brought
some papers to his room did he finally go to see Father Rua. After
some small talk, Father Rua feebly asked: "Don Bosco, please tell
me honestly if this is my last hour. I am ready for anything!"
"D~ar Father Rua," he replied, "I do not want you to die.
You've still got to help me with many things."
After a few more heartening words, he blessed him.
The following morning Don Bosco went to visit Father Rua after
Mass. There he met Dr. Gribaudo who told him that the patient
was critical and that there was little hope for his recovery.
"No matter how critical he is," Don Bosco replied, "Father Rua
must get well because he has a lot more to do." Then noticing the
oil of the sick on the night table, he asked: "What is that doing
here?"
"To anoint Father Rua."
"Whose idea was that?"
"Mine," Father Savio replied. "If you had seen how sick he was
yesterday! We all were afraid. Even the doctors .... "
"You are indeed people of little faith," Don Bosco interrupted.
"Take heart, Father Rua! You couldn't die now even if you
jumped out of the window!"
In fact, Father Rua had begun to improve the very moment that
Don Bosco had blessed. him. Some days later, contrary to expec-
tations, he was out of danger. A two-month convalescence in
Trofarello completely restored his strength and even rid him of
the headaches that had frequently tormented him.
An earlier prediction assured Father Rua that he would live at
least another thirty-five years. He testified to this himself as
follows:
In 1853, while preparations were afoot in Turin for the centennial

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152
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
celebrations of the miracle of the Blessed Sacrament,8 our good father
Don Bosco wrote a pamphlet to help prepare the faithful for the solemn
anniversary. I was then sixteen and acting as his secretary. A few
months after the close of the festivities, Don Bosco and I were returning
from the summer residence of our good friend, Father Matthew Picco,
where Don Bosco used to spend a few days every year to work at his
writing in the peace of the countryside, availing himself of the extensive
literary, historic, and scientific knowledge of the learned professor.
When we reached the city's outskirts, not far from the Great Mother of
God Church, our conversation turned to the recent centennial celebra-
tion and the popularity of his pamphlet. At. one point, Don Bosco, look-
ing to the future, remarked: "When the four hundred and fiftieth anni-
versary is celebrated in 1903, I shall no longer be here, but you will. As
of now, I entrust its reprint to you."
"I gladly accept so welcome a task," I replied, "but what if death
should play its tricks on me before then?"
"Have no fear! Death will play you no tricks, and you will be able to
carry out the task I am now entrusting to you."
Hearing him speak with such conviction, I then and there put aside a
copy of the pamphlet to have it on hand for a reprint in 1903.
He did indeed reprint it, prefacing it with a statement similar to
the above and also mentioning his 1868 illness and recovery.
8 The miracle of the Blessed Sacrament took place on June 6, 1453. A soldier had stolen a
monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and was carrying it off in a sack flung over a
mule. On reaching the spot where the Church of Corpus Domini was later built, the mule
refused to budge in spite of repeated whippings and blows. The sack broke open, the
monstrance fell out, and the Host arose to remain suspended in midair for all to see. When
word reached the archbishop, he rushed to the spot, and only after many prayers of the
faithful did the Host descend into a chalice held by him. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 26
Special Charisms (Continued)
IN August [1868] Don Bosco went to St. Ignatius' Shrine
at Lanzo for his spiritual retreat. There, as in previous years, he
was awaited by many laymen who sought him out for confession
and guidance. Among them was a fine young man who had been
introduced to him some time previously at the Oratory by a bene-
factor wishing to have him admitted there. On that occasion Don
Bosco had kindly received the youth in the sacristy, but after
questioning him, he had frankly told him that his lot was not with
the Salesians. The youth had felt hurt at this answer and left.
Now-a few years later-this young man was at St. Ignatius'
Shrine for his spiritual retreat and again met Don Bosco. After
making his confession to him, he told him of his desire to become
a Salesian. Don Bosco· remained noncommittal, but one day, as
the youth was enthusiastically talking about St. Stanislaus
Kostka, he gently remarked: "Well, then, why don't you join the
order in which St. Stanislaus became a saint," thus again giving
him to understand that he was not called to the Salesian life.
Taking the suggestion, the youth entered the Society of Jesus.
His name? Father Sasia, Jesuit provincial in California until 1894
when he was recalled to fill the same office in Turin. He himself is
our source of the above.
Though acb.rising others, Don Bosco did not shy from receiving
advice himself. Seeing that his blessing healed even people who
were critically ill, he realized that this was .due to Mary's inter-
cession, and he took pains not to let the poison of vanity creep into
his heart. He constantly and determinedly prayed: "Not to us,
O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory." [Ps. 113, 9] He
thought so humbly of himself that he frequently sought advice
153

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154
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
from learned and saintly priests. Bishop John Baptist Bertagna,
former professor of moral theology at the Convitto Ecclesiastico in
Turin, testified as follows at the diocesan process for Don Bosco' s
beatification:
I am convinced that Don Bosco possessed the supernatural gift of
healing. He told me so himself when we were both making our spiritual
retreat at St. Ignatius' Shrine in Lanzo. He confided in me because he
wanted my advice on whether or not he should continue giving his
blessing to the sick along with holy pictures of Mary, Help of Christians
and of Our Savior. He was ill at ease because many cures seemed
prodigious and caused a lot of talk. I believed he was telling the truth,
and for better or worse I advised him to continue giving his blessing.
His humility helped him to find ways to divert attention from
himself when people, realizing the power of his blessings, flocked
to him in such numbers that he could not attend to his own duties.
Lest the extraordinary happen then and there, he often advised
people to make a novena or to recite certain prayers for a period of
days, thus setting the time when the Madonna would grant the
grace. In thus seeing to it that the favors were received in distant
localities, he aimed at making his assurances of a cure less
striking. Remarkably, his petitioners' prayers were answered on
the day and month he designated. The Madonna left that up to
him. Equally effective were the letters he sent with a holy picture
of Mary, Help of Christians, as demonstrated by the grateful
thanks he received from everywhere. Unfailingly he credited
these cures to the prayers and fervent Communions of his pupils,
constantly urging those who had been healed to be grateful to and
appreciative of the Oratory boys.
At the close of the retreat, Don Bosco took up a collection for
the St. Aloysius Festive Oratory and then returned to Turin. Since
the new church of Mary, Help of Christians still lacked several
appurtenances, he organized various drives for memorial gifts.
He disliked purchasing all necessary or desirable articles lest
benefactors think that their help was no longer necessary. 1
People had great faith in Don Bosco. A religious community of
~ This paragraph is a condensation. We are omitting a circular to benefactors and a letter
from the superioress of a convent to Father Francesia. [Editor]

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Special Charisms (Continued)
155
Turin, sorely grieved by the mortal illness of Count Clement
Solaro della Margarita, wrote to Chevalier Oreglia to learn Don
Bosco's opinion about his recovery. Don Bosco in turn called upon
the illustrious patient, with whom he was quite friendly, to
give him a blessing and assure him of the Oratory boys' prayers.
"It must be remembered though," he often said, "that recovery
is sometimes refused because it would do the soul no good, and at
times it is granted partially so that the sick person may acquire
.greater merit."
The following incident illustrates this point:
In 1868 my mother and I called on Don Bosco. I sought his blessing
because, at twenty-five, I was afflicted with a relentless fever, slight but
resistant to treatment, which drained me of my strength. The saintly
priest suggested a simple laxative and asked me to recite five Paters,
Aves, and Glorias for about a month until the feast of the Assu~ption.
His smile and confidence made me certain that I would be cured. Before
dismissing me, he gave me a booklet and a medal and then had me kneel
and say three Hail Marys with him.
He prayed standing, all the while resting his hand firmly on my head.
When I arose, he looked sad. "Do not be surprised if you will always
have some ailment," he said. "The blessing I gave you may not help you
physically, but it will help you spiritually. Still, do as I said." I left some-
what disheartened, but took the laxative and'recited the prayers. On the
feast of the Assumption I felt worse than ever, but later I gradually
improved. My fever, though, still bothered me quite often. In fact, I can
truthfully say that since my visit to Don Bosco I have not had one single
day of perfect health. I am convinced that, as we were saying the three
Hail Marys, Don Bosco saw that I would have to sacrifice the health of
my body for the good of my soul.
Delfina Marengo
We will now here recall how Don Bosco also continued to reveal
occult matters. Father Joachim Berto testified as follows:
One morning in 1868 two unknown ladies came to the Oratory to see
Don Bosco. As they were ushered into his room, he smilingly said to
one: "Have no fear of becoming a nun. Be sure that it is God's will."
Shortly afterward the two ladies left, visibly moved. Curious, I asked·

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156
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Don Bosco why they were crying. "You see," he replied, "those two
ladies are sisters. One wants to become a nun, and the other opposes
her. They agreed to seek my advice."
"Why were they crying?"
"Because I gave them the answer to their question before they could
say a word. It really affected them."
"How did you know the problem?"
"You ask too many questions! I had a dream last night and saw those
two ladies come to me and ask my opinion on that matter. As soon as
they walked in I recognized them and simply repeated the advice I had
given them in my dream."
Other similar instances are recorded in our archives. Don Bosco
was also endowed with an admirable spirit of prophecy, as we
have already narrated. 2 For instance, one evening at supper he
told this dream to several at the table with him, including Father
Berto:
I saw an Oratory boy lying on the floor in the middle of his dormitory
amid blunted knives, pistols, rifles, and severed human limbs. He was
dying. "What happened?" I asked. "Can't you tell?" he replied. "I
committed murder and in a few hours I shall be executed."
I know that boy, Don Bosco went on. I'll strive to straighten him out
and make him devout and good-hearted, but his nasty disposition makes
me truly fear that he will come to a sad end.
Eventually this boy joined the army, shot an officer, and had to
face a firing squad. Fortunately he repented and devoutly
received the Last Sacraments.
Don Bosco also predicted several years in advance the suicide
of another Oratory boy. He was a good lad, and devout while at
the Oratory, but years later he was betrayed and ruined by a
vicious companion. Unable to stand the loss of his fortune, family,
and reputation, he .,ended his life with a bullet. The two boys'
names are in our archives. Many witnesses-Father Rua among
them-can testify to these predictions and their fulfillment.
Thus did Don Bosco's saintliness and charisms win him every-
one's esteem and confidence, including noble families of Turin
2 See Indexes of Volumes II, IV, V, VII, VIII, and XI under "Predictions." [Editor]

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Special Charisms (Continued)
157
and other cities who often called upon him for counsel· in bringing
up their children. 3 He took equal if not more tender care of his
own pupils. As the summer vacation approached, he constantly
gave them salutary advice. Father Bonetti kept this record:
Don Bosco 's Suggestions to the Boys on August 18, 1868
1. Go home with the determination to stay good.
2. Try to bring back to the Oratory with you some good boy, the kind
you know Don Bosco likes to have.
3. Give a good example to your brothers or sisters to make up for the
bad example you may have given them in the past in word and deed.
4. As you leave, do not damage or break water pitchers or tear books,
as many destructive boys usually do. Give them rather to your needy
companions who remain here or will come later on.
5. Be polite to your parents, teachers, and pastors. If you are invited
to dinner, help yourselves sparingly, and watch how well-mannered
people behave. Do not sit down or leave the table ahead of others; wait
till your host has done so.
·
On Sunday, August 30, the novena in honor of Mary's Nativity
began. During the first few days a rare phenomenon was
observed by the Oratory boys who interpreted it as a happy omen.
We mention it simply because Father Berto made note of it and
because it brings out this good confrere's diligence in recording
every incident. His report follows:
One evening after supper I was with some boys near the bindery when
a nearby group of youngsters cried out: "Look up there!" I looked up. A
red globe, about five inches in diamet~r, was gliding forward some
twelve feet above the roof of the classroom building, slightly zigzagging
and wavering at the speed of a sparrow darting from place to place. It
cruised over the study hall, Don Bosco' s room, and the rest of the
building near the belfry of the old church, and then continued its flight
almost as far as the railroad tracks, leaving a white tapering tail that
faded away into white smoke at itsfar end. The boys were playing, and a
lot of them stopped to watch it, mystified by such a phenomenon.
3 This sentence is a condensation. We are omitting two letters of Don Bosco to benefac-
tors showing his concern for their children. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 27
Spiritual Retreat for Salesians, 1868
~HE Oratory chronicle records only three "Good
Nights" by Don Bosco during the novena of Our Lady's Nativity:
September 2, 1868
It's hard to understand, but whenever we begin a novena, some boys
ask to leave the Oratory, and others must be dismissed. Take one
youngster, for instance. He was the worst troublemaker of all, but
various reasons kept us from expelling him. Would you believe it? Some
mysterious force just drove him to leave on his own.
Now let us talk of something else. Imagine that you see me coming
through the main entrance, walking up here and facing a majestic Lady
who holds a ledger in Her hands. Without my saying a word, She hands
it to me and says: "Read!" I take it and read the title, Novena ofMary's
Nativity. Then I open the book and see in letters of gold, on the very first
page, the names of a very few boys. The second page bears a somewhat
longer list of boys' names in ordinary ink. All the other pages are blank.
Now, can anyone tell me what this means? (He asked one boy and
helped him with the answers.) The ledger contains the names of the
boys making the novena. Those very few boys listed in gold letters are
those who are making it fervently. The rest are those who are making it
with less fervor. What about all the other boys whose names are not
even listed? How do you explain that? I believe that the long walks we
had [during the past festivities] so distracted these boys that they can no
longer pull themselves together. What would Dominic Savio, Besucco,
Magone, or Saccardi say if they were to come back now? "How the
Oratory has changed!" they would exclaim.
To please Our Lady, therefore, let us receive th~ sacraments fre-
quently and practice the nosegays which Father Francesia or I suggest
every night. Let this be tomorrow's nosegay: "Do everything diligently."
158

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Spiritual Retreat for Salesians, 1868
159
September 3, 1868
Don Bosco told the boys about a dying woman who even in those last
moments could not bring herself to confess a sin she had committed at
the age of nine. In her delirium, however, she kept crying: "Poor me! I
shall go to hell!"
"Why?" asked the confessor at her bedside.
"Because I committed a sin I have never dared confess."
At the priest's encouragement, she finally made a good confession.
This teaches us, my dear sons, not to wait till death to put our conscience
in order. If any of you have to make a general confession, do so. But if
your confessor tells you that you do not need it, don't worry any longer,
and leave all responsibility to your spiritual father.
September 4, 1868
A few days ago a woman lay critically ill in a hospital but refused to
make her confession. As her condition worsened, some friends
suggested that she call for Don Bosco.
"I don't care who comes," she replied. "I will not make my
confession."
When I reached the hospital, they told her of my arrival.
"I'll make my confession when I'm well," she replied.
"But Don Bosco will make you well."
"Let him do that first, and then I'll confess my sins."
Ignoring her words, I offered her a medal of Mary, Help of Christians,
on a chain. To the surprise of the bystanders, she took it and put it
around her neck. I asked everyone to leave. As I made the Sign of the
Cross over her, she blessed herself and then began her confession. Later
she remarked joyfully: "I can't believe it! I made my confession when I
had set my heart against it."
"I can't explain it either," I replied. "It must be that the Blessed
Virgin wants you to be saved." I left her in a very Christian frame of
mind.
Let us therefore put all our trust in Mary. Let those who still have no
medal get one. Let us kiss it when tempted or when awake at night, and
we shall be the better for it.
In the lost and found articles tonight there is a wallet with some small
bills and two medals wrapped in paper. The person who lost it may come
to get it.
Tomorrow's nosegay is: "Give up something." For instance, stop
playing a minute or so to visit the Blessed Sacrament, or do something
similar.

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160
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
On September 8 [1868] the final examination marks were
solemnly read off to the Oratory boys at six in the evening, and
prizes were awarded to the best pupils. That day, so rich in
reminders of the good done by Don Bosco for his beloved sons,
ended as in the past with a delightful entertainment of prose and
poetry, music and song, skits and farces. As usual, the assembly
opened with a talk by a faculty member and closed with an
address by Don Bosco. Both talks were well deserving of the boys'
attention.
Next morning, after Mass with a homily by Don Bosco on how
to spend one's vacation and a hymn of thanksgiving, most of the
students left for their homes, bearing with them Don Bosco's
earnest recommendation to honor Our Lady and to place full
confidence in Her for all spiritual and temporal needs.' While the
events of the previous chapters were taking place, several people,
well-intentioned perhaps, had advised Archbishop Riccardi of
Turin not to approve•the spiritual retreat which the Oratory ordi-
nands planned to make at Trofarello during the fall Ember days in
preparation for their ordination. Pressure was mounting on Don
Bosco's clerics to make their retreat either in the seminary or in
the Redemptorist retreat house with the diocesan ordinands.
When informed of this decision, Don Bosco sent Father Cagliero
to Carmagnola where the archbishop was visiting to persuade
him to revoke the order. Don Boseo was determined to exert his
utmost efforts in this matter for reasons he could not make public,
such as the strong attempts that had been made at the last retreat
in the seminary to promote defections from the Salesian Society.
The archbishop listened to Father Cagliero. Thanks also to
Bishop Gastaldi' s timely intervention and to information he had
received that the bishop of Asti was allowing the deacon Fagnano
to make his spiritual retreat at Trofarello in preparation for his
ordination, the archbishop relented.
Therefore, on September 13, the feast of the Holy Name of
Mary, Don Bosco gathered half of his Salesians, including the
ordinands, for the first of the spiritual retreats to be held there.
He preached the instructions himself, and Father Joseph Bona of
Brescia handled the meditations. Solicitous that all Salesians
I We are omitting some correspondence about devotion to the Blessed Virgin and favors
received from Her. [Editor)

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Spiritual Retreat for Salesians, 1868
161
make a spiritual retreat, he notified Chevalier Oreglia and Father
Celestine Durando that a second retreat would start.on September
21.2
His sermons were more than usually effective. Sound in
doctrine, full of ardor, based upon Scripture and the Church
Fathers, and illustrated with church history, the lives of the
saints, contemporary events, similes, and parables, they held the
retreatants spellbound, convincing them, kindling their fervor,
and motivating them to follow their vocation.3
On September 19, Ember Saturday, the spiritual retreat came
to a close with the perpetual profession of Father Paul Albera,
while the clerics Louis Lasagna and Joseph Bologna made their
triennial vows.
The archbishop held ordinations in the chapel in his residence,
Deacon James Costamagna had to leave Trofarello in the early
morning to get there on time. After the ceremony, all the newly
ordained priests, diocesan and religious, waited to greet the
archbishop. When it was Father Costamagna's turn to kiss the
prelate's ring, the latter lightly slapped him, loudly exclaiming:
"Here is one who does not want to acknowledge his own arch-
bishop!"
"Your Excellency," he protested, "I respect and love you, but I
also love Don Bosco as a father."
Turning his back to him, the archbishop began conversing with
others. Father Costamagna felt hurt. The seminarians, especially
those from Susa, were shocked. Some of them were former
Oratory pupils and knew nothing of the differences between
Archbishop Riccardi and Don Bosco.
That day Father Joseph Fagnano was ordained by Bishop Ferre
at Casale.
2 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
'We are omitting a summary of Don Bosco's talks by one of his listeners. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 28
Spiritual Retreat for Salesians, 1868
(Continued)
a.FTER the retreat was over, as Father Rua's chronicle
informs us, Don Bosco started out with a companion for Villastel-
lone to spend a day with his former teacher, Father Appendini, 1
but he unluckily missed the train. The chronicle continues:
Not at all disturbed, Don Bosco took out a thick manuscript and, while
walking, began proofreading it as he would at his own desk. When he
got to his destination, he looked up and remarked: "This was a godsend.
I could not have done as much if I had stayed at home!"
From Villastellone he went to Saluzzo to comfort Bishop Gastaldi's
mother who was seriously ill and to show her his gratitude for all her
kindnesses to the Oratory.2 Both mother and son were delighted by his
visit, but Don Bosco was moved to pity by her sufferings and the thought
that her end was so near.
He also called on an old priest, a fellow seminarian, who had been
ailing for years. After a cordial exchange of greetings, Don Bosco
inquired about his illness and found that his friend was not only ill in
body but depressed in soul. Having received no relief from doctors and
all kinds of medicines, he had given up all hope and despaired of any
recovery. Don Bosco tried to cheer him by exhorting him to trust in
Mary, Help of Christians, who had already granted so many favors to
others, and by assuring him that, if he had complete faith in Her, he
would be able to say Mass again within two weeks. However, despite his
efforts, he could not arouse the priest's confidence in his heavenly
Mother. He left d~ploring the fact that many priests, even good priests,
as a result of continued association with people of the world, gradually
lose their spirit of faith and prayer, so that it becomes harder to revive
this spirit in them than in ordinary lay people.
: See Vol. I, p. 339. [Editor]
2.See Vol. II, p. 414; Vol. III, pp. 178f; Vol. IV, p. 99. [Editor]
162

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Spiritual Retreatfor Salesians, 1868 (Continued)
163
Thus reads Father Rua's chronicle. On his way back, Don Bosco
made a brief stop in Turin [before retruning to Trofarello for the
second retreat]. A month before, in mid-August, Steven Bourlot,
the young cleric who diligently recorded Don Bosco' s New Year's
predictions,3 had asked him: "What about the third person in
your dream who was supposed to die?"
"He will make the Exercise for a Happy Death once more," Don
Bosco had replied. "I hope to save him, though at present he is not
yet ready for this great step."
As a matter of fact, the Exercise for a Happy Death was held
the first week of September. On the ninth, John Baptist Bonenti,
18, a blacksmith apprentice of Carpignano Novarese, became
seriously ill and had to be taken to Sts. Maurice and Lazarus
Hospital at Porta Palazzo, not far from the Oratory. He was
obviously the third youth who, in Don Bosco's dream, was
supposed to die in a place nearby. 4,
Many years later, Father Steven Bourlot told us that he had for-
gotten the youth's name but that it began with a "B" and that the
boy had been a blacksmith's apprentice. One of Bourlot's class-
mates, however-Archbishop Pasquale Morganti of Ravenna-
remembered the youth's name, his birthplace, his trade, and also
fiis appearance, which was somewhat stout and flabby, as though
he were ill with dropsy. His physical build must have affected his
per·sonality, since he was apathetic and indifferent even in mat-
ters of the soul. Shortly after he had been hospitalized, the doc-
tors realized that his illness was incurable. He received the sacra-
ments routinely without realizin~ his hopeless condition.
From time to time in the months past Don Bosco had given him
spiritual advice, but now, informed of the youth's imminent
death,
he
heeded
the
order
given
to
him
in
his
dream~
5
·
Hastening
to his beside, he comforted him, aroused sorrow for his sins, and
heard his confession. The following morning, he visited him again
and found him weeping.
"Why are you crying?" he asked.
"Had I died last night after my confession and the papal
3 See pp. 6-11. [Editor]
4 See p. 8. [Editor]
I Ibid. [Editor]

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164
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
blessing, I would have been certain of going to heaven," the
youth replied. "Now, instead, I may still fall into sin .... " Then
he broke into sobs.
Don Bosco comforted him, whispered short invocations to
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and, realizing that death was near,
once more absolved him. The hapless youth, an orphan, died on
September 22 at 1:30 in the morning. Only Don Bosco had come to
see him. Every detail of the dream had been fulfilled to the letter.
Meanwhile, on September 21 the second spiritual retreat had
begun at Trofarello. Don Bosco gave the instructions, but [a
summary of] only two have reached us. The first one deals with
the mortification of the senses; the second was the closing sermon
of the retreat. We quote both here:
I
We have a great enemy who never leaves us alone night or day-our
own body. We must resist it, lest it rebel; we must mortify it to keep it
under subjection. Of this Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a most shining
example throughout His entire life. For over twenty years He earned His
bread by the sweat of His brow. He began His mission by a fast of forty
days and forty nights; He endured fatigue on endless walking tours; He
suffered thirst and hunger, spent long nights in prayer, and endured a
grueling passion.
By self-denial and prayer He taught us how to war against the body.
One who does not mortify it can't even expect to be able to pray
properly. All the blessed in heaven and all good priests have followed or
are following Christ's example. They are our models ....
The body is the oppressor of the soul. "The corruptible body burdens
the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many
concerns." [Wis. 9, 15] The body weighs on the mind and keeps it
constantly laden with a host of earthly thoughts and cares. Adam's soul,
St. Bernard remarked, was free of this burden as long as his body
remained incorruptible. God had given him such freedom from passion
that, midway in creation, he could freely elevate himself to the highest
things without difficulty, or lower himself to the level of the worst
without passion or urge; likewise, he could comprehend the loftiest
things with an instinctive intelligence and purity of mind and lord it over
the lowest as their master.
However, Adam's sin disrupted this astonishing physical and spiritual
harmony and effected that conflict to which St. Paul refers in his epistle

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Spiritual Retreatfor Salesians, 1868 (Continued)
165
to the Romans: "My inner self agrees with the law of God, but I see in
my body's members another law at war with the law of my mind; this
makes me the prisoner of the law of sin in my members. What a
wretched man I am. Who can free me from this body under the power of
death?" [Rom. 7, 22-24]
St. Augustine thus explains this spirit of rebellion: The disobedient
man finds punishment within himself in the rebellion of his own
members. The soul, however, must prevail and the body must be
enslaved. Left free to give itself to intemperance and vice, the body
turns man into a mere animal. In that state man can no longer under-
stand or appreciate the things of God, but will care only for his base
appetites; [as the Psalmist says] "Man in his prosperity forfeits
intelligence: he is one with the cattle doomed to slaughter." [Ps. 49, 20]
Obviously such a state would be most unbecoming to a priest who is to
be an example to others. "The beloved grew fat, and kicked; he grew fat,
and thick and gross; he forsook God who made him, and departed from
God his Savior." [Deut. 32, 15]
We must then subdue this animal [as Holy Scripture says]: "Fodder
and whip and loads for a donkey . . . food, discipline, and work for a
slave ... and for a wicked slave punishments in the stocks." [Sir. 33,
25, 27]
Therefore, this is the way to deal with the body: mortification. Thus
dealt St. Paul who wrote: "I chastise my body and bring it into
subjection." [1 Cor. 9, 27] Notwithstanding his hard apostolic work, he
toiled to earn his own keep and that of his companions.
Jesus Christ declared: "Unless you do penance, rou shall all likewise
perish." [Luke 13, 5] To show us how-to tame this enemy, Our Lord kept
repeating: "Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self,
take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps." [Luke 9, 23] Until
when? Until death. He who does not want to suffer with Christ cannot be
glorified with Him. [Cf. Rom. 8, 17] For indeed Jesus also said:
"Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for
My sake will save it. What profit does he show who gains the whole
world and destroys himself in the process?" [Luke 9, 24-25] These words
show the extent to which we must war against our own body rather than
lose the grace of God.
At the very beginning of their mission, the Apostles, after being
flogged at the synagogue's order, "left the Sanhedrin full of joy that they
had been judged worthy of ill-treatment for Jesus' sake." [Acts 5, 41]
Following their example down to our present times, countless martyrs
have undergone the cruelest, most atrocious tortures; likewise,
numberless lay people and religious have tamed and still tame their

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166
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
passions by fasting, vigils, discipline, and other penances which so
frighten the worldly-minded and the spiritually weak. Though we are
certainly not bound to sacrifice our bodies in this manner (if necessary,
God would assist us with His grace), we must nevertheless refuse
to pamper our senses; we must curb them and forestall their snares. In
this struggle we are to draw courage from this sublime warning:
Memorare novissima tua et in aeternum non peccabis [Remember your
end and you will never sin-[Sir. 7, 36].
Those attached to this earth and its comforts and pleasures must keep
in mind what awaits their bodies. This body of ours, so pampered, will
soon feed most loathsome worms. Let us make the Exercise for a Happy
Death with great faith ....
Away with vanities, ambitions, and self-indulgence. Let us not seek
privileges as regards room, clothes, and books, but accept the
consequence and discomforts of poverty to which we have pledged or
will pledge ourselves by vow. Let it be our ambition to save souls
through sacrifice.
Let us mortify our senses. Let us restrain our eyes in looking and
reading, let us be satisfied with the food served to us, let us not keep
drinks in our rooms, let us have nothing special. Let us forbear and
persuade others to do likewise; let us bear with one another, let us
forgive sincerely, let us be punctual in our duties. Let teachers and
assistants be reserved with their pupils, never laying hands upon them,
bringing them into their rooms, or forming special friendships with
them.
Observe the Friday fast; endure heat, cold, illness, and deprivations.
Travel only when necessary.
Through these little mortifications we shall be more fervent in prayer
and victorious over temptation. We shall become more virtuous, and our
congregation will become an earthly prardise.
II
During the past few days I would like to have spoken of our practices
of piety, but time has run out. Though we dealt at length on our vows
and the religious life, I shall still say something about meditation,
spiritual reading, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and the examination
of conscience.
Meditation is mental prayer. How does one go about meditation?
First, let him place himself in God's presence and choose the subject he
wants to consider. Next, let him concentrate on that subject and apply it
to himself as it fits him. Finally, let him conclude by resolving to over-

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Spiritual Retreat for Salesians, l868(Cu11ti11ued)
167
come certain faults and practice certain virtues. Throughout the day let
him follow up his meditation by practicing his resolve. We must also try
to arouse ourselves to sentiments of love, gratitude, and humility toward
God; we should ask Him for the graces we need and in true sorrow and
tears beg His pardon for our sins. Let us always remember that God is
our Father and we are His sons. . . . I therefore recommend mental
prayer.
If you cannot meditate this way because of travel or some other urgent
duty, do at least what businessmen do. No matter where they are, their
thoughts are always on business: buying, reselling at a profit, avoiding
losses or making up for them, rejoicing in their profits or planning to
increase them. Our examination of conscience resembles that. Before
retiring, let us check if we have practiced our resolutions on some
specific fault; let us ascertain our gain or loss in a sort of spiritual
auditing. If we discover a failure in our resolution, let us renew it the
next day, until we have succeeded in acquiring the virtue we are striving
for or shall have destroyed or avoided the fault we wished to correct.
I also suggest visits to the Blessed Sacrament. "Our most sweet Lord
Jesus Christ is there in person," the Cure of Ars used to exclaim. If time
is limited, let us at least kneel before the tabernacle and say a Pater,
Ave, and Gloria. This alone will steel us against temptation. I assure you
that the man of faith who visits the Blessed Sacrament and makes a daily
meditation with sincerity of heart will not fall into sin. I urge spiritual
reading, especially to those who need a book to meditate. Let us read a
passage and reflect on it to discover what needs correcting in our lives.
This will help us also to love the Lord increasingly and encourage us to
save our soul.
If possible, make your spiritual reading and your visit to the Blessed
Sacrament with the community; otherwise do so in private. The same
goes for meditation.
Remember that our rule binds us to say the rosary daily. How grateful
we should be to the Blessed Virgin who has so many graces in store for
us!
Go to confession every week, even if you have nothing serious to
confess. It is a pleasing act of humility to God because it reawakens our
remorse for sins already forgiven; it makes us realize how imperfect the
small faults of every day make us.
Let us eaclt strive to derive spiritual benefit from what we see, hear,
do, and read, even in pagan authors. For example, if you are teaching
the works of a pagan author and come upon an edifying maxim, value it,
call it to your students' attention, and draw a useful moral from it for

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168
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
yourself and others. Consider the bee. It sometimes travels several miles
to find honey and knows how to separate it from wax and deposit within
the tiny flower a poisonous fluid which could be fatal to itself and its
companions. We should d9 likewise. Let us choose what is good and rid
ourselves of what is faulty and sinful. Thus we may find good in every-
thing and everybody.
I would also have liked to emphasize that ours is an active life which
obliges us to work as much as we can. Now let me just mention a few
other things. First, let us be charitable to one another, bearing with
faults patiently and being mutually indulgent. Let us encourage each
other to do good, to observe our rule, and to love and respect each other
like brothers. Let us pray that we may all form one heart and one soul to
love and serve God . . . . I particularly urge directors to meet as often as
possible with their confreres to discuss personal matters and concerns of
the boys.
Let us also remember that in the Gospel Our Lord coepit facere et
docere; before teaching He first practiced th~ things He taught. After
you have observed all the rules of the house yourselves, see to it that the
boys observe them too. Be very kind in admonishing them, but never
permit yourselves any gesture or word that might arouse an evil
thought. Look after the downhearted a'nd the sick; cheer them and
encourage them to be patient. We must not do this only with those
whom we like because they are good or talented, but also with those who
are not that good or clever, and even with those who are downright bad.
Did not Our Lord say that the healthy have no need of doctors?
Never let any punishment look like revenge. Never throw back in
someone's face his past offenses, especially if he has been forgiven.
Rather, do your best to show greater affection than before, and forget
the past. Study the boys' characters carefully, advise them, and edify
them by word and example. Be more understanding with boys who are
oversensitive and easily hurt, and pray for them .... Do your utmost to
teach them respect for their superiors.
One last thought: this spiritual retreat may well be the last for one of
us. Let each of us put his conscience in order and be ready for death at
any moment.
The spiritual retreat ended on September 26 with the renewal
of vows and the singing of the Te Deum. The day before, Joseph
Bertello and Joseph Rossi made their perpetual vows. Three
months later, on Christmas Day, three other applicants (two
clerics and a coadjutor brother) made their triennial vows at

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Spiritual Retreatfor Salesians, 1868 (Continued)
169
Lanzo. The new members had joined the congregation during the
first spiritual retreat.
During the second spiritual retreat Don Bosco received a
welcome letter 6 from Pius IX, to whom he had sent an account of
the solemn festivities attending the consecration of the Church of
Mary, Help of Christians, along with several commemorative
medals. The Pope had been particularly gratified by Don Bosco's
report, for he had eagerly awaited news of those memorable
week-long festivities. He admired Don Bosco and his enterprises.
Whenever he received visitors from Turin, he would exclaim:
"Turin is lucky to have Don Bosco!" He called the Oratory of St.
Francis de Sales "the house of miracles." Thus wrote Father John
Bonetti. In turn, Canon John Baptist Anfossi testified: "Thanks to
a letter of recommendation from Don Bosco, when I went to Rome
I managed to obtain a private audience with Pius IX. During the
next twenty-two minutes, the Holy Father kept expressing his
high esteem of Don Bosco's charitable undertakings and intense
love for the Holy See."
In the fall, Don Bosco took the first steps to obtain certification
of the Salesian school at Lanzo, but difficulties arose and the
matter was temporarily shelved. He also tried to prod the city
authorities of Turin into allowing him to complete a wall which
would enclose the festive oratory to the west of the new church.
At this time too the October issue of Letture Cattoliche, entitled
Novena ofPrayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, was mailed to
subscribers. Written by a masterly pen, the little booklet dealt
with dogma and the pains of purgatory and exhorted the faithful
to help their beloved departed ones.7
6 ,Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
7 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 29
Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian
Society (Continued)
FROM June to September of 1868 matters far more im-
portant than those we have mentioned taxed Don Bosco's
strength. [In June] he had again appealed to Pius IX for approval
of the constitutions of the Society of St. Francis de Sales or, at
least, for permission to issue dismissorial letters to his ordinands
and dispense his subjects from triennial vows. He had also
requested that his ordinands be promoted to sacred orders titulo
mensae communis [under the title of common board]. To this end
he had sent a printed Notitia Brevis Societatis Sancti Francisci
Salesii et Nonnulla Decreta ad Eamdem Spectantia [Brief History
of the Society of St. Francis de Sales with Pertinent Decrees] 1 to
the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars. Acting upon it,
Monsignor [Stanislaus] Svegliati, its secretary, wrote to Monsi-
gnor Cajetan Tortone, the Holy See's unofficial representative to
the government in Turin, for information concerning the intellec-
tual and priestly formation of Don Bosco' s clerics at the Oratory. 2
Following is Monsignor Tortone's reply:
Most Reverend Monsignor:
Turin, August 6, 1868
In addition to my own extensive knowledge of the institute founded by
Father John Bosco, I have sought more precise information about it so as
to give you adequate material for a fair evaluation of matters as they
stand. I am only sorry that the need for cautious procedure, lest the real
aim of my search be known, somewhat delayed my answer to your letter
1 This was an updated version of the memorandum he had presented to Pius IX in 1858.
See Vol. V, pp. 635ff. [Editor]
1 We are omitting the secretary's letter. Its contents are clear from Monsigpor Tortone's
reply. [Editor]
170

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Steps Toward Approval ofthe Salesian Society (Continued) 171
of July 28, No. 12417-9. Now I hasten to report conscientiously on the
subject.
The institute founded and directed by Father John Bosco is made up
of clerics and boys; the latter either attend school or learn some craft or
trade on the premises. Originally, only abandoned or thoroughly desti-
tute boys were admitted-and gratis-but now only those boys are
accepted whose parents or benefactors agree to a monthly fee, even if
they come from very poor families. To be honest, one must admit that
Don Bosco has done and is still doing a vast amount of good for these
poor boys by givng them a Christian egucation and training them in a
craft or trade. This primary intent of Don Bosco's institution has had
admirable and consoling success, but seemingly the same cannot be said
of the intellectual and ecclesiastical formation of the young clerics who
belong to his institute. It seems that Don Bosco had ociginally planned to
form a clergy of his own distinct from that of th.e diocese. In fact, I have
learned that from the beginning he tried to obtain-and did indeed later
obtain-permission for his clerics to take philosophy and theology
courses at the Oratory. This went on somewhat shakily for a few years.
Then, since these clerics either did not report for examinations [at the
seminary], or, if they did, fared poorly, the Turin chancery prescribed
that they had to study philosophy and theology at the seminary. A few
clerics-better off financially-were admitted to the Chieri seminary,
but were found to be so poor in studies that the rector himself had to
concede that they did not understand Latin. They have, however,
improved considerably since then, though not all report for examina-
tions, realizing that they are not yet up to par.
Such mediocre intellectual standing is not surprising if we bear in
mind that Don Bosco entrusts these same clerics with teaching and su-
pervising responsibilities that take up the time they should put into
studies.
Though this institute poses several obstacles to the intellectual for-
mation of its members, even greater are the obstacles facing those
whose task it is to instill into these clerics that ecclesiastical spirit and
good breeding which are proper to priests. I would think that a steady
contact with pupils in an overly informal and familiar way is not
conducive to a good ecclesiastical formation.
I happened to visit this institute several times during recreation time,
and I must confess that I was very painfully shocked to see young clerics
playing with apprentice tailors, carpenters and cobblers, and even
exchanging playful slaps with little clerical decorum. Our good Don
Bosco is satisfied with his clerics' devout demeanor in church and has

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172
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
little interest in forming them to a genuine ecclesiastical spirit and to a
consciousness of the dignity of the life they wish to enter. Regretfully,
many of them who appear humble and meek are, I have learned, proud,
stubborn and vain, since they lack wise guidance. I repeat that Don
Bosco has done and still does much good, but he would have done better
to stick to the primary purpose of his institute and never have become
involved in starting a makeshift seminary for which he has not even a set
of rules. As it stands now, this institute is totally unsuitable for clerics.
The Church may expect no good from it unless these clerics are isolated
from the pupils who are learning crafts and trades and are entrusted to a
wise spiritual director who would discern whether they have a genuine
vocation and are endowed with the proper ecclesiastical spirit.
Since Your Reverence has also kindly informed me of Don Bosco's
petition to the Holy Father for the important faculty of issuing dimissor-
ials to his ordinands, I trust that you will forgive me if, in my concern for
t~e true welfare of the Church, I make free to offer my own opinion in
this matter. If Don Bosco should be granted such a request, th«:\\ clergy of
this archdiocese, especially the cathedral chapter, would be most un-
favorably affected. A member of the chapter, a very devout and zealous
canon whom our archbishop has wisely appointed prefect and director
of the clergy of this city, has several times sadly remarked to me some
deficiencies of Don Bosco' s clerics and the grievous damage that would
follow if they were to be taken completely from the ordinary' s jur-
isdiction.
From what I was privileged to set forth above, you may form an idea of
the deficiencies of these clerics in both intellectual and priestly
formation. How much more dismal would the prospects be if Don Bosco
should succeed in obtaining the faculty to issue dimissorials and thus
take these clerics from the supervision and jurisdiction of their ordinary!
Inevitably, besides jeopardizing episcopal authority, it would lead to a
division among the clergy, harm ecclesiastical discipline, and open the
door to abuses.
As to this last point, I feel I must inform you that the archbishop of
Turin, knowing the poor intellectual and ecclesiastical formation of this
institute' s clerics, subjected them to the rules which bind all diocesan
clerics in matters of examinations and holy orders; with the approval of
all right-thinking people, he also wisely ordered them to spend one year
in the diocesan seminary. Such measures did not please Don Bosco, and
to this very day he keeps complaining that the archbishop is not being
fair to his institute, that his clerics are the target of the animosity of
seminary professors and examiners, and that if things continue this way,
he will be forced to shut his institute, all because of the archbishop. Don

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Steps Toward Approval ofthe Salesian Society (Continued) 173
Bosco made these very same complaints to me personally a few months
ago, only to learn that I do not share his views.
I take the further liberty to point out one more thing-truly the last,
since I do not care to abuse your kindness. I mention it because it may
shed more light on the situation. On his return from his last visit to
Rome-which took place, I think, in the spring of 1867-Don Bosco
(more out of simplicity than vanity, I'd rather believe) went about telling
several distinguished friends of his, as well as his priests and clerics,
that he had received a very hearty welcome in the Eternal City, had
gained high-placed and valuable patronage, and had been sought after
and visited by prelates and cardinals, some of whom had even knelt
before him for his blessing. This last detail was related to me elatedly by
one of his own priests, to which remark I merely commented that this
proved the piety and humility of the cardinals and Roman prelates.
Since Don Bosco has a wide circle of acquaintances among noble
Turinese families who generously support his institute, such statements
and rumors quickly made the city rounds. However, if they created the
impression in some that Don Bosco is a very important man, they found
but little credence in others. If Don Bosco should obtain the faculties he
requests, his success would only strengthen the poorly-founded belief of
his patrons and pupils: namely that, because of the high esteem he
commands in Rome, he can obtain whatever he wants. Under the
present circumstances, many might see this as a victory over the
archbishop.
I deeply regret that I have to bring up matters and circumstances not
favorable to Don Bosco. I have great esteem and affection for him, but,
with God's help, I shall never sacrifice truth, justice, and my sacred duty
to the Holy See, which I have been privileged to serve for over twenty
years, to the esteem and affection I feel for this most worthy priest or for
anyone else.
While I express my sincerest thanks to Your Reverence for the
honorable mission you have entrusted to me, I would feel repaid indeed
if my humble report could help you in some measure with your task.
Humbly offering my services, I gladly take this occasion to declare
myself,
Your humble and obedient servant,
Father Cajetan Tortone
"Poor Don Bosco! He would have gotten nowhere if God had
not been with him!" Thus wrote Father Bonetti in the margin of
this document when it came into his hands. From beginning to

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174
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
end the above report is a tissue of untruths and misjudgments.
We unhesitatingly concede Monsignor Tortone's good faith, but
we must state that. Don Bosco was being unfairly judged by
several people. Those who spoke thus of him understood not an
iota of his educational method, his apostolic mission, and his
Society, which had already received a decree of praise from the
Holy See. Blinded by prejudice, they accepted as incontestable
truth every accusation made by his enemies. Though these
volumes eloquently and exhaustively refute these accusations, we
cannot refrain from adding a few considerations of our own.
From the Oratory's beginning, Don Bosco's clerics always at-
tended seminary classes and for the most part passed examina-
tions very successfully. At the same time, at the cost of personal
sacrifice, toil, and privations, they helped send hundreds of
students to seminaries. Thanks to their efforts, many dioceses
which were short of priests were able to swell their ranks consid-
erably. In view of this, can we believe that these clerics had no
ecclesiastic spirit?
The Oratory had come 1nto being through a simple catechism
lesson. Later, other things were added: games, evening and
Sunday schools, a hospice for homeless boys, a school of arts and
trades and one for secondary studies. Under divine inspiration,
this work gradually expanded. In addition to poor boys, young-
sters of lower middle class families flocked to the Oratory because
their parents wished them to be under Don Bosco's guidance.
There was no reason why he should refuse them or not ask for a
modest monthly fee which would suit their means, while at the
same time a large number of needy boys were being cared for
gratis.
Concerning the more pernicious personal criticism of Don
Bosco, we can and must state explicitly that never did we hear
him boast of receptions given for him in Rome o~ elsewhere.
Only on rare occasions did he mention such things privately to his
sons, crediting the Salesian Society of which he was the superior
the honor paid to his person, and he did this to hearten his sons
who were sorely opposed in so many ways and to give humble
thanks to Our Lady. Furthermore, in the specific instance quoted,
was not Father Francesia with him? And who was to stop Father
Francesia from telling of the honor paid to his dearly beloved
father?

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Steps Toward Approvalofthe Salesian Society (Continued) 175
It is likewise naive to regard as indecorous "the familiarity
between the clerics and the boys, whether artisans or students.
What raised the eyebrows of superficial observers delighted Don
Bosco, for he could then know that all moral danger was averted
and he could personally evaluate the clerics' abilities and
character. One day, for instance, he happened to step into the
playground while the cleric Louis Lasagna was playing ball with
his pupils. After a moment's observation, he remarked to Father
Garino who was beside him! "Look at Louis. He will make a good
missionary! " Lasagna did indeed become a missionary and later a
bishop.
Don Bosco soon learned of Monsignor Tortone's report and
manifested his keen displeasure to the members of the chapter
because of the sinister impression it could make on the cardinals.
Still he held no grudge against Monsignor Tortone. Father Berto
testified: "One day the monsignor called on Don Bosco and was
received as warmly and respectfully as if he were one of Don
Bosco's best friends. "
Such visits took place several times. Indeed, Don Bosco even
had the opportunity of doing the monsignor a good turn, and he
did so gladly. In 1869 Monsignor Tortone was bedridden with
arthritis. Overcoming his reluctance, he sent his brother to the
Oratory to ask Don Bosco to see him and give him his bless-
ing. The monsignor's brother, a true benefactor of the
Oratory and a dear friend of Don Bosco, frequently visited him
and attended all the Oratory celebrations because he admired
Don Bosco's methods and the candor of his boys. On receiving his
request, Don Bosco promptly obliged, and his blessing freed the
monsignor of his pains. From then on, the latter became a.good
friend of the Oratory, as Father Paul Albera testified.
Notwithstanding this unfavorable report, Don Bosco still hoped
to have his Society approved by Rome, though he doubted he
would obtain the faculty of issuing dimissorials. He nevertheless
kept insisting on it, foreseeing perhaps the trouble he would have
for many years to come. Likewise, he never stopped seeking the
advice of influential friends [such as Father Joseph Oreglia, S.J.
and Constantine Cardinal Patrizi].3
3 We are omitting replies from both to Don Bosco about his request for dimissorials.
[Editor]

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176
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Meanwhile Monsignor Svegliati had submitted his report' to
the Pope, suggesting that the approval of the Salesian Society be
postponed. In turn the Pope directed that the matter be thor-
oughly discussed in a formal session of the Sacred Congregation
of Bishops and Regulars. When it convened under the chairman-
ship of Angelo Cardinal Quaglia, the consultor-Father [Angelo]
Savini, a Carmelite-basing himself upon the regulations of the
Sacred Congregation, declared that the constitutions submitted
[by Dem Bosco] were inadequate and that some articles ran
contrary to canon law. He concluded by stating his opinion that
approval should be denied.
Accepting the consultor' s statement, the Sacred Congregation
voted in the negative, and on October 2, 1868 Monsignor Svegliati
so informed Don Bosco. 5
The difficulties encountered by Don Bosco in obtaining the
Holy See's approval of his Society stemmed from its constitutions.
They somehow seemed unprecedented because they met the
needs of the times, which were then, as we have already re-
marked, very difficult. They also stemmed from the opposition
offered by one person who wished the Oratory to remain a
diocesan institution and nothing more, and who therefore felt
annoyed by any step Don Bosco had to take as the founder of a
new religious society. They stemmed, too, from an erroneous
interpretation given the first article of the constitution, stating
that the "education of seminarians" was also a purpose of the
Salesian Society. Its meaning was that the pupils of our schools
were to be trained chiefly for the priesthood. Only secondarily did
the rules refer to diocesan seminaries.
Don Bosco, however, was not dismayed by this refusal. Forced
to make modifications which conflicted with his own ideas on the
purpose of his institute, without fear, though always ready to
obey, he calmly kept explaining and intensifying his efforts in
order to achieve his end. He knew that Pius IX was very favorably
disposed toward him, and that he had even personally surmount-
ed certain doubts of the prefect of the Sacred Congregation of
Bishops and Regulars. But the Pope's prudent policy was to let
4 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
~ We are omitting this official notification. [Editor]

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Steps Toward Approval ofthe Salesian Society (Continued) 177
ecclesiastical matters take their routine course and to use his
supreme authority only in exceptional instances, In moments of
severest trial, as we shall see later, it was always Pius IX' s advice
that helped Don Bosco to overcome the most serious obstacles.

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CHAPTER 30
Priestly Chastity
illHILE he was getting ready to go to Becchi with some
boys for the feast of the Holy Rosary, Don Bosco received official
notice of a three-hundred lire government grant to the Oratory. At
this time of year donations were usually at their lowest, since all
his wealthy benefactors were away on vacation. 1 He had no
sooner read this notification than a kindly old woman called on
him, cheerfully saying: "Look, Don Bosco! I am alive, thanks to
Mary, Help of Christians. I was in my room when a sudden fire
broke out, blocking all exits. As the flames finally surrounded
me and my clothes caught fire, I immediately screamed: 'Mary,
Help of Christians, do not let me die such a horrible death!' At my
words the flames died out around me, and even the burns on my
hands and body disappeared. People helped me out of the
building, but as long as I was there the flames did not advance."
So saying, she handed Bon Bosco all her life savings-three
thousand lire. This incident was described by Chevalier Oreglia in
a letter to Mother Galeffi in Rome. 2
Don Bosco left for Becchi on Saturday, October 3. The next day,
church services were sparsely attended because of the inclement
weather. While there, Don Bosco wrote to Chevalier Oreglia at
Turin, to Father Lemoyne at Lanzo, and to Father Provera at
Mirabello, giving instructions and advice. 3 Father Lemoyne's
letter had this postscript:
1 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
2 We are omitting a short note of Don Bosco to a countess promising prayers for her and
her family. [Editor]
3 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
178

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Priestly Chastity
179
Most lmponant Advice to Directors
1. Be alert to everything.
2. Make the rounds [of the house].
3. Talk with everybody.
4. Confide in your co-workers.
Consult often with Father Bodrato. With all my strength I recommend
subscriptions to Letture Cattoliche.
In his letter to Father Provera Don Bosco gave this instruction:
"Tell M ... I will accept him only if he promises not to give scandal
by word or deed to his companions. Tell him also that at the
slightest immodesty, I shall have to dismiss him instantly."
Don Bosco returned to Turin on Friday, October 9. At the
"Good Night" the following Sunday, he urged all the boys to
celebrate devoutly all of Our Lady's feasts during that month and
exhorted them to seek Her help in avoiding sin, especially sins
against purity. That "Good Night" served, so to speak, as an in-
troduction to the many admonitions he would give during the
year. In his sermons we often heard St. Paul's admonition to the
Corinthians: "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." [1 Cor.
15, 33] In one "Good Night" he commented on the verse: "Hear
not a wicked tongue and set barred doors over your mouth." [Sir.
28, 24] When he spoke of the need of avoiding bad companions,
he made his own St. Paul's words: "I write to you not to associate
with one who is called a brother, if he is immoral ... or evil-
tongued; with such a one do not even take food." [1 Cor. 5, 11]
With the utmost prudence and tact he kept trying to instill love
of purity in his boys, often appealing to good manners, politeness,
courtesy, and mutual respect in order to discourage excessive fa-
miliarity. According to Father Francis Dalmazzo, he was a model
of modesty. "Ever since I first met Don Bosco," he declared, "I
was impressed by his modesty and his friendliness ·in talking with
his boys. He never allowed himself even those familiarities to
which no one would take exception. He usually kept his eyes
lowered when talking, although the pupils were aware from an
occasional flashing glance that his was a very sharp, discerning
eye."
His speech, too, as we have often stated, was most guarded. If
he overheard freely uttered remarks about the vice of impurity, he
would say: "This is something which St. Paul did not want

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180
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Christians even to mention," and then he would add: "Why not
extol purity instead of defiling your lips by such words?" If
anyone chanced to mention in his presence a scandal reported in
the press, he would first frown and then silence the speaker,
plainly showing that he would not tolerate such talk.
Inwardly he constantly prayed to be safeguarded from sin. One
day Father Merlone accompanied him to the Rifugio·4 and heard
him whisper at the entrance: Fae Domine ut servem cor et
corpus meum immaculatum Tibi ut non confundar [O Lord, help
me to keep my heart and body unsullied so that I may not be
confounded]. After uttering this prayer, Don Bosco turned to him.
"My friend," he said, "a priest faithful to his vocation is an angel.
Unfaithful, he becomes an object of pity and contempt."
All regarded Don Bosco as an angel. Father Francis Dalmazzo
testified that one day in 1861 he accompanied him to a girls'
orphanage in Turin. He was astonished to see the nuns and more
than a hundred girls fall reverently to their knees as if in the
presence of a saint. Upon leaving the orphanage, Father
Dalmazzo asked Don Bosco the reason for such veneration. "It's
because they highly regard priestly chastity," he answered.
"When a priest lives a pure and chaste life," he went on, "he be-
comes the master of all hearts and arouses the veneration of the
faithful."
Don Bosco showed extreme reserve in dealing with the
countless women who called on him from 1865 to the end of his
life seeking priestly aid or recommending boys. He never stared
at them or shook hands with them, and only on occasion did he
allow them to kiss his hand. In his room he always sat at a
distance from them and tried to make the interview as brief as
possible.·If the conversation at times dragged on, as an excuse he
would quote St. Francis de Sales: "Is it not a great charity to let
them talk? They need it badly, poor souls."
All admired his reserve. Though on holy days women would
crowd about him in the sacristy or in the playground to seek his
blessing, their deep respect and veneration was very noticeable.
Not the slightest criticism of his conduct was ever heard.
Bishop Galletti of Alba had such a high opinion of him that
4 An institution for wayward girls where Don Bosco had been a chaplain. See Vol. II. pp.
184f. [Editor]

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Priestly Chastity
181
once, when he came to see Don Bosco and was ushered into his
room while he was still out, he exclaimed: "Such an air of sanctity
we breathe here!" There Don Bosco prayed, spent nights of vigil,
worked, and mortified himself even in the most insignificant
things. It was the room of an untainted soul.
Canon Berrone, an Oratory pupil in 1868, testified:"One could
detect his chastity in his glance, demeanor, words, and gestures.
One had but to look at him to perceive the fragrance of his purity.
I am fully convinced that he preserved his baptismal innocence to
death. I joyfully recall that, thanks to his holy teaching and
example, the virtue of purity flourished at the Oratory."'
Father Rua's chronicle informs us that at this time [October
1868] Don Bosco decided to set up a bakery of his own at the
Oratory. The ovens, installed in the basement of the Church of
Mary, Help of Christians, were blessed on November 19, the vigil
of the feast of Sts. Solutor, Adventor, and Octavius. 6 Twelve to
fourteen hundred pounds of bread were baked daily. 7
Meanwhile the Oratory pupils had rettsned from their
vacation, warmly welcomed by those who had remained at the
Oratory and by some one hundred newcomers. Natually their first
talk was of Don Bosco. Those who had just returned were sure
that no one had died at the Oratory since June. Apparently they
were so taken up by the consecration festivities, final exams, and
summer vacation that they had either completely forgotten or only
faintly recalled Don Bosco's strenna for 1868. 8 We can imagine
their astonishment to learn of Bonenti's death. 9 Immediately they
recalled Don Bosco's words, verified the circumstances, and
found that they matched those indicated in the dream concerning
the death of the third youth-his unreadiness to face God's judg-
ment with confidence, Don Bosco's solicitude to prepare him, no
~ We are omitting a report about the day school attached to the St. Aloysius Festive
Oratory in Turin, other scholastic matters, and the start of an additional building at the
Oratory. [Editor]
6 The principal patron saints of Piedmont to whom Don Bosco was greatly devoted.
These soldiers of the Theban Legion were martyred in Turin under Emperor Maximian.
0
See
Vol.
II,
pp.
233f,
260,
268;
Vol.
IV,
p.
443;
Vol.
V,
p.
540;
Vol.
VI,
p.
124.
[Editor]
7 'This paragraph is a condensation. We are omitting two short notes of Don Bosco to a
pdest in Lucca. [Editor]
-8-See pp. 6-11. [Editor]
9 See p. 163. [Editor]

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182
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO·
visits from relatives, and lastly the news of his death at a place not
very far from the Oratory.
This event aroused their curiosity all -the more about Don
Bosco's other prediction that six more deaths were due to occur
that year. 10 Pettiva, Rossi, Croci, and Bongiovanni had already
passed away.·11 A fifth death is recorded in the Oratory's
obituary: "Venerando Catello of Turin, apprentice carpenter, died
in the latter half of October."
On Monday, October 18, Don Bosco spoke as follows to his
pupils:
I am glad to see you again. [Tonight] I will just quote St. Paul: Qui
stat, videat ne cadat. Let him who is in the state of grace be glad but
careful too not to fall. If anyone has fallen, let him arise immediately and
regain God's grace through confession. Try to receive Holy Communion
tomorrow and pray for a very important favor which shall be almost
entirely to our advantage. I too shall pray during H<!>ly Mass.
Don Bosco's concern for the boys' spiritual welfare was
matched by his solicitude for their physical well-being. As winter
drew near, he applied to the government for army clothing and
blankets, and his request was granted.
Just as he provided for the Oratory boys, so did his heart swell
with compassion at the sight of public misfortune. In the last days
of September and in early October, heavy rains had caused severe
floods in various parts of northern Italy, with untold damage to
property and lives. Responding to appeals, Don Bosco generously
offered free board and tuition at the Oratory to two boys of needy
families. 12
~ 0_See p. 13. [Editor]
11 See pp. SOf, 60f, 138f. [Editor]
12 ,This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 31
Fatherly Talks
DoN Bosco formally opened the Oratory's school year
of 1868-69 by presiding with the other superiors at the reading
of the house rules in the presence of the entire community. He
was cheerful and confident and saw a good omen in the repeated
reports of very extraordinary favors granted by Mary, Help of
Christians to many of her devotees.
As regards the Oratory's theology students, their lectures were
scheduled to start after the feast of All Saints under the tutorship
of Canon [Francis] Marengo, a seminary professor, Father John
Cagliero, and Father Michael Rua who taught respectively dog-
ma, moral theology, and Holy Scripture. The arrangement had
been suggested by the archbishop who had excused the Oratory
clerics from attending the seminary. For a few more years,
however, they continued taking examinations there. Later on,
Don Bosco invited diocesan examiners to the Oratory and directed
that his theology students follow substantially the seminary
curriculum and use the same textb~oks. Canon Marengo super-
vised the theology and philosophy courses and was succeeded at
his death by Father [Francis] Molinari, another seminary
professor. These two revered friends of Don Bosco volunteered
their services with self-sacrifice, teaching the Oratory clerics
when the latter were free from their duties with the boys.
As customary at the beginning of each shoot year, the Oratory
pupils complied with a very important prescription designed to
prevent the deliberate or accidental entry of bad books or provide
for their instant removal. We have already stated 1 that, ever
since he started accepting resident students at the Oratory, Don
I See Vol. V, p. 231. [Editor]
183

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184
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Bosco had prescribed that at the beginning of each school year
they should hand in a list of all books in their possession and that
they should likewise submit for approyal any other book they
might later get. Books judged harmful were destroyed: books un-
suitable to the pupil's immaturity were temporarily stored away
and later returned to the owners. Novels were predominant in the
latter category, for Don Bosco was strict in forbidding even so-
called good ones. He often stated that such readings aroused the
boys' passions and distracted them from their studies.
He never advised boys to read I Promessi Sposi [The Betroth-
ed], for he maintained that this novel was unsuitable for them. 2
"Believe me," he repeatedly affirmed, "I know that this novel has
caused the loss of many vocations." He tolerated it only when it
became required school reading by order of the Minister of Public
Education.
As the new school year progressed, Don Bosco continued to
give wholesome advice to his boys whenever he could. The Ora-
tory chronicles preserve a few of his "Good Nights." On October
30, after night prayers, he narrated a dream recorded by Father
Joachim Berto:
I wanted all of you here tonight-students and artisans-because I
have an important message for you. Picture to yourselves all the boys at
play during a recreation period. As dusk lowers, games and shouts
subside and the boys form groups or stroll about while waiting for the
bell to summon them to study. Meanwhile it grows darker and it
becomes hard to distinguish one boy from another except at close range.
Suddenly two pallbearers, carrying a coffin on their shoulders, come into
the playground, briskly walk to its center facing the prefect's office, and
lay the coffin down on the ground. Then all of you form a circle around
them and, gripped with fear, dare not to say a word. The pallbearers
take the lid off the coffin.
At that moment the moon comes out and slowly moves in a circle
around the dome of the new church. Around it goes once, twice, and a
third time, but the last round is not completed. The moon remains
poised over the church, threatening to fall upon it.
Meanwhile, in the moon's light, one of the pallbearers twice walks
around the boys, closely searching each. face until h€ spots one boy
2 lbid., pp. 328f. [Editor]

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Fatherly Talks
185
having the word M orieris [You shhJl die] on his forehead.
"It is your turn," he says, grabbing him and trying ·to force him into
the coffin.
"I am still young," the boy screams. "I need more time to get ready
and do good deeds."
"That's your problem," the pallbearer replies.
"But at least let me see my parents once more."
"That's not within my power to grant. Do you see that moon? It has
just passed the halfway mark in its third round. As soon as it goes down,
you shall have to come with me."
Soon after, the moon sinks below the horizon. The pallbearer seizes
the boy and forces him into the coffin, screws the lid on, and, aided by
his companion, bears him off.
See this story as an allegory, a parable, or a dream, as you wish. But I
have told you stories of this sort before, and they have come true. I once
described a dream in which I saw a boy's coffin set down here in the
porticoes. That boy died. The pallbearers, contrary to instructions,
carried the coffin through the playground, and then, with the excuse
that they had forgotten something, laid it upon the spot where I had first
seen it in my dream. 3
I don't mind if inwardly you say, "It won't be me," and you keep
having fun. But let each of you put his conscience in order, so that, after
two and a half rotations of the moon-that is, two and a half months or
so-the one who is to die may be ready. Remember that death comes
like a thief in the night. Let us treasure this advice by celebrating the
feast of All Saints properly. All may gain a plenary indulgence if they
have gone to confession within the week. If you do gain it, you will be
sinless before the Lord, just as you were after baptism. Since tomorrow
is a fast day, practice some self-denial.
This prediction, believed by most of the pupils, was to b.,e ful-
filled toward the middle of January 1869. We add here a remark
of Father Berto himself: "We were already so used to seeing such
predictions fulfilled that we would have been astonished had one
not come true. It would have been an exception to the rule. I can
remember only one such case. A certain boy whose name began
with 'C' fell seriously ill, but after receiving Holy Viaticum and
Anointing of the Sick he recovered. He is now a priest." Com-
menting on this, after confirming that this boy was among those
3 See Vol. VII, pp. 77, 83. [Editor]

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186
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
marked for death, Don Bosco added: "The Lord chose to be mer-
ciful to him in response to prayers, perhaps also because he was
not sufficiently well prepared." The chronicle continues:
November 1, 1868
After night prayers, Don Bosco spoke thus to the boys:
"Let all we do tomorrow be for our deceased parents and relatives.
Each should also say a special prayer for the one among us who shall be
the first to die. Visit the cemetery, look at the freshly dug graves, and·
choose the one in which you would like to buried.
"Since last year's feast of AU Saints, five thousand people have been
brought to that cemetery; perhaps the number will be even larger next
year. Anyway, another five thousand or so will be brought there during
the next twelve months. Their bodies will corrupt, but their souls will go
into eternity. "
November2, 1868
Today the boys visited the cemetery. After night prayers, Don Bosco
addressed them as follows:
"Just two words. We have started a new school year. Let us guard
against two obstacles which keep us from our duties: laziness which
prevents us from studying, and lukewarmness which makes us neglect
our practices of piety.
"Let the good ones among you take heart and bravely ignore what bad
companions may say. And let the latter beware of mocking those who
devoutly carry out their religious duties. I know that last year, for
example, the word 'Bongiovannist' was thrown at devout boys. 4 It
grieves me to hear this, because it reminds me of Father Bongiovanni,
who is well remembered as a good cleric and good priest.
"I urge teachers and assistants to be alert and to report to me anyone
using that name or mocking any of his devout companions. We shall not
tolerate the least disrespect to religion and piety. Some of these mockers
came back to school with airs of importance-the fools! If lower fees
need to be granted, who shall benefit-the bad ones or the good ones?
Today I was given a list of these swaggerers. They are not as few as you
may think. I also received a list of those asking for a reduction of fees
and of those who are on probation.
"Let's do this: let us all begin to do what is right, thus pleasing God
and superiors as well."
4 See Vol. VIII, p. 168. [Editor]

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Fatherly Talks
187
November 3, 1868
Don Bosco urged the boys to apply themselves diligently to their
studies. In particular, he urged them not to waste time through idleness
or useless reading, to pay full attention to their teachers, and to ask
questions whenever the matter is not clear. He also exhorted them not to
balk at difficulties. He told them of St. Jerome's constancy in Scripture
studies when undertaking to translate the Bible from Hebrew into Latin.
To do so, he retired to a cave. After lengthy studies in Hebrew, he still
found the task too difficult and decided to give up. But one fine day, on
coming out of his cave, he noticed a hole in a rock. Curious as to its
cause, he soon realized that it had been made by the steady dripping of
water. He said to himself, "This may be a sign from God not to lose
heart, but to continue my work. If dripping water can eventually bore
through stone, then I too can succeed if I keep at my task." He did not
give up, took lessons from a learned rabbi, and accomplished his
\\lllOnumental task to the inestimable benefit of Christendom. Gutta cavat
lapidem [A drop can hollow a rock).
November 4, 1868
Don Bosco spoke of the concern, respect, and charity that each pupil
should always have without exception toward his companions. One is to
deal the same way with those who are genteel or coarse, handsome or
ugly, ·well-dressed or poorly dressed, intelligent or obtuse, peevish and
spiteful or amiable and courteous.
Why! Imagine a solemn procession, such as that on the feast of
Corpus Christi. Confraternities, religious orders, and secular clergy
march in orderly ranks between rows of devout spectators. As the plain
silver-plated processional cross passes them, the faithful bow. They pay
the same homage to many other processional crosses, be they artistic or
ordinary, precious or plain, because they see in them only the image of
their Savior. 5 We must do the same in dealing with our companions.
Each bears God's image; each is a member of the body of Jesus Christ~
We are all heaveti~s citizens, whence Our Savior Jesus Christ will one
day come to transform our vile and abject body into an incorruptible one,
free of all sickness and disease. With His divine power He shall
transform our body into a glorious one, like His own. These are the
reasons why we should show mutual respect and charity. From the cross
we are told again and again: "This is My commandment: that you love
one another as I have loved you." [John 15, 12]
) This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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188
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
November 5, 1868
In speaking of the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, Don
Bosco told the boys how Napoleon publicly testified to this Catholic
dogma during his exile in St. Helena. On that solitary island he fondly
discussed religion with some officers of his who had also been deported
there by the British. One seemed reluctant to accept this dogma, leaning
rather toward Calvin's heretical opinion that the Eucharist was merely a
figure or symbol of Our Lord's body.
"It is not possible," Napoleon retorted, "that at that solemn moment
Jesus could have given us only a symbol, a souvenir of His body. Any
man-even I, for example-realizing his approaching end and wishing
to leave a memento to his best friends, would give his most precious
possession. You know that Jesus was God and that He certainly could
leave us something infinitely more precious than anything that I or any-
body else could to those who were faithful to Hirn. We must therefore
conclude that He really left us His body. Had He given what you claim to
His beloved disciples, He would have left us nothing extraordinary. He
had to leave a really divine gift, as He promised. And He truly did keep
that promise."
November 6, 1868
After night prayers, the Oratory priests and clerics, as well as the
boys who were to don the cassock, assembled in the dining room.
"[As you knowJ-Don Bosco told them-the school year has begun.
To the clerics who are to enter the seminary and to the boys who will don
the clerical habit I say: 'The cowl does not make the monk.' We must be
'the light of the world, the light burning and shining in the house of the
Lord,' because a cleric is observed by thousands of people. Woe to him if
he is not a shining example. One of the things in which we have to excel,
believe me, is the virtue of modesty. Spiritual masters tell us that to
preserve this virtue we should diligently make our meditation, our visit
to the Blessed Sacrament, our spiritual reading, and our examination of
conscience. We should also rely on short invocations. All this is very
helpful, but it is not enough; we must also take steps to prevent falls. Do
not lay hands on others, walk arm-in-arm, kiss for any reason at all, or
. put your arms on each other's shoulders. Likewise, control your eyes,
beware of giving small gifts to the more handsome boys, and avoid
shaking hands except when leaving or welcoming someone. Never allow
anyone to enter your private quarters; never have little secret parties,
etc. None of these things are bad in themselves, but if nothing more,

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Fatherly Talks
189
they give occasion to the evil-minded to gossip and to place a bad
idterpretation on them because they certainly are a danger to the virtue
of modesty. I would also like to see the assistants' cubicles in the dormi-
tory restricted in size, with room for only a bed and chair, because larger
cubicles have already been the source of enough trouble. Fortunately we
have been spared grave disorders, but we came very close on some
occasions. Furthermore, no one should agree to buy books, groceries,
and other things or to hold money for the boys. Rather, you too should
deposit your money with the prefect.
"What would you say if you were to see a cleric behaving poorly in
church, making careless genuflections, and yawning during spiritual
reading, whereas a mere boy deports himself modestly and devoutly,
even sacrificing part of his, recreation to visit the Blessed Sacrament?
One would rather tell that boy: 'Don the cassock and hold on to it until
that cleric becomes as good as you are.' What I tell you, you should in
turn pass on to the boys."
Sunday, November 8, 1868
Don Bosco said: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom,
whereas pride is the beginning of all vice." He said this again and again
to all those crowding around him after supper.
November 10
Announcement by Don Bosco: "Confessions will be heard tomorrow
evening and the Exercise for a Happy Death will be held on Thursday.
Let us strive to do it well, because it will be the very last one for one of
us."
On November 22 Don Bosco mentioned a few of the altar boys'
errors at Mass. 6 He also urged all the boys to behave kindly to all,
not to pilfer, and to avoid anything unseemly.
On many other occasions Don Bosco had insisted on the exact
performance of sacred ceremonies. In past years, he had also
spoken of the importance of honoring God by external worship,
hoping thereby to instill in them a love for the priestly calling.
One evening he said: "From now on, when I have no admonitions,
announcements, or directives to give, I shall content myself with
explaining one by one the various orders leading to the priest-
6 ·Omitted in this edition because of the recent liturgical reforms. [Editor]

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190
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
hood." In due time, he described the duties, importance, dignity,
and distinctive vestments of each order and their relationship to
th~ Holy E~ch~rist and the faithful.
At other times he explain~d the various ranks in the Church's
hierarchy and each of the liturgical articles. His brief, colorful
descriptions were flavored with historical tidbits or anecdotes
which proved so interesting that often, as soon as he stood on the
platform-that same old platform which should be now preserved
as a relic-the boys would break out into a shout for more of the
same.
[We shall now proceed to oth~r matters.] The November-De-
cember issue of Letture Cattoliche, entitled Recollection of a
Solemn Feast in Honor of Mary, Help of Christians by John
Bosco, dealt with one of the most cherished events at the
Oratory-the consecration of the new church ....
While this issue was being mailed to subscribers at the end of
October, Don Bosco was inviting learned people well versed in
foreign languages-French especially-to translate or write
worthwhile booklets and thus promote wholesome reading. He
also wrote to Countess Charlotte Callori to thank her for her inex-
haustible charity and invite her to Mirabello for the feast of St.
Charles. From this letter, as well as from others we have quoted
or will quote, we see how this gratitude was not limited to words
alone. He constantly prayed for them, blessed them, and visited
them when sick. 7·
This solicitude for their welfare strengthened the bonds of
charity between them. 8 For instance, Louis Cova, the top official
of the Order of SS. Maurice and Lazarus and councilor to the
Court of Appeal, was on intimate terms with him. When he went
to Lanzo for the opening of new wards in the local Mauritian
Hospital, he publicly showed his esteem for Don Bosco by paying
homage to one of his sons. While being escorted- to the railroad
station by municipal authorities and a large number of officers of
the Mauritian Order, he asked the director of the Salesian School
to walk at his right.
On another occasion, Don Bosco called on Chevalier Bartholo-
7 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
8 We are omitting the letter of a benefactor recommending an orphan to Don Bosco.
[Editor]

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Fatherly Talks
191
mew Bona, Minister of Public Works, but the receptionist kept
him waiting with various pretexts. Another official, seeing this,
greeted him cordially, and after ushering him in, informed the
minister that Don Bosco had been kept waiting unnecessarily.
Bona, Don Bosco's great friend and benefactor, received him
most warmly, talked with him at length, and finally asked him to
accept a thousand-lire donation. Don Bosco thanked him for his
timely generosity, but Bona hushed him, saying: "It isn't Don
Bosco who needs the government! It's the government that needs
Don Bosco!" Then, rising to his feet, he added: "Now we'll teach
my receptionist a lesson!" With that, he escorted Don Bosco
through the waiting room to the head of the staircase while every-
one gazed in sheer wonderment.

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CHAPTER 32
Steps Toward Approval of the Salesian
Society (Continued)
nOME'S underprivileged youth were very dear to Don
Bosco's heart. When his hopes for a Salesian foundation at Vigna
Pia1vanished, he conceived a bold plan to achieve his purpose.
While remaining open to new proposals of the Holy Father, he
looked into the possibility of acquiring the Church of the Holy
Shroud and an adjacent building easily convertible into a boys'
home. 2
His aim-which he wanted his co-workers to make known to
all-was to do good to as many people as possible, to do harm to
no one, and to be allowed to help underprivileged and forsaken
boys lest they end up in jail. "As a citizen," he declared, "I
respect all civil authorities, but as a Catholic priest I am a servant
of the Pope." 3
This undertaking did not keep Don Bosco from furthering other
very urgent matters, above all the Holy See's approval of the
Salesian Society. Undeterred by the negative reply of the Sacred
Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, he bided his time,
meanwhile soliciting and obtaining other episcopal recommen-
dations. So far he had secured commendatory letters from nine-
teen bishops and two vicars capitular. No reply had come from
seven other bishops. Only one-the bishop of Pinerolo-had
replied unfavorably. Not quite content with individual epsicopal
commendations, Don Bosco also tried to obtain the collective
approval of the bishops of Turin's ecclesiastical province, who at
that time had been summoned in assembly by the archbishop of
I See Vol. VIII, pp. 265ff. [Editor]
2This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
3 This paragraph is a condensation. Since his plans for the Holy Shroud Church
ultimately fell through in 1874, we shall abridge other passages on the same topic. [Editor]
192

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Steps Toward Approval ofthe Salesian Society (Continued) 193
Turin to discuss proposals for the forthcoming ecumenical council
and other inter-diocesan matters. After clearing this move with
Archbishop Riccardi, Don Bosco sent his petition to the whole
assembly. 4
Afterward, anxious to re-establish friendly relations with Bish-
op [Louis] Moreno of Ivrea-one of those who had not replied to
his letter-and to dissipate all misunderstanding or at least in-
vestigate its source, he wrote the following letter:
Your Excellency:
Turin, November 11, 1868
Our most revered archbishop has agreed to my request and will read a
brief report on the current state of the festive oratories and of the Con-
gregation of St. Francis de Sales. Your past support makes me hope that
you will speak in their favor. To this end I am enclosing some pertinent
literature.
May I hope that Your Excellency, generously forgetting the past, 5 will
visit the new Church of Mary, Help of Christians? In any event, I beg
you to accept my sincerest regards.
Most gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
The letter went unanswered. When Don Bosco's petition was
read to the assembled bishops, Bishop Ghilardi and others im-
mediately voiced their support, but one bishop raised objections
and stirred up debate. Finally, the bishop of Ivrea exclaimed:
"The head of our ecclesiastical province is present. Let him
decide."
"Let's just ignore it," Archbishop Riccardi replied. "We have
too many other things to discuss." Subsequently, Canon Berardo,
the assembly's secretary, sent Don Bosco a courteous but evasive
reply.
"Patience!" Don Bosco remarked. "Let us accept this too for
God's sake and Our Lady's. We shall try to mend matters in
Rome."
4 See Vol. VIII, pp. 177f. [Editor]
lJbid. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 33
Apostolate of the Press
DoN Bosco was a shrewd connoisseur of his times.
Well aware of the intellectual and moral ruin caused by an irreli-
gious and licentious press, he took countermeasures toward a
wholesome moral reform with the publication of Letture Catto-
liche. A man of wide views, he knew how to pack its issues with
stirring and edifying events culled from the history of the Church
and of nations, from the biographies of saints and great men, and
from the charming, humble lives of his own Oratory boys.
Dogmatic and moral principles, spurned or ridiculed by anticleri-
cals, found dauntless defenders in him and his associates.
Through their combined efforts, countless libels and prejudices
harmful to the Church and to civil society were quickly dispelled.
Later on, when he had a fully equipped printshop of his own, he
set out to counteract the wide moral harm being done to
secondary school students through the study of unexpurgated
Latin classics. To Father John Baptist Francesia and others
holding degrees in Latin literature he entrusted the task of
expurgating the more commonly studied Latin authors,
publishing them under the title Selecta ex Latinis Scriptoribus.
He did the same with dictionaries. Since they abounded with
obscene words and phrases, he asked Father Mark Pechenino to
compile a Greek-Italian and Italian-Greek dictionary, and Father
Celestine Durando a Latin-Italian and Italian-Latin dictionary. 1
Both men performed their long and arduous task with admirable
love and diligence. Later, Father Durando also prepared an
abridged edition for junior high schools. An Oratory cleric
assisted Father Pechenino as his copyist.
1 See Vol. XI, pp. 406f. [Editor]
194

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Apostolate of the Press
195
However, Don Bosco sought further goals. He wanted to neu-
tralize and rectify pagan ideals and replace them with Christian
ideals, and therefore he seriously considered publishing Christian
Latin classics-that is, the Fathers of Church and other early
Christian writers. He also wanted to vindicate the excellence of
their style and language as in no way inferior to those of the
pagan authors of the golden age. These Christian authors were to
be used as textbooks in his own schools for weekly lessons. As we
shall see, he began by publishing the works of St. Jerome. 2
Through this initiative, he intended to enhance the glory of the
Catholic Church and enrich textbooks with Christian ideals.
All these undertakings required substantial outlays of money,
but Don Bosco never faltered. He willingly made any sacrifice
whenever he could safeguard souls from sin and prevent false
principles from harming them.
The arduous task of expurgating the Latin classics would have
been incomplete had Don Bosco not also given thought to doing
the same with the Italian classics. As a preliminary step, in 1868
he asked Father Francis Cerruti to compile an Italian dictionary
and instructed him to eliminate even the slightest example of im-
modesty. Father Cerruti obliged and compiled a work which was
praiseworthy from every point of view.
Certainly the Italian classics presented a graver moral danger
because some of our most famous writers occasionally forgot
moral risks. This reason had already made Don Bosco consider
publishing an expurgated classical series. Like a prudent
gardener he wanted to uproot poisonous weeds before allowing an
innocent child to enter the garden. He realized that some teachers
would protest in the name of art against this "barbarous mutila-
tion"-as they would call it-and would continue to use unexpur-
gated textbooks in their classrooms, but he ignored their
criticism. Indeed, it only proved how wise and necessary such
expurgation was. Over a period of several months, after repeated
consultations with Father Matthew Picco, 3 he made a selection of
Italian classics and parceled them out for expurgation and com-
ment to professors in public and private secondary schools,
2 Ibid., pp. 402f. [Editor]
i Father Picco conducted a private school of humanities and rhetoric in Turin. [Editor]

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196
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
lyceums, and universities. Soon he had a select group of brilliant
teachers eagerly interested in this wise undertaking. He deeply
appreciated their help, while they in turn felt bound to him by
genuine friendship. They joined in the Oratory festivities and
occasionally met to discuss their work on the classics. Don Bosco
was averse to publishing certain authors such as Machiavelli and
Leopardi because they posed serious editorial problems and pre-
sented a constant danger, but since state programs required
them, he suggested careful editing of less harmful passages. He
also offered suggestions as to how to eliminate dangers in ex-
plaining them and how to present the truths to refute the authors'
errors. He always urged that the classics be explained on the
basis of Christian precepts. His first collaborators in this task
were: Mr. Charles Bacchialoni, associate professor of literature;
Father John Bosco, 4 doctor of letters; Father Celestine Durando,
professor; Father John Francesia, doctor of letters; Mr.
Augustine Lace, professor; Mr. Charles H. Melanotte, doctor of
letters; Father Mark Pechenino, professor; Father Peter Peinetti,
professor; and Father Matthew Picco, professor.
When sufficient material was ready, Unita Cattolica announced
the forthcoming series of publications in its issue of November 18,
1868:
Italian Classics for the Young
Don Bosco's Oratory of St. Francis de Sales will publish Italian Clas-
sicsfor the Young, an expurgated and updated edition of the best Italian
authors in some one hundred volumes. Each book will be about 250
pages. The volumes will be published at the rate of one per month and
are available through subscription at six lire per year.
In turn Don Bosco sent out a circular with more detailed
information. The response was most favorable. 5 The first volume,
entitled History ofItalian Literature, was published on January 9,
1869. The series of 204 paperbacks was completed in 1885. Its
4 Not our Don Bosco but a distinguished priest and former teacher of his. See Vol. I, pp.
206. 270f. rEditorl
i ·we are omitting Don Bosco's circular and responses from Roman friends and bene-
factors. [Editor]

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Apostolate of the Press
197
subscribers numbered about three thousand. During Don Bosco's
lifetime, besides mail orders, over 570,000 copies were sold to
schools, to the pupils' great moral advantage. Even after his
death thousands of copies were sold year after year. James Della
Chiesa, today [1917] Pope Benedict IV, was a subscriber, as he
himself stated to our Father Francis Cerruti.
We will close this chapter and its factual presentation of Don
Bosco's zeal for a wholesome press by reprinting [an excerpt
from] the preface to the 1869 issue of II Galantuomo, the national
almanac sent to subscribers of Letture Cattoliche. It further
proves Don Bosco's love for the Catholic Church and the purity of
faith:
To those who are trying to protestantize Italy [Don Bosco wrote] I
would like to quote a man who, stricken by God's justice, departed this
life in a frightful manner. He once wrote something that may be aptly
applied to them. I report it here in its entirety for our comfort and the
distress of the evil-intentioned. "From the point of view of History and
politics," he wrote, "it is sheer stupidity and childish fancy to try to de-
stroy Catholicism in Italy. Italy, I repeat, is Catholic, and there is no
other Catholicism than the Roman version."
Thus wrote Minister Carlo Luigi Farini before he suffered his most
tragic loss, that of his mind.
Another gentleman declared: "I would deem it Italy's ultimate dis-
aster were anything to perturb the religious unity which it still retains."
And yet another has said, "The Italian sky cannot bear the twilight of
the Protestant Reformation."
I think that the hoped-for triumph of the Church has already begun,
and soon we shall see it accomplished. Let us pray and hope.
Your friend,
II Galantuomo
The Church's triumph lay in the forthcoming Vatican Council
and the dogmatic proclamation of papal infallibility.

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CHAPTER 34
Special Charisms (Continued)
FATHER Rua' s chronicle records this extraordinary
item: "November 1868: Don Bosco was invited to Florence by
Premier [Louis F.] Menabrea.1 to discuss important matters." The
chronicle gives no other information, but we learned from Don
Bosco himself that even before 1868 he had been called to the
capital for grave reasons and that, lest his absence from the
Oratory be noticed, he had left with the morning express and
returned the same day. He did not elaborate.
The premier's invitation had been preceded by an exchange of
correspondence, as may be seen from this excerpt from a letter of
Don Bosco to [Charles] Canton, an official of the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs, dated September 22, 1868: "Please give the
enclosed thank-you letter to His Excellency Menabrea. It also
contains some confidential matters you may be asked to handle." 2
In reply to the premier's invitation, Don Bosco stated that he
would go to Florence as soon as possible, though not at the
moment. In fact he delayed for about a month.
On Wednesday, December 1, he visited the Lanzo school and at
one "Good Night" urged the boys to put their consciences in order
because during that school year one of them would be summoned
to God's judgment seat. Privately he confided to a superior that
the boy who was to die was in the second grade, and that his name
began with "V". We should note that Don Bosco had not yet met
the new pupils.
Back in Turin, on Friday, December 3, he spoke to the Oratory
boys in the study hall after night prayers and gave them the
novena nosegay in honor of the Blessed Virgin:
1 Menabrea was premier of Italy from 1867 to 1869. [Editor]
2 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
198

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Special Chan'sms (Continued)
199
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," says Holy Scrip-
ture. It also says: "The proud and the arrogant are called ignorant." You
know what I mean. Don't think too highly of yourselves. Obey your su-
periors readily and accept their advice willingly. Then you will certainly
grow in knowledge.
As a nosegay for tomorrow I recommend the virtue of modesty,
because humility, charity, and modesty need one another. Each cannot
stand alone.
On another evening he said to them:
Occasionally some of you ask me, "How does Don Bosco come to know
things no one ever thought could possibly be discovered? ls he inspired
by God?" No, my dear boys. To know that someone is proud is enough to
know that he is also immodest. I know this from books I have read and
from thirty-five years of experience.
If you wish to keep the virtue of modesty and offer it to Our Lady on
Her feast day, wear Her medal and often say any of these short prayers:
"Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us," or "Blessed be the holy and
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary," or "Mary, Help of
Christians, pray for us."
Tomorrow, as a nosegay, tell an edifying story to a companion; it need
not concern the Blessed Virgin. If you don't know any, at least suggest
some good maxim, or come to me and I'll give you one.
Throughout the Immaculate Conception novena and even after
the feast he continued his nightly talks. The chronicle reports his
"Good Night" of December 13:
Since it is not very late, we can talk about a few things. How is it that I
am always surrounded by new boys, while only a few of the old ones
come around? I do not mean that they all shy away from me. Most of
them do have confidence in me and come around, but a certain number
stay away. The other day a teacher brought me his pupils' homework. I
glanced at the names-those of the older boys, I mean-and realized
that I had not yet seen half of them. How can these boys expect to dis-
cover their vocation if they shy away from their superiors and close their
hearts to them? One day I asked a young boy why so many of the older
boys avoided me. "Maybe it's because they have done something
wrong," he answered. "Their <:onscience bothers them and they don't
want you to know it." But it is precisely the upper classmen whom I wish

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200
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
to see more often. I do not imply that I don't like to see new boys around
me, but my hopes are with the older ones.
Therefore, resolve to put your conscience in order-also for your fu-
ture's sake. I would not like any one of you to decide on his own to be-
come or not to become a priest because from it your eternal salvation or
damnation could well depend.
Let each first do his utmost to carry out his duties. Then, let him open
his heart to his superior and say, "I will do whatever God asks of me,
whatever is best for my soul." After consulting his superiors, let him
follow St. Peter's advice: "Strive even more by good wor~s to make your
calling and election sure." [2 Pet. 1, 10] Your superiors do all they can,
but you have to cooperate with them and follow their advice.
On my part, mulling over the reasons why certain boys shun Don
Bosco, I am inclined to believe that they are afraid of being called a
squealer by some companions. Such name-calling is strictly forbidden.
Anyone who has been warned and still continues to do so will be
expelled. Imagine a ravenous wolf stalking our playground and heading
for a boy to tear him to pieces. A companion shouts, "Watch out! Run!"
But another lad retorts, "Shut up, you squealer!"
"But the wolf will come after us too," the first protests.
"Shut up! Don't be a squealer!"
What are we to say of those who let their companions be devoured be-
cause they fear being called names? Shout, letting your superiors and
teachers know who the wolf is, so that none of your companions may be-
come his victim. You have noticed that since my last talk some of your
companions have left. A few were expelled because of stealing, but
nearly all the rest because of foul talk or scorn for our practices of piety
or for those frequenting the sacraments.
Incidentally, there are still a few who like to make fun of the St.
Vincent de Paul Society and the Blessed Sacrament and Altar Boys
sodalities and try to browbeat their members. While I have no respect at
all for these scoffers, I think very highly of the others and hold them very
dear. Therefore, let each of you beware of belittling or disparaging
them. Good night.
The day before, Don Bosco had written to Count Xavier
Provana of Collegno to inform him that on the first day of the
Christmas novena, the Oratory boys would offer Mass,
Communion, and the rosary for him and his family. On December
16 he wrote to Charles Canton to tell him that he would be in
Florence in early January.

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Special Charisms (Continued)
201
Before leaving Turin, he sought to insure the success of his
efforts in Rome. Defeated in his att€mpt to enlist the support of
the episcopal conference of the Turin province, on December 19
[1868] he wrote to Bishop Ghilardi of Mondovi for help in over-
coming difficulties and opposition. After telling him of his incon-
clusive dealings with the archbishop of Turin, he went on: "To
break this deadlock, I have decided to follow Monsignor Svegli-
ati's suggestion and leave it to the Sacred Congregation of
Bishops and Regulars to insert in the decree of approval a formula
which may guarantee the existence of our Society while
respecting episcopal jurisdiction. To this end I have decided to go
to Rome at the beginning of January, for I feel sure that my
explanation will carry more weight when given in person rather
than by letter. In view of this, I would very much appreciate it if
you would write to the Holy Father along these lines: that Don
Bosco is going to Rome to plead with the Holy Father for some
form of existence for the Salesian Society and that you
recommend such favorable consideration as the Holy Father may
wisely deem suitable, especially in view of the present calamitous
times and Don Bosco' s need to consolidate his congregation. This
and similar recommendations I plan to bring personally to the
Holy Father. I would also be delighted to do you any errand you
may wish. "3
At the beginning of the Christmas novena Don Bosco was called
out of town, as we gather from a letter of Father Francesia, dated
December 18, to Mother Magdalene Galeffi in Rome: "Don Bosco
is away. Rumor has it-it may even be certain-that the Oratory
has received an exceptional favor from the Madonna. I may not
yet tell you what it is, but I will let you know as soon as I know
more."
What was this exceptional favor? It may refer to the fact that
Don Bosco had been asked to bless a critically ill child. Countess
Cays, nee Garofoli, the wife of Count Louis who was the son of the
Oratory's great benefactor, dreamed one night that her son
Charles, born in September 1865, was seriously ill. She was
~ ,We are omitting another letter of Don Bosco to Bishop Ghilardi dated June 1, 1867 but
discovered only after the publication of Volume VIII. This letter also deals with Don
Bosco's efforts to obtain the Holy See's approval of his Society. [Editor]

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202
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
deeply grieved, for this was her first-born. In her dream she sent
for the family doctor, Joseph Timmermans, and then paid a visit
to the Church of Mary, Help of Christians. Seemingly she saw Our
Lady in person just as She is portrayed in the painting above the
main altar. "Bring your most precious possession to My church,"
Our Lady told her, "and your child will recover." She immediately
found herself once more at the side of her very sick child.
"Mamma, give me something to eat or I'll die of hunger," the
little boy said. She fed him and the boy recovered. This was her
dream.
A few months later, after the countess had almost forgotten her
dream, her little boy began to feel weak and soon fell ill with
typhoid and miliary fever. The family doctor was immediately
summoned. He diagnosed the illness as very serious, but, having
other matters to attend to, he recommended an excellent young
doctor from nearby Rivoli. The latter arrived and lived in for a
week, but the child's condition kept worsening. The countess then
remembered her dream, prayed, and vowed to offer her most
costly bracelet to the Church of Mary, Help of Christians.
Shortly afterward, the child, who had been dozing fitfully and
refusing nourishment, suddenly aroused himself.
"Mamma," he said, "give me some tea and cookies."
Since he had never taken tea before, the countess asked the
doctor's advice. "Give him whatever he wants," the latter
replied. "Nothing can make him any worse."
The child drank the tea and ate a little. From that moment he
began to improve and in a few days was well again. The first time
he joined his parents at table, he brought along his mother's
bracelet. "When shall we take it to the Madonna?" he asked.
[A few days later] the countess and her child called on Don
Bosco who, on hearing the story, remarked: "Countess, don't give
much credence to dreams!" His warning was prompted by certain
illusions of hers.
We heard the full story, in the presence of all the members of
the Superior Chapter, from Count Louis Cays.
"My wife," he stated, "had asked Don Bosco's blessing on our
child. She was so happy [at his recovery] that, had Don Bosco
requested 25,000 lire for the Oratory, she would have obliged

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Special Charisms (Continued)
203
immediately. Don Bosco knew that asking would have been
tantamount to re~eiving, and that I too would have consented, but
he asked for nothing. I have often revealed this to a good many
people in order to silence evil tongues that were accusing Don
Bosco of greed for money and legacies. I particularly made it a
point to tell this story when people kept suggesting that my
father's decision to become a Salesian had brought me no gain.4 I
pointedly told them that my father's death at the Oratory had not
in the least affected my inheritance."
Meanwhile, everyone at the Oratory was awaiting the
fulfillment of Don Bosco's prediction of November 10-namely,
that a pupil would make the Exercise for a Happy Death only one
more time. 5 The exercise was held on December 12. A few days
later, the student Paul Vacchetta fell ill and died on December
21. 6 Besides the three predicted in the dream, six other pupils
had died during that year.
As December drew to a close, Don Bosco exchanged greetings
with his principal benefactors. Among those thanking him for the
prodigious effects of his blessing was the noble lady Christine
Pittatore, nee Celebrini, who was renowned for her charity and
piety. The Lord had tested her virtue with the premature deaths
of several of her children. Widowed and with only one son,
Joseph, still living, she feared that he too might encounter the
fate of his brothers. She therefore called on Don Bosco to speak of
her fears and beg his blessing on her son so that God might spare
him. She had great hopes that he might become a priest, but Don
Bosco smilingly told her: "Do not be afraid. Your son will live and
will be a great comfort to you, but he will not become a priest."
His prediction was fulfilled. The lady died at Fossano in
December 1909, at the age of 84, lovingly assisted by her son
Joseph, a distinguished magistrate. He and his family had indeed
been a great comfort to her.
In December 1868, Mrs. Pittatore reciprocated Don Bosco's
4 Count Charles Cays (1813-1882) became a Salesian in 1877 and was ordained the
following year. After serving as director in one of the Salesian schools in France, he was
recalled to Turin to manage Letture Cattoliche. He died October 4, 1882, as he himself had
predicted. [Editor]
~ See p. 18S. (Editor]
6 We are omitting the recording of this death in the Oratory obituary. [Editor]

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204
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN' BOSCO
Christmas greetings by sending her son to the Oratory with her
reply. The latter had gone there several times before to see
Don Bosco and Chevalier Oreglia. Don Bosco deeply loved this
fine boy and invited him to stay a few days. After his return home,
his mother wrote thus to Chevalier Oreglia on January 1, 1869:
"Joseph is very happy to have spoken with Don Bosco. Who
wouldn't be? ls there anyone not anxious to see and listen to this
holy man? Your lot, my good Chevalier, is similar to Mary's. How
fortunate you are in having made such a wonderful choice. May
the Lord allow you to enjoy it for many years."
On December 24 Don Bosco was pleasantly surprised by a 200
lire donation from Prince Amadeus of Aosta. 7
7 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 35
Year's End, 1868
"{)HRISTMAS of 1868 was a solemn celebration," Father
Rua wrote in his chronicle. "Large crowds flocked to Midnight
Mass and many received Holy Communion. A motet was sung by
three choirs; outstanding were those representing the shepherds
and the angels, the latter singing from high up in the dome." 1
Don Bosco gave the usual catechetical instruction, choosing as
his topic the strict avoidance of scandal and the need to make
immediate amends. He also recalled Jesus' predilection for St.
John, who was a model of purity, and His indignation and threats
against scandal-givers. He had started giving these Sunday
instructions [in 1846] in the Pinardi chapel and had continued
them in the Church of St. Francis de Sales and in the new Church
of Mary, Help of Christians, where his strong voice reached every
corner. However, [at the close of 1868] he relinquished this task to
Father Michael Rua, who for years spoke on the history of the
Catholic Church from its origins in the Old Testament ....
On December 28, he sent a copy of the third edition of his book-
let St. Peter's Centenary to the archbishop of Turin and to his
vicar general along with a letter proving his humble, filial
devotion to the Holy See:
Your Excellency:
Turin, December 28, 1868
On April 27, 1867, the secretary of the Sacred Congregation of the In-
' We are omitting at this point a letter of Don Bosco to Countess Callori thanking her for
her greetings and promising prayers and a visit before leaving for Rome. We are also
omitting the description of the healing of a young girl and of a benefactor through Don
Bosco's blessing. (Editor]
205

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206
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
dex wrote to you about my booklet St. Peter's Centenary and enclosed a
report by a consultor [of the same Sacred Congregation]. 2 The letter
ended with suggestions for a few corrections in a future edition.
Both the letter and the consultor's report called for clarifications
which I sent to Rome with your previous consent. After an exchange of
letters, the same secretary informed me on July 15, 1867 that, leaving
intact the narration of St. Peter's life, I only needed to eliminate two
paragraphs: one in the Appendix in which I had stated that St. Peter's
coming to Rome was extraneous to the faith, and another at the end of
the booklet in which it was not sufficiently explained how in certain
cases by breaking a law a Christian becomes guilty of transgressing all
the others as well. These two paragraphs were duly eliminated.
I now enclose a copy of the new edition of this booklet, whose Preface
gives a clearer indication of its sources.
Since both the letter and the report of the aforesaid consultor of the
Sacred Congregation [of the Index] are probably on file in your
chancery, I beg you kindly to file this new booklet and letter of mine with
them. They prove the execution of the advice given and the full and total
submission of the humble author who declares that it is his will, now and
forever, to submit to any order, advice, or suggestions of the Holy See
or of Your Excellency.
Thanking you wholeheartedly for the grave inconvenience you have
had to put up with in this matter and requesting your kind advice, ad-
monishment, and counsel in what may redound to God's greater glory, I
wish you God's blessings and declare myself,
Very gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
The new booklet was entitled: "Life ofSt. Peter, Prince of the
Apostles . . . by Father John Bosco, Oratory of St. Francis de
Sales, 1869.
In the Preface Don Bosco stated that, since his intent was "to
offer a somewhat informal treatise of religion through the lives of
these saints," he had " seen fit to omit quotations that did not
seem absolutely necessary, and this solely in order ~not to
encumber his readers with all too frequent quotations. But since
doubts and even misunderstandings had arisen regarding the
authenticity of some incidents, [he had] thought it best to
2 As regards the trouble it caused Don Bosco, see the Index of Volume VIII under the
same heading. [Editor]

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Year's End, 1868
207
comment on the main sources of this new edition."
After giving ample references, Don Bosco continued: "In this
edition, I have also taken pains to recast certain phrases which
might have been interpreted in a manner quite different from that
intended."
That same evening, December 28, he gathered his Salesians
and young clerics in the dining room and spoke to them thus:
Our Divine Savior once asked His disciples: "Do you love Me?"
"Indeed we do," they answered.
"Then, if you love Me, do as I say."
If I were to ask you the same question, you might give me the same
answer. Now, here are a few things I'd like to tell you. If you love me,
you'll carry them out. Some.of you go out, stroll along the arcades of Via
Po where vile publications are displayed on newsstands, and frequent
cafes. The other day, respectable people took me to task for this. "Do
your clerics really patronize cafes?" they asked me.
If you must go for a walk, please tell the prefect first, but never go
downtown except for a grave reason. Go instead to the outskirts, to the
parade grounds, toward Rivoli, or beyond the Mosca Bridge.
I also urge that each of you go about your duties seriously. Obey the
bell from the moment you rise till you retire at night. If you have nothing
to do, come to me and I shall give you some work. Besides, there are
many church history books [in the library] waiting to be dusted. Flee
idleness, my beloved sons.
Before buying books, check the library. If the book you need is not
there, tell the one in charge and he will get it for you. These things
should also be told to the boys. I also wish that no contemptuous words
such as "Biongiovannist" 3 be leveled at anyone because this casts ridi-
cule upon piety. If a member of the Altar Boys Sodality or any other is at
fault, never reproach him for his membership. Instead, urge the boys to
join these sodalities so as to promote piety among them. If, for instance,
a boy tells you he belongs to the St. Aloysius Sodality, congratulate him
and encourage him to be a credit to it. Never discredit the sodalities by
saying: "Keep away from that crowd." If faults have to be corrected, do
not criticize but strive to remedy the situation through your superiors.
Meanwhile respect and praise the boys' good will.
On December 29, Don Bosco wrote to Monsignor [Francis]
3 See Vol. VIII, p. 168. [Editor]

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208
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Ricci, domestic prelate of Pius IX, to thank him for forwarding a
special plenary indulgence the Pope had granted to the members
of the Salesian Society. 4 The same evening Don Bosco lost a
distinguished benefactor, the eighty-four-year-old banker Joseph
Cotta,5 who had been extremely generous to many local chari-
table institutions, including the Oratory. Don Bosco had prayers
offered for the soul of his friend and never ceased to cite him as a
model to his benefactors. 6
On December 30 and 31, he sent the yearly strenna to our
schools at Mirabella and Lanzo. Writing to the director at
Mirabella, he also thanked him for a generous donation:
Dear Father Bonetti:
Turin, December 30, 1868
Thank you for your New Year's gift. It will help me wonderfully in
clearing up the Oratory's debts. Thank Father Provera too. Now here is
my strenna:
For You and Father Provera: Always point out each other's faults
charitably.
For the SalesiQfls: Economize in traveling. As far as possible, do not
go home. Rodriguez 7 has some very timely material on this subject.
For the Boys: Let them promote frequent Communion and devotion to
the Most Blessed Virgin Mary by word and deed.
Three Topics for Sermons: 1. Avoidance of foul talk and books. 2.
Avoidanct: of companions who are light-minded or give evil advice. 3.
Avoidance of idleness and in its stead introduction of practices which
contribute to preserving the holy virtue of modesty.
Keep an eye on everything. Keep in touch with everyone. The good
Lord will do the rest.
Best wishes to you and all at Mirabello. Amen.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. Tell the prefect of stu_dies to push Italian Classics for the Young.~
4 We are omitting this letter. [Editor]
1 See Vol. IV, p. 192; Vol. V, p. 204; Vol. VIII, pp. 21 lf. [Editor]
6 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
7 Alonso Rodriguez, S.J. (1526-1616). author of the Practice of Christian and Religious
Perfection. [Editor]
8 See pp. 19Sf. [Editor]

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Year's End, 1868
209
The following day he wrote to the Salesian community at
Lanzo:
Dear Father Lemoyne:
Turin, December 31, 1868
I was very pleased with the affectionate letters of your boys and mine.
I read each one from beginning to end and would gladly answer each but
for lack of time. Please tell them that they truly pleased me, that I thank
them wholeheartedly, and that I shall do all I can for their physical and
spiritual welfare.
Since I am particularly anxious that devotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary be on the rise this year, I enclose holy pictures for both boarders
and day students. I would like them all to learn the prayer composed by
the Holy Father which is printed at the bottom. Incidentally, tell them
that he sends them his blessing along with a plenary indulgence to be
gained on a day of your choosing, as long as they receive the
sacraments.
Now here is the strenna.
To You and for You: Look after your health. Confer often with the
other superiors and always be frank with them. Be most patient and
vigilant with all.
For Salesians: Economize as much as possible on traveling, and do
your best not to go home. Read Rodriguez on this point.
For the Boys: Let them promote frequent Communion and devotion to
the Blessed Vir~in by word and deed.
For the Prefect of Studies: Let him find many subscribers to Letture
Cattoliche and to Italian Classics for the Young.
For Sala''and Bodrato: 111 Save plenty of money.
Finally, I have a favor to ask of all: say a Pater, Ave, and Gloria and a
Salve. Regina daily to the Blessed Sacrament from January 7 to March
8, possibly receiving Holy Communion for a pressing need of mine. I
9 Anthony Sala (1836-1895) entered the Oratory in 1863 at the age of twenty-seven after
giving up the management of his family's silk mill. He took his vows as a Salesian on
December 2.9. 1865 and was ordained a priest in 1869. In 1875 he was appointed councilor
to the Superior Chapter, and in 1880 became Economer General of the Salesian Society. a
post to which he was re-elected in 1886 and 1892. He died in Turin on May 21. 1895.
[Editor)
1° Francis Bodrato (1823-1880) came to Don Bosco as a widower in 1864 and took his first
vows as a Salesian in 1865. Ordained a priest in 1869, he held various offices at Alassio.
Borgo San Martino. and the Oratory. In 1876 he led the second group of missionaries to
Argentina. Two years later. Don Bosco appointed him provincial. He died at Buenos Aires
on August 4, 1880. [Editor)

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210
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
shall strive, my beloved boys, to recompense you with a gift which shall
greatly please you.
To you, dear Father Lemoyne, I recommend that you stress the fol-
lowing topics throughout the year:
1. Avoidance of foul conversation and of those who indulge in it. Em-
phasize the scandal inherent in it.
2. Avoidance of idleness and idlers.
3. Preciousness of modesty and the means to preserve it.
For my part I shall remember you all daily in the sacrifice of the Mass
and shall pray that both you and I persevere till the end, that we may see
each other often in this world, but, above all, that we may all gather to-
gether around Mary, Help of Christians in eternal beatitude. Amen.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Father John Bosco
He gave his strenna orally to the Oratory boys, as we gather
from the Oratory chronicle: "December 31, 1868. On this last day
of 1868, everyone-students and artisans, priests and clerics,
teachers and assistants-assembled in the study hall for Don
Bosco's yearly strenna." After night prayers, he addressed them
as follows:
At midnight tonight, 1868 will end and 1869 will begin. It is a
momentous night because this year will join the eternal years of God,
never to return. The year 1869 will be followed by 1870, 1871, and
1872-which we hope to see, if the Lord grants us life-but the year
1868 will never return. One year of our life has gone forever.
During the past year, as you yourselves have seen, we had to send
several boys home because of their foul conversation or for other serious
reasons. Please strive by good conduct not to renew such grief for Don
Bosco.
Several things will happen in 1869 both in the Oratory and outside.
We leave to God whatever will happen outside. As for what concerns us
directly, I foresee much good for our house. Still, six of you shall go into
eternity-to heaven. Be prepared.
Now what will Don Bosco give as a strenna?
First, to Himself: That while trying to save others, he must not forget
himself.
To Father Prefect: Patience with all.
To All the Priests, Clerics, Assistants, and Teachers: Be vigilant.

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Year's End, 1868
211
To Assistants: Be punctual at your posts.
To Teachers: Prevent foul conversation; do good to all; harm no one;
question your pupils when teaching.
To All, in Brief· Do everything for God's greater glory.
To Those Engaged in Manual Tasks: Diligently fulfill all your duties.
To All Students and Artisans, from First to Last: Avoid bad talk,
whether it be against morals, religion, or piety.
y OU might wonder why Don Bosco insists so much on avoiding evil
conversation. Do you want to know why? Because corrumpunt bonos
mores colloquia mala. Immoral conversation is the frightful cause of
spiritual ruin. St. Paul tells us so. I already foresee expelling several
boys from the Oratory because they will indulge in foul conversation.
These boys are here now, listening to me; they can still mend their ways.
Be grateful to Don Bosco and to all the superiors who seek your well-
being. How? By ceasing to give scandal, by earnestly striving to reform;
otherwise you shall be sent home.
But I must also say that I foresee many good things in this coming
year. For now, I must say that I have a very important matter at heart,
and so I ask you to recite a Pater, Ave, and Gloria to Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament and a Salve, Regina to Mary, Help of Christians, daily from
January 7 to March 7. It would be wonderful if you also received Com-
munion for this same intention.
I likewise urge you to pray and receive Holy Communion for your par-
ents, brothers, and sisters, and for all those who sacrifice on your be-
half. Be grateful. Perform some acts of self-denial in suffrage for your
deceased parents. Surely, each of you must have relatives or benefactors
who are deceased. Well, do something for them, be it Holy Communion,
a prayer, or a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Our relatives or bene-
factors have helped us in one way or other. A non-Christian poet said
that to do good to one who is ungrateful is a waste. Be grateful therefore
to your superiors, teachers, and others who contribute to your well-
being.
We do not know if we shall all see the end of this year. Let us therefore
be prepared. I will recommend all of you to the Lord. Please pray for me
too, so that, should death come suddenly upon us, we may all be ready.
One more thing: remember to deposit your money with Father Prefect.
Don't have things purchased for you outside the house.
Now let us say a Pater, Ave, and Gloria for our parents and bene-
factors, and a Pater, Ave, and Requiem for our deceased companions,
closing with a Salve, Regina.
Don Bosco's exhortations to the pupils of the Oratory,

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212
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Mirabello, and Lanzo aimed at shielding them from sin,
promoting priestly and religious vocations among them, and
obtaining from God the Holy See's approval of the Salesian
Society.
Through God's inspiration and support, his influence was felt
not only cumulatively by all his pupils but, in many instances,
individually as well. Anthony Varaia of Leyni (Turin), a very
needy orphan, was studying that year at Lanzo. Having lost two
generous benefactors, he was planning to return to Mathi to live
with a sister and take up his shepherd's staff once again. On his
last night at school, he had no sooner fallen asleep than he
seemed to find himself crossing the small inner courtyard on his
way to the reception room beyond which there stood a small swing
with which he hoped to distract himself from his grief. To his
wonder and fear he saw Our Lord in the room, and was so
overcome by His splendor and majesty that he suddenly fainted
and collapsed. The Divine Savior lifted him and lovingly told him,
"Do not fear. Since men forsake you, I will be a father to you
Myself. Trust Me."
Kneeling beside Him, the boy replied, "Oh Lord, grant me the
grace of becoming a priest and a missionary."
With the same ineffable smile, Jesus answered: "Yes, both the
one and the other!"
Varaia then felt that he was being carried into a distant land
inhabited by enemies of the Christian faith where, after
witnessing persecutions, he himself was crucified. While, nailed
to a cross, he was reciting the hail Mary with all his heart, Our
Lady appeared to him with great splendor, filling him with
heavenly joy. Suddenly, however, a mysterious red veil fell
between him and the Blessed Virgin, blocking his vision: With
Her own hand, however, the Blessed Virgin drew the veil aside
and again showed Herselfto him. While seemingly dying, he had
the impression of still kneeling at Jesus' feet in the reception
room until, still dreaming, he heard the bell summoning all to
Mass.
"Lord," the boy said, "that's the bell for Masi. May I go?"
"Go," the Lord answered. He then woke up, and indeed the bell
was ringing for chapel.

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Year's End, 1868
213
Reassured by his dream, Varaia went home to his sister in
Mathi, but he often returned to Lanzo to spend a few hours at the
school. In one of his visits he told the director of his dream and the
latter kept a record of it. Two years later, Don Bosco accepted him
back in school free of charge and provided for all his needs.
After completing his secondary schooling, Varaia transferred to
the Oratory for philosophy and theology courses, and after taking
his vows as a Salesian, he was ordained in 1877. A model of
priestly virtues, simplicity, humility, and ardent zeal for the
salvation of souls, he was appointed director first at Mathi and
then at Saint-Cyr (France). Finally, in December 1891 he was sent
to Palestine. Untiring in the priestly ministry, he greatly
benefited the boys of the our schools of Cremisan, Beitgemal,
Bethlehem, and Nazareth, finally dying in Jerusalem on October
19, 1913 at the age of 64, after having been director in several
houses for over fourteen years.

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CHAPTER 36
Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
DoN Bosco's last talk to his boys on December 31, 1868
had closed with a warning [next year "six of you shall go into
eternity"]. 1 Like the prediction of December 31, 1867, 2 this too
would be fulfilled. As regards the first prediction, it bears
repeating that generally, in Don Bosco's visions of the future,
three main tableaux were projected simultaneously-the Catholic
Church, the Salesian Society, and the Oratory boys. In comment-
ing on such a dream, at times he dwelt mostly upon the first two
tableaux whose scope was wider, but more often than not,
ignoring or barely mentioning the first two, he chose to dwell at
length on the third as the most salutary to his boys, occasionally
sacrificing clarity in order to minimize whatever might sound like
self-praise.
In the dream he had narrated on December 31, 1867, he had
seen not only what concerned his boys; but also such public
calamities as pestilence, famine, and war, which would prove to
be a scourge for several years. That dream had so vividly
impressed him that he recalled it seventeen years later. In 1884
he stated: "The events ~f my dream began to take place in 1868,
but unless they will be delayed by unforeseen causes dependent
upon man's free will, they will not be wholly fulfilled until 1888, a
year of great events for the Church."
After pondering a while, perhaps thinking of something else,
he added, "Great events in 1888 and 1891!" We report this for the
sake of preciseness in our narration.
The first scourge Don Bosco had predicted was pestilence. By
I See p. 210. [Editor]
2 See pp. 6-9. [Editor]
214

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Fulfillment ofPredictions (Continued)
215
the end of 1867, this terrible epidemic seemed to have run its.
course, and people were beginning to believe that all danger had
passed. Under the circustances, predicting another pestilence
might have seemed a facile prophecy, but Don Bosco, disregard-
ing what people might say, felt bound to reveal what he had seen
in his dream, which he knew was important. The scourge had
been lifted for a while to give people a respite for penance, but
had not been stamped out. Don Bosco therefore warned his boys
to beware of offending God.
Throughout 1868 and the following four years there were
sporadic outbreaks of cholera without specific focal points of in-
fection. Now and then, Don Bosco informed his pupils of this,
convincingly assuring them that the medal of Mary, Help of
Christians would shield them from the disease. On this score he
had received a firm promise from God, who alone could make it.
And this promise was kept in a wondrous manner, as we shall see.
In 1873 the disease also flared ominously in various parts of
northern Italy, and for three months fatalities ran close to a
hundred daily. The epidemic waned in 1874, but other calamities
scourged the country. Throughout 1883, 1884 and 1885 the
cholera broke out in Egypt, southern Italy, southern France and
Spain, claiming thousands of victims. On and off, the scourge
continued till 1887.3
Another scourge Don Bosco had predicted was war. This began
on September 8, 1868 with a revolution in Spain that forced Queen
Elizabeth II to seek refuge in France and gradually resulted in a
bloodbath for the nation. Then there followed the Franco-Prus-
sian war of 1870 and the seizure of Rome. Finally as far as Italy
was concerned, military action erupted in Eritrea.4
The third scourge predicted by Don Bosco was famine. The
newspapers of 1868 amply document the extreme hunger which
plagued many provinces of southern Italy, particularly Sicily.
Although Don Bosco had warned his boys of this forthcoming
serious famine, he had not dwelt on it at length, speaking rather
of the sorry straits to which their families and the Oratory would
be subjected. Dwindling charitable contributions in the aftermath
of natural disasters and an enormous increase in taxes,
j This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
4 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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216
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
especially on wheat flour, were indeed going to impose serious
hardships on the Oratory.
What Don Bosco had seen in his dream obviously did not con-
cern Italy alone. His gaze had reached far beyond its frontiers.
"We ... came upon a countless multitude of people," he said,
"who wer~ pale, dejected, emaciated, and exhausted, with their
clothes in tatters .... I watched them hunting for food and finding
none, searching for water and having nothing to quench their
thirst. "5
In 1868, the Courrier de l'Algerie reported that, as the result of
a summer drought, at least 200,000 Arabs had died of starvation,
their corpses lying unburied about the countryside and along the
roads to towns and villages where they had roamed in search of
food. Those who were able to reach European settlements were
given generous assistance, but those living in the interior had to
subsist on wild herbs, roots, and the bark of trees.
Amid such horrors shone the charity of Archbishop Charles
Lavigerie of Algiers. Scores of orphans arrived daily at his
residence, and their number soon swelled to nearly 1,800.
Overcoming all difficulties, the archbishop managed to rescue
them and give them a Christian education. In need of pers.onnel,
he insistently asked Don Bosco for a group of Salesians. The
latter, however, either because he could not spare them or
because he felt that then and there this was not God's will in his
regard, deferred his consent. When, however [in 1869 and 1870],
the archbishop sent him several orphans of the Kabili tribe so that
he might ~ducate them, Don Bosco welcomed them warmly. Later
on, in 1891 the Salesians did establish themselves along the
African coast with schools in Algiers and Oran. Finally in 1896
they opened houses also in Tunis, Alexandria, and Cape Town. 6
) See p. 10 [EditorJ
~ This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 37
Don Bosco 's Third Journey to Rome
a T the start of 1869, the Salesian Society had 22
priests; all but one were perpetually professed. Additiona11ly,
there were 26 other members with perpetual vows, 33 with trien-
nial vows, and 31 postulants.
"The boarders," states Father Rua's chronicle, "numbered
over 800, and the Oratory was totally dependent on the loving
generosity of Divine Providence .... "1
Because of Don BMco's most loyal attachment to the Pope, the
anticlerical press dubbed him "The Garibaldi of the Vatican and
of clericals." He lived up to this reputation with the January issue
of Letture Catoliche, entitled The Pope's Temporal Domain by
Father Peter Boccalandro. It was a rebuttal of the arguments
advocating the abolition of papal temporal power. Don Bosco
himself authored the February issue, entitled The Catholic
Church and Her Hierarchy. in which he brought in the Pope's
temporal power along with a short history of the schisms and
heresies that had cropped up in the course of centuries. 2
Beloved by the Pope because of his wholehearted devotion, Don
Bosco was equally dear to the king and to the government be-
cause of his cordial respect for civil authority. Father Rua' s
chronicle reports: "January 1, 1869. His Majesty the King sent
Don Bosco the gift of two deer. Not long ago he again invited him
to Florence."
There is no additional comment to this last entry, but the king's
invitation, following that of Minister Menabrea,3 hinted at
:.We are omitting details about the Oratory's financial straits at the beginning of this
year and a timely bequest received at that time. [Editor]
2 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
3 See p. 198. [Editor]
217

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218
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
serious and urgent matters. The chronicle goes on to narrate a
triumph of God's mercy:
January 2, 1869. Today a man came to visit the Church of Mary, Help
of Christians. Indifferently he walked around, observing everything.
Stopping at the main altar, he paused to contemplate Our Lady's paint-
ing and then continued his rounds till he reached the main entrance.
Then he turned around and slowly walked up to the main altar through
the center aisle. At that hour, the church was empty. He seemed to have
been drawn there by a mysterious ge~tle force. As he stood under the
dome, he spotted a slip of paper that had accidently dropped from some
boy's prayerbook. The church had been swept that very morning, but
the sacristan had missed that scrap. After looking around, the man bent
down and picked it up. "On such and such a day in December," he read,
"one of your companions died. He was the same age as you are. What
would befall your soul if death should surprise you? What would your
fate be if right now you had to face God's tribunal? Would you be eter-
nally happy in paradise, or eternally damned in hell?"
The man was stunned. His sorely troubled conscience stirred up with-
in him a violent conflict that he vainly tried to suppress. Mary's voice
prevailed. He slipped the note into his wallet and walked into the sacris-
ty. Distraught and disheveled, he looked terribly upset. He turned to the
sacristan, but in his emotion could not utter a word. Finally, after pacing
up and down, he asked for a priest, fell to his knees, and made his con-
fession. Afterward, radiant with joy, he took out the note and showed it
to the confessor. "Can you recognize the handwriting?" he asked.
"Yes, a very fine boy wrote it."
"Well, tell this boy to rejoice 'because Mary availed Herselfof this
note to save a soul. I am a lawyer and have not gone to the sacraments
for the past twenty years. I promise, though, that from now on I shall
live as a good Christian. Tell that boy that I wish I could thank him on my
knees for the good he has done for me and that I shall keep his note as
long as I live in memory of Mary's mercy.
On January 7, Don Bosco asked Monsignor Joseph Zappata,
the vicar general, for permission to absent himself from the
diocese for three months and for a letter of recommendation.
Under the same date, Father Rua's chronicle reports Don Bosco's
farewell "Good Night" to all the Oratory boys gathered in the
study hall before his departure for Rome:

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Don Bosco 's Third Journey to Rome
219
I meant to leave secretly [he said] but, since yesterday, news of my
departure has become so widespread that in town today someone stop-
ped me to entrust an errand to me. Do you want to know, my dear boys,
where I am going? I am going to Rome for very important business on
your behalf-for financial help, hopefully, and for another matter which
I'll tell you about in due time. You '11 like it very much because it will
greatly benefit the Oratory. Since I'll be in Rome at the most until the
first of February, we shall postpone the feast of St. Francis de Sales to
the middle of the month. If things go well, I shall stay away longer; if
not, I'll return sooner. Pray for me, go to Communion for me, and then
be good and behave yourselves.
Let us celebrate St. Francis' feast this year in such a way as to outdo
past and future celebrations. Pray much for me. Help me with your
prayers. I earnestly urge you to say a Pater and a Salve, Regina for my
intention until March 7. Good-bye and God bless you.
Don Bosco's main purpose in going to Rome was to secure the
Holy See's approval of the Salesian Society. A secondary motive
was to obtain indulgences for a confraternity of Mary. Ever since
the start of the construction of the Church of Mary, Help
of Christians, the faithful had insistently asked that a confrater-
nity be founded in honor of Our Savior's Mother, under the title
of "Help of Christians." After the church's consecration, requests
had increased from both young and old, rich and poor, near and
far. And Don Bosco, as we shall see, planned to satisfy their wish.
A desire to honor the Virgin Mary was constantly afire within
him. The rules he was bringing to Rome bore another token of his
great love for Her. An addition to them made official what was
already a constant practice-namely the daily recitation of the
rosary by priests and clerics. The 1864 draft had prescribed it for
lay members only.
Don Bo.sco set out alone for Florence on January 8, 1869. That
day, Bishop Lawrence Gastaldi wrote to the cardinal prefect of the
Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars in Rome. After
briefly outlining the origin and growth of the Oratory and of the
schools at Mirabella and Lanzo, 4 he went on:
Obviously, if such undertakings are to continue and grow, they call for
a large number of helpers. These, in turn, could not live together,
4 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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220
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
could not be single-minded and imbued with the necessary zeal and
spirit of sacrifice, without the bond of vows uniting them into a religious
Society. For this reason, from the very start Don Bosco began to train his
own clerics and priests, imbuing them with his own spirit. With their
help he successfully ran his institutions. Now these same clerics and
priests are giving shape to a Society which will perpetuate a work
already so well established.
The undersigned has witnessed the birth and growth of this Society,
has known and knows each individual member' and cannot but praise it
and express his desire that it be given permanency.
To this end it is indispensable that it obtain from the Holy See the
sanction without which it could never attain stability. Father John Bosco
has already submitted the rules of his nascent Society to the Holy See,
and he pleads for the favors and exemptions necessary to all religious
societies.
The undersigned warmly urges Your Eminence to second this desire
of Don Bosco and to assist him in obtaining from the Holy See whatever
is required for his Society's definitive approval. As in the past, this Soci-
ety will doubtless continue to promote what is most urgent nowa-
days-the Christian education of youth.
Most respectfully yours,
• Lawrence, Bishop ofSaluzzo
Don Bosco was very eagerly awaited in Florence by Father
Dominic Verda, 0.P., a very zealous promoter of Letture
Cattoliche. In 1866 he had recommended himself to Don Bosco' s
prayers lest he be exiled from St. Mark's Monastery by the
suppression of religious institutes. Now, in 1869, he was still
there. When he had first visited the Oratory in 1868, he had
marveled at the whole complex and at the warm welcome given to
him by Don Bosco and his boys. He was also indebted to Don
Bosco for the gracious hospitality Mr. Joseph Guenzati had
extended to him during his stay in Milan. 5 Having seen the
Oratory, he hoped all the more to see it duplicated in his own city
of Florence, and he had expressed this hope to Chevalier Oreglia
in a letter of November 24, 1868. 6
~ See Vol. VIII, pp. 114f, 162. [Editor]
6 ,Omitted in this edition. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 38
Don Bosto zn Florence
r:&oN his arrival in Florence, Don Bosco was taken
directly to Marquis Uguccioni's. The marchioness took it upon
herself to write to the Oratory that same evening to inform them
of his safe arrival. 1 More detailed news was given to Chevalier
Oreglia from Father Dominic Verda, O.P., in this letter:
' Dear Chevalier:
Florence, January 10, 1869
Our saintly Don Bosco arrived Friday evening. He is well. Marquis
Uguccioni and Mr. Charles Canton, departmental head of the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs, met him at the station. The marquis took him home
for dinner. After ten that same evening Don Bosco called on the
archbishop.
Saturday morning I sought to learn where he was staying. Informed
that he was the archbishop's guest, I went there between nine and ten,
but he was already gone. Hurrying over to Mr. Canton's office, I discov-
ered that he wasn't there either, but I finally located him in the build-
ing's courtyard trying to find his way to Mr. Canton's office. You would
never believe his surprise on seeing me. I took him in tow and led him to
Mr. Canton's. When his meeting was over, I took him to Father Julius
Metti 2 and then escorted him to the government building to see Minis-
ter Menabrea.
Yesterday afternoon, after three, I called on him and waited a long
time without being able to speak with him....
Tomorrow, Monday, he will say Mass at the Uguccionis. At five we
will have dinner together at the Cantons. Mr. Canton has offered to take
Don Bosco to several places.
1 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
2 A member of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri and a collaborator on
Letture Cattoliche. [Editor]
221

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222
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
My dear Frederick, I have yielded to a strong temptation and asked
our good Frances to obtain our Father General's permission for me to
accompany Don Bosco to Rome. He would stay with the Marietti family
and I at St. Quiricus. What luck if I succeed! I have discovered that Don
Bosco may take a companion with him gratis .... 3
Today he is dining with the archbishop. He is well and cheerful and is
making the rounds of the government offices.
Father Dominic Verda
At his first meeting with Minister Menabrea who awaited him
impatiently, Don Bosco courteously told him: "Your Excellency,
I'd like you to know that I side with the Pope in everything!" After
this preliminary, several conversations had followed.
About what? Father Rua's chronicle simply states: "What
precisely Don Bosco did in Florence we do not know." Nor do our
archives contain any further information. It is certain, however,
that those urgent calls he had received [to go to Florence] must
have concerned important matters. Our guess is that he was
being asked to act as a quasi-offical mediator between the Italian
government and the Holy See. A brief reference to the political
situation of the times will clarify our statement.
On November 24. 1868. two anarchists-Joseph Monti and
Cajetan Tognetti-had been executed for having blown up part of
the Serristori barracks in Rome the year before, killing 27
Zouaves. Their purpose was to provoke an insurrection against
the papal government and give inside aid to Garibaldi's march
against Rome. Pressured by the revolutionaries, Victor Emman-
uel II intervened on their behalf, but the papal supreme court
confirmed the death sentence because of the gravity of the crime
and the demands of public safety. The uproar throughout Italy
was indescribable. Newspapers printed extremely vile attacks
against the Church and the Pope, while the parliament hailed the
two criminals as martyrs. Meanwhile, Joseph Mazzini was plan-
ning the violent overthrow of Victor Emmanuel II and Napoleon II,
the seizure of Rome, and the formation of a republic with neither
religion nor pope. New secret societies were already at work on
~;Don Bosco had a pass for himself and a companion on the southern railroad network,
valid through 1869. [Editor]

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Don Bosco in Florence
223
such designs. The revolution was to break out simultaneously in
Milan, Turin, Genoa, Naples, and the whole of Romagna. The
army was also involved in the plot, mostly through non-commis-
sioned officers. The interception of some mail, however, revealed
the plot and the revolt was quelled immediately. In the midst of
all this turmoil, Victor Emmanuel II repeatedly sent word to Don
Bosco that he was anxious to see him in Florence. The trial of
other anarchists for the treacherous killing of some soldiers had
begun in Rome and the death penalty was contemplated. Fearing
the outcome of the trial and violence that might ensue, the king
once more pleaded for clemency. 4
It was under these circumstances that Don Bosco called at the
Pitt~ Palace, but he could never see the king who allegedly had
left Florence. Anyway, when Don Bosco arrived in Rome the trial
was over and the death penalty had been commuted to life
imprisonment ..5
However, Don Bosco had also gone to Florence for a reason of
his own-the opening of a house in Rome near the Holy Shroud
Church. 6 On this occasion he submitted to Mr. Canton some ten-
tative proposals for the acquisition of a building, adjacent to the
Holy Shroud Church, over which the House of Savoy retained
certain rights. 7
Don Bosco remained in Florence for a week, calling on several
cabinet ministers and other important officials and being cordially
received by everyone, for he was the personification of courteous-
ness and affability. In his friendly talks with the minister, he
expressed his grief that the breaking off of negotiations for the
appointment of bishops in 1867 8 had left the Piedmontese
dioceses of Acqui, Fossano, and Susa still vacant. The minister
listened respectfully as he outlined the basis of an agreement
which, in his opinion, might prove successful-subject, however,
to approval by the Pope. Thus he revived interest in a problem
which, though not immediately solved, was eventually acted
4 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor)
' This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor)
6 See p. 192. [Editor]
- This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor)
8 &e Vol. VIII, pp. 43-46, 239f, 259ff, 279f, 301, 329f. [Editor]

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224
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
upon. We shall sec [in Volume X] how zealously he strove to
solve it. At the same time he also tried to plead the cause of
seminarians whose exemption from military service was in
jeopardy. 9
Only late in the evenings was Don Bosco able to spend some
time with the archbishop, because his days were filled visiting
benefactors and prominent people. He also visited a few churches
and religious institutes and said Mass at St. Mark's. The
Dominican superior general allowed Father Verda to accompany
him to Rome. Together they left on January 14, to the regret of
Florentines who longed to see him soon again. 10
9 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
10 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 39
Don Bosco in Rome
aNXIOUSLY awaited by the'foremost Roman families,
Don Bosco arrived in Rome with Father Verda on Friday morning.
January 15 [1869]. Three princely carriages-two of which
belonged to Cardinal Berardi's brother-were waiting for him
and his companion. The cardinal's major-domo, inviting him to
board the first one, informed him that the prelate was putting a
carriage at his disposal for his entire stay. 1
"I can't accept," Don Bosco objected. "I'm not accustomed to
such luxuries .... "
"Please," the major-domo insisted.
"No, I can't. Please let me walk."
He was reluctant to enter the city in such regal fashion. At his
firm refusal, the major--domo dared not press him any further.
"Very well, then, the cardinal would like you to call as soon as
possible on his young nephew who is seriously ill. He asks that
you recommend the boy to Mary, Help of Christians and cure him
with your blessing."
Don Bosco promised to see the boy. As he began walking,
Monsignor Emilian Manacorda reminded him that he had just
had a tiresome journey and that furthermore he would disappoint
the cardinal by refusing his offer of a carriage. Therefore, just this
once, at least, he should accept. Don Bosco relented. The first two
coaches took him and his distinguished friends to the Church
of San Bernardo alle Terme for Mass, while the third brought
Father Verda to the Dominican monastery.
While Don Bosco was saying Mass, a messenger arrived from
I This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
225

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226
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
the cardinal's brother who had been unable to meet him at the
station, requesting Monsignor Manacorda 2 to ask Don Bosco if he
would kindly pray for the little child whose condition had become
critical. The monsignor immediately complied. Don Bosco nodded
assent and· continued Holy Mass, totally absorbed in God as
always.
Delighted at having Don Bosco in his church, the procurator
general of the Cistercians, Father Bottino, invited him for coffee
after Mass. From there Don Bosco was driven to the residence of
the cardinal vicar, to whom he paid his respects, and finally to the
home of Chevalier Peter Marietti, where he had arranged to stay.
These details were supplied to us by Monsignor Manacorda.
Don Bosco had planned to keep out of sight so as to have
greater freedom of movement and more time to attend to his own
business, but he did not succeed. As soon as news of his arrival
spread, great numbers of Romans and tourists began to flock to
the
Marietti
h
ome.
3
;
Don Bosco had come to Rome for various reasons, including the
task entrusted to him in Florence, but his main concern was the
Holy See's approval of the Salesian Society and authorization to
issue dimissorials to his clerics. Setbacks had not disheartened
him. He had bided his time. Again and again he had renewed his
petitions personally or in writing-generally without success-
but he had not given up hope, content to overcome at least one
little obstacle at a time. And now, in R~me, though he had
bolstered his position with many episcopal letters of recommen-
dation, he immediately found hes,itation and difficulti€s. We have
jotted down his remarks in a memorandum:
As soon as I arrived in Rome, [he said] I sized up the situation and
found that unfortunately only a few prelates would support me. While
most were merely unsympathetic and skeptical, the more influential
ones were firmly against me. Letters very hostile to our Society had
reached Rome. True, they praised Don Bosco, his intentions, the
Oratory, and all the good that was being done for the young, but they
still opposed our Congregation, especially because of the articles which
2.See Vol. V, p. 77. [Editor]
3 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Don Bosco in Rome
227
would have withdrawn our clerics from the jurisdiction of the bishops.
Memoranda and rescripts were quoted to support this point of view. Not
even Cardinal de Angelis ~ [Don Bosco's personal friend] favored
granting this privilege.
I kept pointing out that the granting of dimissorial letters was a fun-
damental feature of religious congregations with houses in various
dioceses, and that, except for diocesan congregations, all others enjoyed
this privilege in our region. I added that many bishops, as evidenced by
their letters of commendation, wished to cooperate in consolidating the
Salesian Society and helping it in every expedient and suitable way. In
rebuttal I was told that such privileges, if granted, would be included in
the approval of the constitutions, but that, for the present, the only
matter at hand was the Society's approval-and this would be no easy
matter, either.
Even Father James MargottV so attached to Don Bosco,
agreed with Cardinal De Angelis and other prelates. Not content
with the information supplied by Monsignor Tortone and the
archbishop of Turin, the Holy See had confidentially asked this
theologian for an accurate report of the differences between
Archbishop Riccardi and Don Bosco and of the teaching being
imparted in the archdiocesan seminary. Father Margotti's reply
to Monsignor Svegliati [secretary of the Congregation of Bishops
and Regulars] follows:
Turin, Feast of St. Francis de Sales, 1869
Very Reverend Monsignor:
The better to fulfill my delicate task, I consulted pious, well-informed
persons without, however, revealing my true purpose. Here are the re-
sults of my investigation.
1. The course of clerical studies in Don Bosco's Oratory is highly
commendable in every aspect. His clerics are trained in deep piety and
sound doctrine. From this standpoint, too, Don Bosco's Oratory has
rendered and is rendering signal service to the Church at large and to
the Turin archdiocese in particular.
2. Teaching in the archdiocesan seminary has shown an extraordinary
improvement these days. Of the three professors named, perhaps
4.-See Vol. VIII, pp. 234ff. [Editor]
, Founder of Unita Cattolica, a Catholic weekly. See Vol. VII, p. 332. [Editor]

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228
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Father [Francis] Barone is the only one to worry about. At first, several
seminarians complained about his teaching, but these complaints
ceased a year ago. No complaint was ever lodged against the other two
professors, Father Barbero and Father Testa. The latter especially is a
man of excellent character and profound learning.
3. Any course of studies independent of the archbishop of Turin could
have serious consequences and give rise to two factions, not only among
the younger clergy, but also among the older priests. Things would then
be worse than now.
4. ~upervision should be exerted over the teaching imparted in the
seminary. Should complaints arise, one can be certain of a prompt
remedy to the situation if it is brought to the archbishop's attention. It
matters a good deal that he recognize the need to watch over it.
S. Don Bosco's Oratory deserves every possible favor, but I must
stress that its independence [from episcopal jurisdiction] would prove a
fatal germ of strife and schism. Practical-minded people whose only
concerns are the glory of God and the welfare of the Church believe that
the best course of action is to recommend the Oratory to the archbishop
so that it may obtain all it needs to prosper and grow.
Since I am truly stating this in God's presence, I have no fear to sign
this report.
Devotedly yours,
Father James Margotti
In the above-mentioned memorandum, Don Bosco continued:
I realized then that nothing short of a miracle would bring about a
change of heart. There was no other way to achieve my end. Our poor
rules were being taken apart and insurmountable difficulties raised with
every word. Those who could have done the most for me were deter-
minedly opposed. But, trusting in Our Lady and the prayers being said
in the Oratory, I still hoped to overcome all difficulties.
In turn, Father Rua wrote in his chronicle: "During Don Bosco's
stay in Rome, the boys faithfully said the prayers he had
requested. 6 In fact, they overdid themselves by taking turns in
receiving Holy Communion every day as an act of gratitude to
their good father." Their prayers were answered.
Several days had passed since Don Bosco's arrival and he
6See p. 219. [Editor]

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Don Bosco in Rome
229
seemed to have forgotten Cardinal Berardi's request. The eleven-
year-old boy was the only son of very wealthy, noble parents and
the heir to a vast fortune. Naturally, all hopes rested in him. For
the past two weeks typhoid fever had so drained the lad of
strength that his case had become hopeless. Several times the
cardinal had sent for Don Bosco, but for one reason or another the
latter had been unable to oblige. At last, anguished and
impatient, the prelate sent this message: "I beg you, come and
see if there is any hope for the boy."
Don Bosco complied. As soon as he entered the palace, the
boy's parents, uncle, and members of the household crowded
around him. "Make him recover, Don Bosco! Make him recover!"
they pleaded.
As if oblivious of the child, Don Bosco turned to the cardinal
and said: "Your Eminence, I came here to enlist your support
toward the Holy See's approval of the Society of St. Francis de
Sales."
"Make my nephew well and I will speak favorably of your
Society to the Holy Father."
Ushered into the youngster's room, Don Bosco approached the
bedside. "Have faith," he told the parents, "and start a novena to
Mary, Help of Christians. And you, Your Eminence, show care for
the Society of St. Francis de Sales." He said a few prayers and
blessed the little patient. The fever left him immediately. The
cardinal renewed his promise to do his best for the Salesian
Society, and to overcome difficulties instead of raising them, if his
nephew recovered.
The novena was started immediately. Three days later, Don
Bosco returned and found the boy sitting up in bed.
"Oh, Don Bosco," he cried on seeing the priest, "I'm feeling
better! I've already eaten some meat." It was only the third day of
the novena and he was already out of danger. Within a short time
he was quite w_ell again.
This extraordinary recovery-evidently a favor from the
Madonna-deeply moved the whole family. Beside himself with
joy, Cardinal Berardi called on Don Bosco.
"Dear Father," he said, "I'll do whatever you ask of me. Just
speak."

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230
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"You know what I want. Take my Society to your heart, talk
about i( to the Holy Father, and try to arrange matters so that I
may obtain my wish."
"I shall do all I can. I'll see the Holy Father immediately. Rest
assured of that."
He did indeed obtain an audience with the Pope and enthusias-
tically told him about what had happened, earnestly recommend-
ing the Salesian Society to him. Surprised at all he heard, the
Pope expressed a desire to see Don Bosco soon.
In the meantime the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and
Regulars had already met several times to examine the Salesian
constitutions. Their greatest objection centered on an apparent
contradiction between the vow of poverty and ownership. They
could not see how a member of a congregation professing poverty
could still retain ownership of his estate. It seemed absurd for a
person to consider himself poor while owning real estate and
other goods and retaining the right to dispose of his possessions
by testament.
Don Bosco meanwhile was calling on the consultors of the same
Sacred Congregation to prove to them that the practice of evan-
gelical poverty expressed in his rules was not contrary to the
nature of this vow, and that this was the only way to save the
property of religious orders from confiscation by the state. These
theologians were perhaps unaware of the Holy See's approval of
the Institute of Charity. 7 Only after serious study of the matter
did they accept Don Bosco' s point of view. They too then realized
that, in the situation then current, the only possible way of
providing for the sustenance of members of religious commu-
nities was for them to retain their own property.
Word of Don Bosco's position in this matter reached the Roman
monasteries, and the superiors of the Dominicans and
Franciscans came to consult him on his concept of the vow of
poverty. They also asked him for a copy of his rules, declaring
that if the Church were to approve them, they would revise their
own accordingly. In fact, some years later, all the ancient orders
did just that. But even at this time several cardinals assured Don
7 Usually referred to as the Rosminian Fathers. after their founder. Antonio Rosmini
(1797-1855). [EditorJ

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Don Bosco in Rome
231
Bosco that the forthcoming ecumenical council would take his
rules as a basis for ensuring the existence of all religious orders.
"Thus," Don Bosco declared in a conference to his Salesians,
"the Lord availed Himself of us to propose a new concept of the
vow of poverty in keeping with the requirements of the times. All
this redounds to the glory of God, because it was He who did it
all."
Nevertheless, since some of the more influential members of
the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars were of the
opinion that the Salesian constitutions could not be approved,
Don Bosco called on Cardinal Antonelli, both to fulfill the
unofficial mission he had accepted from the government in
Florence and also to win over a friend to his cause. He knew that
the successful outcome of the matter depended in part upon him.
Like many others, Cardinal Antonelli did not think it possible that
the Salesian Society could be approved at this time, especially
because of certain contradictiqns in its rules.
When Don Bosco called on the cardinal, he found him suffering
from gout.
"Come in, my dear Don Bosco," the prelate welcomed him.
"How are you, Your Eminence?"
"Quite poor, as you see. I have been a prisoner of this chair for
some days now. My gout disappeared after your last visit through
your prayers to Mary, Help of Christians, but now it is again
causing me atrocious pain."
"Your Eminence, help me in matters which I have at heart and I
guarantee your recovery."
"What do you want of me?"
·'That you take an interest in the Society of St. Francis de
Sales."
"That is quite a difficult matter, I would think. Anyway, I
promise that I shall put in a good word for you as soon as I can call
on the Holy Father."
"The matter is urgent."
"You know I can't move. Generally the Pope comes to see me
when I am unable to call on him. When he comes, I shall speak to
him."
"Have faith in Mary, Help of Christians and go to him soon. All

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232
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
I ask now is a promise that you will push for the approval of the
Society of St. Francis de Sales."
The cardinal kept looking at him silently.
"Please go and see the Holy Father soon," Don Bosco repeated.
"When? exclaimed the cardinal, staring at him in astonish-
ment.
"Tomorrow!"
"Do you really mean I shall be able to go?"
"Yes, you will. Tomorrow!"
"But how can that be?"
"Just have faith, lively faith in Mary, Help of Christians; other-
wise nothing can be done."
"Very well, I will go tomorrow. But what if my gout gets
worse?"
"I guarantee you that tomorrow you will feel better. Leave it all
to Mary. She knows what to do."
"Very well, I will go tomorrow. If your promise is fulfilled, I
shall do everything I can for your Congregation."
The following morning Cardinal Antonelli felt much better,
called on the Holy Father, and told him of his conversation with
Don Bosco and of his recovery.

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CHAPTER 41
Don Bosco zn Rome (Continued)
a.T the start of the carnival holidays, all business
offices in Kome closed, thus affording Don Bosco more time to
concern himself with the Oratory which was never far from his
thoughts. He took advantage of the respite to write several letters
to Father Rua, who kept him constantly informed about the
Oratory and the other two houses. Here is his first letter:
Dear Father Rua:
Rome, January 31, 1869
For some particular reason I want you to suspend printing of the Latin
dictionary until I return. Tell Buzzetti and all those who have anything to
do with the printshop that, for the future, I do not want anything printed
without my consent or yours whenever I give you specific authorization.
It might also be wise for you to give a conference stressing the
necessity of obedience in deed and not in word, pointing out that he who
does not know how to obey will never be qualified to command.
Take care of your health, rest as much as you can, and avoid
unwholesome foods. As regards the Divine Office, omit Matins until the
middle of February. Say just the minor hours, Vespers, and Compline,
and not all at one time.
Your friend,
Fr. John Bosco 1
During those days Don Bosco said Mass and prayed at St.
Peter's tomb, as he always did when in Rome, for he felt himself
drawn there by a most ardent love.· 2
I We are omitting two .other letters to Father Rua about various errands. [Editor]
2 We are omitting an entry in the register of St. Peter's sacristy concerning a Mass Don
Bosco said on January 22, 1867 and also a reference to a cure obtained from Mary, Help of
Christians in that same year. [Editor]
241

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242
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
On February 2, he was invited by the superior of a distinguish-
ed order to attend a solemn church service followed by dinner. He
arrived in mid-moring and went into the sacristy with the
intention of going to confession before saying Mass. "Is there a
priest available?" he asked the sacristan. "I would like to go to
confession."
"There is no one here," he was told_.
"Aren't confessions being heard today?" he insisted. "Isn't the
superior around?"
"Yes, he is."
He was then led into a hall adjoining a room where the superior
was playing billiards with some friends. When told that a priest
wished to see him, he told the messenger to ask what he wanted.
"Tell him I would like to go to confession," Don Bosco informed
him.
The superior then came to the door and somewhat resentfully
told Don Bosco: "Don't you know that I do not hear confessions?"
"Is there anyone who does?" Don Bosco countered.
"Yes, those who can't do anything else!"
Returning to the sacristy, Don Bosco found the religious who
had invited him there, a good friend of his and the sole member of
the order that he knew. The latter warmly welcomed him and then
heard his confession.
After Mass, he was introduced to the superior who did not as
yet know him personally. Afterward, Don Bosco gently chided
him: "Father Abbot, it's hard to believe, but here was a priest
who wanted to go to confession and could not find a confessor on a
very solemn feast! When I asked for Father Abbot, I was told that
he did not hear confessions. Worse yet, to my surprise I was
informed that here confessions are heard only by those who can
do nothing else."
"Ah, Don Bosco, forgive me. I didn't know you. I was wrong.
Please do not tell the Holy Father about it."
"I won't, but never again say that here confessions are heard
only by those who can do nothing else. Let me suggest this:
appoint your most learned and experienced priests as confessors,
for this is the most delicate task of the sacred ministry."
Several friends of his were anxious to know the fate of Rome, of

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Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
243
Pius IX, and of papal temporal power. Don Bosco told them that in
1871 Pius IX would celebrate his [silver] jubilee as Pope and
would surpass St. Peter in regard to the length of his pontificate.
When sounded out on political_ matters, he evaded a direct reply
but did say that Napoleon would withdraw his troops. He also
clearly predicted the seizure of Rome. Years later, on January 9,
1874, Father Joachim Berto was in Rome with Don Bosco. In town
they met a gentleman who, among other things, remarked to Don
Bosco: "I did not want to believe that the Italians would enter
Rome, and neither did Father Verda. But in 1870 when Italian
troops poured in, I recalled what you had told me a year
before-that the Italians would definitely seize Rome."
Don Bosco also visited some institutions, though he did his best
not to attract attention..3 On Quinquagesima Sunday, he was
scheduled for an audience and went to the Vatican in grand
style. After his return to the Oratory, he himself narrated the
moving event in a fatherly way to his Salesians in order to show
Pius IX's goodness to him:
When the day came for the audience, Pius IX told his household: "Don
Bosco has no coach. Fetch him in mine." They left and called for me at
the house where I was staying. I entered the coach. It was large
enough to seat a dozen people and was completely covered with silk and
brocades. Imagine me sitting there all by myself! I was driven to the
Vatican, and by the Pope's orders the coach waited for me and took me
to the Vitelleschi residence where I wished to go. There too the
coachmen wanted to wait for me, but when I told them that my stay
would be long, they finally yielded and returned to the Vatican.
This audience was most comforting to Don Bosco. As soon as he
was ushered in, Pius IX said to him: "Don Bosco, I would like you
to do me a favor. Would you be willing to open a house of studies
and an oratory, like the one you have in Turin, right here in
Rome?
"Holy Father, that was just what I had in mind to ask you"
"Well then, go to St. Caius and see if the building next to the
Incarnation Convent suits you. Then try to strike a deal with the
owners."
3 This sentence is a condensation. (Editor)

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244
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Solicitously, the Holy Father went on to tell Don Bosco that if
the project went through, he wished to send some priests and
clerics from Turin that very year to study philosophy and theology
at the Minerva and Gregorian universities. After earning doctoral
degrees, they would return to teach at the Oratory, thus putting
an end to the complaints of the archbishop of Turin. The Pope
himself, through his vicar, would confer sacred orders on Don
Bosco's sons!
Don Bosco gratefully accepted the proposal, and after a lengthy
exposition of the state of affairs of the Salesian Society, he
informed the Holy Father of an insistent demand that a confra-
ternity be canonically erected in the Church of Mary, Help of
Christians. He assured Pius IX that he would submit the confra-
ternity's by-laws to the archbishop of Turin and ask him to
establish it canonically; in the meantime, would the Holy Father
grant it various indugences? The Pope readily obliged. Don Bosco
also asked him for several honorific titles for a few distinguished
benefactors, and the Pope again graciously consented. At the
close of the audience, Pius IX gave Don Bosco a box of crucifixes
endowed with an indulgence of 400 days every time they were
kissed.
In due time Don Bosco went to the Quirinal to inspect the
vacant building at St.Caius belonging to the Incarnation Convent,
also known as the Barberini Sisters' Convent because it was a
foundation of the Barberini family. 4 The building the Pope had in
mind had two large wings, one of which, vacant for quite some
time, would have well suited Don Bosco's plans. Adjoining it were
a church and a very large field suitable for future construction.
Meanwhile, in Turin, permission had been granted to all
charitable institutions to set up stands in Piazza Caste11o during
the carnival holidays and sell whatever they wished. Don Bosco
had originated the idea. In those days the carnival holidays
in Turin were the most decorous, peaceful, and entertaining in
the whole of Italy. A special commission with full police powers
was charged to ensure order, morality and mutual respect.
4-A powerful Florentine family that established itself in Rome and gave to the Church
Pope Urban VIII, two cardinals, and a prefect of the city. [Editor]

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Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
245
Aware of the Oratory's needs, Don Bosco, before leaving for
Rome, had told his co-workers to make plans for the carnival fair.
Everyone had been highly surprised and almost shocked.
"What? Are we to take part in the carnival?"
"Yes, we shall, but not in its insanity. We shall not lower
ourselves but will make others come up to our 'level." Many
objects had been left over from the last lottery, and Don Bosco
intended to put them up for sale along with many other things
that were being donated by generous-hearted Turinese. After
leaving the whole matter in Chevalier Oreglia's hands, Don Bosco
left for Rome.
The chevalier set up a nicely decorated booth on a large
platform in Piazza Castello behind the towers of Palazzo
Madama 5 facing Via Po. He also sent out a charming poem in the
Piedmontese dialect to his friends and acquaintances, asking
them to come and admire his booth and spend their money there.
He even sent several such invitations to Rome.
His booth turned out to be one of the most attractive and best
stocked, especially with books. A great number of people were
drawn there by the Oratory brass band, for which Maestro De
Vecchi had composed a special fantasia entitled "Gianduia's
Fair. " 6 The young musicians wore yellow masquerade costumes,
while Chevalier Oreglia, dressed as Gianduia himself, summoned
one and all in witty, wholesome, Piedmontese rhymes. All the
nobility of Turin hastened to his booth where he sold his
merchandise at handsome prices.
·
Even Prince Amadeus of Savoy came to watch him, shook
hands with him, and left him a hundred-lire donation.
"What will you do with it, Gianduia?" the prince asked.
"Your Highness, I shall share it with my friends, the poor, and
we shall pray that you may have a long life."
"Bravo, Gianduia!"
, Palazzo Madama, located in the center of Piazza Castello in the heart of Turin, is a
massive building consisting of three structures of different origin-Roman. medieval, and
modern-summing up the city's two thousand years of history. Its magnificent internal
staircase and its eighteenth-century fayide by Filippo Juvarra represent one of the finest
creations of European baroque. Palazzo Madama was the seat of the Subalpine Senate
from 1840 to 1860 and of the Italian Senate until 1864. At present it houses the City
Museum of Ancient Art. [Editor]
6 Gianduia was a popular puppet of the Piedmontese theater. [Editor)

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246
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
As Chevalier Oreglia, after entertaining the crowds, would take
time to rest his lungs, the band would fill in with selections by
famous composers, but at each new piece the crowds would
shout, "We want Don Bosco's polka," and the band had to oblige.
This was the name they had given to De Vecchi's musical
fantasia. Performed by costumed players with instruments which
were to a large extent improvised, the ensemble produced a most
pleasing effect. In those years this composition was part of every
musical repertoire.
For three days the booth was also enthusiastically patronized
by great numbers of priests and religious. Those were days of
genuine, wholesome, godly amusement, once more proving how
true was Don Bosco's oft repeated saying: "One can have fun
without offending God."
While people amused themselves in town, the Oratory boys had
plenty of fun with a variety of games and other entertainment.
Then, on the last day of the carnival [February 9], they offered
their Communion for the souls in purgatory and prayed for those
companions of theirs whom God might call into eternity. These
prayers were to benefit two boys especially. Among our own
notes and in the Oratory register we find the following informa-
tion: "Bartholomew Ferrero, Latin III student, born at Villafranca
d' Asti, fell seriously ill and left the Oratory on January 1, 1869.
He died at home." There is no indication as to the place or the day
of his death. Most likely this was the boy of Don Bosco's dream on
October 30, 1868. 7 About the second boy the register had this
entry: "Angelo Oriali, son of Thomas, born at Castelletto Ticino,
left the Oratory on February 8, 1869, convalescing from an illness,
and died at home."
These were the first two of the six deaths predicted by Don
Bosco. 8
'See pp. 184f. [Editor]
8.See p. 210. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 42
Don Bosco zn Rome (Continueq.)
LENT had begun and Don Bosco's petitions were now
under definitive consideration by the Congregation of Bishops
and Regulars. In the course of several meetings the constitutions
and pertinent observations of several bishops were subjected to
a detailed examination, during which Monsignor .Svegliati in-
formed the commission of cardinals about the Pope's wishes.
Don Bosco was also called in for further explanations. For about a
month now, Father Verda declared, these very important matters
had weighed on Don Bosco's mind, forcing him at times to with-
draw from others and walk alone with his thoughts into solitary
places. One day, at the end of a meeting, [Raphael] Cardinal
Monaco La Valletta, desiring Don Bosco's company, asked him to
share his coach. The latter, however, exhausted and unable to
engage in further talk, humbly begged off, candidly manifesting
his reason and his chagrin at being unable to accept such an
honor. The cardinal was disappointed but did not insist.
On these solitary walks, he occasionally met some well-known
monsignor.
"What? Don Bosco walking?"
"Yes, Monsignor."
"All alone? I'll keep you company!"
"Thanks, Monsignor, but I need to be alone."
"Won't you get lost?"
"Today that might be just as well. I need some rest."
He must indeed have been tired and distressed to talk that way.
When he was told of the date when the Sacred Congregation of
Bishops and Regulars would reach a final decision on the Salesian
Society, he had word sent to the Oratory that, throughout that
247

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248
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
day, the boys should take turns in adoring the Blessed Sacrament.
Many students and artisans who had not been assigned any
specific time went to the church on their own, willingly sacrificing
a good part of their play time. Such piety pleased the Lord.
On February 19, 1869 the Salesian Society was approved by the
Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, and Pius IX
joyfully ratified its decision. That same evening Don Bosco went
back to the Vatican to thank the Pope, saying: "Throughout this
week my boys were on pins and needles for my sake, and they
stormed heaven with prayers for the success of my mission."
At these words Pius IX was moved to tears. Commenting on the
approval, he remarked to Don Bosco: "Now, Father, you must
hurry to get the constitutions approved. I am acquainted with
everything, I am familiar with your goals, and I'll back you up in
every way I can, but I am old and may die at any moment. Who
knows who the next Pope will be and how things may drag on!"
"Holy Father," Don Bosco replied with habitual serenity, "the
Lord still has great things in store for you for the good of the
Church."
"Ah," Pius IX said, "there is only another year and a half before
my silver jubilee and I'll have to face up to the non videbis annos
Petri." 1
"That's not an article of faith!"
"True, but this saying has never yet been proven false."
"Go easy, Your Holiness," Don Bosco countered. "We must
first deduct the year and a half which you spent in exile at Gaeta;
then, we must add the seven years that St. Peter spent at Antioch
and the two in Jerusalem. I therefore can tell Your Holiness that
not only will you match St. Peter's reign, but you will surpass it as
well."
"Well, we shall bear that in mind, and when we shall have
reached that point, we shall praise you for your prediction."
The Holy Father then gave him wise norms for an ever deeper
religious formation of the Salesians and bade him to make them
known for their practical guidance. He also offered advice for his
young pupils. The audience had lasted an hour.
1 A reference to an old saying that no Pope would reign longer than St. Peter who was
Pope for twenty-five years. [Editor]

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Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
249
That same evening Monsignor [Emilian] Manacorda 2 wrote to
Turin:
Rome, February 19, 1869
Dear Father Rua:
Don Bosco received your letter a few hours after I mailed my last one.
Now that everything is settled in regard to the Salesian Congregation,
we are busying ourselves with finding money for the purchase of a new
house in Rome. Things look good. I trust that the Lord will not forsake
His faithful servant in this matter, either. The deed of sale will be drawn
up Monday or Tuesday and Don Bosco will be able to return to Turin
with two very important documents: the purchase of a building and the
approval of the Salesian Society. Blessed be God and Mary, Help of
Christians!
Father Savio has Don Bosco's permission to conclude the sale of the
building you know about. The deed will be drawn up as soon as he gets
back.
Settle what pertains to Father Bongiovanni as you think best ....
Emilian Manacorda
After taking leave of the Pope, Don Bosco lingered a few more
days in Rome. While waiting for the Pope's signature on the
decree of approval of the Salesian Society and on some papal
briefs, he busied himself with bringing to a successful conclusion
the two-week-long negotiations involving the building at St.
Caius. He called on the nuns who owned the vacant building and
found them agreeable to his proposal. He also approached Prince
Barberini who by this time was undoubtedly acquainted with
the Pope's intentions. An agreement was reached for 50,000 lire.
Divine Providence also saw to the funds for a down payment. As
soon as Cardinal Antonelli heard that the contract had been
signed, he sent 2,000 lire to Don Bosco with this note: "This is my
first offering in thanksgiving for the favor obtained from Mary,
Help of Christians. It will not be the last, either."
Don Bosco still needed someone to handle the details and thus
leave him free to attend to other business. He soon found his man
2 See Vol. V, pp. 77, 380; Vol. VII, pp. 442f; Vol. VIII, p. 44. [Editor]

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250
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
in the person of Attorney Ignatius Bertarello, whose only son
Don Bosco had cured. On that occasion the attorney had
exclaimed: "Don Bosco, ask me anything and I'll do it." At Don
Bosco's request he agreed to do all the legal work on the contract.
On his part, Don Bosco continued to look for money for that
purchase and found his benefactors quite responsive to his
appeals. 3
Father Rua had received news from Don Bosco himself as well:
Rome, February 26, 1869
My dear Father Rua:
I cannot as yet set the date of my departure. Perhaps I'll leave next
Monday or Tuesday, but by Friday, God willing, I shall be at the
Oratory. You will hear from me from Florence. Meanwhile get things
ready for a solemn celebration of the feast of St. Francis de Sales on
Sunday, March 7. Please let Count Viancino know of it because he is the
chairman of the festivities. Ask him to do us a favor by spending the
whole day with us. Tell Father Solari that I have a holy picture to give
him which he will like very much.
As matters stand now, our Society is definitively approved, we may
have our members ordained titulo mensae communis, and we may issue
dimissorial letters for our ordinands. 4 We have also signed a contract for
the purchase of a church and a building at St. Caius on the Quirinal Hill.
It is one of the loveliest spots in Rome, perhaps the loveliest. Between
the Four Fountains and Porta Pia there stands the Barberini Sisters'
Convent, and next to it we shall have our house of studies ... and what-
ever else God will decide. The first outlay amounts to 50,000 lire. I'll see
what down payment I can make, but I hope to be able to return with
some funds. Other very important things I'll tell you personally. You
may share this news with our confreres, but please warn them to keep it
to themselves. We must be prudent in everything and pray. Send this
news also to Lanzo and Mirabella. Tell Father Bonetti that I'll pay him a
visit two weeks after my return.
3·This sentence is a condensation. We are omitting at this point extracts of letters sent to
Chevalier Oreglia from Roman benefactors and friends about their esteem for Don Bosco.
[Editor]
4•This last faculty was restricted to a period of ten years and only for candidates who had
entered Salesian houses before puberty. [Editor]

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Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
251
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us always. Praise and
thanks forever to the Most Holy and Divine Sacrament. Amen.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. Tell Father Borel that, during an audience, the Holy Father sent
him his blessing and a medal which I shall give him. He also blessed ali
his religious communities.
I am somewhat tired, both physically and mentally. I'd really ap-
preciate your seeing to it that no reception be prepared for my return-
nothing more than if I were just coming in from town. It would be a great
relief for me.
Upon receiving this letter, Father Rua had Father Berto make
handwritten copies, omitting references to individuals, and he
sent them to Lanzo and to Mirabello.

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CHAPTER 43
Don Bosco zn Rome (Continued)
PROMINENT among Don Bosco's many Roman patri-
cian friends was Rudolph Boncompagni Ludovisi, duke of Sora
and later prince of Piombino, who had met Don Bosco through
Chevalier Oreglia in the mid-sixties. The ensuing cordial rela-
tionship lasted until Don Bosco's death. The prince, who was
thirty-five in 1867, died on December 12, 1911. Among his papers
were several letters from Don Bosco and this brief account of Don
Bosco's visit in 1867: 1
On January 12 of this year [1867] Don Bosco said Mass and gave
Communion to several people in our private chapel. Immediately after-
ward, at the request of Father Caesar [Calandrelli], our son's tutor, he
addressed a few words to the small congregation. After remarking that
priests should say Mass with genuine fervor, he exhorted us to make it a
habit to attend Mass daily and visit the Blessed Sacrament in order to
obtain favors, offer up our worries, and fervently pray for the Pope and
the uprooting of heresies now spreading throughout Italy. Warming up
to his subject, he exclaimed: "Faith, faith, faith is what we always need,
especially now in these very distressing times." Afterward, in the
drawing room, he spoke privately with each member of the household,
including Bertelli, our domestic, who was convalescing.
When it was my tum, I began by recommending P ... and his speedy
conversion, promising a donation for the Church of Mary, Help of
Christians if the favor was granted. He personally assured me that he
would write to him as soon as he got back to Turin to recommend his
boys and his church to him. When I told him of my lack of fervor, he said
not to worry .... [A week] later, I made my general confession to him.
When I was through, he told me that he was reconciling me to God and
1This paragraph is a condensation. {Editor]
252

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Don Bosco in Rome (Continued)
253
absolving me from all my sins. He exhorted me to do better and over-
come my spirituaJ indolence, promising to pray for me and my family.
Two hours later, I returned with some doubts. "Be at peace," he re-
assured me. "I take the responsibility for all your sins up to 10:30 P.M.
of January 19, 1867. Just forget them!"
After his return to Turin, Don Bosco wrote the following letters
to the duke and duchess:
Turin, March 29, 1867
My dear Duke,
I was very glad to hear from you and I am grateful for your
remembrance of me. On my part, I will pray for you and your whole
family in my daily Mass. Starting tomorrow, Sunday, I will offer a
novena of Masses, and some of my very best boys will receive Holy
Communion for the duchess. Cheer her up. Let us pray with great faith
and keep hoping. I shall remember our dear Hugo in my holy Mass.
Please let me know the date of his First Communion, and I shall say
Mass for him that day ....
May God bless you and all your household. May the Blessed Virgin
help us all to persevere along the path to heaven. Amen. I recommend
myself to your prayers.
Very gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. Please give my regards to Father Caesar.
Turin, July 30, 1867
My dear Duchess:
I was delighted by your greetings inspired by such genuine Christian
spirit and charity. May God reward you a hundredfold by bestowing
upon you and your entire family those blessings which you so generously
invoked upon me on my name day.
In my anxiety to hear from you, I had just written to Rome for your
address when I received your letter. Please tell the duke that I have
prayed and will continue to pray for his health. I firmly believe that,
through the assistance of Mary, Help of Christians, nothing untoward
will happen to you under the present circumstances..2 Tell my dear Hugo
2At this time cholera had broken out in Rome. [Editor]

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254
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
that I shall gladly pray that God will grant him humility and charity as he
requested in his letter. I shall also beg the Blessed Virgin, Help of
Christians, to make him a model of virtue for his brothers and the joy of
his parents. Please tell Father Caesar that I am grateful for his gracious
postscript to Hugo's letter. I shall recommend him in a special manner
to the Lord, that He may so inspire his words and thoughts as to turn
each member of your family into another St. Aloysius.
Now here is some news concerning us. We are all well here, but the
cholera is raging in neighboring towns, according to a letter from Rome.
We fully trust in the protection of Mary, Help of Christians. You too and
your whole family should remain tranquil. No one who contributes to the
construction of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians shall fall victim to
these evils, as long as they have faith in Her.
Incidentally, I am glad to tell you that work is progressing rapidly,
thanks to Our Lady's constant supply of funds. We hope that by the end
of this year the church will be ready. Will you or your family perhaps
come to visit us? Or will Don Bosco perhaps see you in Senigallia? We
shall see. God bless you and your whole family. May.He grant to all of us
the grace to persevere along the path to heaven till the end of our days.
Please remember me and my boys in your devout prayers.
Very gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
When Don Bosco returned to Rome in 1869, their
correspondence continued and visits were resumed. 3 We wonder
how many other letters [of Don Bosco] and other memoirs about
him may be hidden in stately mansions not only in Rome but in a
hundred other cities throughout Italy,. France, and Spain where
noble families met and hosted our founder!
3 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 44
Don Bosco 's Return to Turin
ON March 1 [1869] Mother Magdalene Galeffi informed
Chevalier Oreglia that Don Bosco was about to leave Rome. The
following morning Don Bosco said Mass at St. Peter-in-Chains for
a large number of people. Shortly afterward, a messenger
brought him an envelope bearing the seal of the Sacred Congre-
gation of Bishops and Regulars. It contained the decree of ap-
proval of the Salesian Society which he was to deliver to Arch-
bishop Riccardi of Turin. Toward midnight, coaches provided by
Cardinal Berardi and the Vitelleschi and Villa Rios families took
him and Father Verda to the railroad station, where many other
friends were waiting to see them off.... 1
In Florence Don Bosco was the guest of the archbishop. During
his short stay, he briefed Mr. Canton about his successful ne-
gotiations for the building at St. Caius without, however,
abandoning his plans concerning the Holy Shroud Church. He left
Florence for Turin on March 4 at eleven at night.
In his chronicle, Father Rua describes Don Bosco's arrival at
the Oratory as follows:
Friday, March 5. Don Bosco arrived at about 7:30 in the evening, ac-
companied by one of Chevalier Marietti's sons. The brass band met him
at the main entrance. Two rows of tall poles surmounted by
glass-encased candles and flaming torches formed a wide path from the
entrance to the porticoes, lined with cheering students and artisans. Led
by the band, Don Bosco passed through their ranks amid thunderous
applause. Illumination of the balconies enabled all to see him and· the
inscriptions hanging in his house. He walked to the prefect's waiting
I This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
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256
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
room where he rested a while and took some refreshment while com-
menting briefly on his stay in Rome. He took pains to show the layout of
the new house he had purchased there and its adjoining church which
alone was valued at 150,000 lire. Meanwhile, the band kept playing
various selections in the playground. Vivas were endless amid
unrestrained manifestations of joy.
That evening a moving incident greatly impressed both the
Salesians and the boys. Nearby, at the Rifugio, Father John Borel
lay seriously ill. Hearing music and joyful shouts, he guessed that
Don Bosco was back. Since he was at the moment unattended, he
got up, dressed, and then, leaning against the wall, went down-
stairs. Supporting himself on a cane, he walked out of the Rifugio
and dragged himself to the Oratory. Staggering through the play-
ground, he finally reached the porticoes just as Don Bosco, sur-
rounded by boys, was about to go up to his room. Indeed he had
already mounted the first step.
"Don Bosco, Don Bosco!" he cried out feebly.
The boys made way for him.
"Oh, Father," Don Bosco exclaimed, quickly turning around.
"Is the Salesian Society approved?" Father Borel went on.
"Yes, it is!"
"Deo gratias! Now I can die happy!"
Without another word, he turned around and went back to his
bed. What love and respect he had for Don Bosco! In 1870, in
somewhat better health, he met Father Albera in town.
"You men think y9u know Don Bosco! But what you know is
next to nothing! You'd be amazed indeed had I the time to tell you
all the marvelous things that I know about him." This good priest
knew the Oratory thoroughly and was well aware of the boundless
respect of the boys for Don Bosco, whom they regarded as an ex-
traordinary saint.
Don Bosco hastened to call on the archbishop. Father Rua's
chronicle has this entry: "March 6 [1869]. Don Bosco delivered
the decree of approval of the Salesian Society to Archbishop
Riccardi, together with an explanatory letter from Rome."
The decree follows:

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CHAPTER 45
Family Briefings
DoN Bosco constantly strove to kindle his pupils' in-
terest in anything concerning the Oratory because he wanted
them to consider it as their own home. He kept them informed on
matters which he believed they should know. He followed the
same policy even after establishing the Society of St. Francis de
Sales, hoping that many of his pupils would see in it their ideal of
Christian life, the goal of their studies, the safe harbor of their
vocation, and their opportunity to share in the undertakings and
glorious destiny promised by the Madonna. Therefore, on
Monday, March 8 [1869], when all the Oratory boys had gathered
in the study hall for night prayers, he told them why he had gone
to Rome, explaining that the Oratory was not standing on a cloud
but was resting on a religious Congregation as its foundation. He
then continued:
I went to Rome against everyone's advice. Some kept telling me that
mine would be a useless trip because I would achieve nothing; others
declared that if I did go, I would return empty-handed. But I felt that I
had to go, for I very much wanted our Society to be approved. As
matters turned out, the very people who had tried to dissuade me from
the trip ended up helping me to achieve my goal. So now our Society has
been definitively approved by the Pope. Your prayers have been heard.
Instantly the Lord brought about a change of heart in the people whose
help I needed and furthermore saw to it that those very same people
should have need of Don Bosco. Tomorrow night Father Francesia will
tell you about that. In a word, through prayer we obtained what we
wanted from the Madonna.
Our Congregation was approved and given authority to issue dimis-
sorial letters. That means that any boy who wishes to join our Congrega-
265

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266
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
tion may become a priest even without a patrimony, provided that he
entered one of our houses before his fourteenth year.
The Holy Father thinks so highly of you that he believes you are all
young saints like St. Aloysius. I told him that indeed you were, but while
saying so I kept my fingers crossed under my cloak.
"I hope I'll meet some of them," the Holy Father interjected, "if not in
this world, at least in heaven, where I hope to go before long."
"Hoiy Father," 1 objected, "we both still have a lot to do before going
to heaven!"
Another thing that I want to tell you is that immediately after our
Society was approved, the Holy Father suggested that I buy a house in
Rome. That was exactly what l had in mind to tell him. "Do you know
that you have taken the words out of my mouth?" I replied.
"Then, obviously it is the Lord who inspired us. Go to look at the
premises at once."
I did. The house is now ours and is practically all paid for. There is
something else you might like to know. I came back with some money.
Part of it made possible the nice time we had yesterday.
The Holy Father gave me this message for you: Dominus vos bene-
dicat et dirigat vos in semitis Suis. May the Lord bless you and guide you
along His paths. He then granted you a 300-day indulgence each time
you say Maria, Auxilium Christianorum, ora pro nobis.
I have also brought back crucifixes for all of you, with the privileges of
those I gave out before: that is, a 400-day indulgence every time anyone
kisses the crucifix, and a plenary indulgence at the end of the month, if
one has kissed it daily. A plenary indulgence may also be gained by
kissing it at tqe point of death.
The Pope also granted indulgences to devotees of Mary, Help of
Christians and to others as well, as you will be told in due time.
Meanwhile, continue to pray for me as I shall pray for you. I am glad
that, on the whole, you have behaved well during my absence.
I know that much praying was done-and is still being done-at Lanzo
and Mirabello. Let us thank the Lord for all the benefits He has granted
us. This has truly been a miracle, and it is due to your prayers. The good
Lord simply could not resist your pleas. Therefore let us thank Him with
filial love, for it was He who granted us all these favors.
In Rome we shall open a house of studies for priests and clerics, and
later we shall also send boys who excel in conduct and diligence.
One more thing. The Holy Father advised me to tell you to hurry to
make your will, if you own money or land, so that you won't have to
worry about it when you're dying. (General laughter) Good night!

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Family Briefings
267
On March 8 and 9, Don Bosco summoned the chapter to review
the Society's roster and see whether there were any applicants.
Several were, in fact, admitted as postulants. March 8 was a
memorable day because Don Bosco issued his first dimissorial
letter for the cleric Joseph Monateri of Mirabello.
On Thursday, March 11, after night prayers, Don Bosco gath-
ered all the members and postulants in the clerics' dining room
and addressed them as follows:
Last Sunday night I spoke about the success of my journey to Rome,
and how our Society was approved by the Church and empowered to
issue dimissorial letters.
I am now delighted to inform you that two of our confreres-Joseph
Monateri and August Croserio-will soon benefit from this privilege and
will present themselves for ordination with no other claim than that of
belonging to the Society of St. Francis de Sales. We thank the Lord for
using us as instruments of His glory and the welfare of souls. It is
certainly a token of His special predilection that none of our clerics ever
had to interrupt their studies or postpone their clerical investiture or
their ordination because of financial reasons. Divine Providence has
always been wondedul in this regard. It is a sign that it will continue to
help us even more now that we have truly offered ourselves to God, body
and soul.
It is time now that we gradually explain what must be done through a
i-:et of rules. As you all know, until now our Society has had no
crystallized rules. We went along without clearly spelled-out duties.
Lacking ecclesiastical approval, our Society was, in some ways,
somewhat suspended in air and in danger of collapsing from one day to
another. This precarious condition made it inevitable that some laxity
should creep in. But now, my dear sons, things are no longer the same.
Our Congregation is approved; we are mutually bound: I to you, you to
me, all of us to God. The Church has pronounced herself, God has
accepted our services, and we have an obligation to keep our promises.
We are no longer private individuals but a Society, a moral body with
certain privileges. The whole world is watching us and the Church is en-
titled to our services. From now on, every article in our rules must be
faithfully observed. I do not want a sudden turnabout at the Oratory
which would only cause disorder and would be impossible, anyway.
Little by little, however, we must shape up. Since there is much to be set
up, much to be remade, I shall have to bring it to your attention more
frequently.

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268
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Tonight I shall tell you only a few things, but these must be borne in
mind since they are, so to speak, the very basis of our Society. We are
the ones who must set these principles on firm foundations so that those
who come after us need only follow us. Let us always remember that we
have chosen to live in a community. 0 quam bonum et quam iucundum
habitare fratres in unum, exclaimed the prophet David when, divinely
inspired, he spoke of religious congregations. Oh how good, how de-
lightful it is for all to live together like brothers I It is beautiful to live
united by a bond of brotherly love, comforting one another in prosperity
and hardship, in joy and in sorrow, in mutual assistance and counsel by
word and deed. It is wonderful to live free of all earthly ties, progressing
steadily toward heaven under our superior's guidance. But if we want
these benefits to accrue from our Society, we must always safeguard its
growth and well-being. And, so that this community life may be
pleasant, we must rid it of all envy and jealousy.. We must love one
another as brothers, help one another, assist one another, respect one
another, be understanding with one another. Each of us must guard
against belittling our Society; rather, each must strive to make it
respected by all. We have chosen to live in unum, together. What does
living together mean? Briefly it means in unu'!l locum, in unum
spiritum, in unum agendi finem-unity of abode, of spirit, and of will.
First, unity of abode-the first requisite of any religious Society. Like
the human body, a religious Congregation needs a head and limbs, the
latter subordinate to one another and all subordinate to the head. A head
may be handsome and perfect, but detached from the body, it is horrify-
ing. Similarly, I cannot do without you who are the body; neither can
you, the members, exist without a head. But only one head is needed
because our Society-like a body-would look monstrous with two or
more heads. It would lose its oneness. There must therefore be but one
head with corresponding members, which, in turn, must perform those
tasks that are proper to them, instead of trying to do something else ....
If a Society such as ours is to prosper, it must of necessity be properly
organized with one giving orders and the others obeying, each perform-
ing tasks according to his aptitude. He who obeys should not envy the lot
of him who commands, nor should he who works envy him who studies,
and so on, because both are necessary. Were all to study, all to give
orders, there could no longer be variety. A body composed of all eyes, all
ears, all hands would be a monster. Just as each member of the body has
its proper function, so each member of the Congregation must do what
he is told, not anything else.
In our Society we need preachers, confessors, students, teachers, and

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Family Briefings
269
those who must provide for material and moral needs. The superior
must be obeyed when he assigns tasks to each one. This is, so to speak,
the hinge on which our whole Society revolves. Without obedience chaos
would reign. If, instead, obedience rules, we shall form but one body
and soul to love and serve the Lord.
Let each one therefore be obedient. Let no one think of doing this or
that or say: I'd like to have this or that job. Rather, let each be ready to
do whatever is entrusted to him, stay wherever his superior places him,
and perform his office diligently. Let each of you accustom himself to
seeing God's will in that of his superior. Let each work according to his
strength and capabilities .... And what is the reward? The reward-and
this is the great advantage of community life-is the same for all, ir-
respective of the office held. Preachers, confessors, teachers, students,
kitchen helpers, dishwa~hers, janitors-all have the same merit. In our
Society, both good and bad are shared by all .... If all strive to do what is
good, all equally earn merit with God, but if one does wrong, the whole
Congregation suffers ....
Secondly, there must be unity of spirit and of will. What kind of spirit?
Charity, my dear sons. Let there be charity in mutual forbearance and
correction of faults, in never complaining about one another, and in up-
holding one another. Let there be charity especially in never speaking ill
of our confreres. This is very essential to our Society, because if we wish
to do good in the world, we must stand united and enjoy a good reputa-
tion. Speaking ill of our Society's members would be the greatest mis-
fortune to befall our Society. Away, therefore, with those cliques of
clerics or other persons busily chewing away at this or that fellow or,
worse, a superior. Let us defend one another, let us consider as our own
the honor and well-being of our Society, and let us be convinced that
anyone who is not ready to sacrifice himself to save the Society cannot be
a good member.
Let each of us be ever ready to share his joy with others and equally
willing to share another's sorrow. If one receives a notable favor, let this
make his confreres rejoice too. Is anyone afflicted? Let his confreres
seek to alleviate his pain. Should anyone commit a fault, let all try to
correct him and feel sorry for him, but let us never despise someone for
his physical or moral defects. Always let us love one another like tr~
"brothers," as the prophet David has said.
··
Finally there must be unity of obedience. Of necessity a body must
have one head to control its movements. It will be all the more active and
efficient, the readier its members are to obey the head. Similarly, in our
Society someone will have to command and others will have to obey. It

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270
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
may happen at times that the one who gives orders is the least worthy
member. Are we to deny him obedience for this reason? No, for in doing
so the body would lose its organization and become unable to operate.
Let us ever bear in mind that the superior is God's representative, and
that in obeying him, we obey God Himself. What does it matter if in
many respects he is inferior to us? Our submission will be all the more
meritorious. On the other hand, please remember that authority is a
weighty burden and that a poor superior would gladly forego it, were he
not obliged to exercise it for your good. Therefore, seek to lighten his
burden by readily obeying and above all by willingly accepting his
orders and admonitions. Bear in mind that he is not anxious to do these
things. Should he notice that his words anger or upset you, he might not
dare to admonish you on other occasions, and this would harm both you
and him. If, as members of this body, we will be willing to perform any
task, if we will be animated by charity and guided by obedience, our
Society will prove its worth and will have the energy to perform great
deeds for God's glory, for the good of our neighbor, and for the welfare
of its members.
But this does not mean that one is bound to carry unbearable burdens.
If anyone feels he cannot fulfill the task entrusted to him, let him speak
out and it will be taken from him. All that is asked of you is that you be
willing to do what you can. When necessary, even a priest should be
willing to wash dishes. In fact, right here we have seen several doing
just that.
We must also always keep in mind our Society's purpose, which is the
moral and intellectual education of poor, destitute boys by the use of
such means as Divine Profvidence shall send us.
Still following the metaphor of the body, let me add that though the
head controls the whole body, there are members who, subordinate to
the head, preside over and direct the movements and tasks of the other
members. Here I refer to the superior chapter of our Society, whose
members act in Don Bosco's name and who are to be obeyed as Don
Bosco himself. Each must therefore know whom he is to obey. Father
Rua is the prefect, Father Cagliero is the spiritual director of the clerics,
Father Francesia is the prefect of studies, and the others are already
known to you. This guarantees unity.
Now that our Congregation is gaining ground, we shall have to meet
more often to explain the more essential things, leaving the rest to other
occasions. The privileges granted to our Society are already coming in
handy. In a few days we shall send two of our confreres for holy orders
with no title but that of being members of the Society of St. Francis de
Sales.

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Family Briefings
271
Now I'd like to give you two specific pieces of advice. First, beware of
breaking this unity. I am not too happy about something I have noticed:
cliques of two, three, four, or five confreres, always the same and nearly
always apart from the rest. I do not know what they are doing and I do
not want to be so rash as to suggest they are speaking ill. Why these
cliques? Do these confreres have different interests from their
companions? I wish therefore that you try always to be among the boys
during recreation periods, conversing with them, playing with them,
and giving them good advice. Keep an eye on them. When you cannot
join their games, at least supervise them, make the rounds of the house
in its remotest corners, and try to prevent evil. You cannot believe how
much good you may do by climbing a staircase, walking down a corridor,
or strolling about the playground.
Secondly, be faithful to your daily visit to the Blessed Sacrament, as
prescribed by our rules. Thus, by aiming at sanctity ourselves, we will
be able to set an example for others, and we will receive spiritual favors
for ourselves and for those entrusted to our care.
You must also know that from now on, whenever a cleric is to receive
holy orders, the superior is bound in conscience to judge whether or not
the candidate is sufficiently pious and learned.
Lastly, we must put our trust in Divine Providence. If formerly we
managed to get along, lacking nothing, we have good reason to be
extremely hopeful about the future.

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CHAPTER 46
Noteworthy Details (Continued)
,SHORTLY after his return to the Oratory, Don Bosco
received a letter from Mr. Joseph Guenzati I reminding him that
he was expected in Milan, as he had promised. His frequent
absences disappointed the young clerics who eagerly crowded
around him to listen to his words. On Saturday, March 13, after
hearing confessions as usual, he went to supper and, while eat-
ing, told them about the death of a woman and the reason why a
novena to Our Lady had proved fruitless.
"I visited her," he said, "and after giving her my blessing, I
invited her relatives to make a novena to Mary, Help of Chris-
tians. The woman's condition had been very critical for several
days and her relatives promised to donate 3,000 lire to the
Oratory. Immediately the patient began to improve and take
liquid food. On seeing this, her relatives said they would give only
500 lire. In no time her condition again became critical. Once
more they promised 3,000 lire, and again the woman improved
with hope of full recovery. The family then sent word to Don
Bosco that they would split their offering three ways: 1,000 lire
each to the Oratory, to St. Peter's Pence, and to some other chari-
t~ble enterprise. The sick woman worsened once more."
"And now she is dead," Chevalier Oreglia concluded.
This incident recalled another which had taken place some
years earlier, showing that greed is mo.re deeply rooted among
the rich than among the poor. A very wealthy woman, after re-
ceiving the Last Sacraments at 80, was so frightened by death that
she sent for Don Bosco, begging him to obtain the grace of her re-
1 A Salesian cooperator. [Editor]
272

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
273
covery. "Yes," Don Bosco replied. "Our Lady will grant you this
favor if you make a generous donation to the church being built in
Her honor at Valdocco."
"How much should I give?"
"That's up to you. I cannot tell you how much. Give an amount
proportionate to your means, one that would not cause you a
grave inconvenience.but would still be a sacrifice on your part."
"What amount do you suggest?"
"I can only repeat what I've said. Prove to Our Lady that you
are making an unselfish offering for Her love. You surely under-
stand that in your condition God is your only hope. You are
critically ill and elderly. If you die, you'll have to leave everything
forever. To avoid that, it is surely wise to make even a substantial
sacrifice."
"But I wonder what I should do for your church."
"If you want my advice, I suggest that you donate an altar in
one of the side chapels."
"How much would it cost?"
"Six to eight thousand lire."
"Eight thousand lire? That's a bit too much. I couldn't do that."
"I made a suggestion because you asked me. I do not know your
financial holdings. Do what you think best. Were you to give only
one soldo, as long as this was all you could afford, the Madonna
would grant you the grace."
"Very well! I'll think it over."
Don Bosco left sickened by such avarice. Meanwhile the old
woman's condition grew much worse. As her death drew near,
two of her cousins-her only relatives-called on Don Bosco.
"Forgive us, Don Bosco," they said after introducing them-
selves, "but 8,000 lire is a bit too much."
"What do you suggest?"
"Couldn't you make our cousin recover for a more reasonable
sum?"
"My good people, who is going to make her recover-I or Our
Lady? I named a sum because I was asked to. Yet, what is eight or
even a hundred thousand lire for so rich a woman? Do you expect
the Madonna to grant so exceptional a favor to so stingy a person?
Let her do what she wants! I'll have nothing more to do with
this!"

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274
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"But ... but ... " they stammered. Courteously but firmly Don
Bosco dismissed them.
The next day the woman died. Such was her love of money that
she had been unable to part with a fraction of it.
March 14 was King Victor Emmanuel's birthday. We mention
this because on that day, just as on other patriotic celebrations,
Don Bosco attended the diplomatic banquet hosted by Count
[Constantine] Radicati, prefect of Turin. Only high-ranking poli-
ticians and dignitaries were guests. To please his very pious wife,
who unfortunately had lost her sight, the count also invited Don
Bosco. The countess herself urged Don Bosco to attend so that his
mere presence might discourage attacks upon religion. 2 An ac-
complished gentleman at all times, Don Bosco outdid himself on
these occasions by tactfully winning over even people of contrary
ideas without ever sacrificing truth. At such affairs, guests were
drawn from all political parties and ideologies; there were lib-
erals, democrats, rationalists, and also a few Catholics.
On one such occasion, toasts were offered by various guests to
Italian unity, to freedom, to Cavour, to the king, to Garibaldi, and
so on. Don Bosco too was called upon to offer a toast. Calmly he
stood up. "My toast!" he said. "Long live His Majesty, long live
Cavour, Garibaldi, and all our cabinet ministers under the Pope's
banner, so that alI may save their souls."
A burst of applause and hilarity greeted his words.
"Don Bosco really seeks no one's death!" was the general
comment.
Toward the middle of March [1869] he went to Mirabello, as he
had promised. It was on this occasion that [twelve-year-old]
Evasius Rabagliati. 3 a pupil since January 8, first met Don Bosco
and heard him narrate a dream at the "Good Night."
2 We are omitting a digression about the countess' faithful observance of church laws.
[Editor]
3 Evasius Rabagliati (1855-1920) became a Salesian in 1875. The foilowing year, he
joined the second expedition of Salesian missionaries to Argentina and began his
apostolate among the Italian immigrants of Buenos Aires. Ordained a priest in 1877, he
first accompanied Bishop James Costamagna to Patagonia, and they-from 1880 to 1886-
directed the Salesian school of San Nicolas de los Arroyos. In 1886, he crossed the Andes to
reach his new assignment at Conception, Chile, where he remained until 1890 when
Father Rua sent him to Bogota, Colombia, to open a trade school. After completing this
assignment, he interested himself in the local leper colonies and greatly improved their

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
275
The first night after his arrival at Mirabello Don Bosco had
dreamed that he was in the room where the pupils took their ex-
ams. Suddenly two persons materialized before him: one, leaning
on a cane, held a lantern, and the other had a sheaf of papers un-
der his arm. They asked him to follow them into the dormitories,
where they halted at the foot of each bed, one lowering the lan-
tern so that Don Bosco might recognize the face of the sleeping
boy and the other pulling a paper from the sheaf and leaving it on
the bedspread. The sheet of paper bore the number of years
which each boy still had to live.
The narration of this dream made a very deep impression on
the boys. Rabagliati too approached Don Bosco to find out how
many more years he would live. Don Bosco replied with a smile:
"Are you good at arithmetic?" Then he made him add and sub-
tract on his fingers a long series of figures until the total came to
27. Rabagliati never forgot this number. Twenty-seven years
later, in Buenos Aires, he fell so critically ill that everyone be-
lieved he would die. Racked by constant and ever more violent
convulsions, he was utterly unable to sleep. Knowing of
Don Bosco's prediction, Father James Costamagna asked the
Salesians of several houses to pray for Father Rabagliati, and he
recovered.
Several times before leaving for Argentina, Father Rabagliati
had asked Don Bosco about the meaning of this dream and had
received such answers as, "Don't be so credulous," or "The years
might be counted from the date of the dream or from the day you
asked to become a Salesian or made your vows."
Don Bosco had replied in this manner because obviously
Rabagliati was too worried, but everyone believed that the
prayers of his confreres had prolonged his life. Father Rabagliati,
apostle and father of the lepers in Colombia, is now [1917] a mis-
sionary in Chile and, together with Bishop Costamagna, confirms
what we have said. Don Bosco had other such dreams during
services. In 1896 he became provincial of the newly established Salesian province and
governed it until 1910 when, for reasons of health, he had to retire. Sent back to Chile for a
well-deserved rest, he continued to work indefatigably in the priestly ministry and in
seeking funds for the Colombian lepers. He died in Santiago, Chile, on May 2, 1920. His
death was signally recognized by the Colombian government which declared a day of
mourning in his honor. [Editor]

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276
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
which he saw swords hanging by a thread over some of the beds,
or charts at the head of each bed listing the sins of the occupant.
In other dreams, the boys' sins were revealed by a word on their
foreheads.
Meanwhile, at Valdocco and at the other two festive oratories in
Turin, the Lenten catechetical instructions were coming to a
close. As in the past, Don Bosco sent a printed notice to the boys'
parents and to their employers. It was similar to the one he had
mailed in 1849 for the spiritual retreat held in the Church of the
Confraternity of Mary. 4
While souls were thus being looked after, additional work on
the Church of Mary, Help of Christians was in progress. Each of
the two belfries flanking the fasade was to be surmounted by an
angel, nearly eight feet tall, fashioned from gilded wrought cop-
per, according to Don Bosco's own plan. The angel on the right
held a banner in his left hand bearing the word "LEPANTO"
drilled in large letters through the metal, while the one on the left
offered with his right hand a laurel wreath to the Blessed Virgin
standing atop the dome.
In a previous design, the second angel too held a banner on
which the figure "19" was drilled through the metal followed by
two dots. It stood for another date, "nineteen hundred," without
the final two numbers to indicate the specific year. Though ulti-
mately, as we have said, a laurel wreath was put into the angel's
hand, we have never forgotten the mysterious date which, in our
opinion, pointed to a new triumph of the Madonna. May this come
soon and bring all nations under Mary's mantle. The Broggi
brothers of Milan ably cast the two -statues. At this time too a
contract was signed with the Lingiardi firm of Pavia for a
magnificent pipe organ..5
While looking after the completion of Our Lady's shrine, Don
Bosco did not forget the multitude of devotees who were eagerly
waiting all over the world to place themselves under the mantle of
Mary, Help of Christians. On March 31, therefore, he wrote to
Monsignor Ricci in Rome inquiring about the result of his petition
4 See Vol. Ill, pp. 424-27. [Editor]
'This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
277
to the Holy Father for indulgences for the Confraternity of Mary,
Help of Christians. . . . The coveted decree, dated March 16,
1869, duly arrived shortly afterward. 6
Don Bosco also gladly reminisced about the many boys in whom
he had kindled a most fervent love for the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and whom, now dead, he believed to be in paradise-constantly
interceding for him before the throne of their heavenly Mother. In
thought he was often in their midst, exclaiming fervently, Bene-
dictus Deus in sanctis Suis [Blessed be God in His saints]. As
proof of their holiness, there were the favors received through
their intercession by those who had called on them, especially on
Dominic Savio. Between 1868 and 1885 many such factors were
reported to Don Bosco. We shall quote one pertaining to this year:
Toward the end of March 1869 I had to take to my bed because of
severe abdominal pains. While in this condition, I was fortunately given
a copy of the life of Dominic Savio and read it all within three days.
Then, feeling better, I got up for a while to regain my strength, hoping
to rest with greater ease a little later. On returning to bed, however, I
was assailed by such acute pains that I could neither lie down nor get up.
In this torment I thought of making a vow to Dominic Savio. I put aside
the thought three times, but finally I did pray to him: "If you are in
heaven, please lessen my pain, if it be God's will."
I then promised to recite for nine days three Paters, Aves, and Glorias
in his honor and then and there began to say those prayers. Incredibly, I
had hardly finished the third Pater when a pleasant drowsiness came
over me, easing my pain and putting me to sleep. Half an hour later I
awoke, completely free of all pain.
Joan Quarati Bergamasco of Alessandria
6 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 47
A Dream: Deadly Nooses
ON Wednesday evening, March 31, just as the Salesian
pupils at Lanzo-most of whom subscribed to Letture Catto-
liche-were absorbed in the April issue, The Valley of Almeria,
Don Bosco arrived for a visit.
At the "Good Night" he spoke of his audiences with the Holy
Father-his good health, keen intelligence, and warm affection
for them-and passed on to them the advice the Pope had given
him-the same he had already delivered to the Oratory boys in
the Pope's name. 1 He also told them of the Pope's blessing.
All through the school year there had not been the slightest ill-
ness at Lanzo. All the pupils were in excellent health and had long
forgotten Don Bosco's prediction of the past December [that one
of them would die during this school year]. 2 Only those very few
to whom he had confided more on the matter watched and kept
silent.
Don Bosco spent considerable time in hearing confessions, but
he also managed to inspect the house, hold conferences, and
interview superiors, subjects, and anyone who wanted to see him.
He also sent written proposals to the municipal authorities to
enlist their aid in expanding the school facilities but was unable to
reach an accord. 3 Despite that, Don Bosco did enlarge some
_classrooms and also built a new dormitory at a cost of about
20, 000 lire.
He left Lanzo on Saturday, April 3, after telling the boys of a
dream he had had a few days previously in Turin but had not yet
narrated to the Oratory boys. He did so on Sunday, April 4, in the
study hall after night prayers, as follows:
1 See p. 266. [Editor]
2 .See p. 198. [Editor]
; This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
278

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A Dream: Deadly Nooses
279
I dreamed that I walked out of my room and instantly found myself in
church. It was packed tight with the pupils of the Oratory, Lanzo, and
Mirabello, as well as many other youngsters unknown to me. The boys
were not praying aloud but seemed to be preparing for confession. I ob-
served a very large number crowding around my confessional beneath
the pulpit and began to wonder how I could possibly hear them all. I
suspected that I must be _dreaming. To make sure I was awake, I clapped
my hands and distinctly heard the noise they made. To be sure beyond
question, I stretched out my arms and felt the wall behind my confes-
sional. With no room for doubt, I said to myself: I might as well start.
And so I began hearing confessions. Soon, concerned for the number of
boys, I got up to see if there were any other confessors, but there were
none, so I made for the sacristy hoping to find help. It was then that I
noticed that some boys had a noose:around their necks which nearly
choked them.
"What is that rope for?" I asked. "Take it off." In reply they just
stared at me.
"You," I said to a youngster, "go to thit boy and slip that noose off his
neck."
The boy went but came back, saying: "I can't get it off. Someone is
holding it. Come and see."
I more closely scrutinized that huge crowd of boys and thought I saw
two very long horns jutting out behind many of them. I got closer to the
one nearest me and, drawing up behind him, surprised a large, hideous
cat tightly clinging to the noose. Surprised in the act, it tried to crouch
lower and hide its snout be~een its paws. I asked this boy and the
others their names, but they did not answer. I questioned that frightful
beast but it only crouched lower.
"Go to the sacristy and ask Father Merlone for the holy water," I
directed one of the boys.
He soon returned with it, but meanwhile I discovered that behind each
boy crouched a cat as hideous as the first one. I continued to hope that it
was all a dream. Seizing the sprinkler, I turned to one of those large
cats.
"Tell me who you are," I ordered.
Alternately opening and clos1ng its jaws, the hideous animal broke
into a growl and prepared to lunge.
"Answer me!" I insisted. "What are you doing here? I do not fear your
rage. Do you see this holy water? I'll thoroughly soak you with it."
In dismay the monster began to writhe in unbelievable contortions
and again seemed ready to leap at me. I kept my eye on it and noticed
that it was holding several nooses in its paw.

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"What are you doing here?" I asked again, while threatening it with
the holy water. The monster then relaxed its taut position in order to run
away.
"Stop!" I demanded. "You stay right here!"
"Look then," it growled, and showed me its nooses.
"What are they? What do they mean?" I asked.
"Don't you understand? I rope these boys into making bad confes-
sions. With these nooses I drag nine-tenths of mankind into hell!"
"How? In what way?"
"That's one thing I won't reveal because you'll tell the boys."
"You must tell me. Speak, or I'll drench you with holy water."
"Please don't! I'd rather go back to hell."
"Then in the name of Jesus Christ, speak!"
Writhing hideously, the monster answered: "With the first noose I
make the boys conceal their sins in confession."
"And with the second?"
"I make them confess without true sorrow."
"And with the third"
"I won't tell you!"
"You had better tell, or you'll be drenched with this holy water!"
"No, no, I will not! I've talked too much already!" And it growled in
fury.
"Tell me so that I can inform the directors of our schools," I
demanded, raising the sprinkler.
Flames and even a few drops of blood darted from the beast's eyes as
it grudgingly muttered: "With the third noose I keep them from making
a firm resolution and carrying out their confessor's advice."
"You hideous beast," I exclaimed. I wanted to question the monster
further and force it to tell how I could remedy this great evil and offset
its diabolical efforts, but all those hideous cats, which until now had
done their utmost to stay hidden, began to mutter and then broke out
into loud shouts against the one which had spoken. Amid the general
uproar, I realized that I could get nothing more from the monster.
Therefore, lifting the sprinkler and flinging holy water upon the one who
had spoken, I commanded, "Go away," and it disappeared. Then I
sprinkled holy water all about, and in the pandemonium which ensued,
all those cats scurried away. The din awakened me, and I found myself
in bed.
My dear boys, I would never have thought that so many of you had
nooses around your necks. You know what they stand for. The first
noose shames a boy into concealing sins in confession or lying about the

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A Dream: Deadly Nooses
281
number of times-for instance, accusing himself of commiting a sin
three or four times when it was exactly four times. This is just as
insincere as concealing sins. The second stands for lack of sorrow, and
the third for lack of a firm resolution. If we are to rid ourselves of these
nooses and wrench them from the devil's clutches, let us confess all our
sins, be truly sorry for them, and firmly resolve to obey our confessor.
Shortly before flying into a rage, the monster told me: "See how much
good boys draw from confession! If you want to know whether or not I
hold them in leash, see if they are becoming better."
I also forced the devil to tell me why he was crouching behind your
backs. "So that I can't be seen," it replied. "That way it is easier for me
to drag them down into hell." Those of you who had these monsters
behind their backs were far more numerous than I would have believed.
Make what you will of this dream, but it is a fact that I did check on
these things and found that what I had dreamed was quite true. Let us
therefore take advantage of this opportunity of gaining a plenary indul-
gence by making a good confession and Communion. Let us do our
utmost to free ourselves of the devil's nooses. On the occasion of the
g9lden jubilee of his ordination, the Holy Father has granted a plenary
indulgence to all those who next Sunday, April 11, after receiving the
sacraments, will pray for his intention. This coming Saturday, Chevalier
Oreglia will have a private audience with the Holy Father and will offer
him an album bearing your signatures and those of the boys attending
our schools [and oratories]. In the meantime, see whether your past
confessions were well made. I will remember you all in my Holy Mass
next Sunday.
The album to which Don Bosco referred was a large, elegant,
48-page-book bearing the date "April 11, 1869" on its frontis-
piece. The following pages contained a Latin inscription com-
memorating the golden jubilee of the Pope's ordination and a
congratulatory letter in Italian signed by. 32 Salesian priests, 73
clerics, and 3,430 pupils. 4
But in Don Bosco's eyes, the handsomest tribute he could pay
to Pius IX was to train the Salesians according to the Pope's
recommendations. He therefore never tired of exhorting them to
live as exemplary religious. Unfortunately our chronicles record
only a few of his conferences, and these few are outlines rather
than conferences. Nevertheless, we do not want to omit what little
has been preserved:
4 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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282
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
April 6, 1869
The annual conference of St. Francis de Sales took place in the Oratory
library after night prayers. The Veni, Creator Spiritus was recited
alternately, and then Dofl Bosco, vested in a surplice, presided as Father
[John] Garino and Father [Francis] Dalmazzo pronounced their triennial
vows, witnessed by Father [Michael] Rua and Father [John] Cagliero.
After the recitation of the Te Deum, Don Bosco made these pertinent
remarks:
"When someone makes his vows, .we customarily offer some suitable
important advice. First, I want no one to talk to ousiders about anything
that goes on here. If you are asked, just give a generic answer. For
instance, you can say that our Society has been approved, but reveal
nothing about what we say or do within the house, as, for instance, the
advice of superiors, disagreements between confreres, disorders, or
difficulties. Outsiders do not understand these things, and are not sym-
pathetic. Worldly-minded people will only remark that we were fools to
forsake the world. Should anything unpleasant occur, let it remain
inside; let no one else hear of it. Christian prudence dictates this course.
Let each one of you be content with what his superior shall entrust to
him without seeking other duties. Let us strive to be of one heart and one
soul. I recommend that we all form one will with our superiors. As re-
gards food, let each of us be satisfied with whatever Divine Providence
sends us. Let there be what is necessary, and nothing more. Idling, win-
ing, and dining are the ruin of chastity.
"Idling. Our flesh is a formidable enemy. To overcome it, we must
avoid idleness. Let us make it a point to observe our timetable. Let no
one wander about when he should be at work, except for reasons of
health. Let each one do his own job and nothing else. Let us visit the
Blessed Sacrament and go regularly to confession and Communion. Let
us be determined to put into practice all the rules of our Congregation.
In the morning when the bell rings for rising, let us get up, unless we are
sick, and go to church for community prayers. If we cannot make our
practices of piety with the community, let us make them privately.
"Wining. It is not our business to see what others are doing, but if we
chance upon unbecoming things, we cannot help seeing them. For
instance, at times we come across some unfortunate diocesan priests
who have become heavy drinkers. They frequent taverns, get drunk, and
sink into a most deplorable condition. How can chastity be safeguarded
under these circumstances? Indeed only by a genuine miracle is it not
lost!
"Dining. Let us be moderate in eating. There is no·danger here at the

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A Dream: Deadly Nooses
283
Oratory because we only have the essentials, but, as far as possible, let
us observe our Friday fast.
"We have to expect problems because, though our Society has been
approved, it has to be reorganized on a firm basis. We must see which
individuals are not suited to our Society and dismiss them. Those who
are undecided must make up their minds. Let each one heed his own
problems. The superior has to take action.
"We may expect religious and priests to seek admission to our Con-
gregation, but we must be very wary in accepting them because they
would like to come in to give orders with the best of intentions. They
could cause trouble, and only with difficulty could they adapt themselves
to our way of life.
"Let us be careful not to change any of our traditions: otherwise it will
be difficult to rekindle our former fervor.
"Listen! Once there was a rector who wanted to reform his monastery.
Having noticed that his monks went out mornings and evenings for
walks with the excuse that they really needed them, he planned to cut
down their meals so that they could digest their food more easily. He
went through with his plans, but the monks complained to the provincial
that their local superior was starving them to death. The latter defended
his measure, claiming that the monastery revenues did not allow much
outlay for food.
"'Look,' the provincial countered, 'your monks will endure
discipline, and even vigorous penances, but if you hit them in their
stomachs you will never win their obedience, and they will walk out on
you.'
"'I feel I have to do that,' the rector retorted. 'I shall appeal to the
superior general.'
"'Don't, or your monastery will be closed.'
"No step was taken. This monastery would have been safe from con-
fiscation by the state, but because its monks had been hard hit in their
stomachs, it broke up of its own accord. The monks left even before the
state made any attempt to close it. Do you understand?
"In another conference we shall provide for the replacement of the
chapter members whose term of office is about to expire. We shall also
discuss procedures for their election. Perhaps only the perpetually pro-
fessed members will have the right to vote. Then we shall also have to
think of some place or private chapel for our meetings.
"Let us earnestly strive to be worthy founders of the Society of St.
Francis de Sales, so that those who shall read our history may see us as
exemplary models. Let us not cause them to exclaim: 'What founders
they were!'

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284
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Help me in this great undertaking with your good will and obedience.
It is up to you to make my task easier. It is easy to say: 'Head a congre-
gation!' One has to realize how very difficult and burdensome it is to
shape into one heart and one soul people of different temperaments
and minds. But this task will become easy with your filial assistance."
At this time many foreign pilgrims who were on their way to
Rome for the golden jubilee of the Pope's ordination stopped in
Turin for a visit to the Church of Mary, Help of Christians and to
Don Bosco. 5
On April 10, Chevalier Oreglia was received in a private au-
dience by Pius IX and presented him with the Oratory's album. At
eight the following morning he too assisted at the Pope's jubilee
Mass in St. Peter's. A jammed multitude of nearly 100,000 people
thronged the basilica, crowding into even the wide central aisle,
which is usually kept clear on such occasions, and the atriums.
At that same hour in hundreds and thousands of churches all
over the world, immense crowds, in comparison with which the
faithful assembled in St. Peter's were but a handful, were also
attending jubilee Masses, united in spirit to Pius IX. The flow of
pilgrims had doubled the population of Rome and many people
were obliged to sleep in church lobbies and porticoes. The splen-
did religious, civic, and military festivities lasted three days, to
the great joy of the faithful.
Don Bosco's schools and festive oratories participated in the
universal filial joy with Communions for the Pope, music, and il-
luminations. In this way Don Bosco offered Pius 1X the tribute of
his ardent love which encompassed the whole Catholic Church. It
was not a momentary tribute but rather one that encompassed
every instant of his active, zealous, self-sacrificing life. It was also
limitless, for it extended to every one of the faithful with whom he
lived, met, conversed, and corresponded. In everyone, irrespec-
tive of social condition, he venerated the image of God, that
sacred character which marked him as a Christian. 6
1This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
6We are omitting a short comforting letter to a lady. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 48
The Daughters of Mary Immaculate
ON April 18, 1869 the archbishop of Turin approved the
by-laws of the Confraternity of Mary, Help of Christians, sub-
mitted to him by Don Bosco, and declared it canonically erected in
the Church of Mary, Help of Christians, thus enabling its
members to gain the indulgences previously granted by Pius IX. 1
Grateful to God, Don Bosco quickly completed the May issue of
Letture Cattoliche which dealt entirely with this confraternity,
and after arranging for this issue to be mailed before the end of
April, he left for Mornese in response to Father Pestarino's
invitation.
Every trip he made was marked by some singular incident.
Here we would like to report one. We do not recall precisely when
it took place, but it was certainly after the consecration of the
Church of Mary, Help of Christians. We also want to stress that
this incident is not to be confused with similar ones already nar-
rated.
Don Bosco was riding in a second-class railroad coach. Soon, a
well-dressed fellow passenger began to talk disparagingly of the
archbishop of Turin, of Marquis Fassati, and of many charitable
institutions, singling out the Cottolengo Institute. Finally he also
spoke most abusively of Don Bosco, alleging that he had
squandered a vast amount of money on a church instead of giving
it to the poor. Don Bosco kept quiet throughout, but a lady who
had her little son with her said to that man: "I imagine that you
must have given Don Bosco a great deal of money to be so
indignant at his wasting it on a church."
1 We are omitting the by-laws of the association and the decree of canonical erection.
[Editor]
285

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286
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"What!" the man replied. "Me give money to Don Bosco? I'd
sooner throw it away."
"Then why complain?" the lady retorted. A Jew not personal-
ly acquainted with Don Bosco, but known by him, took up his de-
fense, declaring that Don Bosco was an honest man and that he
too had personally contributed fifty lire toward his church.
Nettled by such opposition, the slanderer turned against the
Oratory itself in such shameless language that the good woman
covered her child's head with her shawl, shielding his ears with
her hands.
"What are you doing?" the man exclaimed. "Aren't you afraid
of smothering him?"
"Its better than letting him hear such talk as yours!" the woman
replied.
"So that's it!" the man exclaimed, exploding into coarse
laughter. "People educated by priests are afraid of-everything!
Why are you so finicky? After all, these words are commonplace."
And he kept up his guffaws and coarseness, pitying the lady's
ingenuousness, as he called it.
The good woman turned red with embarrassment. Don Bosco,
who had kept silent till then, came to her defense.
"Sir," he said, "it is time to put an end to all this."
"Whom are you talking to?"
"To you. Watch your language, especially in the presence of
ladies."
"I don't intend to take lessons from you!"
"Like it or not, what I said stands."
"Do you think I can't make you swallow your words?"
"I am not afraid of you or a hundred like you!"
"You're not, eh?"
"Right! I am not afraid because you are neither a scoundrel nor
a good-for-nothing. You come from a good family, have a place in
society, and are well-educated. I know we can settle this matter
peacefully."
The man's jaw fell at such an unexpected answer. "So you know
me?" he asked less aggressively.
"I certainly do. You are Commendatore B ... "
He was a business agent of Marquis Fassati of whom he had
just spoken most disparagingly.

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The Daughters of Mary Immaculate
287
Knowing himself bested by an unknown priest and most
anxious to regain the upper hand, he went on: "That sly fox, Don
Bosco, is quite good at hooking people in. He gets money from
them to feed his boys and then buys fields and vineyards at
Castelnuovo for his brothers who are already well off and can af-
ford a coach and horses."
"I'm sorry to contradict you, sir, but you are badly misinform-
ed. Don Bosco has no brothers."
"I know what I'm talking about."
"I tell you that Don Bosco has no brothers and so they cannot
have a coach and horses. If you go to Castelnuovo, everyone will
tell you that Don Bosco has nephews who are farmers as their
father was. By talking about things you do not know, you expose
yourself to being called a liar. Furthermore, do you think it wise to
speak ill publicly of someone who could do you some harm? Do
you think Marquis Fassati would be happy with what you said
about him?"
"Well, we were only talking .... "
"Yes, but you were maligning a man well known for his
charities. Aren't you afraid that someone may report what you
said about him? Then what would happen to your job?"
"I don't think that anyone here would do that. Would you?"
"Suppose I did?"
"I can't believe that!"
"Still, I promise you that if I find out you have again indulged
in this kind of talk, I shall promptly inform the marquis! I am
warning you, I'll do just that!"
"I promise I'll never again say such things," the man
stammered, "but who are you?"
"I am Don Bosco's sacristan!"
The man was silenced, and his fellow passengers could not help
smiling at his embarrassment ....
When Don Bosco arrived at his destination, he got off the train
and was at once surrounded by several people who were waiting
for him. The commendatore too had alighted. Hearing those
people greeting Don Bosco by name, he approached him.
"Are you Don Bosco?"
"Yes!"
"Please forgive me .... "

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Listen," Don Bosco soberly replied. "Since you felt free to
malign upright men in the presence of other people, I think I can
inform them privately of what you so freely said publicly against
them."
"Please don't. . . . I'd be ruined."
"I make no promises. We must be fair and square."
The man kept pleading, but Don Bosco firmly refused to
commit himself, so that the man withdrew in utter mortification.
Don Bosco arrived at Mornese toward evening of April 19,
joyously received by a host of friends. As was his custom, he gave
several inspiring talks during his stay, heard confessions, and.
blessed the sick. He also inspected the large boys' school under
construction. It was still far from completion, although a small
part was already habitable. Father Charles Ghivarello had drawn
up the plans and was supervising its construction. The people of
Mornese, intent on seeing the school built, were contributing free
labor on Sundays and holy days, transporting building materials,
while Father Pestarino provided them with refreshments and with
fodder for their horses and oxen. The Daughters of Mary picked
rocks from the vineyards and carried them to the road for pickup
by carts. At Mornese Don Bosco conferred with Father Pestarino
about ways and means of speeding up the construction, and both
agreed to entrust the manufacture of doors and windows, desks
and iron works to the Oratory workshops. Don Bosco also
promised to send a few carpenters from the Oratory in due time.
Though he seemed completely absorbed in providing for boys,
one could sense that he was already thinking about gathering
under the mantle of Mary, Help of Christians, generous souls who
would dedicate themselves to the welfare of girls. He knew this to
be a pressing need. This was not merely an idea of his, but a
genuine inspiration of the Blessed Virgin who, as the Help of
Christians, wished to gather Her daughters too beneath Her
mantle. Where would their first girls' school be? In Mornese, a
village far away from business centers, railroads, and other
transportation. When and with what means? God knew, and that
sufficed. Would Don Bosco staff it with nuns from well-establish-
ed religious congregations? No, he would pick the personnel from
the Daughters of Mary Immaculate-uneducated country girls,

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The Daughters of Mary Immaculate
289
most of them illiterate and totally ignorant of pedagogy but pre-
destined to this work by God, the font of all knowledge. They
would be the ones to open the new Congregation's first house,
gather the first pupils, and lay the basis of a religious Congrega-
tion which would see to the professional training of its personnel
and educate thousands of girls in hundreds of flourishing schools
throughout the world in the name and under the protection of
Mary, Help of Christians. And whom would Don Bosco appoint to
head so grand an undertaking? A saintly young woman who, re-
gardless of opposition, toil, privation, and sacrifice, had
succeeded in her fervent charity to win over to the Lord all the
girls of her native village. For some years, Don Bosco had already
appreciated the treasure she was. Some details concerning her
are quite in order.
Around 1862 Don Bosco attended a clerical conference at Acqui
being sponsored by the ordinary, Bishop Modesto Contratto.
There he met Father Pestarino. Traveling homeward together
from Acqui to Alessandria, they discussed their priestly ministry,
and in the course of their conversation Father Pestarino told Don
Bosco about a parish sodality called "Daughters of Mary Im-
maculate" which he directed and of its activities on behalf of the
local girls. Before parting at Alessandria, Don Bosco invited
Father Pestarino to visit him at the Oratory. Some months later,
Father Pestarino obliged and, fascinated by the Salesian spirit,
asked Don Bosco to accept him among his sons, offering himself
and all he owned. Don Bosco admitted him into the Congregation,
but, as we have already narrated, he asked him to continue his
apostolate in Mornese. 2 Undoubtedly, in April 1869 they dis-
cussed both the Daughters of Mary Immaculate and the woman
who led them all by her good example-Mary Mazzarello.
This admirable girl was born on May [9], 1837 of peasant
parents, exemplary Christians deeply aware of their parental re-
sponsibilities. Under their care she grew up as a very obedient
child. Her father's name was Joseph, and her mother was
Magdalene Calcagno of the neighboring village of Tramontana.
Mary's girlhood was guilelessly spent in farm work. When she
2.See Vol. VII, p. 175. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOT-IN BOSCO
was barely ten, Father Pestarino admitted her to First
Communion and shortly afterward allowed her to receive every
Sunday and then daily. At about fifteen she took a vow of per-
petual virginity. Though living far from the church, she never
failed to attend early Mass both winter and summer, regardless of
the weather, always returning home in time to begin her work in
the fields with the others. Her strong arms wielded the spade
without fatigue, and she also attended to all the housework.
She prayed consta~tly, loved spiritual reading, mortification,
and fasting, and possessed an extremely delicate conscience. She
delighted in visiting the Blessed Sacrament at every chance.
At seventeen she was among the first five girls to enroll in the
Daughters of Mary Immaculate at the invitation of Angela
Maccagno3 who later saw the membership rise to seventeen.
In 1860 an epidemic of typhoid hit Mornese. When the whole
family of one of Mary's uncles was stricken, she spent an entire
month nursing them so carefully as to deserve to be called a Sister
of Charity. Her patients recovered, but she fell a victim herself
and lay at death's door for almost two months, edifying the whole
village by her resignation to God's will.
On her recovery she realized that she had lost her former
strength and could no longer work in the vineyard. With the
counsel of her parents and Father Pestarino, she decided to learn
dressmaking. Just as the young farmboy John Bosco had been
inspired to learn sleight-of-hand tricks to do good to youngsters,
she too hoped to learn dressmaking as a mt!ans of saving the
souls of young girls. In dreams she had often seen herself sur-
rounded by large numbers of them, and this thought never left
her mind. She confided in a good, close friend of hers, Petronilla
Mazzerello, who not only approved of her plans but offered to join
her in the same endeavor. This was the year 1861, and Mary
Mazzarella was just barely twenty-three.
With her faithful friend she called on the village tailor,
Valentine Campi, to learn about sewing and fabrics. Another
seamstress, Mrs. Antoinette Barco, taught them dressmaking.
When, a few months later, Mrs. Barco moved to another village
with her family, the womenfolk of Mornese turned to Mary and
; Ibid., p. 174 [Editor]

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291
Petronilla. A few mothers, noting the quality of their work, asked
them to teach their daughters. They· obliged and took in two or
three young girls whom they instructed in catechism, sewing, and
dressmaking. Their first workshop was a small dark room, but
they soon moved to another room near the church, lit by two
windows, and were able to accept a few more pupils while con-
tinuing to give a good example to all. In their zeal they gave
spiritual counsel also to the young women and mothers who came
to order clothes from them.
After a while they began to take in a few needy little girls to live
with them. A widowed merchant asked Mary and Petronilla to
accept his two little daughters as boarders because his business
kept him constantly away. They agreed. Some time later, lvtary
rented two more rooms across from her shop, each large enough
for five beds, and took in five little girls. Petronilla moved in with
them as a housemother and brought them up in the fear and love
of God and prarer. The children's families provided the meals
because both Mary and Petronilla had dinner and supper at
home, though it different hours so as not to leave their pupils
alone.
Matters stood thus at Father Pestarino's first visit to Don
Bosco's Oratory. Don Bosco was very pleased to hear of the ex-
emplary conduct of both young women and asked Father
Pestarino to bring a medal of Our Lady to each. In doing so,
Father Pestarino told them: "Don Bosco asks you to wear these
medals devoutly. They will guard you from many evils and help
you all through life. He also suggests that you pray much and that
particularly you do your utmost to prevent sin, even venial sin."
The two young women did not know Don Bosco, but Father
Pestarino explained that he was a holy priest who looked after
boys. Possibly even then Don Bosco had seen in Mary Mazzarella
the cornerstone of the Congregation he intended to found for
young girls. However, he kept prudent silence about this design.
The medals he had sent them were a reward of sorts for their zeal,
and his advice was the first token of his fatherly care for their
future Congregation.
Unaware of God's plans, Mary and Petronilla continued their
work as best they could without specific rules. In 1863, however,

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Father Pestarino, returning from the Oratory where he had spent
the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, brought them a daily
schedule prepared for them by Don Bosco himself. He explained
it as Don Bosco had told him and urged them to follow it. It was a
slight variation of the Oratory timetable and a first step to infuse
its own spirit into them.
While zealously fostering virtue, piety, and frequent reception
of the sacraments into her girls, Mary Mazzarello started a kind of
festive oratory in a courtyard facing the workshop windows. At
first she invited only her own pupils, but on the following Sunday
they brought their friends along, so that before long all the little
girls of the village attended.
In the afternoon, since the premises were inadequate, she took
them to a wayside chapel dedicated to St. Sylvester, about fifteen
minutes from the village. There they played in an adjoining
meadow until a bell rang for religious instruction in the parish
church. After that and services, they went home. In summer they
used to go back to St. Sylvester's chapel and resume their games.
Mary Mazzarello was always in their midst, forever coming up
with new games, entertaining them with edifying stories, and
frankly and prudently admonishing and counseling those in need.
She tried to make the girls unashamed of practicing their faith, to
prevent sin, and to make them fervent Christians. She succeeded
thoroughly, for they all loved and obeyed her. Her influence was
such that no girl would go to dances any longer.
In October 1864, Don Bosco visited Mornese with about a
hundred Oratory boys, as we have already narrated. 4 The task of
arranging for meals and lodging had been entrusted to Mary
Mazzarello and her Daughters of Mary Immaculate whom Father
Pestarino introduced to Don Bosco the day after his arrival, ask-
ing him to bless them. Don Bosco obliged, and in a short exhorta-
tion he encouraged them to persevere in the virtuous life they had
chosen. His simple, fervent words, straight from the heart, were
wondrously effective, prompted as they were by God's Spirit.
Those pious maidens, deeply impressed, felt a surge of inner
fervor, while Mary Mazzarello herself experienced something
4/bid., pp. 449f. [Editor]

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The Daughters of Mary Immaculate
293
extraordinary within herself, something she could not explain.
Don Bosco' s words so fully matched her desires and aspirations
that she would have liked him to go on and on. When Don Bosco
dismissed them so that they could return to their duties, she left,
glad to have seen him so close but extremely anxious to see him
and hear him again. Her wish was fulfilled. Every night through-
out his stay at Mornese, Don Bosco gave his boys a talk. Hurrying
through her tasks or postponing them, Mary Mazzarella would
rush over, elbow her way as close to the front as possible, and
listen with rapt attention. "How did you ever get the nerve to el-
bow your way through so many men and boys?" Petronilla and
her companions would ask.
"Don Bosco is a saint, a saint!" she answered. "I know it."
She delighted in the esteem people had for him, and her
enthusiasm reached its peak when Don Bosco preached in the
parish church on the powerful protection of the Virgin Mary.
Thus did God acquaint Mary Mazzarella with Don Bosco,
gradually preparing her, unawares, to cooperate with him in his
vast undertaking for the salvation of youth. Father Pestarino, who
lived in the center of the village, had built himself a small house
near the parish church, with five rooms on the main floor and four
above. He lived there mostly in winter so as to be on hand for
early Mass and confessions. All the villagers, except for a dozen
or so, went to confession to him. It was Father Pestarino's inten-
tion to turn his house over to the Daughters of Mary Immaculate,
not just as a meeting place, but as a home for those members who
might lose their parents and might not or would not live with. their
brothers and sisters.
In 1865, on his yearly visit to the Oratory for the feast and con-
ference of St. Francis de Sales, he consulted Don Bosco on this.
They both agreed to hand over the house for that purpose im-
mediately, and so, on his return to Mornese, Father Pestarino
privately and prudently asked each of the Daughters of Mary Im-
maculate whether they might like to live in that house. Several
chose to continue living with their families. Mary Mazzarella not
only declared herself ready to move in, but she joyfully urged
others to join her, happy to be able to realize her aspiration of
dedicating herself totally to the welfare of young girls. In all, five

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Daughters of Mary Immaculate moved into their new home. They
took three pupils with them and some others soon joined. The
residence was named "The House of Mary Immaculate." Don
Bosco sent a woman teacher to them from Fontanile, but she re-
mained very briefly.
Neither the Daughters of Mary Immaculate nor Father
Pestarino had any intention of forming a religious congregation.
Counseled by Don Bosco, Father Pestarino had told them: "Live
here and give it a try. Keep doing as before and then we shall see.
If any of you wants to return to your family, you are free to do so."
In 1867 Don Bosco returned to Mornese, as we have already
said,.5 to attend the blessing of the chapel of the school under
construction. On this occasion he visited the Daughters of Mary
Immaculate and spoke to them, studiously refraining from
revealing his plan. His policy was to follow rather than rush ahead
of the orders of Divine Providence.
Not even in 1869, when his decision had already matured, did
he disclose his plans for the new school still under construction.
He just kept urging its speedy completion, making it clear to
people that he had great things in mind for it.
Before leaving Mornese, he wrote to Father Rua on April 21
about various matters to be taken care of and added this post-
script: "I'll be back on Thursday evening. During the next few
'Good Nights' to the artisans, harp on the evil of foul
conversation." 6
lSee Vol. VIII, p. 428. [Editor]
6This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 49
Noteworthy Details (Continued)
ON his return to Turin Don Bosco resumed work on a
new, thoroughly revised and enlarged edition of his Church His-
tory. 1 Among the many words of advice he gave to his young
readers was a caution alerting them to the danger of belonging to
secret societies. A constant flow of pilgrims, however, often
interrupted his work.·2
At this time too, Don Bosco took steps to remedy an abuse that
yearly deprived the Oratory of substantial sums. Toward the end
of April he had Father Rua mail a circular informing parents and
guardians who intentionally or through negligence were not pay-
ing the fees agreed upon that failure to do so within two weeks
would be sufficient reason for their boys' dismissal. 3
There was also another reason for this measure. It was a tactful
way of ridding the Oratory of unsuitable boys, correcting abuses,
and publicizing the charity done at the Oratory. Some greedy
people, in fact, though well off, were deceitfully seeking a free
education for their children at the expense of other needy boys.
As a faithful executor of Don Bosco's orders, Father Rua ex-
emplarily fulfilled his duties. He succeeded in collecting some
overdue sums and sent a few pupils home. To many others who
were genuinely good, Don Bosco granted a deferment of payment
or erased their debt, irrespective of the financial condition of their
families. Charity always triumphed.
We will report just two incidents on this score. The parents of a
1 See Vol. II, pp. 257-61; Vol. III, pp. 215-21. We have omitted a passage at the start of
this chapter about an obligation for Masses undertaken by Don Bosco with a family.
[Editor]
2 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
3This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
295

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
very fine boy could no longer pay even the modest fee they had
promised. When the youngster heard of the letter sent to his
family, he was deeply upset and called on Don Bosco, pleading
not to be sent home.
"Don't worry," Don Bosco told him.
"But meanwhile .... "
"If they put you out of the Oratory gate, come back through the
church door. No one will bother you."
The boy grew ever more firmly attached to Don Bosco and felt
himself strengthened in his vocation to the religious life.
Another incident concerns our confrere, Father Anthony Aime,
and further proves Don Bosco' s charity. He himself narrated it to
us:
In March 1877 the whole Oratory was fervently honoring St. Joseph.
Toward the middle of the month I got a letter from my sister, informing
me that she could no longer pay for my board and incidentals and that I
would therefore have to come home and plan something else for my
future, all the more so because the prefect of the Oratory had informed
her that if she did not pay, I would be sent home. I t:an't describe my
anguish that day, that night, and the following morning. I cried and
prayed for light. During the day I felt inspired to appeal to St. Joseph. I
prayed at length, kneeling at his altar, offering him all the prayers of my
good and fervent companions, and somehow waiting for an answer.
Finally I got up and left the church, my eyes still swollen with tears.
Near the sacristy door I met Father Joachim Berto. Seeing me so sad
and disheartened, he insisted on knowing the reason. Still choked with
grief and unable to speak, I handed him my sister's letter, the invoice,
and Father Prefect's letter. Father Berto read everything and then said:
"Do not worry. Come with me. Don Bosco will set everything right." He
took me to Don Bosco's room and handed him the above-mentioned
papers. Don Bosco read them carefully and then smilingly bade me to sit
down on the sofa beside his desk. Taking a little box of Spanish snuff
from a drawer, he invited me to take a pinch. I did, and when I began
sneezing violently, he laughed so heartily that I could not help joining
him. "I am glad that you are cheerful again," he said. "Go straight to
Father Prefect and tell him that Don Bosco will pay your debts-past,
present and future-and that from now on he should pass your bill on to
me."
You may well imagine how happy and how grateful I was to the great

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Noteworthy Details (Continued)
297
patriarch St. Joseph and to our beloved father, Don Bosco. From that
very day I felt myself a Salesian, and by God's grace I hope to die in our
beloved Congregation. 4
Toward the end of April 1869 an unpleasant incident occurred
which regretfully we must mention in order that the reader may
form an adequate idea of the struggles that the fledgling Salesian
Society had to go through.
One day, Archbishop Riccardi of Turin went to None, Father
Paul Albera's birthplace, to administer Confirmation. For the
occasion Father Abrate, vicar of None, had invited all the priests
of his and the neighboring parishes. Among them were Father
[John] Borel and our confrere Father Albera, whom Father
Abrate had sponsored. To please his benefactor, who was de-
lighted at the idea, Father Albera read a poem to the archbishop.
The latter, however, studiously averted his glance from him, to
the surprise of the bishop's secretary who could not refrain from
deploring such discourtesy. Toward the end of dinner, Father Al-
bera was introduced to the archbishop. Embracing him, the latter
remarked: "You do not recognize your archbishop. You do not
love him. You care only for Don Bosco. For you Don Bosco is
everything. That's all you think about!"
"I love my archbishop," Father Albera remonstrated, "but if I
am a priest I owe it .... "
"Hush, hush," the prelate interrupted. "I can't understand why
you are so fond of Don Bosco. What kind of saint is he when he
dares write to his bishop 'I am surprised' just because I ordered
him to send his fourth-year theology students to attend the semi-
nary lectures? He is proud and does not want to submit. He wants
to found a Congregation in order to exempt himself from his arch-
bishop's authority. Ifhe is a saint, let him prove it by deferring to
his superior."
"But, Your Excellency," Father Albera protested, trying to de-
fend Don Bosco.
4 Immediately after his ordination in 1885, Father Aime was sent to Sarria (Barcelona).
In 1901 he was appointed provincial. After two years in this office he was transferred in the
same capacity to Colombia where he remained till his death on July 7, 1921. He was most
active in behalf of the poor and the lepers. At his death the government declared a national
day of mourning. [Editor]

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298
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Silence!" the archbishop exclaimed with a glare. "Rome has
informed me that your so-called Congregation has been ap-
proved. But what does your Congregation amount to? It's a non-
entity. I am certain that ten years from now we won't hear any
more about it. It can't be otherwise. We shall see! We shall see!"
And he went on mouthing remarks against Don Bosco.
Nearly all the bystanders concurred with the archbishop.
Father Albera, bitterly grieved, found himself held tightly for
about ten minutes while the ·prelate attacked Don Bosco. After-
ward, the archbishop freed him from his grasp and walked to his
coach, followed by his clergy. He said not another word to Father
Albera who was also respectfully following him. Father Abrate
had been absent during this incident. When informed of what had
happened, he declared: "I am sorry I was not there to answer
him. I would have told him that even now, at my request, Don
Bosco houses, feeds, and educates at the Oratory some ten boys
who hopefully will become pious and zealous priests."
Don Bosco, who looked to God and not to men for help and re-
ward, was not perturbed by such incidents. When Father Albera
told him of this, he remarked: "Archbishop Riccardi has no ill will
against Don Bosco and his Salesians. Excessive love for his
diocese or some unfavorable report from someone hostile to us
occasionally prompts him to talk like that."
Other Salesians frequently heard Don Bosco express himself in
about the same terms concerning this episode. On his part, Don
Bosco always acted respectfully and affectionately toward the
archbishop
and
always
strove
to
forestall
any
mi
sun
d
er
s
ta
n
di
n
g.
5
·
1 We are omitting a letter of Don Bosco to the provicar general supplying him with the
names of clerics of the Turin archdiocese who had entered the Oratory before their four-
teenth year and wanted to join the Salesian Congregation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 50
Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
ON May 5, 1869 a young apprentice bookbinder died at
the Oratory. His death was the third [of the six] Don Bosco had
predicted [on December 31, 1868]. 1 The Oratory obituary carried
this entry:
May 5, 1869. Adolph Ciocca of Giaveno, aged 17, died today at the
Oratory. Led astray by bad companions, he did not tum out as promis-
ingly as expected. He was, however, constantly grateful to those who
had helped him enter the Oratory. A dream he had at the start of his ill-
ness made him take stock of himself and repent of his past. He asked
pardon of God and his superior, and after receiving the Last Sacraments
he peacefully died in the Lord.
His death came about this way. On May 3, the Oratory choir
was to sing at church services in a town not very far from Turin.
Adolph was not feeling well, but since he was a good singer and
pianist, his participation was highly desirable. Not feeling too ill,
he yielded to the urgent entreaties of his companions, got out of
bed, and went along with them, but after a half-hour's ride on the
train he became so sick that as soon as they reached their desti-
nation he was carried to the nearest inn, put to bed, and
solicitously looked after.
Meanwhile the choirboys did their singing and later were treat-
ed to a fine meal. Their joy, however, was tempered by the
thought that their companion was in pain. When evening came,
1 See p. 210. We have omitted a passage at the beginning of this chapter about Father
Bonetti's activities, under Don Bosco's guidance, to caution the faithful against militant
Protestant proselytizing. [Editor]
299

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300
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Father Cagliero paid the innkeeper and had the boy taken to the
train. An hour later, upon his arrival in Turin, a coach took him to
the Oratory, where he was immediately put to bed. While the
doctor was on his way, Adolph asked for Don Bosco, pleading that
he had something to tell him.
Don Bosco went to him at once. "Ah, Don Bosco, forgive me!"
the boy immediately told him. "I sincerely beg your pardon. I am
truly sorry."
"Yes, my dear Adolph," Don Bosco said affectionately. "I do
forgive you. Be at peace!"
"Forgive me," Adolph repeated. "I want your pardon."
"Of course I forgive you. What's bothering you?"
"The night before we left I had a dream which I very much fear
is about to come true. I seemed to be with you, together with
many of my companions. Little by little, though, I began to stray
away from you. The farther I strayed, the closer I came to a fierce,
angry dog which had been eyeing me from some distance and was
gradually advancing toward me. Afraid that he might attack and
kill me, I stood still. After a while, though, I again got farther
away from you and again the dog drew nearer to me. Shortly
afterward I was so far away from you that the dog lunged at me,
knocking me to the ground, and began tearing me to pieces. I im-
mediately screamed for help. You heard me and, running to my
aid, snatched me from its jaws, carried me to the infirmary, and
cleaned and bandaged my wounds. Then I felt well again. I know
who that dog was-the devil himself who was trying to drag me
down into eternal damnation."
Don Bosco soothed the boy and helped him to make a good con-
fession. At peace again, he later told Don Bosco: "The bad com-
panions I went with are these three. (Attd he mentioned their
names.) Please admonish them and tell them in my name that I
would rather have been poisoned or killed outright than have to
suffer this bitter remorse. I also ask pardon of all my companions
whom I have scandalized by my language."
Don Bosco promised to relay his messages and with soothing
words instilled in him full trust in God's mercy. A few hours later
Adolph passed peacefully away.
This incident clearly shows how painful at the point of death is
the recollection of having given scandal to one's companions, in-

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Fulfillment of Predictions (Continued)
301
dulged in foul talk, and associated with bad companions. We find
some allusion to this in the postscript of Don Bosco's letter to
Father Rua from Mornese on April 21: "During the next few
'Good Nights' to the artisans, harp upon the evil of foul conversa-
tion." 2 As a result of these warnings, the artisans showed greater
fervor in frequenting the sacraments and taking part in the May
devotions.
Among the good deeds performed by Don Bosco around this
time we must mention his [successful] efforts to free from prison a
past pupil of his-Bartholomew Vaschetti-who had deserted the
Italian army and sought refuge in the Papal States. As a matter of
policy, all foreign deserters were being jailed until some citizen
would vouch for them. Don Bosco' s efforts helped free this young
man after five months of confinement at Civita Castellana.
On May 27 [1869] the Italian parliament passed a law
abolishing clerical exemption from military service. Instructed by
Don Bosco, Father Joseph Lazzero sent word to the directors of
our schools at Mirabello and Lanzo, adding: "Don Bosco also asks
me to tell you to hearten those who are wavering, because no one
in our Society will be affected [by this law]." The clerics were
heartily relieved by this promise. In truth, for many years no
Salesian had to serve in the armed forces. The protection of Our
Lady, the tireless charity of Don Bosco, and the generosity and
active assistance of benefactors worked wonders. For as long as
the law allowed it, a ransom fee was paid for them all. 3
Don Bosco meanwhile was still trying to obtain the Holy Shroud
Church in Rome, and he kept after his friends in Florence, urging
them to take effective action with the competent authorities. In
reply, Mr. [Charles] Canton, department head at the Foreign
Ministry, advised him to write to Minister [Louis] Menabrea,
specifically requesting permission to service the Holy Shroud
Church and assuring him that the Holy See would be favorable to
this transaction. Don Bosco complied immediately and asked Mr.
Canton to deliver his request personally. Mr. Canton obliged and
so informed Don Bosco.4
2 See p. 294. [Editor)
3This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor)
4 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor)

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CHAPTER 51
Special Charisms (Continued)
FATHER John Bonetti testified in writing that Don
Bosco was generously endowed with the charism of healing the
sick and handicapped and that he did so in his presence as well as
at a distance. So manifest and proven was this charism that many
sick persons or their relatives daily traveled to Turin, even from
far away, to seek his prayers and blessing.
This explains why people flocked to him wherever he went. His
mail was usually heavy and very often included telegrams from
abroad. More often than not, those who were dying rallied and
recovered astonishingly; in other cases, if ill-disposed to die, they
would change their outlook and devoutly prepare themselves for a
Christian death.
The constant linking of the names of Mary, Help of Christians
and of Don Bosco explains the popular belief that the Madonna
granted favors because of the prayers of Her faithful servant. If
common belief is any proof in establishing truth, then this proof
did most certainly exist in regard to Don Bosco. At the Oratory,
during the novena and the feast of Mary, Help of Christians,
many such wonderful cures took place. We cite here a few that
occurred in 1869, as testified to by Father Francis Dalmazzo:
At about S P.M. on May 16, Pentecost Eve, the sacristy of the Church
of Mary, Help of Christians ,was crowded with boys preparing for
confession and waiting for Don Bosco to come down from his room. As I
crossed the sacristy to enter the church, an elderly woman came in,
leading a little girl by the hand. The latter-about ten or twelve years
old-was blind and her eyes were bandaged. Her name was Mary
Stardero and she had come from Vinovo to seek Don Bosco's blessing. I
stopped to say a few words with the elderly woman who had temporarily
302

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Special Charisms (Continued)
303
removed the bandage. I was grieved to see that the young girl's eyes
had no corneas and resembled two white marbles.
Had I stayed, I would have seen this extraordinary cure in all its
details, but the boys who witnessed it. told me about it a few minutes
later.
When Don Bosco stepped into the sacristy, the elderly woman, who
was the child's aunt, took her to him for his blessing.
"How long have your eyes pained you?" he asked the girl.
"A long time, but it's perhaps two years since I went blind."
"Has any doctor seen you? What did he say? Have you done what he
told you?"
"Yes," the aunt replied, breaking into sobs. "We have tried
everything, but in vain. Doctors claim that her eyes are too far gone and
beyond all hope."
"Can you tell whether things are big or small?" Don Bosco asked the
girl.
"I can't see a thing," she replied.
Don Bosco then had the bandage removed and led the girl to a
well-lighted window.
"Do you see the light through this window?"
"I see nothing at all!"
"Would you like to see?"
"Oh, yes! It's the only thing I want! How unfortunate I am!" she
sobbed.
"Will you use your eyes for the good of your soul and not to offend
God?"
"I promise I will with all my heart!"
"Good! You will rega1n your sight!"
Don Bosco then asked both the woman and her niece whether they
had devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and trusted in Her. At their
affirmative reply he told them to kneel. He then asked the girl if she
knew the Hail Mary and to join him and her aunt in prayer. Yes, they
said, they knew the Hail Mary and also knew the Hail Holy Queen. They
recited both prayers. Then, encouraging both to have absolute trust in
the Madonna, he blessed the girl, and, holding a medal of Mary, Help of
Christians in front of her, said: "For the glory of God and the Blessed
Virgin, tell me what I am holding in my hand."
"She can't, Father!" the aunt interjected. "She is blind!"
Don Bosco paid no attention. "What do I have in my hand?" he
repeated.
"I can see! " she frantically exclaimed.

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304
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"What do you see?"
"A medal! A medal of Our Lady!"
"What's on the other side?"
"St. Joseph holding a flowering rod!"
"Blessed be the Virgin!" cried her aunt. "Do you really see?"
"Yes, I do. The Blessed Virgin has granted me the favor."
Then she stretched out her hand to take the medal that Don Bosco was
offering to her, but it fell and rolled into a dim corner of the sacristy. The
aunt made a motion to retrieve it, but Don Bosco held her back.
"Let her pick it up. Let's see if the Holy Virgin has thoroughly re-
stored her sight." Unhesitatingly the girl retrieved the medal. Overjoyed
and moved to tears, the aunt profusely thanked Don Bosco and left with
tears of joy. The girl herself, wild with happiness, dashed on ahead of
her, heading straight for home, while her aunt and another woman
accompanying her followed along at some distance. Father Alfonse
Scaravelli, Francis Genta of Chieri, and Maria Artero, a teacher, along
with many Oratory pupils, witnessed this miracle.
Soon afterward the healed girl returned to the Oratory to thank
the Blessed Virgin and make a modest donation to Her church.
Ever after, she had no trouble with her eyes and to date [1916]
still enjoys perfect sight. Likewise, the aunt was freed of rheu-
matism in her right shoulder and arm which had crippled her,
especially when working in the fields.
Another miracle was wrought that same month by Our Lady.
Writing of it to the Mother Superior of Tor de'Specchi [in Rome]
Father John Baptist Francesia stated: "Among the many pilgrims
who came to thank the Madonna for graces received was a
Turinese nobleman who, after receiving the Anointing of the Sick,
had been promised by Don Bosco that he would recover and par-
ticipate in the festivities honoring Mary, Help of Christians. He
participated indeed, to the amazement and edification of all.
Following are the details:
On Saturday, May 22 [1869], Don Bosco heard the confession of a
general who was very critically ill,,but, to the surprise of his family, he
did not administer the Last Sacraments, although the doctors had
declared that death was imminent. "My dear general," Don Bosco told
the sick man, "the day after tomorrow we shall celebrate the feast of

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Special Charisms (Continued)
305
Mary, Help of Christians. Pray to Her fervently, and in gratitude for
your recovery come to receive Communion in Her church that very day."
The following day the general's condition worsened. Fearing that he
might die at any moment, the family wanted him to receive the
Anointing of the Sick, and since ·non Bosco had insisted that they call
him if they thought it necessary, they hurriedly sent for him at eight in
the evening. The doctor had just told them that the patient might not
survive the night. On that day, the vigil of a feast so dear to the whole
Salesian family, Don Bosco had been in the confessional since dawn and
had returned at about six in the evening. When the message reached
him, he had a large number of boys still waiting to go to confession.
"The general is dying," the messenger told him. "Come quickly or it
will be too late! "
"But I can't send these boys away," he objected. "I'll come when I am
through." And he continued hearing confessions until eleven, as the
coach waited three hours. "Please hurry," the messenger insisted. Don
Bosco replied that he was exhausted and needed food, since he had not
taken anything since noon. "You can eat at the general's. Come!" Within
minutes they were there. "Quick, quick!" the relatives cried. "It may
already be too late. The poor man is so much worse!"
"What little faith you have!" Don Bosco chided. "Didn't I tell you that
tomorrow the general will receive Communion in the Church of Mary,
Help of Christians? It is nearly midnight and I must have some food,
because tomorrow morning I must be in the confessional again at five.
Please get me something to eat."
He then calmly sat down at table. After eating a bit, he blessed the
sick man. Then, making no reference whatever to the Anointing of the
Sick, he got back into the coach and returned to the Oratory. The
general, whom everyone thought to be dead, had actually slipped into a
coma. Early the next morning he awoke and told his son to fetch his
clothes because, as he had told Don Bosco, he wished to go to church
and receive Holy Communion from his hand. Toward eight, just as Don
Bosco was vesting for Mass, a very pale man approached him. "Here I
am, Don Bosco," he said.
"Fine, but who are you?"
"Don't you know me? I'm General .... "
"Blessed be Mary, Help of Christians! Didn't I tell you that you would
come to Her shrine today?"
"Yes, indeed! But now I'd like you to hear my confession, because I
want to receive, as you suggested."
"Didn't you make your confession only two days ago?"

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306
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Yes, Father, but I would like to confess my lack of faith. I'm guilty of
that."
Don Bosco heard his confession and gave him Holy Communion.
Later, the general returned home, completely cured.
On Sunday, May 23, the last day of the novena, a large number
of people attended the services. On May 26, Unita Cattolica re-
ported the splendid celebration of the feast of Mary, Help of
Christians as follows:
The second annual celebration of this cherished feast was even more
splendid than last year:. Countless crowds flocked to the new church
despite the rain, and several thousand received Holy Communion.
Bishop [Lawrence] Gastaldi of Saluzzo presided at second Vespers and
archbishop of Turin imparted solemn Benediction.
Canon [Louis] Nasi, speaking as a loving son of his greatest and most
loving Mother, addressed the vast congregation on Mary's power and
goodness, extolling Her more with his heart than with his words. A four-
hundred voice choir sang the antiphon Sancta Maria, succurre miseris, a
masterly composition of Father John Cagliero, so appropriate in these
troubled times. It was a sea of voices calling for the Blessed Virgin's
motherly and powerful intervention on behalf of the Church and her
ministers: Interveni pro clero. That such a celebration could take place
in peace and devotion in these times is itself a triumph of Mary.
There were other instances of the Madonna's goodness. For
example, a greatly renowned doctor called at the Oratory one day
and asked for Don Bosco. After a greeting and introduction, he
told Don Bosco, "People say that you can cure all diseases. Is that
true?"
"Not at all!" Don Bosco replied.
"But I have been told so! I was even given the names of the
people involved and the ailments they were cured of."
"Look," Don Bosco went on, "many come here to seek favors
through the intercession of Mary, Help of Christians. If after a
triduum or a novena they obtain what they sought and recover, it
is not due to me, but solely to the Blessed Virgin."
"Well, let Her cure me and I too will believe in these miracles."
"What's your ailment?"
The man told him that he was an epileptic and that his condition

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Special Charisms (Continued)
307
had so worsened over the past year that he dared no longer ven-
ture out alone for fear of a sudden seizure. Known remedies had
proven ineffective, and so he too, like many others, had come to
the shrine of Mary, Help of Christians to be cured.
"Then do what the others do," Don Bosco told him. "If you wish
the Virgin to heal you, kneel, pray with me, and prepare to purify
and strengthen your soul through confession and Communion."
"Suggest something else, because I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"Because it would be a sham. I do not believe in God, the
Virgin, prayer, or miracles."
Don Bosco was grieved by this avowal of unbelief, but, with
God's help, he spoke so convincingly that the doctor knelt and
made the Sign of the Cross.
"I am amazed that I still know how to make it!" he exclaimed. "I
haven't blessed myself for the past forty years."
He then prayed and made his confession. When he was
through, he declared that he felt like a new man, brimming with a
joy he could never have believed possible. His health improved so
much that he never again had an epilepsy attack, and was thus
able to return often to give thanks to Mary, Help of Christians
who had healed him in both soul and body.
On May 30, after closing the Marian festivities, the Salesian
school at Lanzo prepared to celebrate the feast of St. Philip Neri,
its patron. Both church and premises were festively adorned. The
news that Don Bosco would arrive on the morning of May 29 and
that the Oratory choir and band would follow that evening had
aroused indescribable enthusiasm among the boys.
Regretfully, however, not all the boys could tak~ part in the
general rejoicing. Seven pupils had been stricken with smallpox,
and, on doctor's orders, had been confined to the infirmary. 1 Un-
happy with their fate, they hatched a little plan of their own.
"Ifwe can get Don Bosco up here," they said, "he will bless us
and we will be well again and enjoy the feast." Immediately they
sent for the director [Father John Baptist Lemoyne] and begged
him to bring Don Bosco to their room as soon as he arrived.
Meanwhile each one had his clothes ready at the foot of his bed.
When Don Bosco arrived, all the pupils ran to him with cheers
1This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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308
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
and kept him in their midst for over a half hour until a messenger
from the infirmary pleaded with him to visit the patients. Don
Bosco obliged.
"Oh, Don Bosco, bless us and make us well!" they all shouted
as soon as he entered the room.
Don Bosco smiled at their request and asked if they had faith in
the Madonna. On their affirmative reply, he added, "Then let us
all say a Hail Mary together!" After the prayer, he blessed them.
"May we get up now?" the boys asked, reaching for their
clothes.
"Do you really trust Our Lady?"
"Yes, yes."
"Then get up!" Don Bosco said. And he left, accompanied by
the director.
Hurriedly the boys threw on their clothes. After escorting Don
Bosco to his room, the director returned to the infirmary to see
what had happened, but six of the boys were already gone. Only
one-John Baravalle-had lingered in bed to ask whether he
might get worse if he were to get up. Seeing that he lacked faith
and considering the gravity of his illness-although his condition
was no worse than that of the others-the director ordered him to
stay in bed and then went down into the playground. A humid,
cold wind was blowing on the Alpine height. Worried, particularly
because the doctor had insisted that the patients should not be
exposed to the open air, the director went around the playground
looking for his sick pupils. When he found them, he checked their
faces, necks, and arms. All pustules and blotches had disappear-
ed. Among the boys who had been instantly cured were Joseph
Demagistris and Charles Passerini, who later taught respectively
in the lyceums and technical schools of Turin. Both are willing to
)
testify under oath to the above.
On the following day, May 30, St. Philip Neri's feast was cele-
brated with great joy. It closed in the evening with the solemn
awarding of testimonials of excellence to six pupils chosen by
their companions. A large number of guests attended the
ceremony.
The first boy called to receive the award was Demagistris.
"He is sick," Dr. Magnetti responded.
"Present!" the boy shouted. The doctor was amazed.

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Special Charisms (Continued)
309
The second boy called out was Passerini. Again the doctor re-
sponded "Sick!" but, as before, the boy shouted "Present!" and
walked to the stage. The doctor could hardly restrain his indig-
nation. Calling the two boys over, he examined them and declared
that their pustules had merely subsided, that their c~mdition was
serious, and that the superiors would be held responsible for
whatever might occur. He then went up to the infirmary, and
when he found only Baravalle there, he went home exceedingly
upset.
Truthfully, without supernatural intervention those boys could
not possibly have gone from a warm room to a cold playground
and stayed there any great length of time without serious compli-
cations. However, they fared very well. Baravalle instead re-
mained quarantined for another twenty days under Dr.
Magnetti's solicitous care until the disease ran its course.
Back in Turin, Don Bosco wrote 2 to Father Almerico Guerra
thanking him for a complimentary copy of his book Priestly
Vocations in which Father Guerra repeatedly and lavishly praised
Don Bosco for his zeal in promoting priestly vocations and highly
recommended various writings of Don Bosco, particularly his
expurgated edition of the Latin classics. He called Don Bosco's
schools "genuine nurseries of virtue" which "provided excellent
clerics and priests."
In tum Don Bosco had a mutual friend-Father [Salvator]
Bertini, also of Lucca-send copies ofLetture Cattoliche to Father
Guerra. Coincidentally, the June-July issue, entitled Finding
One's Place in This World, was also about vocations, though in a
more comprehensive sense.
2 We are omitting this thank-you letter. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 52
Unexpected Harass1nent
IN 1867, Urban Rattazzi, Minister of the Interior,
learned of the decree of praise of the Salesian Society issued by
the Holy See on July 23, 1864.1 He curiously asked Don Bosco to
let him see the papal document. Don Bosco obliged, so as to be
able to say that he had done nothing of which the government was
not informed. Rattazzi had acted out of sheer curiosity, and there
was never any mention of a royal exequatur, or any other inquiry.
As we have already narrated, years before the aforenamed
minister himself had advised Don Bosco on certain legal aspects
of the constitutions of the Salesian Society. 2
However, the king's attorney general in Turin took a keener
interest in the Holy See's decree of March 1, 1869 [approving
definitively the Salesian Society]. Threateningly he demanded
that Don Bosco hand over the papal decree exempting the Oratory
from episcopal jurisdiction and instructed him to apply for the
royal exequatur, causing one to wonder why there should have
been so much interest in a strictly ecclesiastical matter.
Don Bosco hastened to comply, declaring that although he had
not thought it necessary to anticipate the request by sending the
decree, he was not opposed to applying for a royal exequatur. In-
deed he asked the attorney general to initiate the process. Later,
he himself submitted a formal request.
About six weeks later, the attorney general replied that before
he could process the application, Don Bosco had to send him also
the decree of February 19 alluded to in the decree of March 1,
1869.
I See Vol. VII, p. 425. [Editor]
2See Vol. V, pp. 460f. [Editor]
310

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311
Don Bosco replied that there had never been any papal decree
concerning the Society of St. Francis de Sales dated February 19,
but that the date in question simply indicated the day on which
the approval of the Society of St. Francis de Sales had been
debated and granted by the Sacred Congregation "[of Bishops and
Regulars] and by the Holy Father, as was clearly set forth in the
decree of March 1. Ultimately, the application was returned to
Don Bosco with the following note, dated November 23, 1869:
"Exequatur denied. Eula, Attorney G(!neral."
The decree of approval of the Salesian Society was not return-
ed. This confiscation, however, had· no unpleasant consequences
because, through the intervention of some influential person, the
attorney general gave up his demands and Don Bosco was free to
enjoy the privilege granted to him. 3
A report from the Department of Justice [which also handled
matters pertaining to the exercise of religion] pointed out that
through the Holy See's decree of March 1, 1869 Don Bosco was
endowed with quasi-episcopal jurisdiction over the members of
his Society to the detriment of diocesan ordinaries. It also hinted
that the Salesian Society was "but a replica of .congregations
abolished under the law of July 7, 1866." Doubtless, some ill-
intentioned person was conspiring against Don Bosco and stoop-
ing to any means to destroy his Congregation. It is easy to guess
who might have put all this in motion,· perhaps thoughtlessly, and
we need not name him. The mere mention of this incident will
suffice to point out ever more clearly the obstacles Don Bosco had
to overcome and the battles he had to wage in order to found the
Salesian Society. It will also make us better appreciate the special
assistance which Mary, Help of Christians granted to him at all
times.
3;We are omitting a lengthy exchange of letters between Don Bosco and the attorney
general. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 53
Admirable Tact
ttiHE feasts of St. John the Baptist-Don Bosco's name
day-and of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, in which he heartily partici-
pated, did not slow down his activities. He enjoyed them for the
glory they gave to God and the spiritual advantage they offered to
his pupils, especially through the reception of the sacraments. On
such days he found rest in sharing the common joy. It was natural
for him to "rejoice with those who are rejoicing." His serene,
bright countenance and his loving smile enhanced his boys' con-
tentment, enthusiasm, and gratitude. He made them feel like true
sons of his. This was also true in June 1869 on the feasts of St.
John the Baptist, which was celebrated with the usual solemnity,
and that of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. 1
At this time he must surely have been delighted to receive a
letter from a former co-worker of his-Louis Mussa-reminiscing
about old times and dedicating to him the translation of Bethle-
hem by the famous English convert, Father William Faber:
Dear Don Bosco,
Mondonio, Feast of St. Aloysius, 1869
It is now more than twe~ty years since I used to come on Sundays to
teach catechism to the little urchins in what was the cradle of your future
Oratory. A small room on the main floor, with the ceiling and overhead
garret supported by an upright in the middle of the room which did duty
as a pillar-its rough finish disguised by strips of wallpaper-in an
out-of-the-way, uninhabited area on the city outskirts: this was the seed
1 We have omitted introductory details along with a letter of Don Bosco to a countess a'nd
one to him from a government official about the Church of the Holy Shroud in Rome.
[Editor]
312

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Admirable Tact
313
sown in good soil which later grew into a tree to shelter thousands of
birds.
How many things have happened since then! One I shall never forget
is the death of saintly Father Cafasso. Another, which also deeply moves
me, is that the Pope, though his domain has been dismembered, still
thrives as much as ever, his power even greater. Exalted to the skies by
good Christians both then and now, while evil men conspired against
him in the dark, he still lives, while so many who often chanted his
funeral dirge are now in the grave, their souls at the mercy of the
Supreme Judge!
I take comfort too in the forthcoming ecumenical council at a time
when we took it for granted that after the Council of Trent it would be
impossible to convoke another. How great an impact it will have on the
world!
The small room which did duty as a chapel, where God's little ones
came to hear the teachings of the Church through whom Christ Himself
speaks, was my Bethlehem and Nazareth, where the Child Jesus dwelt
in a squalid cave and lowly house. And since it so pleased our beloved
Jesus to consider favors to His poor ones as done unto Himself, I, like
Bethlehem's shepherds, felt that I was doing something for Him in
speaking of God to the boys who had been drawn there by His Holy
Name. Nor does the comparison stop here. Today I miss that poor little
room which served as our chapel. Just as humble Bethlehem has
become the astounding, divine edifice of the Universal Church, so too
our little chapel has grown into a magnificent church, one of Turin's
loveliest.
Translating the famous book Bethlehem by Faber inevitably recalled
these fond memories. In offering this translation to the public, I found it
only natural to put it under the asupices of a name equally dear to
me-your own, Father. I do not seek to draw renown upon either the
book or upon Your Reverence, for both surpass all renown which any
effort of mine could arouse. My only purpose is to renew the fond,
tender sentiments which ever link us, and to make sure that Your
Reverence will not forget, especially in your prayers, the humble soul of
your most affectionate son.
Louis Mussa
If this letter delighted Don Bosco, he must have felt ever so
much more thrilled to receive from Pius IX a reply to his letter [of
congratulations on the occasion of the Holy Father's golden

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314
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
jubilee of ordination]. The signed letter was dated June 23, eve of
the feast of St. John the Baptist:
POPE PIUS IX
Beloved Son, Greetings and Apostolic Benediction.
The many tokens of faith and devotion which you have given Us
certainly aimed at acquainting Us with your firm attachment to the
Apostolic See and to Ourselves. They show too that not only do you
diligently strive to arouse in others the love you bear Peter's Chair, but
also that many feel as you do. Another splendid token of this We have
received on the occasion of Our golden jubilee of ordination and First
Mass in the very affectionate letter you sent Us in your name and in
behalf of the oratories and institutes you direct. We need not tell you
how welcome these filial congratulations are to Us. We will appreciate it
if you share Our sentiments with your priests and boys. Indeed, you may
add that, in response to their wish, We remembered them in Our Holy
Mass as We particularly recommended to Our Lord all who pray for Us.
We shall be grateful if they continue to pray, as We hope, for the
conversion of souls gone astray, that they may all know and love Our
Heavenly Father and Him whom He sent, Jesus Christ. Him, albeit
unworthily, We represent on earth. Meanwhile, in token of Our
particular benevolence and a sign -of divine grace, We most
affectionately impart Our Apostolic Benediction to. you and your beloved
sons. Rome, St. Peter's, June 23, 1869, the Twenty-Fourth Year of Our
Rontificate.
Pius PP. IX
But joys and sorrows-or troubles, at the very .least-follow
each other endlessly on this earth. For Don Bosco the worst an-
noyances came from bequests left to him for charity by heirless
admirers and friends, most of which were attended by hosts of
grave inconveniences, hostilities, and nearly endless litigations
coming from persons who had been excluded from the inheri-
tance. For this reason Don Bosco always insisted, "Whoever
wants to give to charity should do so while he is well and not wait
until he is dying. "2
Though beset by these problems, he did not stop trying to pur-
2:We are omitting the details of a contestation of one such legacy. [Editor]

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Admirable Tact
315
chase land to expand the St. Aloysius Festive Oratory near Porta
Nuova. 3
Another important matter preoccupied him during these same
months. The municipality of Cherasco had asked him to open a
boarding school in that town and negotiations had already made
great progress. The terms of the agreement-substantially those
proposed to the municipality of Cavour-were accepted. The
school was to occupy the premises of the magnificent monastery
of Our Lady of the People, which had formerly belonged to the
Somaschi or Clerics Regular of Somasca4 before the suppression
of religious orders. These religious had also cared for the adjoin-
ing parish church and for the local public schools. Bishop
[Eugene] Galletti of Alba approved the contract and stipulated
that at the death of the present administrator of the church, the
pastor would be appointed by Don Bosco.
The Church of Our Lady of the People is regarded as one of
Piedmont's most stately churches in view of its magnificent
fa~ade, its almost octangular interior, its huge and lofty dome,
and its many valuable stuccoes.
This would be the fourth Salesian house, not counting the one
at Trofarello, 5 and Don Bosco had to provide a staff. Unavoidably
he found that he had to shift some personnel, and therefore he
wrote to a few Salesians whom he had in mind. In reading these
letters, one cannot but admire the amiable and tactful wording of
his requests. He wrote to Father Anthony Sala, the prefect at
Lanzo, as follows:
Dear Father Sala,
Turin, July 3, 1869
An economer is absolutely needed here at the Oratory because Father
Savio can no longer handle this [on top of everything else.]. Please tell
me if you could hurry your coming, without upsetting your office.
3 We are omitting a letter of Don Bosco to a Genoese lady exhorting her to make a
novena and also recommending to her his plans for the St. Aloysius Festive Oratory.
[Editor]
4A religious order founded by St. Jerome Erniliani in 1528 to care for orphans and to
teach Christian doctrine. The founder died in Somasca (from which the order took its
name), a town near Bergamo, Italy, on February 8, 1537. [Editor]
~ This house had been donated to the Salesian Society and was mainly used as a retreat
house for Salesians. [Editor]

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316
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Bodrato 6 might handle it with some assist from Father Costamagna. 7
You could stay here for a short while and return to Lanzo for days and
even weeks when exams are in session. For your information, no one
knows that I am writing to you, so tell me freely what you think of my
proposal. God bless you and your work. Pray for me.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
A few days later he also wrote to Father Francis Provera,8 the
prefect at Mirabella:
Dear Father Provera:
I am always thinking up new plans, and here is another one. How
would you feel ifwe were to send Bodrato to Cherasco and you to Lanzo?
That's what I'm planning to do if, first, it is to your liking, and second, if
you truthfully have nothing against it. I would like to make this change
of personnel because Bodrato knows about farming and is familiar with
elementary schools.9· Since, for this year at least, the actual teaching is
in the hands of laymen, we need someone to supervise them. Please
keep this to yourself, at least for now. Write to me at Trofarello. May
God bless us. Amen.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco 10
Before the end of July [1869] Don Bosco went to St. Ignatius'
Shrine for his spiritual retreat. During his absence three boys
sneaked out of the Oratory to go for a swim in the Dora River, but,
frightened by a mysterious hand that repeatedly kept sharply
6 See Chapter 35, footnote 10. [Editor]
7 Costamagna entered the Oratory in 1858 at the age of twelve, became a Salesian in
1867, and was ordained in 1868. He led the third group of Salesian missionaries to
Argentina in 1877, opened the first Salesian house in Talca, Chile, in 1887, and was
consecrated bishop and appointed First Vicar Apostolic of Mendex and Gualaguiza,
Ecuador, in 1895. He died at Bernal (Argentina) on September 9, 1921. [Editor]
8 Frincis Provera entered the Oratory in 1858 at the age of twenty-two, made his
triennial vows in 1862, was ordained a priest in 1864, and filled important administrative
and teaching posts. He died in 1874 after much suffering, as Don Bosco had foretold. For
further petails see the Index of Volume VI. [Editor]
Q ·See Vol. VII, pp. 451f. [Editor]
101We are omitting two other letters of Don Bosco to a diocesan priest and to a layman
concerning the new school at Cheraso. [Editor]

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Admirable Tact
317
smacking them on the shoulders, they hastened back to the Ora-
tory and confided to their friends what had happened to them,
thus confirming what Don Bosco revealed in a letter. 11 Father
Louis Rocca, economer general of the Salesian Society, who was a
rhetoric student that year, assured us repeatedly that all the
pupils knew about this incident and the culprits.
From St. Ignatius' Shrine Don Bosco went to the Salesian
school at Lanzo, where he heard that Count [Louis] Cibrario 12
was in town at the Cappel Verde Inn on his way to Usseglio in the
Alps for a vacation. Don Bosco called on him with the director of
the school [Father Lemoyne]. The count was rather annoyed just
then because a boy he had recommended had been expelled from
one of our schools. Expecting a rather lively discussion, Don
Bosco decided to face the problem squarely and obviate all mis-
understanding. Leaving Father Lemoyne in the waiting room, he
closeted himself for over an hour with the count. Later, he con-
fided that the reception he had received had been far from
friendly. Within a few minutes, though, the count calmed down
and invited Father Lemoyne to join them. Don Bosco was seated
at the count's right. The latter began talking about how eager
Americans were for honorific titles and insignias despite laws
prohibiting them from publicly using them, adding that they
willingly gave as much as 30,000 lire to charity just for a simple
cross to display in their drawing room. At this point Don Bosco
gratefully recalled how helpful the count had been to the Oratory
by such means.
The count thanked him, saying that he would always do his ut-
most for Don Bosco. The latter countered by saying that the count
had helped him in many other ways too.
"How?" the count asked. "Aside from getting some donations
channeled to you through a few honorific titles, I can't see how
else I helped you."
"Yet you did. You can't imagine how useful your historical
writings were to me. Only in them did I find the natural, obvious
11 For similar incidents see Vol. III, p. 290 and Vol. VII, pp. 134f, 137f. [Editor]
12:A benefactor of the Oratory and a renowned statesman, historian, senator, and
minister of finance, public instruction, and foreign affairs. His historical works include
Storia di Torino [History of Turin] and Della Schavitu e de/ Servaggio [Of Slavery and
Serfdom]. He died in 1870 at the age of 68. [Editor]

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318
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
solution to intricate questions that I had not thoroughly grasped."
And he went on praising the count' s many valuable works and the
care he took despite his many other occupations.
Smiling contentedly, Count Cibrario remarked: "Indeed I have
never wasted time. Unfailingly, I get up daily at 4 and work at my
desk until about 9, when people begin to call on me. Occasionally,
I return to my desk in the late evening and work until about mid-
night."
"Then we can happily look forward to more writings of yours
which will bring honor to our country."
"Yes, I do happen to be working on something, but I am getting
old. I am nearly seventy, you know!"
"You, old? Only the sick are old. You are healthy and strong,
both in mind and body. There is plenty of room for hope!"
"Yes, let us hope, but man is still mortal. Willy-nilly, I may not
last long."
"I wish you a very long life, but, with your permission, I would
like to say something."
"Speak up!"
"You know that I care for you and deeply respect you. Well,
then, should your life last only a little while longer, remember
that you have something to settle with the Church."
At this unexpected remark the count grew serious, bowed his
head, and became momentarily silent. Then, grasping Don
Bosco's hand firmly, he said: "You are right. I have already been
thinking about it. I shall do it. I most certainly shall . . . and
soon."
Thus ended that visit, and it was to be the last.

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CHAPTER 54
A Keen Disappointment
iltHILE continuing negotiations with the Italian
government to acquire the Church of the Holy Shroud in Rome,
Don Bosco did not slacken his efforts in regard to the Barberini
Sisters' convent near St. Caius. 1 His agent was Monsignor
[Emilian] Manacorda, 2 to whom he had given power of attorney.
During his stay in Rome the transaction seemed to have been
settled, but now the nuns, fearing that an adjacent institution
might seriously upset their routine and tranquillity-as some
people were intimating-were having second thoughts about
selling. When the Pope heard of it, he sent word to them: "Either
sign the contract or We shall act absque consensu capituli [with-
out your chapter's consent]."
The jocular remark clearly spelled out the Pope's wish. Then
and there the nuns appeared to acquiesce, but they were again
aroused by some people who argued that the sum offered was too
low and that buyers could be found who would give up to one
hundred and fifty thousand lire. As a result, negotiations dragged
on.
Prince Barberini himself, at first favorable to the sale, staunch-
ly upheld his family's patronage over the convent and sought to
have the agreement annulled. Furthermore, the cardinal pro-
tector of the Barberini nuns lent a benevolent ear to the ob-
jections they were raising against the sale.
Acquainted with all these maneuvers, Don Bosco wrote most
courteously to the cardinal as follows:
1-See p. 244. [Editor]
2-'.see Vol. V. p. 77. [Editor]
319

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320
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Your Eminence:
Turin, July 21, 1869
I beg your forgiveness for adding to your grave occupations. Please
hear me out kindly and graciously give me the advice Your Eminence
deems best for God's glory in reference to the planned purchase of the
premises of St. Caius, adjoining the ancient convent of the Barberini
nuns. Last January, I expressed a wish to the Holy Father of opening a
house of studies for our clerics here in Rome. The Holy Father liked the
idea and suggested the above property, empowering Monsignor Franchi
to transact the sale. My first step was to call on the nuns to ask their
opinion. They replied that they were reluctant to sell, but that financial
straits forced them to do so, adding, however, that considering the
exclusive religious purpose for which both the church and adjoining
home would be used, they preferred me to any other bidder.
I then called on the aforenamed Monsignor Franchi and asked him
whethe( the pr~mises were really for sale and if any other negotiations
were pending. He told me that a sale had definitely been decided upon
and that no commitments had been made to anyone else. I then asked if
he was the one I should deal with. He replied that he had been
entrusted with this business and that in due time he himself would
contact the cardinal protector.
With this prelate's introduction I visited the premises and discussed
the price. It was finally set at 50,000 lire and I accepted. To confirm the
closing of the contract, drawings and blueprints of the premises were
handed over to me and an agreement was reached on installments and
dates of payment. We all understood that the contract was definitely
concluded. On that occasion Monsignor Franchi informed me that Your
Eminence was cardinal protector of the nuns. In agreement with him, I
tried to contact you, and for this purpose I called several times at your
residence. Your many duties and my own ignorance of your schedule
kept me from obtaining the appointment I wanted.
Meanwhile, since important matters called me back to Turin, I
legally empowered Monsignor Manacorda to act as my business agent in
regard to the St. Caius property. Moreover, with funds supplied by
generous people and· other money I had managed to set aside, I was
ready to draw up the instrument at any time. Thus the contract seetned
definitely closed and I felt myself legally bound.
Vague rumors gave me to understand that the nuns feared the noise of
children but had no such qualms about our clerics. The patronage of
Prince Barberini was also adduced. On this score too the rights of this

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A Keen Disappointment
321
excellent, charitable gentleman would remain unprejudiced by the
transfer of this property to us.
I also heard that Your Eminence was displeased with this contract be-
cause you were not informed of it in time, as you should have been. I
regret this, but it was quite involuntary. In fact, it was against my will
because I sincerely wished to please Your Eminence, whom I have long
known by reputation and always highly revered.
I do not dwell on the Holy Father's consent; insofar as he is
concerned, he is totally in favor of this transaction. In conclusion, I make
bold to beg Your Eminence to act as advisor not only to the nuns, but
also to my own humble person, and, for Our Lord's sake, to; tell me, in
whatever manner you find most convenient, whether this contract still
stands as we stipulated, and, if such is the case, what further steps are
needed to have the instrument drawn up. Should the contract be
conclusively broken, I will reconcile myself, returning the drawings and
blueprints of the premises notwithstanding the genuinely grave harm I
would also suffer because I believed the contract had been closed, and I
will consider myself free to look elsewhere for suitable premises.
I beg you to kindly forgive my lengthy letter. This was unavoidable
considering the matter at hand. I pray with all my heart that God will
grant you a long, happy life.
Very truly yours,
Fr. John Bosco
We have no evidence that the cardinal replied. On his part, the
Holy Father yielded to Prince Barberini's insistence. Informed of
this, Don Bosco humbly and peaceably abandoned the project,
though with regret. However, the nuns may soon have regretted
their decision. After seizing Rome, the Italian government sup-
pressed convents and religious houses, confiscating also the Bar-
berini convent. These nuns were the first to be expelled and de-
prived of all their possessions in October 1871. Monsignor [John
Baptist] Fratejacci 3 used to tell us: "Had that huge building been
in Don Bosco's hands, the whole complex would have been
spared, and Salesian priests would have provided for the nuns'
spiritual needs. Others too had reason to regret that loss."
On his part Don Bosco did not leave idle the sum he had been
3 A member of the staff of the cardinal vicar of Rome and a great friend of Don Bosco.
[Editor]

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322
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
holding in readiness to purchase the St. Caius property. Instead
he bought a piece of land adjacent to the Oratory for the sum of
44,000 lire. Divine Providence kept coming to his aid.4
In August, subscribers of Letture Cattoliche received a timely
booklet that Don Bosco had intermittently written in his spare
time. It was entitled Ecumenical Councils and the Catholic
Church .... The booklet was aglow with Don Bosco's ardent love
for the Pope and the Church. Through it he voiced the hope that,
although already accepted and unassailable, the doctrinal in-
fallibility of the Pope might be defined at the forthcoming ecu-
menical council as an article of faith, to the glory of God and His
Church, to the reassurance and consolation of the faithful, and to
the enhancement of Peter's successor by the addition of a new
and lovelier jewel.
The booklet went on to suggest special prayers with an invoca-
tion to Mary, Help of Christians and urged the faithful to say
them daily until the termination of the council for the following
intentions: (1) that the council would not be prevented from con-
vening or disturbed by the enemies of God and His Church; (2)
that schismatics would be reunited to the Catholic Church; (3)
that all Protestants-Anglicans, especially-would return to the
unity of the faith. To this end he suggested two means which he
considered extreniely effective for obtaining the desired grace.
The first was for pastors, superiors, and parents to urge boys and
girls to form groups of ten or twelve for the common recitation of
these prayers. 5 He explained the second means as follows:
Approximately two years ago, Catholics were invited to make a vow to
believe, profess, and defend orally and in writing-and, if necessary,
with their very lives-the personal infallibility of the Pope, even though
this truth had not yet been declared an article of faith. We could believe
it much in th~ same way that devout Catholics believed in the immacu-
late conception of Mary before its solemn definition by the gloriously
reigning Pius IX on December 8, 1854. We gladly take this propitious
opportunity to extend such an invitation to our readers; indeed, we
cordially urge them to make this vow in honor of Jesus Christ and His
4'.This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
) This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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A Keen Disappointment
323
Vicar on earth, in order to acquire greater merits for heaven. We also
pray that God in His mercy will hasten the day when this consoling truth
shall be solemnly proclaimed a dogma by the Church.
We believe that Don Bosco made such a vow. 6
Anyone pondering Don Bosco's life marvels at the multiplicity
of his activities. In addition to everything else he personally
handled every matter concerning his young clerics: their investi-
ture, patrimony, dimissorials, and ordination. In our archives we
came upon this paragraph: "In a rescript dated August 13, 1869
Pius IX grp.nts authorization to issue dimissorial letters to an
ordinand who entered the Salesian Society after his fourteenth
year."
At just about this time Don Bosco also drafted a petition to the
Holy See 7 for authorization to issue dimissorials to the cleric
[Francis] Bodrato. Later on, he renewed the petition to include all
those who had entered the Oratory after their fourteenth year and
had applied for admission to the Society. The Holy Father
graciously obliged. Don Bosco also applied for the incardination
of a Friar Minor into the Salesian Society. 8
6We are omitting a quotation from the cardinai archbishop of Dublin concerning the
confidence and courage of Pius IX in calling an ecumenical council. [Editor]
7 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
~'This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER SS
A Providential Delay
IN Don Bosco's vocabulary, relaxing meant finding time
to spend with his Salesians, either individually or in groups. He
enjoyed talking with them or even just thinking about them in the
quiet of an evening, searching for ways to meet their needs. At
this time of the year he was looking forward with joy to the yearly
spiritual retreats at Trofarello over which he would preside in just
a few weeks. Love for his spiritual family was the overwhelming
need of his heart. A sight to delight him was that expressed in the
psalm: "Your sons round your table like shoots round an olive
tree." [Ps. 127, 3]
In order to foster even more of this family spirit in them, he
sent the following circular to all his houses during August:
Beloved Sons:
Feast of the Assumption, 1869 1
Divine Providence has willed that our Society be definitively approved
by the Holy See: While humbly and heartily thanking the good Lord, we
must utterly strive through the exact observance of the rules to live up to
the purpose for which we entered this Congregation.
Among the articles there is one concerning the relationship and open-
ness which must exist between superiors and subjects. "Let each
member have great confidence in his superior," says Art. 6, Ch. 5; "let
him not hide from him any secret of his heart."
This article is most important. Experience shows that dialogue be-
tween superior and subjects is very beneficial. Through it, while a reli-
gious can freely make his needs known and seek opportune advice, the
~ In the first edition of the two-volume Life ofDon Bosco this circular appeared dated
"Feast of the Annunciation, 1869," but the correct date, as proven by several authentic
documents, was the feast of Our Lady's Assumption, August 15. [Author's note]
324

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superior comes to know his mind, can provide for his confrere's needs,
and can make such decisions as may facilitate the observance of the
rules to benefit the entire Society. This seems to be the precious
meaning of the Holy Spirit's words: "Woe to the man by himself with no
one to help him up when he falls down." [Eccles. 4, 10]
Scripture also says: "Better two than one by himself.... If one should
fall, the other keeps him up." [Eccles. 4, 9] In this manner, adds St.
Thomas, the religious achieves his goal, is alerted to dangers, and is
assisted to his feet again when he falls.
For the benefit of our Society it has been thought desirable to
establish the following norms as practical applications of the above-
quoted article:
1. Every month two talks shall be given: one on the rules with a
simple explanation of the same, another on a moral topic geared from a
practical point of view to the capacity of the listeners.
2. Once a month each confrere shall confer with his director about
what he judges conducive to his spiritual life. If he has doubts about the
observance of the rules, he shall manifest them and seek such advice as
he may believe opportune for his spiritual and temporal well-being.
On his part, with due charity, the director shall be at the confrere' s
disposal at a chosen time. He shall also make sure to ask each confrere
privately about his health, duties, religious observance, studies, or tasks
entrusted to him. Finally, he shall encourage him, and by word and deed
try to help him enjoy peace of mind and tranquillity of conscience, which
must be the principal goal of all members of our Society.
3. Generally once a month, the director of each house shall give the
Rector Major an accurate account of the physical and moral state of all
his subjects. He shall also acquaint him with the material condition of
the house.
A small exception is made for the motherhouse. Members of the
house chapter and those priests who so wish may confer with the Rector
Major whenever they feel it necessary.
Giving an account of oneself to a superior is a general practice in
religious congregations. It has been found very helpful, and I very much
hope that it will be among us too, especially for obtaining the peace of
heart and tranquillity of conscience so necessary to all of us.
Much more must be said on. these points, and this will be done
through other circulars and conferences and especially during the forth-
coming spiritual retreats at Trofarello if God, in His infinite mercy, will
spare us until then, as I trust He will, and will allow us to gather there
together during the coming month of September.

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Courage, my dear sons! We have a great mission ahead of us. Many
souls are looking to us for salvation; first among them must be our own,
then the souls of our confreres, and finally those of any of the faithful
whom we may be able to help. God is with us. Let us strive to respond to
His heavenly favors. We hope that He will bestow them on us even more
abundantly in the future.
May the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with us always, and may
He grant us genuine fervor and the precious gift of perseverance in our
Society. Amen.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. This letter is to be read to all members of our Society.
On Saturday, August 14, Don Bosco left for Montemagno,
where he was expected for the solemn feast of the Assumption.
Marquis Fassati was looking forward to having him as guest of
honor at a banquet for a large number of his friends. Father
Francesia had preceded him there by one day. When the coach
arrived without Don Bosco, the marquis, who was deeply attached
to him and counted on his presence, flew into a rage. Turning to
Father Francesia, he railed, "You, champion defender of Don
Bosco, can you tell me what excuse he will dare give for not
showing up?"
Unperturbed, Father Francesia replied, "My long experience
has taught me that even when Don Bosco does something wrong,
it somehow turns out for the best."
Around 5 P.M. the guests sat down at table, .but the marquis
was in a bad mood. What had caused Don Bosco's delay? Upon
arriving in Asti, he had called on the Cerrato family, who had
purposely made him miss the coach by keeping him busy with
visitors. On realizing the late hour, he rushed to the station, only
to get there a half-hour too late. While he was planning his next
step, his host, who was secretly delighted by his ruse, asked him
to visit the festive oratory of Canon John Cerruti. This was the
purpose of the whole trick. Don Bosco obliged. There he
preached, heard confessions, and gave Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament. Then, as dusk came on, he set out for the Cerratos.
While walking along, he heard somebody behind him cry out, "By
golly! That priest looks just like Don Bosco!"

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Hearing his name, Don Bosco turned around. Athickly bearded
man approached and greeted him most warmly, exclaiming, "It's
really you, Don Bosco! How are you?"
"Fine!"
"Do you still remember me?"
"Of course! Your first name is James, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is! Oh, I am so glad that you still remember me. It's
been fourteen years that we haven't met. I always said that you
did care for me. And to think of all the scrapes I got into and all
the trouble I caused you!"
"I am truly glad to see you too and to know that you remember
me. Yes, I did care for you and still do. By the way, what are you
doing for a living?"
"I'm a merchant, and I can't complain about business."
"Are you still good?"
"Yes, but not quite as good as you might wish me to be."
"What do you mean?"
"I'd rather not say .... Well, I never found another Don Bosco!
There is only one like you! I just can't bring myself to go to con-
fession to other priests; I just can't."
"Would you confess to Don Bosco?"
"I could never refuse him. I'd be ready any time he asked.".
"Aren't there other friends of mine here in Asti besides you?"
"Oh, yes, there are several of us, and we are forever talking
about you and the Oratory, but we have not been to confession
since we left."
"Then why don't you all come tomorrow morning?"
"It's a deal!"
"You won't back out?"
"Not at all! Perhaps we shall not persevere, but we shall
certainly not break our word to you. Tell me where you will say
Mass tomorrow and we shall all be there."
Before he got back to the Cerratos, several other former pupils
approached him. The next morning, fifteen married and single
men went to confession to him and received Holy Communion
from his hand. Then they took him to his coach, pressing about
him with tears of joy and bidding him fond farewells.
"Thanks for all the good you have done for us and for making us
so happy," they told him. "It's not only the gentry who love you,

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
but everyone-the poor people too! "
Townsfolk idling in the square were surprised to see so many
men showing such respect and affection for a priest.
When Don Bosco reached Montemagno, Marquis and
Marchioness Fassati gently reproached him. "You didn't keep
your word!" they chided.
"Why did you say that?" he replied, seemingly unmindful of his
delay.
"You're a day late!"
"Oh! You are right. Well, this is what happened." And he told
them.
"In that case," the marquis commented, "I wish you many more
such delays whenever I invite you to my house."
"Well, Marquis," Father Francesia ·added, "isn't it true that
even when Don Bosco does something wrong, it somehow turns
out for the best?"
"I can't deny that!" the marquis replied.
Meanwhile a prediction Don Bosco had made in Lanzo at the
end of the year 1868 was being fulfilled. He had said that during
that school year a pupil in the second grade whose name began
with "V" would die. 2' As of July 1869 no pupil had died. Then
Ulderico Valagossa, a ·very sturdy second-year boy, fell seriously
ill and took to his bed for a month. Attorney Louis Andreis, who
knew of the prediction, kept himself informed of the course of the
illness. To anyone who voiced hope for the boy's recovery he
would counter: "Valagossa will die. Don Bosco said so."
Meanwhile the lad began to improve and finally got out of bed.
His father came to visit him and, finding him at play with his
friends, decided to leave him there rather than take him home to
recuperate. Within a week, however, the boy had a relapse and
died. "Don Bosco had predicted it!" exclaimed the attorney, and
with him the whole school concurred·.
Valagossa died on a Sunday, eight days after again taking to his
bed, while his companions were in church singing Vespers, and
these words, Et misericordia Eius, a progenie in progenies,
timentibus Eum [And His mercy is from generation to generation
2:See p. 198. [Editor]

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A Providential Delay
329
on those who fear Him], could be heard throughout the building.
He was a very fine boy.
Municipal records at Lanzo carry this entry: "Ulderico Valagos-
sa, eleven-year-old son of Felix and Frances Bismara, born at
Biassona (Monza), died at Lanzo on August 22, 1869 at 4 P. M." 3
During this same month news was to reach the Oratory of the
fourth and fifth deaths among the six Don Bosco had foretold)
We read in the Oratory obituary:
Ferdinand Boggiatto, Latin II student, son of Joseph, born in Testona,
died at home in July 1869.
Charles Giacchetti, first-year theology student, son of Lawrence, born
in Lessone, left the Oratory on July 17, 1869 et requievit in Domino [and
slept in the Lord].
Coincidentally, the September-October issue of Letture Cat-
toliche, entitled Devotion to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, served
to draw the boys' thoughts to the afterlife ....
The school year was now ended and Don Bosco mailed
invitations to prominent local citizens to attend Awards Day on
Wednesday, September 8, at 6 P.M. Since it was the feast of the
Nativity of Mary, there were solemn church sevices in the
morning. Many parents and guests were present at the awarding
of prizes and greatly enjoyed the musical selections offered by the
Oratory choir and band. The main speaker was Charles Bac-
chialoni, doctor of literature and philosophy. His splendid address
is preserved in our archives.
As the school year ended, Don Bosco scheduled two spiritual
retreats at Trofarello for his Salesians so that they might all
participate in them without having to leave unattended the boys
who
had
stayed
on
at
the
Oratory
and
in
our
other
schools.
5
·
3 In those days the school year began in mid-October and ended in August. [Editor]
~- See p. 13. [Editor]
lThe last two paragraphs are condensations. [Editors]

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CHAPTER 56
A Heartfelt Loss
~HE first spiritual retreat for Salesians began on Mon-
day, September 13 [1869], with Don Bosco preaching the in-
structions1 and Father Rua handling the meditations. 2 The. re-
treats consisted of several priests, many young clerics, coad-
jutors,3 students, and artisans 4 who aspired to join the Salesian
Society.
Don Bosco introduced the retreat with a brief history of the
beginning and growth of the festive oratories and of the Society of
St. Francis de Sales from 1841 to 1869. His voice, feelings, and
words showed his immense gratitude to Our Heavenly Mother.
Fortunately, we have the outlines of all of his instructions in a
single notebook. We also have on loose sheets the outlines of talks
that he probably gave in 1870 at the retreats held at Lanzo. We
publish them verbatim in the Appendix to this volume. 5 Here we
will only mention the topics Don Bosco preached on during the
first spiritual retreat in 1869. A check with those who took notes
confirms that these topics match the outlines contained in the
above-mentioned manuscript. They were as follows:
· Monday, September 13, evening: Introductory Brief History of the
Salesian Society.
1 Mid-morning and mid-afternoon talks on practical points of religious life, such as the
vows and rules, the practice of virtue, advantages of the religious life, mortification, etc.
[Editor]
2.Early morning and evening talks on eternal verities such as death, judgment, hell,
heaven, prayer, Christian devotions, and so on. [Editor]
3See Salesian Glossary, p. xix. [Editor]
4 lbid. [Editor]
~·Since they are only outlines and are substantially similar to those found in any
pre-Vatican II homiletic handbook, we are omitting them in this edition. Those who are
interested can find them in Memorie Biografiche de/ Venerabile Don Giovanni Bosco, Vol.
IX, pp. 697-710, 987-999. [Editor]
330

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Tuesday, September 14, morning: Advantages of the Religious Life.
Evening: the same.
Wednesday, September 15, morning: Vow of Obedience. Evening:
Obedience to One's Superiors.
Thursday, September 16, morning: Vow of Poverty. Evening:
Detachment from Parents.
Friday, September 17, morning: Vow of Chastity and Positive Means
for Preserving It. Evening: Negative Means.
Saturday, September 18, morning: Keepsake of the Retreat-Let us
work with faith, hope, and charity toward God, our superiors, our con-
freres and our subjects.
Every evening after night prayers Don Bosco again gave a short
talk in the chapel, a custom he kept from then on. Here is a
summary of these short talks:
September 13. We have mentioned the signs of a religious vocation. I
shall add two more that are very important to us as Salesians:
associating willingly with boys and desiring to foster in them a priestly
vocation.
September 14. Detest the evil committed in the past, amend your
present life, regret the failure to do good, and firmly resolve to cooper-
ate in the salvation of others at the cost of any sacrifice.
September 15. He announced that those who had decided to make
their vows should give their names to Father Rua or to Father Cagliero,
and he asked them to draw up a will.
September 16. Four confreres made perpetual vows, among them
Father Angelo Savio and Father Julius Barberis. Five more made trien-
nial vows.
After night prayers Don Bosco explained that, for grave family
reasons or the serious illness of a parent or relative, a confrere could and
should be allowed to gq home without violating the constitutions. For
other reasons, however, such as the need of a rest, change of environ-
ment, or convalescence, there were suitable, properly equipped houses
at Chieri, Lanzo, Mirabello, and Trofarello and soon there would be one
also at Cherasco. He also pointed out that, if it were possible, he would
forbid the reading of newspapers. lie added that he did tolerate private
reading of good dailies, but he would never allow it in the presence of
the boys.
On September 17 a long letter from Father [Daniel] Comboni 6 to Don
6 See Vol. VII, p. 488. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Bosco was read aloud at table. This missionary was readying the
premises for a Salesian foundation in Cairo to serve as a mission base for
Salesian work in Africa.
That evening four members took triennial vows. After night prayers
Don Bosco spoke thus:
"Today we spoke of the vow of chastity and someone became
somewhat disturbed. 'In dealing with boys,' he objected, 'is it possible
to avoid taking them by the hand or feeling a liking for them? If an evil
thought rises in the mind, are we to run away and lock ourselves in our
room?' (Don Bosco went on listing other objections that had been
raised.)
"I repeat and reassert what I have already cited as a cause of grave
peril and therefore to be avoided, but one should not be overly
concerned when the matter is not sinful in itself. I did not mean to imply
that a handshake, an honest liking, or an affectionate word-even if it
might give rise to an evil thought-is sinful; it is not as long as one does
not yield. I meant only that one should not put oneself into situations
which may endanger a weak soul. I will even say: show brotherly kind-
ness when necessary, but always use reserve and do not make it a habit.
The right intention, God's grace, constant work, prayer, sacraments,
and obedience to the rules are so sturdy a shield that the devil will have
a hard time trying to penetrate it. Outstanding confreres of ours working
among our boys are a splendid proof of this. Besides, my advice to any-
one who feels that he cannot preserve this virtue in the midst of boys is
not to join our Society."
On September 18 Don Bosco gave the closing talk, from which
we quote a few reflections:
Let us not love people-friends, parents, relatives, superiors, and
companions-for any earthly reason. Let us love God above all else and
our fellow beings as ourselves for God's sake. "He'who abides in love
abides in God, and God in him." [1 John 4, 16] "I can do all things in Him
who strengthens me." [Phil. 4, 13]
Work with faith, hope and charity. Work with faith, striving toward
the reward awaiting us in heaven. Let us not toil to be praised by our
superior or our companions. Let us strive not for such paltry things but
only to please the Lord.
Let us work with hope. When we are weary or afflicted, let us raise our
eyes to heaven. A generous reward awaits us in this life, and an eternal
one at death. Let us be like the hermit who drew comfort from heaven by

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gazing through slits in his tiny, dingy cave. "He who trusts in the Lord
shall not be put to shame." [Sir. 32, 28]
Work with love for God. He alone-the true rewarder of every little
thing we do for Him-deserves to be loved and served. He loves us as an
affectionate father, for Holy Scripture tells us: "I have loved you with an
everlasting love. " [J er. 31, 3]
We are also bound to show love to our subjects and help them. We are
never to say imperiously: "Do this or that." Let us always be gracious,
pleasant, and amiable. In a disagreement with a coadjutor or a domestic,
never say: "Shut up! Obey! Who are you? You're only a servant." This
really hurts me a great deal. In our houses no one is a servant. We are all
equal before God. Jesus Himself did not want people to address Him as
master. He wanted to be called "father" or "teacher," explaining that He
had come down to earth to serve, not to be served. The superior in our
houses is no more the master than is the most humble sweeper ....
Let each superior consider the temperament of his charges, their
character, inclinations, skills, and mental makeup, so that he may learn
how to make obedience easy. Let him keep in mind that one who does
not know how to obey is not qualified to command. He must never order
people to do things too difficult or repugnant.
When a holy picture, a little card, or a book will serve to induce some-
one to do what is right or to win over a soul, give it gladly, but only for
that purpose.
Our aim is also to spread good books. Let us do whatever we can in
this field at the right time and place .... Let us patiently bear with each
other's faults, as St. Paul exhorts us: "Bear one another's burdens." Let
us strive to love one another like brothers, helping one another, putting
up with one another, and mutually defending our honor. Never give
harsh reproof or ridicule, but only charitable mutual admonition! Let us
shun all coarse speech; let us be civil, courteous, and charitable with
each other.
Let us also be charitable toward our superiors, putting up with their
failings. Let us practice what we preach. Let us jealously guard our
rules, even the smallest, and especially our vows ....
How sad it is to see crowds of boys badly in need of intellectual and
µioral formation and no one to take care of them. Occasionally, even in a
festive oratory, one may find priests or clerics whose only concern seems
to be their own fun rather than giving religious instruction to those
entrusted to them by God's mercy.
Teach catechism readily, tell youngsters about the heroic deeds of
charity performed by the saints, and use examples to illustrate God's

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
mercy and justice. Boys will listen eagerly .... How many boys are just
waiting for religious instruction, eager to learn of God's law. Prepare
them to receive the sacraments frequently. "The little ones have asked
for bread, and there was no one to break it unto them." [Lam. 4, 4]
We have chosen the best thing in this world: to save souls. True, there
are not enough of us to meet the need, but let us do what we can. The
field is wide open. From India, Africa, and America, from Genoa and
Rome, people write asking for our help. Pray to the Lord to send labor-
ers. "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray
therefore to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his
harvest." [Luke 10, 2]
Courage! Saving souls is the most divine of tasks. Let worldlings say
that religious congregations are things of the past and that monasteries
and convents are falling into ruin everywhere. We intend to cooperate
with the Lord in the salvation of souls, no matter what the cost.
The world is not concerned about the soul. In Paris, Florence, St.
Petersburg, Berlin, and London, legislators discuss and deliberate over
finances, armaments, wars, and conquest, but no one thinks of the soul,
as if there were no such thing. "Therefore the nether world opens wide
its throat and gapes with measureless jaw to swallow up her thronging
nobility as they are shouting for joy."
The retreat closed with the Te Deum and a farewell banquet.
Afterward each one returned to his own house. Everybody was
satisfied: those who had made their vows and those who had de-
ferred them; those who had formally applied for admission and
those who had chosen to wait a bit longer or even to be in-
cardinated into some diocese. Don Bosco put pressure on no one.
As long as their conduct was satisfactory, he lavished fatherly
care on everyone, even until the completion of their studies. His
prudent advice and his affectionate concern for all without
exception worked wonders within them, as the following example
illustrates.
Father Merlone had been in the Oratory for over twelve years
without ever showing any intention to join the Congregation. One
day, when he was already a priest, he decided to leave. Before
doing so he took a walk with Don Bosco outside the Oratory and
had a long talk with him. On their return home, Father Barberis
noticed that Father Merlone seemed elated. "I have always
considered Don Bosco a saint," the latter explained, "but I am

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even more convinced of it today. He has solved all my problems
and put my heart at rest. Obviously saints do not think only of
themselves. Don Bosco truly has a big heart! He does not limit his
thinking to his own Congregation. All he cares for is that good be
done, no matter where. He showed me what a diocesan priest can
do in the immense field which awaits cultivation. I had decided to
leave, but now-though he did not ask me to wait-I want to stay
a little longer to see whether my vocation is to remain here."
He remained two more years at the Oratory and then joined the
diocesan clergy and became an assistant pastor. In his chronicle
Father Barberis wrote: "This incident so impressed me that, al-
though it occurred six years ago, it is still fresh in my mind, owing
to Father Merlone's enthusiasm."
After the retreatants returned to their houses, Don Bosco
mourned over an expected loss. After nine years in the Sale-
sian Congregation, Chevalier Frederick Oreglia, 7 widely known
throughout Italy as a Salesian, was leaving to enter the Society of
Jesus. Since he was highly respected for his virtue by countless
noble families, had indefatigably promoted Don Bosco's under-
takings, and had been an exemplary religious, this step might
well have provoked puzzlement and gossip outside the Oratory, as
well as a most distressing impression within it. Chevalier Oreglia
humbly explained his decision in a letter to Don Bosco:
Turin, September 19, 1869
Praise be to Jesus. Mary and Joseph
Very Reverend Father:
I must definitely leave this coming week. Whether my decision be
sound or fanciful, I feel that I must at least test it out. You could not
bring yourself to approve of it, but I hope that you will understand and
regard it as something I feel bound in conscience to do.
You can readily believe how bitter it is for me to leave the Oratory
where I have enjoyed your full affection and confidence for over nine
years.
I am not ashamed to say-in fact, I shall always feel honored to
7 Frederick Oreglia, a late vocation, came to the Oratory in 1860. He made his triennial
vows as a lay religious on May 12, 1862 (see Vol. VII, p. 101) and his perpetual vows on
December 6, 1865. See Vol. VIII, p. 127. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
say-that I lovingly broke bread with you for nine years, and that
whatever I did in repayment of your kindness was far too little, though
not for lack of good will.
On leaving this house, I take with me the cherished burden of all that I
owe to you and to my superiors and companions. If I shall not be able to
discharge my debt, I will at least be content to acknowledge that I am
forever indebted to you and them. Should I ever be of use to you, the
Oratory, the Congregation or any member, please look upon me always
as your servant, ·friend, and brother.
I shall always feel bound in gratitude and justice to pray that the Lord
will bless you and your entire family.
From you and the other confreres I ask that you charitably remember
me at Mass and occasionally when you recite the Salve Regina after the
rosary.
I wish to say that I am leaving, as you suggested through Father
Vasco, without anyone inside or outside the house knowing the true
reason. Willing to do anything which may somehow give me a chance of
showing my gratitude, I am happy to tell you that not even my closest
relatives-my own mother and brothers-know anything about it.
Within the Oratory I spoke of it only to Buzzetti who knew of it from you,
and to Father Sala who· had noticed my preparations.
This is for your information, to confirm what you yourself did not see
fit to tell me directly.
I am enclosing three identical letters whose purpose is to stop any
gossip which ill-intentioned outsiders might indulge in to the detriment
of the house or of the Congregation in connection with my departure.
You may hand them out, keep them, or destroy them as you see fit.
Should you need any other written statement from me later on, you may
always count on my cooperation as long as my superiors will allow me.
I regret very deeply having to leave without being able to say
good-bye and express my thanks to all the members of the Congregation
and of the house, but since a silent and secret departure seems best to
you, I willingly accept this genuine sacrifice and ask you to make this
desire and regret of mine known in due time to someone at least who in
turn might tell others.
I beg you to forgive all the trouble and displeasure I have given you in
different ways and on various occasions and also any harm I may have
caused you, the Congregation, the house, or any confrere through my
bad example in either word or deed.
Please forgive me also for all the good which I did not do, to the
possible harm of the house.

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Lastly, please believe me when I say that as I leave this house, my
heart is most deeply attached to it and, were it possible, even more full
of love for it than in the past.
The Lord knows what debt of gratitude I feel toward you personally
and your spiritual family. Though leaving, I shall not cease trying to
discharge the many obligations I have toward you. May the Lord send
me many and frequent opportunities of this kind.
If from now on I shall no longer have the right to call myself your son, I
shall always be deeply happy to have you regard me now and forever, to
my j9y and comfort, as
Your devoted servant,
Frederick Oreglia
The three identical letters were addressed to Father Michael
Rua, Father ~elestine Durando, and Father John Baptist
Lemoyne. We quote its main passage:
By inspiring me to enter the Society of Jesus, the Lord is calling me to
a life which undoubtedly will be more austere. This is not a hasty
decision, but one that has matured with the advice of people
indisputably experienced and eminent for their piety, learning, and
knowledge of souls. I am absolutely convinced that this is God's precise
will in my regard, although I will not hide the fact that our most beloved
common father, Don Bosco, gave only his simple acceptance, not his
approval of this decision of mine.
It won't do now to explain why others held a different view, nor why
their opinion prevailed. What matters, and I explicitly wish it to be
known, is that the sole reason for my decision is my firm conviction that
this is God's will. No discontent or irritation with the rules, orders from
superiors, differences of opinion, or coldness triggered or strengthened
this decision. If anything brought me to this step, which truly is painfully
hard for me, then it must be my sins which undoubtedly made me
unworthy of continuing to be a member of this new phalanx of Jesus
Christ. Rather than abandon me to my own devices, He mercifully
inspired me to'embrace a more austere life, thus rescuing me from those
dangers which my self-mistrust might have made unavoidable in a Con-
gregation inspired by such gentleness as to make all ties and obligations
easy and light as though they did not exist. I felt it necessary to make
tnis declaration in order to forestall doubts and exhaustively explain the
true reason of my departure from the Oratory and the Congregation, lest

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
it may hurt the confreres or entice some to imitate my gesture by ascrib-
ing it to false reasons. I also want to prevent anyone from trying to twist
my departure into an argument or weapon for instigating so unjust and
unfair a battle as has been waged for years against our most beloved
Don Bosco and his Congregation.
Having thus fulfilled my obligation, and inspired by my knowledge of
human malice which subtly persecutes our dear Don Bosco in his under-
takings and especially in his Congregation, I will close, asking God and
you, and through you all your confreres, to forgive my unpleasantness,
any lack of respect, or any voluntary or involuntary offense which I may
have committed ....
Chevalier Oreglia left for Rome on September 20, the same day
on which the second spiritual retreat began at Trofarello.
Don Bosco could not but regret losing a member who had
rendered substantial services to his fledgling Congregation. His
regret stemmed not from the loss of help-for he used to remark
that "God's works have no need of human aid"-but from his
fatherly heart and the very high esteem in which he held this new
handiwork of the Lord [the Salesian Society]. One day, when
several confreres were talking very admiringly of different
religious orders and pointing out the merits of each, one of them
singled out one such congregation, highly praising its valiant
undertakings and indomitable zeal, and concluded by saying that
if he were not a Salesian he would gladly join that order. At this
point, Don Bosco who had shared warmly in his praises exclaimed
with impressive calm, "Oh, no! If I were not a Salesian, I would
become a Salesian!"

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CHAPTER 57
Fair and Just
{llHEN free from priestly duties, Don Bosco would
work at his desk. A letter of his to Sister Eudocia, mother superior
of the Institute of the Faithful Companions of Jesus in Turin,
shows the humble and deep gratitude he had for those who
benefited his pupils, as wen as the divine spirit which animated
him:
Very Reverend Mother:
Turin, September 21, 1869
I have been guilty of an unpardonable delay in this duty that I must
fulfill. I am glad to inform you that in due time I received the 130 lire
you sent me ....
Thank you for all you do for us throughout the year, especially for
mending our poor boys' linen. Believe me, Reverend Mother, God keeps
an accurate account of these acts of charity in the book of eternal life.
Since Christ promised a hundredfold even in this life, these good works
will surely draw special heavenly favors upon you and the fortunate
family that Divine Providence has entrusted to you.
No less grateful am I for your donation. It will buy some of the many
things needed in the Church of Mary, Help of Christians.
If you have occasion to write to Mother General, please tell her that I
have remembered her and all her sisters in my daily Mass. Tell her too
that the graces we ask will be fully granted, with the sole difference that
at times, instead of granting us what we want, God gives us something
more conducive to His greater glory ....
God bless you and your entire institute! May everything turn out for
His greater glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Yours gratefully,
Fr. John Bosco
339

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Like a good father, he wrote to Father Dominic Belmonte on
September 22, advising him on how to reply to his parents who
had invited him home. He also informed him ofhis intention to
appoint him prefect at' Mirabella:
Dear Father Belmonte:
Trofarello, September 22, 1869
Someone said to the Savior: "I will follow You, Lord, wherever You go
.. : but let me go and bury my father first." But Jesus replied, "Follow
Me, and leave the dead to bury their dead." [Matt. 8, 20-21] "Your duty
is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God." [Luke 9,
60] Another said, "I will follow You, but first let me go and say good-bye
to my people at home." Jesus said to him, "Once the hand is laid on the
plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdoni- of God." [Luke 9,
60-62] Therefore, write [accordingly] and pray. I shall do likewise. Now,
let's go on. to something else.
You added a few words which stated or, better, confirmed the filial
affection you have always felt for me. I have always done my best to
entrust to you those tasks that seemed more suited to your character and
to God's greater glory. With this in mind I plan to appoint you prefect at
Mirabello. As you see, it is a big step upward. Today, a simple subject;
tomorrow, superior and adminstrator of a boarding school housing
nearly two hundred people. You will succeed [if you follow these
suggestions]:
1. Aim at God's glory in all you do; help everyone you can; harm no
one, and be ever alert.
2. Obey your director like a son, follow his wishes, and help him in his
work. Since many things are beyond your strength, certain duties will be
resei;ved to him.
3. Let money be deposited with the director and let payments be
made to him unless he decides otherwise.
4. Let thrift go hand in hand with contentment on the part of pupils
and staff. Provide what people need, but staunchly oppose abuses and
waste.
For your own peace of mind, I would also suggest that you send your
brother to Turin. This would spare you trouble and perhaps heartaches.
Anyway, let us abandon ourselves into God's'hands. Since He is with us,
we can say with St. Paul: "I can do all things in Him who strengthens
me." [Phil. 4, 13]

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God bless you and your efforts. Remember me to Father Provera and
to all our confreres.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
The same day he made arrangements for the novena and feast
of Our Lady of the Rosary at Becchi. '
On September 23 Don Bosco presided over the religious pro-
fession of nine members. Seven made triennial vows and two
made perpetual vows. At this year's retreats, a total of six Sale-
sians had made perpetual vows and sixteen had made triennial
vows. Furthermore, on April 15, Father Francis Dalmazzo and
Father John Garino had also taken triennial vows. 2
Meanwhile there ended in Turin a contention that had gravely
displeased Don Bosco. Two brothers, Caesar and Dominic Bon-
giovanni, orphaned at a very tender age, had been cared for by
their widowed aunt, Domenica Bongiovanni, who, holding Don
Bosco in high esteem, entrusted them to him so that they might
learn a craft or trade. At her death, she left a will naming Don
Bosco sole heir with the proviso that he see to it that they learn
some craft that would enable them 'to earn an honest living. She
also warmly urged her nephews to respect and love him and stay
at the Oratory as long as possible or at least until they were
twenty-five. If, however, upon reaching legal age, either should
resolutely refuse to stay, Don Bosco would then have to pay a
yearly sum of a hundred lire in two installments to either of them
who might choose to leave. Lastly, when they ~ecame twenty-
five, he would have to pay them two thousand lire each as a final
settlement, unless he chose to anticipate this payment or defer it
until their thirtieth year if, in his prudence, he should believe this
to be expedient or advantageous to them.
Don Bosco looked after these orphans, and finding them very
intelligent and morally good, he steered them at their request to
the priesthood, for which they showed an inclination. Dominic, in
I We are omitting a routine request to the chancery to authorize Father Bonetti to hear
confessions. [Editor]
2 We are omitting a letter of Don Bosco promising prayers for a sick lady, an article in
Unita Cattolica about the new Salesian. school at Cherasco, and a circular to parents
concerning the new school year at the Oratory. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
particular, formally asked to be allowed to study, saying that he
was renouncing whatever money was coming to him.
On his part Don Bosco provided for all their needs throughout
their secondary schooling and their philosophical and theological
studies, taking no benefits for himself. After ordination, the elder
brother Joseph remained with the Salesians until his death, while
the younger one, Dominic, who had grown insubordinate, asked
to leave. Don Bosco, who had provided his ecclesiastic patrimony
prior to ordination, allowed him to join the diocesan clergy.
Upon leaving the Oratory a few days before his twenty-fifth
birthday, Father Dominic Bongiovanni asked for the 100-Iire an-
nual pension and the two thousand lire he was entitled to. Hoping
that he would think it over and change his mind, Don Bosco re-
fused.
We must consider that the estate bequeathed to Don Bosco
consisted of modest cottages valued at most at five thousand lire,
although many years later they were sold for a respectable sum
when the government expropriated them to make way for an
arsenal. The fact remains that Don Bosco had spent far more than
he had received on the boys' education and that for this reason
alone he considered this request exorbitant.
All those who were aware of the facts felt equally disgusted by
Father Bongiovanni's conduct. Bishop [Lawrence] Gastaldi, too,
seriously remonstrated in a letter to Father [Felix] Golzio, rector
of the Convitto Ecclesiastico 3 where Father Dominic Bongiovanni
was studying pastoral theology, for permitting a lawsuit to be
instituted against such a respectable person as Don Bosco.
Through his lawyer, Don Bosco defended the rights he was
convinced were his, all the more so since [Joseph] Buzzetti 4 -the
orphans' guardian-had clearly explained the testator's in-
3 An ecclesiastical college specializing in pastoral theology. It was here that Don Bosco
started his work for boys while attending courses immediately after his ordination. See
Vol. II, pp. 31ff, 54-61. [Editor]
4 Buzzetti and his brother _Charles had been among the first boys to attend Don Bosco's
festive oratory before it acquired permanent quarters. In 1847, Don Bosco persuaded
Joseph to study Latin and prepare for the priesthood. He donned the clerical habit in 1852
at the age of twenty. Unfortunately, the loss of his left finger shortly afterward (see Vol.
IV, p. 253) disqualified him from priestly ordination. He remained with Don Bosco and
greatly helped him in many tasks. In 1877 he took his vows in the Salesian Society as a
coadjutor brother. He died at Lanzo in 1891. For further details, see the Index of preceding
volumes. [Editor]

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343
tentions to him. When the matter was finally settled, Don Bosco
readily forgave the man wo had brought him both damage and
grief. Father Dominic Bongiovanni, not satisfied with having Don
Bosco forced to pay him two thousand lire, pressed further legal
demands for another two thousand lire, the share of his very pious
brother, Father Joseph, who had died a Salesian at the Oratory,
as we have already narrated in Chapter 23 of this volume. Com-
mendatore Dupraz, a generous friend of Don Bosco, intervened
and settled out of court with Father Bongiovanni for 1,400 lire.
"After this lawsuit," the plaintiff himself declared under oath,
"Don Bosco always treated me fairly and I might say almost
cordially. I myself always showed him deep respect and vene-
ration, and I always joined in the manifestations of filial affection
which took place and still do every year in his honor, contributing
also to a gift for him. I likewise regularly attended the dinner he
held for his former pupils. I have then reason to believe that Don
Bosco harbored no grudge or coldness toward me, though, re-
gretfully, I cannot say the same of myself."
Father [Paul] Albera assured us that in his last years Father
Dominic Bongiovanni often expressed keen regret for having so
disappointed Don Bosco. Recalling his deeds, he repeatedly
wondered, Who knows if I shall be saved?
But even after death, Don Bosco gave evidence that he had for-
given this former pupil, who was then, the pastor of St.
Alphonsus, a new parish in Turin. Caught in desperate financial
straits in constructing a new church, Father Bongiovanni often
went to the Salesian house at Valsalice [in the outskirts of Turin]
to pray at Don Bosco's tomb. The necessary funds were soon
forthcoming. He himself told us of his financial problems and of
the favor received.
At this point we think it fitting to comment on Don Bosco's
practice of justice to a heroic degree, giving each one his due.
Totally dedicated to the good of all, he hardly thought of himself,
content with the little he had and shunning every least comfort.
Injustice could find no abode in one who spent his whole self for
others.
Despite his poverty and the obstacles he had to overcome in his
multiple undertakings, Don Bosco always paid his workmen and

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
suppliers. No one ever had to complain that he had suffered
losses at Don Bosco's hands. This is confirmed by many people,
such as the contractors Joshua and Charles Buzzetti who began
their career with the work they did for Don Bosco.
Charles Buzzetti worked for him for many years and also built
the Church of Mary, Help of Christians. Some time later, while
constructing another church in Turin, he lamented the trouble he
was having.
"To me a word from Don Bosco is worth far more than any
promissory note," he declared. "For him I would be ready to build
ten churches at once."
When ordering work or supplies, Don Bosco used to warn those
concerned that he would probably be late in paying because he
depended on whatever Divine Providence sent to him, but when-
ever he had the means he would pay even without being asked.
When unable to pay in full, he made partial payments. At times,
when burdened with weighty debts, he would humiliate himself
by asking his creditors to condone them in part as an act of charity
toward his pupils. If this attempt failed, he paid his creditors to
the last cent. Likewise, when he owed money to several creditors
and could not pay them all, he would first satisfy those who were
in greater need. In short, he always met his obligations,
regretting a delay when he could not pay on a due date, and even
more when he had to ask for a further postponement.
However, the Madonna always came to the rescue. When the
mail brought donations, Don Bosco would tell Father Rua: "How
wonderful is Divine Providence! Most of our donors do not know
us and have never seen us, and yet the Lord inspires them to
come to our aid. See this money; it's from France, Belgium,
Austria, Germany, and Russia. How grateful we should be to
Divine Providence!"
He looked to God for everything. Always trusting in Him, he
did not engage in business transactions when in need of funds.
John Bisio5 · once suggested that he purchase something he could
later resell at a profit, but Don Bosco chided him by saying that
Providence would help him in some other way.
When he could, he conscientiously speeded payment of his bills
) One of Don Bosco's first pupils. [Editor]

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345
lest his creditors suffer a lot by his delay. Once Joseph Rossi 6 told
him that some money had arrived and that some bills were due.
"Then go and pay them at once," Don Bosco said. "This money
no longer belongs to us but to our suppliers."
Another time he received some money toward evening. "If it
weren't too late to knock at their doors," he again told Rossi, "I
would satisfy my creditors tonight."
"He was so detached from earthly things," the aforementioned
Joseph Rossi testified, "that he was equally happy with or without
money. 'How much do we owe?' he would sometimes ask me.
When occasionally I told him that our debt exceeded one hundred
thousand lire, he would answer, 'We'll pay! We'll pay! I've al-
ready thought it out. We shall satisfy everybody.'"
On many occasions we also had to admire his solicitude in
urging dependents to be extremely conscientious in exercising
justice-a virtue he constantly stressed in sermons.
Because of his keen sense of justice and his persistent efforts to
pay his debts promptly, his suppliers and contractors were ever
ready to do business with him.
"We feel more at ease working for you and supplying your
needs than we do with any other customer, no matter how big,"
several used to tell him. They also told Joseph Rossi, "If our
customers were like the Oratory, it would be a pleasure to be a
supplier. "7
In conclusion, his honesty and fairness were so well known that
many of his creditors trustingly came to him for a peaceful settle-
ment of their [family] troubles. His advice always re-established
peace and concord in their families.
Their trust was also rewarded in other ways. The Lord seemed
to take pleasure in blessing those who extended credit to His
servant. They themselves attributed their wealth or an upsurge in
business, formerly rather shaky, to the services they had
rendered to Don Bosco.
6 ,Joseph Rossi entered the Oratory in 1859 at the age of twenty-four and became a lay
Salesian the following year. In 1869 Don Bosco appointed him purveyor for the Oratory and
the other Salesian houses. In 1877 and 1886 he took part in the General Chapters as a
consultor at Don Bosco's invitation. He continued to enjoy the trust of Don Bosco's
successor until his own death in 1908. See Vol. VI, pp. 159f, 274, 362, 426, 559ff. [Editor]
rwe are omitting a few other similar statements. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
The Lord likewise blessed all his benefactors. We heard many
declare: "The more I give to Don Bosco, the more my business
prospers."

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CHAPTER 58
Oratory Family Life
IN a letter dated October 2, 1869, Don Bosco asked
Bishop Eugene Galletti of Alba to forward a memorandum to the
Holy See requesting permission to open a school at Cherasco in
his diocese. 1 The bishop examined it and forwarded it to Rome
with a letter expressing his full approval. Rome's reply was
favorable. 2
During these proceedings, Don Bosco left for Becchi on October
3 with a group of boys to take part in the feast of Our Lady of the
Rosary. In this tranquil interval he readily talked about the
ecumenical council, fondly voicing the hope that the dogma of the
personal infallibility of the Pope would be proclaimed in view of
the incalculable benefits that would ensue from it. Never
neglecting an opportunity to instruct his priests, clerics, and boys
on such matters, during those days he directed his conversation to
dogmas in general. Father Bonetti, who was present, jotted down
his remarks:
A dogma [Don Bosco explained] is a supernatural truth explicitly or
implicitly contained in Holy Scripture and defined by the Church,
assembled in council or otherwise. Dogmas must be preached. They
were the favorite topic of the Fathers of the Church; they are the back-
bone of our religion and are intimately linked with its moral precepts.
The faithful must therefore be instructed and become familiar with
them. Dogmas should be explained properly and accurately, lest the
faithful derive more harm than good.
It would seem that dogmas are today somewhat neglected in our
1 The Holy See's definitive approval of the Salesian Society had the proviso that
permission was to be requested for each new foundation. (Editor]
2 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
347

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
preaching. We must reverse this trend. We must not be dismayed by the
difficulty of the subject matter; rather, we must prepare ourselves prop-
erly. Dogmas should be preached because:
1. They are the noblest and most vital elements of religion.
2. They are the signs by which we can distinguish the faithful man
from the infidel.
3. They are the seed of supernatural virtues.
4. They are the substance of our faith. As St. Paul says. "Faith is the
substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that are not
seen." [Heb. 11, 1] Dogmas, therefore, must be made known to the
people so that they may make acts of faith.
5. They show the relationship between natural and supernatural
truths. They are above reason, but never against it. Dogmas are so
interrelated that if we reject one, all the others must logically be rejected
as well.
6. They should be proclaimed because they foster humility, the foun-
dation of our moral life, whereby the intellect bows to God's revelation
and the Church's teaching.
When Don Bosco returned to Turin, two Arab lads of the Kabili
tribe, who had lost the~r parents during the great drought-in-
duced famine that had orphaned thousands of unfortunate
children, were expected from Algeria. Archbishop [Charles]
Lavigerie had rescued hundreds of them, even by buying them in
slave markets, to give them a Christian education. He had also
asked Don Bosco to take into the Oratory a few who had resisted
all his attempts to educate them. 3 Don Bosco obliged, and the
archbishop sent these two twelve-year-olds, Ali and Caruby, who
were as yet unbaptized.
Landing at Genoa on October 7, they were taken to the railroad
station and entrusted to the train conductor. On reaching Turin,
they were left on their own but managed to find their way.
Dressed in their native flowing white mantle and red fez with a
blue tassel, and undauted by the language barrier, they asked
directions with the only two words they knew: "Don Bosco!" Sign
language showed them the most direct route to the Oratory. By
repeating "Don Bosco" at every street corner, they finally reached
their destination. Don Bosco was just finishing his meal when the
3,See p. 216. [Editor]

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Oratory Family Life
349
two youngsters arrived. Taking them kindly by the hand, with
smiles, a gentle pat, and a few words in French he sought to make
them understand that they were welcome and that he would be
their friend. He then entrusted them to a young cleric who knew a
little Arabic from having been in Palestine.
On October 8, Don Bosco went to Villastellone to discuss some
matters with Father [John Baptist] Appendini [his former
seminary professor].4 The following Sunday he was in Calliano,
whence he replied to a young cleric's letter:
Dear Garino: 5
Calliano, October 10, 1869
I was glad to receive your letter telling me of your firm resolve to
improve and become a good priest. On my part, I'll do all I can to help
you, but I shall need your cooperation too. What in particular? Your
unlimited confidence in whatever concerns your spiritual welfare.
I should try to make you a hunter of souls, but lest you become the
prey, I only ask that you become a model to your companions. Consider
yourself fortunate each time that you can do some good or prevent some
evil among your companions.
Love me as I love you in the Lord, and please pray for me too.
Yours affectionately,
Fr. John Bosco
The following day, Don Bosco was back in Turin. 6 Meanwhile,
the director, Father John Baptist Francesia, and his staff had left
to open a new school at Cherasco. That same month Unita
Cattolica carried a brief article on the Salesian school at Lanzo. 7
In the meantime at Valdocco Don Bosco had instructed Father
Charles Ghivarello8 to draw up plans for new offices and had also
taken steps to revive the festive oratory whose enrollment had
4'See Vol. I, p. 339. This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
~ John Garino was already a priest. See p. 282. [Editor]
6 We are omitting a letter of Don Bosco to a benefactress and a short note to the superi-
oress of a convent. [Editor]
7 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
8 Charles Ghivarello (1853-1913) entered the Oratory at the age of twenty and received
the clerical habit from Don Bosco the following year. He made his first formal vows in 1862
and was ordained a priest in 1864. His building expertise greatly helped Don Bosco. He
filled important positions until his death in 1913. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
considerably declined because of crowding, as space was lost to
the ever increasing number of resident students and artisans.
Oratory attendance kept dropping also because many teenagers
had to work on the mornings of feast days; a third reason was that
after the opening of the new Church of Mary, Help of Christians,
that of St. Francis de Sales had been temporarily converted to
several other purposes. The well-attended Lenten catechetical
instructions alone reflected the festive oratory's former popu-
larity; after Easter the number of boys attending Sunday services
in the new church would again fall off. This downtrend, however,
was not a final setting but merely a partial eclipse. To boost at-
tendance .Don Bosco reserved for the festive oratory boys the
large sacristy on the west side of the new church, and he put
Julius Barberis, then a young cleric, in charge. In the wake of the
first comers, more and more youngsters kept coming and soon
filled it to capacity. Religious instruction was given in the
morning and the evening, and through the doors opening into the
sanctuary the boys could hear Mass and assist at Benediction.
The long narrow courtyard on the west side of the Church of
Mary, Help of Christians served as their playground.
The boarders too were Don Bosco' s cdnstant concern. In
November his request to the Department of Defense resulted in a
gift of a large supply of blankets and bed linen. Meanwhile, he
saw to the printing of a booklet of his as the November issue of
Letture Cattoliche. It was entitled: Angelina or The Little Orphan
Girl of the Appennines. 9
Besides writing and publishing, Don Bosco also meticulously
edited his spiritual sons' manuscripts intended for publication.
For instance, after carefully going over a biography of the cleric
[Joseph] Mazzarella which Father Lemoyne had written at Don
Bosco's request, he gave his suggestions to the writer in the
following letter:
Dear Father Lemoyne:
Turin, November 3, 1869
Your manuscript is excellent, but we must not lose sight of its purpose
and suitability. To this end:
9 ·This paragraph is a condensation. [Edito:r]

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351
1. Eliminate or at least tone down flights of fa~ncy. Delete purely de-
scriptive passages.
2. Remember that this is a biography; therefore any moral must be
woven into the narrative rather than offered apart.
3. Certain digressions, such as the Jesuits' banishment from Genoa,
are inopportune, considering the present political climate.
4. In view of this the chapter "Mornese" should be shortened. By way
of introduction, its location, history, and characteristics could be drawn
from Casalis. 10 Of course, mention your sources and then go on with
your story.
5. I have marked off a few passages to call your attention to their
meaning and interrelation. I enclose your first two notebooks; I'll return
the other two as soon as I have read them-soon, I hope. This is your
first attempt at writing, so be patient. You will do better after a careful
reading of these edited notebooks.
Take heart and hope in the Lord. God bless you and your efforts.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
While Don Bosco was attending to all these matters, the Ora-
tory again filled up with pupils who would be the fortunate
witnesses of his striking virtues. Several of them left us written
declarations. We report one to show how Don Bosco forged ahead
in his mission and how his reputation for sanctity constantly
spread.
Among the newcomers there arrived at the Oratory on the feast
of All Saints [1869] a student named Joseph Bernard Corno whose
mother had introduced him to Don Bosco at Becchi. After
completing his secondary schooling and his first year of philos-
ophy at the Oratory, he had to return home for reasons of health,
but he always kept in touch with Don Bosco, for whom he felt
deep veneration and gratitude. This former pupil, now a doctor of
theology, diocesan chancellor, and papal domestic prelate, when
called upon to testify in the diocesan process concerning the life
and virtues of Don Bosco, summed up his impressions of his five
years at the Oratory as follows:
A 101 renowned geographical, historical, statistical, and commercial dictionary of over
twenty volumes compiled by Goffredo Casalis. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
It was common belief that Don Bosco possessed supernatural gifts. On
various occasions he predicted the death of several boys. He could read
into the hearts of others, as I myself h.eard from one who had had that
experience. It was repeatedly proven that, though he was absent, he
could see what was happening at the Oratory. I can confirm that some
boys were afraid to be seen by him because they feared that he might
read their misdeeds on their foreheads. His reputation for sanctity was
well known also outside the Oratory.
He solicitously looked after his boys, educating them personally or
through his co-workers. On Sundays and holy days he preached on the
truths of our faith and vigorously promoted piety. Every evening he gave
us a short talk before going to bed. His system of education was totally
fatherly. Boys were drawn to him by his kindness and were very fond of
him. He trained them to receive the sacraments frequently; many in fact
received them weekly and most even more often. On feast days and on
the occasion of the monthly Exercise for a Happy Death nearly every-
body went to Communion. He heard confessions assiduously and for
long periods, though he also had other priests helping him out in order
to safeguard the penitents' freedom of choice. He was also exceptionally
prudent. Though so many boys came from so many places, grave
disorders never broke out.
We may now add a few items. To spur his boys on to greater
good, Don Bosco revived the waning custom of inviting deserving
pupils to dine with him on certain occasions. This custom had
declined mainly because of the swelling numbers of Salesians and
the smallness of the superiors' dining room which was in the
basement near the kitchen. In 1869, after its relocation to a large
room on the main floor, where in 1846 there had stood the Pinardi
shed which served as the Oratory chapel, Don Bosco directed that
the best boys in each grade and workshop should again dine with
him on Sundays. This served to increase emulation among the
pupils. He was glad to see them, enjoyed their company, and kept
up this custom even over the objections of others. He felt that it
was most important for the best pupils to have frequent op-
portunities to approach their superiors.
At table, however, they did not sit next to Don Bosco. Since the
early days this privilege had been reserved to the boys chosen for
the Washing of Feet on Maundy Thursday, the Rector Major
himself performing the ceremony. The chosen ones greatly

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Oratory Family Life
353
benefited by this treat. At the close of the dinner, they unfailingly
thanked Don Bosco individually, and to each of them he would
address a few words that always did them a lot of good. Some-
times he would casually hint at the stat~ of life that a boy should
choose or drop a word that would plant the seed of a priestly vo-
cation or would strengthen it or even make it certain. On certain
occasions, he would treat each of them to some pastry.
The boys who had been chosen for the Washing of Feet eagerly
looked forward to this honor and talked about it days ahead of
time. For years afterward, they recalled the privilege they had
had of dining with Don Bosco.
Those who were not so lucky did not wait for a special invitation
to get near to Don Bosco. The joyous, moving scenes which we
have amply described elsewhere, 11 and which since 1850 had en-
livened the superiors' dining room, were routine also this year,
especially after supper. As soon as the Salesians left the dining
room, a swarm of boys would rush in and crowd around Don
Bosco.
Before long, though, they had to content themselves with en-
joying his company only in the playground. People calling on Don
Bosco in the dining room and frequent guests eventually put an
end to these cherished, familiar contacts. How fondly we
remember them!
However, the custom of inviting the best pupils to dinner lasted
till Don Bosco's death. Our archives still preserve the names of
many who enjoyed this privilege.
11 See Vol: VI, pp. 39f; Vol. VII, p. 141. [Editor)

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CHAPTER 59
Unending Vexations (Continued)
aRCHBISHOP Riccardi of Turin [in late October or
early November of 1869] instructed Father [Frederick] Albert, 1
vicar at Lanzo, to interview the young clerics of the local Salesian
school about their vocation. At the vicar's suggestion, the di-
rector-Father Lemoyne-wrote to Don Bosco that the vicar
would appreciate directives from him on how to go about this
task. Don Bosco's reply follows:
Dear Father Lemoyne:
[No date]
I enclose a report of sorts that vicar might use as a guide. Let him
change it as he pleases.
Next Thursday we shall hold the Exercise for a Happy Death. I could
leave for Lanzo in the afternoon if you think that all the pupils will be
. back in school by then.
Tell Bodrato' s father that I shall look after his worthy son, provided
that he doesn't run out on me.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. What is Guidazio2 doing?
What follows is the report that Don Bosco suggested to Father
I Years before, at the very beginning of the Oratory, Father Albert had offered his
services to Don Bosco. (See Vol. III, p. 152) At the start of this chapter we have omitted the
narration of Don Bosco's unsuccessful efforts to obtain reduced railroad fares. [Editor]
2 Peter Guidazio (1841-1902) entered the Oratory in 1862 at the age of twenty-two. Two
years later, Don Bosco opened the Lanzo school and sent him there to teach. He stayed six
years and showed himself to be a good teacher. Ordained in 1874, he was appointed
prefect of studies at the Oratory. Later, he successively held important offices and greatly
contributed to the spread of Salesian schools in Sicily, where he died in 1902. [Editor]
354

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Unending Vexations (Continued)
355
Albert as a guideline in his reply to the archbishop of Turin. Don
Bosco prefaced his report with the words "Father Albert could
answer in these terms":
I could not interview Father Paul Albera, Father Francis Dalmazzo,
and Father Peter Racca because they reside at the Oratory in Turin.
In response to my query, Father James Costamagna and the clerics
Joseph Daghero and Modesto Davico replied that they have already
made their vows in the Salesian Society. They joined this Congregation
because, lacking financial means, this was the only way they could pur-
sue their studies. They saw it as a path opened to them by Divine
Providence for saving their own souls and doing good to others.
When asked if they intended to withdraw from your jurisdiction, they
all agreed that they had never thought of doing so and that they have
been teaching, catechizing, and supervising up to now only in the firm
belief that this was your wish. Furthermore, they assured me that they
had always interpreted their rule in this sense. In the copy I saw,
Chapter 8, Article 3 states: Tamquam superiori subiicientur episcopo
illius dioecesis, ubi domus est ad quam pertinent. ! Article 2 of the same
chapter likewise states: Post Romanum Pontificem, 4 etc.
Thus, while they are very firmly determined to belong to the Salesian
Congregation, they will never do anything that might even remotely
conflict with the strictest obedience to Your Excellency. They strongly
insist that this was always their understanding of the above-quoted arti-
cle and that it was always explained to them in this sense. They also
maintain their determination to catechize, teach, and hold church
services for no other purpose than to please you and do the utmost good
to others, always within the limits of their respectful submissions to
Your Excellency, as prescribed by their rules.
This is their line of thinking. As for me, to tell the truth, I must say
that since the arrival of the Salesians in Lanzo, my parish-the young,
especially .... (Here the vicar may add whatever he thinks best in the
Lord.)
We regret to say it, but this investigation was further proof of
the difficulties being raised against Don Bosco. The archbishop
even went so far as to threaten to suspend any non-Salesian priest
~ They shall be subject to the bishop of the diocese in which their house is located as to
their superior. [Editor]
4After the Roman Pontiff. . . . [Editor]

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356
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
residing at the Oratory, but the fact was that every priest there
was either a postulant, novice, or professed member.
Deacon Joseph Cagliero of Castelnuovo d' Asti, who had
entered the Oratory before he was fourteen, had already applied
for admission but had not yet made his vows. When ordination
time drew near, Don Bosco had him call on Archbishop Riccardi to
seek his permission to be ordained. The archbishop asked him to
state whether he wished to belong to the diocesan clergy or to the
Salesian Congregation and, after giving his reasons, concluded:
"I will ordain you if you promise, in writing, to leave the Oratory."
Cagliero had listened in silence. Pushing a pen into Cagliero's
hand, the archbishop ordered: "Write!"
"I will not," Cagliero replied, true to his temperament-some-
what brusque, curt, and determined-and dropped the pen.
"Very well, then," the prelate went on, "resign yourself to not
being ordained."
"So be it! I'll wait."
"Why do you want to stay with Don Bosco?" the archbishop
pressed, seeing him so determined. "What is this Congregation
of yours anyway? Who belongs to it? How many of you are there
all together?"
"I do not know."
"Here! Write their names on this sheet of paper."
"Your Excellency, I do not know them all. Ask Don Bosco. I will
not write anything."
"Then I will write!"
Seizing a pen, the archbishop wrote Don Bosco' s name and
then waited for Cagliero to dictate, but the latter kept silent.
"Well!" the prelate exclaimed. "Who else besides Don Bosco?"
Cagliero remained mute. Writing down Father Albera's name,
the prelate remarked: "Father Albera ... who belongs to Don
Bosco even more than Don Bosco himself."
Seeing that nothing could sway Cagliero, the archbishop rose
and said: "If that's how it is, you may go."
The deacon bade the archbishop good-bye, went back to the
Oratory, and told Don Bosco what had happened. The latter
drafted the following letter, and Cagliero copied it:

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Unending Vexations (Continued)
Your Excellency:
357
Turin, November 6, 1869
Fear and respect kept me from talking frankly yesterday, all the more
so because the decision involved was one which I had been advised to
reach very slowly because of the irrevocable obligations it entailed.
After much prayer, I again open my heart, as I would if I were about to
die.
I am firmly determined to join the Congregation of St. Francis de
Sales. I came he.re as a young boy, 5 and had I not received moral and
material assistance, I would not have been able to pursue my studies. I
therefore feel deeply attached to the place and to the persons who gave
me intellectual and moral nourishment. Don Bosco has always left me
free to stay or go. Physically and morally I have always belonged to this
Congregation, though I never committed myself to it as I do now through
this letter.
R,ease hear me out. You asked me repeatedly whether I wanted to
belong to you or to the Oratory. On this score I must inform you that in
explaining the rules of the Congregation, Don Bosco has always
maintained that in all matters he has constantly been guided by the
archbishop. Our constitutions state that the bishop of the diocese is our
legitimate superior. On my part, I have always given religious instruc-
tion, taught, and taken·part in church services with the full conviction
that this apostolate had your blessing and approval. At the last
ordinations I was delighted to see that more than twenty of the
twenty-five ordinands had been pupils of mine here at the Oratory.
I therefore beg Your Excellency to believe me when I say that I have
always desired-and still do-to obey you, to submit to your every wish,
and to do all I can for the good of the diocese in conformity with the rules
of the Salesian Congregation, which explicitly state this in Chapter 8,
Articles 2 and 3.
Kindly overlook the inadequacies of this letter. It comes straight from
the heart. As in the past, I shall pray for your constant good health.
Your devoted servant,
Cleric Joseph Cagliero
These difficulties, added to reiterated inducements of a
lucrative and honorable future, only made this excellent disciple
of Don Bosco ever more resolute and determined to stay with him.
l See Vol. IV, ~P· 200-04. [Editor]

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358
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Casting aside all hesitation, he made his vows on November 12
[1869] in the humble and harassed Society of St. Francis de Sales.
The following day, in Don Bosco's absence, the Superior Chapter
accepted the suggestion of several of its members and assigned
the newly professed deacon to the house of Mirabello. Then, on
November 14, Bishop Ferre of Casale, who was holding ordina-
tions outside the prescribed time, promptly ordained him. He was
well acquainted with Don Bosco and the Salesian Society, which
he had already approved as a diocesan institute, and was aware of
the difficulties that were besetting it.
Word of this soon reached Archbishop Riccardi who wrote Don
Bosco as follows:
Very Reverend Father:
Turin, November 26, 1869
To my very painful surprise I heard that, without my knowledge,
Deacon Joseph Cagliero, a member of the Salesian Congregation
found~d in this city and directed by Your Reverence, was ordained a
priest on the 14th of this month by Bishop Peter Maria Ferre of Casale.
Both you and Deacon Cagliero knew quite well that I would hold
ordinations this month. I admit that, according to the decree of March 1,
1869 of the Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, you have the right to
issue dimissorial letters to your subjects for tonsure and both minor and
major orders, but these should have been addressed to me as bishop of
this diocese, unless I happened to be absent or was not holding
ordinations.
Now, by having your subject, Deacon Cagliero, ordained a priest by
the bishop of Casale, without any such justifying reasons, you have vio-
lated the prescriptions of the sacred canons and my own episcopal rights
which I am bound to safeguard and defend.
Under the circumstances-and I cannot see it otherwise-in accord-
ance with the aforesaid decree of March 1, 1869 I can only regard the
ordination of Deacon Cagliero as totally illicit.
While I pedorm the unpleasant duty of bringing this to your attention,
I must also add that Your Reverence, Father Cagliero, and Bishop Ferre
of Casale have incurred the penalties threatened for such transgressions
by the decree of Pope Clement VIII. March 15, 1596, and the Bull of
Benedict XIV, February 27, 1747 for having taken part in the aforesaid
illicit ordination. In particular, you have incurred the loss of your office,
dignity, as well as both active and passive voice; Father Cagliero has

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Unending Vexations (Continued)
359
incurred suspension and will contract irregularity if he exercises his
ministry; and the bishop of Casale cannot easily avoid the canonical
penalties established against those who presume to ordain another
bishop's subject with inadequate dimissorials.
In pointing this out to Your Reverence and through you to Father
Cagliero for your information and action, I remain,
Your devoted servant,
• Alexander [Riccardi], Archbishop
Don Bosco humbly replied:
Your Excellency:
Turin, November 28, 1869
You cannot imagine my regret and distress on receiving your letter
concerning the ordination of the cleric Joseph Cagliero. At all times,
particularly after the approval of our humble Congregation, I have
stressed and constantly taught our members that we must all do our
utmost to avoid even the slightest contrariety or displeasure to our
bishops, and particularly to Your Excellency. Our rules explicitly
command this. I hope that a sincere exposition of what happened,
though not fully justifying its occurrence, may at least make it deserving
of consideration.
You will perhaps recall how a short time ago you saw fit to threaten
suspension for any diocesan priest who would continue to share in the
activities of our Congregation. This thoroughly frightened our ordi-
nands. That is why the cleric Cagliero could hardly speak or write when
he called on Your Excellency. As the time for his ordination drew near, I
took pains to call at your office several times, both morning and evening
to consult with Your Excellency on this and other matters which
thought best not to put in writing. However, I was unable to see you.
either because you were out of town or because you were not receiving
visitors at that time. I therefore decided to send the cleric to Mirabello t<
be ordained by the bishop of Casale who was holding ordinations outside
the prescribed time. To my knowledge, Your Excellency had not sched-
uled ordinations at that time. You only did so several weeks later.
I thought that I had the right to have Cagliero ordained at Casale, in·
tending not in the least to slight your episcopal rights. I acted in accord·
ance with the decree of the Council of Trent quoted by Benedict XIV in
De Ordinatione Regularium, February 27, 1747, which reads:
Congregatio Concilii censuit superiores regulares posse suo subdito

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360
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
itidem regulari, qui praeditus qualitatibus requisitis ordines suscipere
voluerit, litteras dimissorias concedere, ad episcopum tamen
dioecesanum, nempe illius monasterii in cuius familia ab iis, ad quos
pertinet regularis, positus sit. 6
I also inquired if this decree applied to my case and received an
affirmative reply. (I also wanted to ask your opinion on this matter.)
Basing myself on the above-mentioned reasons, I believed that, with the
consent of the bishop of Casale, the candidate might well be ordained by
that same bishop whose jurisdiction extended over the religious house
where the candidate had been transferred. Another reason for doing so
was the spiritual retreat. You consider our retreats at the Oratory and at
Trofarello inadequate [for ordinands], as was the case last September
when we held them there because of the financial burden involved in
.iending our clerics to the diocesan spiritual retreat.
If, despite my good will and faith, I may have unwittingly misrepre-
sented what I have stated, I beg you graciously to excuse it as
unintended. I assure you that your wishes will be faithfully respected in
the future. Moreover, in the words of the above-mentioned Pontiff, I
implore you by Our Lord's mercy and the charity of the Holy Spirit,
which unites us all in the bond of faith in cultivating the Lord's vineyard,
to condone whatever may have displeased you in this incident.
You know how I have always done my best-little though it be-over
the past thirty years for this diocese. Many diocesan seminarians,
curates, and pastors are former Salesian pupils. I have never sought a
salary or an office. The only remuneration I have always sought-and
still humbly and heartily seek-is indulgence and advice in those
matters which Your Excellency deems conducive to God's greater glory.
For these reasons, and in view of the total ignorance and innocence of
Father Joseph Cagliero, I did not have the heart to tell him of the
passage in your letter concerning him, and I shall not do so unless you
inform me that this is your specific will.
Ever anxious to do all I can in the priestly ministry, I am
Most respectfully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
That same day the archbisho.p, after solemn services in the
6 The Congregation of the Council decreed that religious superiors may issue dimissorial
letters to their religious who, properly qualified, seek ordination. Such dimissorials,
however, must be presented to the bishop of the place where the religious house is located
and to which the religious has been assigned by his superior. [Editor]

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Unending Vexations (Continued)
361
cathedral, left for Rome, where a few of his suffragan bishops had
already preceded him. His vicar general, Monsignor [Joseph]
Zappata, took over the administration of the archdiocese. From
Rome Archbishop Riccardi wrote again to Don Bosco:
Very Reverend Father:
Rome, December 8, 1869
I readily believe that my letter caused you regret and sorrow. I
sincerely believe it because I am convinced that my complaints concern-
ed matters due to ignorance rather than to evil intent. But, since it was
not up to me to redress the situation, I had to write in those terms so that
all concerned might provide for themselves. Indeed, I did not write
solely to complain of the manner in which you, Father Cagliero, and the
bishop of Casale acted in my regard, but rather to have you apply to the
Holy See for absolution. Having stated this, I think it necessary to reply
point by point to your letter in order to rectify its contents and avoid
misunderstandings.
Some time ago, I threatened to suspend young diocesan priests who
intended to remain in your houses. I had to take this measure in order to
learn who were your clerics and who were my own. I was forced to do so
by the discrepancies between• your letters to me and Cagliero's state-
ments to chancery officials.
Secondly, I cannot understand why your ordinands should be fright-
ened. All I asked was whether they intended to remain under their arch-
bishop. I never said anything to show that I wanted personally to lure
from the Congregation those who sought to be part of it. Truthfully I
don't know what to make of your excuse of having called on me several
times, both morning and evening, to discuss the ordination of the cleric
Cagliero. I was always available and never refused to receive anyone.
Besides, in this instance you could and, indeed, should have applied to
the chancery, where we have an official in charge of such matters. He is
well known to you because you have dealt with him on several other such
occasions. Your decision, therefore, to send Cagliero to Mirabello can-
not be ascribed to your inability to speak with me. I do not deny your
right to send the cleric Cagliero to Mirabello if he was in possession of
all the documents required by the sacred canons and had duly applied to
my chancery for dispensation from the required age. His being trans-
ferred, one might say, almost on the vigil of ordination was a breach of
church laws and a ruse to circumvent the bishop by removing from his
jurisdiction through evasion of the law a cleric who had been his subject

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362
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
until a few days previously. This is all the more inexcusable since
ordinations were to take pla<'e in his diocese only a week later. Further
proof that the cleric Cagliero was transferred merely to evade the law is
the fact that he returned to Tu~n immediately after his. ordination. This
also shows how ill-advised you were in your interpretation of the decree
you quoted, since the aforesaid decree explicitly requires that the
religious present his dimissorials to the bishop of the diocese in which he
resides, not to the bishop of the diocese where the religious is conven-
iently transferred for ordination purposes; otherwise this decree would
be entirely pointless. Certainly, had you spoken to me or to the chancery
official in charge of ordinations, we would have pointed this out to you,
and we would also have proven that this has always been the correct
interpretation.
·
As regards the spiritual retreat, I wish to say that when I told Cagliero
to make it in the diocesan retrea~ house I was sure that he was not a
member of your Congregation. In view of this, it was only fair that I
should so act, both because I did not wish to discriminate and because
the spiritual retreat for ordinands is quite different from the usual,
especially as regards sermons. My belief that Cagliero was not a mem-
ber of your Congregation originated not only from what he told me
himself, but even more from the fact that he personally applied to the
chancery for dispensation from the prescribed age, a thing he need not
otherwise have done since it is the religious superior who should apply
on behalf of his subjects and recommend them.
Fr am all the above, I am justified in suspecting in this matter an
intrigue which I am at a loss to explain but which I seriously deplore and
do not wish to see repeated. Besides, let me say once more that I did not
write to you only to complain, but rather that you might all seek absolu-
tion from the censures you have incurred. As for me, I willingly forgive,
hoping that there will be no more such regrettable incidents in the
future.
Yours devotedly,
•Alexander [Riccardi], Archbishop of Turin
Upon receiving this second letter, Don Bosco turned for advice
to Canon Celestine Fissore:
Dear Canon:
Turin, December 18, 1869
How many woes plague us in this world, and to how many troubles is
poor Don Bosco exposed!

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Unending Vexations (Continued)
363
During my absence, a cleric of our Congregation was ordained in
Casale, in whose diocese we have a house and have been approved as a
diocesan congregation. At someone's suggestion perhaps, our arch-
bishop looked upon this as an attack upon his authority, though my in-
tentions were quite different. He wrote to me, I replied to him, and he
promptly sent me another letter.
Please read all this correspondence and see if there has been any
recent directive ad hoc. This is how the decree of the Sacred Congrega-
tion of the Council is generally interpreted by the religious orders that I
have consulted. If that is not so, then they would all be liable to the
penalties threatened.
Benedict XIV does mention and reprove the case of a superior who for
false reasons would switch the domicile of a subject for the purpose of
ordination and then would send him back to his former domicile, but in
that case no penalties are threatened.
My reasons were very serious, as I hope to be able to disclose to you in
person. Please note that ordinations in the [Turin] archdiocese were held
not one, but two weeks later. One might also ask: If a superior has
authority over his subjects, may he not switch their domicile for ordina-
tion purposes if he has grave reasons?
Please do me this act of charity. Study the problem and then let me
know when I can best see you. I will call at your house, unless you prefer
to come to the Oratory.
I assume that you have a copy of the Bulla de Regularium Ordinatione
which I have quoted. If not, 1 will send you one promptly.
I entrust the entire matter to your prayers. Thanking you in advance, I
am
Gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. It is worth remembering that the bishop of Casale is quite well
versed in these matters.
The canon replied promptly:
Very Reverend Don Bosco:
Turin, December 17, 1869 7
I will study your problem, but to reach a sound judgment I must nec-
essarily consult the decree of March 1 of this year, which I do not know
'.·Since Don Bosco's letter to the canon is dated December 18, the canon's reply could not
be dated December 17. Obviously one of the two dates is wrong. [Editor]

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364
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
at all. Therefore, please send it to me. I will be able to see you next
Tuesday morning between 8:30 and 10:30 at my home. I heartily sym-
pathize with your tribulations and pray that God will comfort you.
Your devoted servant,
Canon Celestine Fissore
The real reason why the Superior Chapter had decided to send
the deacon Cagliero to Mirabello so that he could be ordained at
Casale was to shield him from renewed pressure to leave the
Oratory.
No further action was taken. Father John Cagliero, who as
spiritual director of the Salesian Society was always fully in-
formed in matters of this sort, testified that Archbishop Riccardi
had also remonstrated to the bishop of Casale, and that the latter
had effectively rebutted him.
"These differences with the archbishop," Father Cagliero went
on, "were known only to Don Bosco, the few interested parties,
and the members of the Superior Chapter. For all I know, from
then on things went on very placidly until about the end of 1870
when Archbishop Riccardi died. While the see was vacan_t, Don
Bosco was left in peace. As far as I know, there were no differ-
ences with the vicar capitular."
We think it apropos to quote here what Canon Fissore wrote on
the occasion of Don Bosco's death to Father Rua, his successor.
At this time Canon Fissore was archbishop of Vercelli:
I was among the first to notice the sound priestly virtues which the
dear deceased revealed even when he was only a student at the Convitto
Ecclesiastico. Thereafter I had the constant opportunity of seeing him
grow in virtue in public and private life. I unequivocally wish to be
among the first to regret the void he leaves behind him on earth, though
believing that he has already received his heavenly reward.
Such was the esteei;n which this outstanding prelate always felt
for Don Bosco, whose long and thorny controversies with the
diocesan authorities in subsequent years were well known to him.

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CHAPTER 60
The Superior Chapter, 1869
~HE controversies we have Just mentioned kept Don
Bosco busy through the last two months of 1869, but even so these
months were as spiritually rich as the preceding. Keeping his
promise, Don Bosco visited the Lanzo school on Thursday,
November 11. His visits always did as much good as a retreat.
Meanwhile the December issue ofLetture Cattoliche, entitled The
Vatican Council's Jubilee Year, came off the press. From Lanzo
he went to Mirabello and to Cherasco.
In between, he solicited contributions for the purchase of a
piece of land near the St. Aloysius Festive Oratory at Porta Nuova
where he intended to build a church and to name it after St. John
the Evangelist in honor of Pius IX whose first name was John. The
first substantial offering came on December 8, the feast of the
Immaculate Conception. On that day, Baron Feliciano Ricci des
Ferres agreed in writing to contribute one percent of all expenses,
as long as they did not exceed a hundred thousand lire. 1
That same day the Twentieth Ecumenical Council solemnly
opened in St. Peter's in the presence of nearly seven hundred
bishops from all over the world, except Russia whose government
had vetoed the Catholic bishops' departure. One can imagine the
impressive and lengthy procession of priests, religious superiors,
monsignors, abbots, bishops, patriarchs, and cardinals preceding
the Holy Father and his entourage, such as usually escorted him
when he appeared as spiritual and temporal sovereign. After
celebrating a pontifical Mass in the chapel at the right of St.
Peter's Confession, 2 Pius IX intoned the Veni Creator; when the
: This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
::This term was originally used to designate the tomb of a martyr; later, it also included
the altar erected over the tomb and the underground chamber which contained it. [Editor]
365

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
hymn was over, he declared the Council opened. Archbishop Pas-
savalle of Iconia then delivered the opening address to nearly fifty
thousand people who were present.
Don Bosco and his boys celebrated the event. For the occasion
the cleric Albera wrote a hymn which Father Cagliero set to
music. It was sung repeatedly throughout the following year and
once again in 1916 when the newly-elevated Cardinal Cagliero
visited the Oratory. The whole house rejoiced also over the
spiritual rehabilitation of a priest who had been entrusted to Don
Bosco several months previously. 3
A conference Don Bosco gave at this time is recorded in the
minutes of the Superior Chapter's meetings, as follows:
December 10, 1869. Since the term of office of all the Superior
Chapter members had expired, a meeting was held to re-elect them or
elect their successors. After the singing of the Veni, Creator, Father
John Bosco, rector, in accordance with the rules, proceeded to reconfirm
Father Michael Rua as prefect and Father John Cagliero as spiritual
director. Afterward, the perpetually professed members cast secret
votes for the economer and three consultors. Father Angelo Savio was
elected economer, and Father Charles .Ghivarello, Father Celestine
Durando, and Father Paul Albera were elected consultors. The first two
had previously held that office; the last filled the vacancy of Father
Francesia who had been appointed director of the new Salesian schooi at
Cherasco.
We also have unofficial accounts of this meeting. According to
these, Don Bosco prefaced the elections as follows:
"We have met here tonight," he said, "to re-elect our Chapter whose
members were appointed three years ago and whose term of office has
now expired. The Chapter consists of a prefect, a spiritual director, an
economer, and three consultors. By rule the Rector Major appoints the
prefect and the spiritual director, while the rest are elected by plurality
vote. Only perpetually professed members may vote. This is clearly
stipulated by our rules, and we must abide by them. It is still unclear
whether temporarily professed members may be elected, but for the
present we will leave this unresolved and proceed as in the past. I wish
J,We are omitting an article on this in Unita Cattolica. [Editor]

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The Superior Chapter, 1869
367
to point out that former or present Chapter members may be re-elected.
The latter are: Father Rua, prefect; Father Cagliero, spiritual director;
Father Savio, economer; Father Ghivarello, Father Durando, and Father
Francesia, consultors. The last will have to be replaced since he is no
longer here."
At this point someone asked whether two economers were to be
elected-one for the house and one for the Society-or just one who
would administer both offices. It seemed clear that one person could
hardly do justice to both tasks.
"The economer of the Society," Don Bosco replied, "must not be
confused with the economer of the house. These two offices can be kept
quite distinct. The economer of the house is somewhat of a vice-
economer or assistant, the relationship being that of the vice-prefect to
the prefect. Let this guide those who have the right to vote and also the
rest so that they may know who their superiors are."
A count was then taken of the perpetually professed members-four-
teen in all. Those receiving the highest number of votes would be
elected. After the Veni, Creator and other prescribed prayers, Don
Bosco, in conformity with the rules, confirmed Father Michael Rua
and Father John Cagliero in their respective offices of prefect and
spiritual director. Afterward, the perpetually professed members cast
their secret ballots for the economer and the three consultors. When the
votes were tallied (by Father Rua and Father Cagliero), it was found that
Father Angelo Savie had been elected economer, Father Charles
Ghivarello and Father Celestine Durando had been reconfirmed as
consultors, and Father Paul Albera had been elected consultor to replace
Father Francesia who had been appointed director of the new Salesian
school in Cherasco.
Father Ghivarello and Father Durando were unanimously elected;
Father Anthony Sala, the house economer, received several votes for the
office of economer of the Society; Father Joseph Lazzero had one vote
less than Father Albera, who obtained eight votes.
Don Bosco, as Rector Major, officially announced the balloting results
and then went on as follows:
"Now our [Superior] Chapter has been re-elected. At all times it must
be the symbol of authority in our Society. This is not merely a
home-made arrangement, but is the standard structure of all religious
orders-such as the Dominicans, the Bamabites, and many others-and
quite distinct from the house Chapter. Its members are therefore easily
known. The religious orders I mentioned even have a separate dining
room for the Superior Chapter, a thing we too shall introduce in due
time.

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Those who have been elected must bear in mind that their office
requires patience and sacrifice, and that no reward is promised other
than the one which the Lord shall grant us.
"I cannot hide from you that our path is strewn with thorns, and that
we shall have much to suffer from people and circumstances. We are the
first to walk on thorns because our Society is just beginning, but we
must be heartened by the fact that• ~ are not alone. Our Divine Savior
and the Blessed Virgin are at our side, striding with us, pointing the
way, comforting and upholding us.
"What the Lord has most wished to tell us is that after the thorns come
the roses-plenty of them. He promises us much help and many spirit-
ual and temporal blessings. Our conditions will greatly improve. God
will also abundantly see to our temporal needs as long as we use
everything for His greater glory.
"What heartens me-and I say it with a certain complacency-is that
this year our Congregation is off to a good start and everyone is doing
his best to keep things going smoothly. Our situation seems much better
than last year. I want a list or catalogue of all the members of our Society
to be printed before the end of this civil year and a copy given to all, so
that all may easily know who the members. are. This list or catalogue,
however, is not to be given to others.
"I also wish that space be reserved at the end of this list for names of
those whom the Lord shall summon into eternity during the course of the
year. A copy of the catalogue shall be preserved each year along with a
brief biography of the deceased, highlighting the virtues which
characterized each, so that, eighty years or so from now, people will
know its progress or decline. The list will be kept updated. Each house
will also have its own personnel list."
At this meeting, Don Bosco no longer spoke of the importance
of having a house in Rome. All hope had been abandoned for St.
Caius, and negotiations for the Church of the Holy Shroud were at
a standstill. 4
At the Oratory, meanwhile, the last of the six deaths5 predicted
by Don Bosco at the end of 1868 took place. Father Rua made this
entry in the Oratory obituary:
John Bonelli, son of Luke, of Vico (Mondovi), died at the Oratory on
December 19, 1869. A simple and extremely timid man and a former
4'.This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
~see p. 13. [Editor]

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The Superior Chapter, 1869
369
Franciscan, he was admitted to the Oratory when religious orders were
suppressed. He gladly lent his services, first as doorkeeper and then as
sexton, willingly doing whatever his health allowed. He was outstanding
for his silence. It may be safely stated that throughout his stay at the
Oratory he never said one word too much.
This moving death enhanced, if it were possible, the prestige
which Don Bosco enjoyed among the boys. 6
On Christmas J?ay the two young Algerian boys [who had
arrived at the Oratory in October]7 received Baptism. Educating
them and instructing them in the Christian faith had not been
easy, as it also would not be with other Algerians who came the
next year. Archbishop Lavigerie had warned Don Bosco that they
were unbearable boys, and when Don Bosco put them to the test,
he had to admit that they were worse than he had anticipated. 8
Dressed in Arab garb, they were baptized in the Church of
Mary, Help of Christians amid the deep emotion of the crowd who
attended. Ali took the name of Stephen; Caruby took that of
Peter. Godparents were Attorney Leo Fontana, later mayor of
Turin for many years, and his mother, Mrs. Oriola, both well
known in town for their charitable activities.
The year closed with an act of generosity and love for the Vicar
of Jesus Christ on the part of the Oratory boys. As reported in
Unita Cattolica on December 28, 1869, the Oratory sent af!
offering of 205 lire and 15 centesimi to Pius IX for the Ecumenical
Council.
We have no record of the usual strenna on the last day of the
year, but we are inclined to believe that Don Bosco spoke to them
of prayers to be offered for the successful outcome of the Vatican
Council. 9
6 We are omitting Don Bosco's Christmas greetings to a benefactor. [Editor]
7 See p. 348. [Editor]
8 We are omitting a flowery description of the moral transformation of these two boys by
Count Charles Conestabile in his Opere Religiose e Morali in Italia. [Editor]
9 We are omitting an excerpt about the Vatican Council from II Galantu-omo, the yearly
almanac for subscribers to Letture Cattoliche. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 61
Vatican Council I
ON December 10, 1869, at the assembly of Salesians
[for the election of the Superior Chapter], Don Bosco had
announced that from 1870 onward a directory would be published
every year. From this first directory we gather that the
membership stood at 102: 28 perpetually professed, 33 in trien-
nial vows, and 41 novices. No mention is made of 22 aspirants.
Four schools were in operation· in Turin, Mirabello, Lanzo and
Cherasco. 1
The arrival of the first two Algerians at the Oratory in October
1869 and the news that Archbishop Lavigerie would be sending
others perhaps inspired the January 1870 issue of Letture Catto-
liche entitled: Nicoio Olivieri and the Ransom ofArab Schoolgirls.
It was a brief history of the sacrifices and success of a saintly
priest, Father Olivieri, in ransoming thousands of young girls. 2
This pamphlet reawakened the Salesians' desire to work in the
foreign missions. From the first days of the Oratory, Don Bosco
had from time to time mentioned opening houses in Africa,
America, and Asia, and several times Father Francis Dalmazzo
had heard him say that the Salesians would soon leave for distant
regions.
During the first few days of January, Don Bosco was able to win
over a new benefactress whom he had met through Father Antho-
ny Sala. Our founder's exquisite benevolence daily won hearts
over to him. The lady described her encounter with Don Bosco as
follows:
I We are omitting a request by Don Bosco to a government agency for subsidies to his
clerics engaged in teaching and supervising boys. [Editor]
~ This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
370

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Vatican Council I
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In 1870 I was traveling to Rome with two of my nieces. Among our
fellow passengers between Milan and Turin was a clergyman who
graciously engaged us in conversation and told us that he was one of
Don Bosco' s priests. When we arrived in Turin where we were staying
overnight, he took leave of us, saying: "I'll be expecting you for Mass
tomorrow at 9 in the Church of Mary, Help of Christians. Afterward I'll
introduce you to Don Bosco." Since our stopover would be very short,
not even a full day, I was somewhat annoyed by the invitation since it
would interfere with my plans. Still, not wanting to appear impolite, I
persuaded my nieces to agree to attend Mass, which, after all, would be
a good start. We got to the church on time and saw the priest waiting for
us. When he spotted us, he immediately went to the sacristy to vest, and
after Mass he offered to take us to Don Bosco. I admit that I would have
foregone the visit, for I was more anxious to leave than to be introduced
to someone in whose presence I might feel ill at ease. In the waiting
room were several distinguished-looking people, but in a flash our guide
disappeared, leaving us to our own devices. "Who knows how long we'll
have to wait!" I remarked to my nieces, only to see the door open imme-
diately and Don Bosco himself motioning us in. His venerable, saintly
countenance instantly won us over, and to our surprise, as if by set plan,
we all knelt at his feet. He bade us sit and talked a good fifteen minutes
with us. Feeling at ease, we told him about our trip and received helpful
suggestions. Though I already had numerous letters of recommendation
with me, he insisted on giving us ·his own too, saying that it would come
in handy. He then blessed us, adding: "In two weeks I shall be in Rome
too. It may be that I shall see you again."
We left happy at not having inconsiderately declined such an unex-
pected treat. Eight days later, after stopovers at Genoa, Bologna, and
Florence, we arrived in Rome. Our lodgings had been reserved for us
by a priest who had already returned home. Exhausted and headachy
after a sleepless night on the train, we took a coach to our destination
and were shown our room. Access to it was only through another room
occupied by a man who willy-nilly would be our sentry. I immediately
paid for my reservation and pointed out the inconvenience of the ar-
rangements to the landlord; then I told the coachman to take us to the
convent of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart in Via Graziosa. On the
way I kept asking myself, Now where shall we spend the night? My
letters of recommendation were addressed to bishops of the Bergamo
region who were taking part in the Council, to Monsignor Cenni, a
Vatican official, and to religious priests and nuns for purposes other
than finding me accommodations. As I fretted, I suddenly remembered

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Don Bosco's recommendation. Unloading our baggage at the convent, I
had the coachman take me to Via dei Coronari. The man Don Bosco had
recommended me to was a real gentleman, very much devoted to Don
Bosco. He owned a religious store. As soon as he heard of my predica-
ment, he immediately got his brother-in-law to find me lodgings. The
Vatican Council was in session and Rome had an overflow of visitors.
After much hustle and bustle our friend finally found us rooms at the
Tenerani Palace in Barberini Square, in a tourist home run by a young
couple for foreign families. We remained in Rome for an entire month.
So many were the tangible instances of the assistance of the saintly
priest who had blessed us in Turin that to tell of them would be endless.
Let me just mention two audiences with Pius IX-one private audience
and one with four ladies of our own acquaintance. The services of that
gentleman, as Don Bosco assured us, proved most useful to us in our
visit to Rome's many monuments.
Dalm Clementina
Don Bosco too was determined to go to Rome. His heart and
soul were attuned to the Vatican Council. The Pope's personal in-
fallibility in matters of faith and morals when he speaks ex
cathedra was as ancient and universal a belief as the Church
itself, and now both shepherds and flock were pleading that this
truth be solemnly proclaimed a dogma. Don Bosco, who had
always esteemed this prerogative of the Roman Pontiff and was
more and more convinced of the necessity of its dogmatic defini-
tion, rejoiced at tliese manifestations of faith. However, since the
proclamation of the Council in 1868, while the hierarchy and the
faithful were expressing their hopes, hostility was beginning to
build up in liberal Catholic circles in France, Germany, Austria,
Hungary, and England, even though the schemata of the consti-
tution De Ecclesia said nothing of papal infallibility. 3
Meanwhile the [European] Masonic lodges were doing their
utmost to sow discord in Catholic circles, with partial success.
Don Bosco realized it and was deeply distressed to find that
several bishops were opposing the dogmatic definition as inop-
portune. Before the Council opened, Bishop [Felix] Dupanloup of
Orleans had come to Piedmont not only to champion unyieldingly
! This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Vatican Council I
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the untimeliness of the definition, but also to oppose, perhaps,
the entire Catholic doctrine on this point. To this end he called on
several bishops to win them over to his views. Among them were
Bishop [John] Sola of Nice, Bishop [Johnl Losana of Biella,
Bishop Louis Moreno of Ivrea, Bishop [Lawrence] Renaldi of
Pinerolo, Bishop [Lawrence] Gastaldi of Saluzzo, and Archbishop
[Alexander] Riccardi of Turin.
Don Bosco himself, along with other bishops, prelates, and
theologians, vigorously upheld the timeliness of such a definition
as a means to root out Gallicanism 4 in France and Febronianism.5
in Germany. He also pointed out that the definition was necessary
for the success of the Church's missionary work and for the good
of the entire Church should the Pope ever find himself in Pius
VII's plight. Bishop Gastaldi of Saluzzo, unconvinced by Dupan-
loup's reasoning and his invitation to join the opposition, had
called at the Oratory before leaving for Rome to discuss the
matter at length with Don Bosco, according to the statement of
Father Michael Rua. Don Bosco, therefore, had good reason for
being somewhat apprehensive. He prayed and had others pray for
the Church. Rome too saw endless discussions about papal infal-
libility. He must surely have been greatly relieved to hear that on
Christmas Day 1869 the archbishop of Malines proposed that it be
declared a dogma. From that very moment this infallibility
became the most important topic at the Council.
The Council's second session was held on January 6, the feast
of the Epiphany. It opened with the solemn ritual procession of
faith by the Pope and each bishop. On the vigil of this memorable
solemnity, Don Bosco saw in a dream what we report below. He
himself put it down in writing:
God alone is almighty, all-knowing, all-seeing. God has neither past
nor future; everything is present to Him, everything at a single point of
4..Erroneous theories, in vogue in France from the 17th to the 19th centuries, tending to
restrict the authority of the Church with regard to the State and the authority of the Pope
with regard to councils, bishops, and clergy. [Editor]
);A politico-ecclesiastical system outlined by Johann Nikolaus von Hontheim (1701-
1790), auxiliary bishop of Trier, under the pseudonym J ustinus Febronius, with a view to
reconciling Protestant bodies with the Catholic Church by curtailing the Pope's authority
and facilitating the establishment of national churches and the subordination of bishops to
the State. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
time. Nothing eludes God. No person, no place is distant from Him. In
His infinite mercy and for His glory He alone can unveil the future to
man.
On the vigil of the Epiphany of this year, 1870, all material things in
my room disappeared, and I found myself contemplating supernatural
matters. It was only a matter of an instant, but I saw a great deal.
Although what I witnessed was sensibly present, I find it extremely diff-
icult to communicate it to others intelligibly, as one may realize by what
follows. This is the Word of God in human parlance:
"War will come from the south, peace from the north.
"The laws of France no longer recognize the Creator. The Creator will
reveal Himself by visiting her three times with the scourge of his wrath.
The first time he will destroy her pride by defeat, pillage, and destruc-
tion of crops, cattle, and men. On His second visit the great whore of
Babylon, whom the faithful grievingly call Europe's brothel, shall lose
her leader and fall. prey to chaos.
"Paris! Paris! Instead of fortifying yourself with the Lord's name, you
surround yourself with houses of ill repute. You yourself shall destroy
them; your idol, the Pantheon, will be razed to the ground, so that it may
truthfully be said that 'iniquity has lied to itself.' [Ps. 26, 12] Your
enemies will plunge you into anguish, famine, terror, and the contempt
of nations. But woe unto you if you do not recognize the hand which
smites you I I want to punish your immorality, your desertion, your
contempt for My law, says the Lord.
"On My third visit, you shall fall under the foreign yoke. From afar
your enemies will see your palaces in flames, your homes in ruins,
soaked in the blood of your heroes who .are no more.
"But behold a great warrior from the north appears, a banner in his
right hand, his arm bearing this inscription: 'Irresistible is the hand of
the Lord.' At that moment the Venerable Old Man of Rome went
forward to meet him, wielding a flaming torch. The banner then grew
larger and its blackness became white as snow; in its center stood out
the name of the Almighty in golden letters.
"The warrior and his followers bowed profoundly to the Venerable Old
Man and joined hands with him.
"Now the voice of Heaven is addressed to the Shepherd of Shepherds.
Your are in solemn conference with your co-workers, but the enemy of
good,never stands idle. He cunningly plots and sets all his wiles against
you. He will sow discord among your helpers and will rear enemies
among My sons. The powers of the world shall vomit fire. They would
love to smother My words in the throats of the guardians of My law, but

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Vatican Council I
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they shall not succeed. They shall do much harm, but only to
themselves. Hurry! If knots cannot be untied, sever them. Do not halt in
the face of difficulties, but go forth until the hydra of error has been
beheaded. At this blow earth and hell shall tremble, but the world will
be saved and the faithful shall exult. Gather around you only two
co-workers, yet wherever you go, carry on the task entrusted to you and
bring it to completion. Days go by swiftly and your years are reaching
their appointed number, but the great Queen shall always assist you,
and, as in the past, She shall always be magnum et singulare in Ecclesia
praesidium [the powerful, prodigious defense of the Church].
"But you, 0 Italy, land of blessings, who has plunged you into
desolation? Not your enemies, but your own friends. Do you not hear
your children begging for the bread of faith, unable to find one to break
it for them? What shall I do? I shall strike the shepherds and scatter the
sheep so that those whG sit upon the chair of Moses may seek better
pastures and their flock may gently listen and be fed-.
"But My hand shall be heavy upon both flock and shepherds. ·Famine,
plague, and war shall cause mothers to mourn the blood of their sons
and husbands shed on foreign soil.
"What shall befall you, ungrateful, effeminate, proud Rome? You
have reached a point when you seek and admire nought in your sover-
eign but luxury, forgetting that both your glory and his lies on Golgotha.
Now he is old, frail, defenseless, and dispossessed. Nevertheless,
though captive, his words cause the whole world to tremble.
"O Rome! Four times shall I come to you! The first time I shall smite
your regions and its people. The second time I shall bring slaughter and
destruction to your very gates. Should not that make you open your
eyes? A third time shall I come, and I will demolish your defenses and
defenders. At My Father's command, terror, dismay, and desolation
will reign.
"My wise followers flee, but My law is still trod underfoot. Therefore,
I shall come a fourth time. Woe to you if My law again shall go un-
heeded. There shal be defections among both learned and ignorant.
Your blood and that of your children shall wipe out your transgressions.
"War, plague, and famine are the scourges to smite human pride and
malice. Where are your magnificent villas and palaces, you people of
wealth? They have turned into the litter of squares and streets!
"And you, priests, why are you not prostrate between the vestibule
and the altar, weeping and praying that the scourge cease? Why do you
not take up the shield of faith and preach My word from the rooftops, in
the houses, streets, and squares, and even in inaccessible places? Do

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
you not know that this is the terrible two-edged sword which smites My
enemies and placates the wrath of God and man?
"These things shall inexorably come to pass, all in succession.
"Things follow too slowly upon each other, but the great Queen of
Heaven is at hand, and the Lord's power is Hers. Like mist She shall
scatter Her enemies. She shall vest the Venerable Old Man with all his
former garments.
"There shall yet come a violent hurricane. Iniquity is at an end, sin
shall cease, and before two full moons shall have shone in the month of
flowers, the rainbow of peace shall appear on the earth.
"The great Minister shall see the Bride of his King clothed in glory.
"Throughout the world a sun so bright shall shine as was never seen
since the flames of the Cenacle until today, nor shall it be seen again
until the end of time."
Don Bosco had Father Julius Barberis transcribe the original
and took this copy with him to Rome. Some few weeks later he
had another copy made by Father Joachim Berto, who made the
following entry in his diary: "Don Bosco showed me a written
prophecy which began with these words: 'God alone is almighty,
all-knowing, all-seeing.' He cautioned me to keep it a perfect
secret and never to reveal the writer's identity. Among other
things, this prophecy concerned war between France and Prussia,
the Church's condition, and the desolation which threatened
Italy, as he explained when I asked him about it. He had me make
a copy of it to send to a prelate in Rome."
Civilta Cattolica 6 mentioned the above prophecy in 1872, quot-
ing several passages verbatim and prefacing them with this
authoritative statement: "We are pleased to recall a most recent,
never published, and generally unknown prophecy which was
sent from northern Italy to someone in Rome on February 12,
1870. We do not know the sender, but we can prove that we had it
in our hands prior to the German bombardment of Paris and the
burning of that city by the communists. We must admit our
astonishment at finding the fall of Rome predicted as well, for at
that time it was not seen as either imminent or likely."
We have several copies of this prophecy, the most authoritative
in Father Berto' s handwriting. At the top of the page appears this
6 Volume VI, Series 8, 1872, pp. 299 and 303. [Author's note]

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note: "Sent to the Holy Father on February 12, 1870." The
manuscript has several marginal notes in Don Bosco' s own hand
and at the end a few "Clarifications" evidently written or pre-
viously dictated and then revised by Don Bosco. The marginal
notes and clarifications shed light on and pinpointed the predicted
events which, to a large extent, as we shall see, took place shortly
afterward, though a few, at the time of writing [1917], have still to
occur. Seemingly, according to Don Bosco, these were to take
place about the year 1874, "unless," as he wrote in his own hand,
"new iniquities further provoke God." We must add that, when
questioned later about the fulfillment of these events, Don Bosco
said frankly that they might not take place, for in His mercy the
Lord sometimes points out to men the path they should follow in
one circumstance or another in order to get out of some difficulty,
and nothing more. If the directions given are not followed, it is
obvious that what has been foretold [and is contingent upon them]
will not occur either. Father Berta's manuscript contained a
second prophecy (of which we also have the original), bearing the
date May 24-June 24, 1873, as well as a prophetic letter dated
May 24, 1873-June 24, 1873 with some pieces of advice which
Don Bosco gave to Pope Leo XIII, under the title:
Preliminary Summary of What Is Most Needed by the Church
May 24-June 24, 1873
It was a dark night, and men could no longer find the way back to their
own countries. Suddenly a most brilliant light shone in the sky, illumi-
nating their way as at high noon. At that moment from the Vatican came
forth, as in procession, a multitude of men and women, young children,
monks, nuns, and priests, and at their head the Pope.
But a furious storm then broke out, somewhat dimming that light, as
if light and darkness were locked in battle. Meanwhile the long proces-
sion reached a small square littered with dead and wounded, many of
whom cried for help.
The ranks of the procession thinned considerably. After a two-hun-
dred-day march, all realized that they were no longer in Rome. In dis-
may they swarmed about the Pontiff to protect him and minister to him
in his needs.
At that moment two angels appeared, bearing a banner which they

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
presented to the Supreme Pontiff, saying: "Take the banner of Her who
battles and routs the most powerful armies on earth. Your enemies have
vanished; with tears and sighs your children plead for your return."
One side of the banner bore the inscription: Regina sine labe concepta
[Queen conceived without sin], and the other side read: Auxilium Chris-
tianorum [Help of Christians].
The Pontiff accepted the banner gladly, but he became very distress-
ed to see how few were his followers.
But the two angels went on: "Go now, comfort your children. Write to
your brothers scattered throughout the world that men must reform
their lives. This cannot be achieved unless the bread of the Divine Word
is broken to the peoples. Teach children their catechism and preach de-
tachment from earthly things. The time has come," the two angels
concluded, "when the poor will evangelize the world. Priests shall be
sought among those who wield the hoe, the spade, and the hammer, as
David prophesied: 'God lifted the poor man from the fields to place him
on the throne of the princes of His people.'"
On hearing this, the Pontiff moved on, and the ranks began to swell.
Upon reaching the Holy City, the Pontiff wept at the sight of its desolate
citizens, for many of them were no longer. He then entered St. Peter's
and intoned the Te Deum, to which a chorus of angels responded,
singing: Gloria in excelsis Deo et in te"a pax hominibus bonae volunta-
tis [Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will].
When the song was over, all darkness vanished and a blazing sun
shone. The population had declined greatly in the cities and in the
countryside; the land was mangled as if by a hurricane and hailstorm,
and people sought each other, deeply moved and saying: Est Deus in
Israel [There is God in Israel].
From the start of the exile until the intoning of the Te Deu,n, the sun
rose two hundred times. All the events described covered a period of
four hundred days.
At this time too Don Bosco was compiling a report on the state
of the Salesian Congregation to submit to the Holy See. 7 He was
also anxious to point out to the diocesan authorities that his phi-
losophy students were studying. In the previous year, the
diocesan examiners had been unduly severe with them. Naturally
the latter had complained, but Don Bosco did not allow them to
withdraw from the midterm examinations when the time came. 8
1·see Appendix 5. We have limited this report to the brief information about the mother-
house and the Society's all-inclusive statistics. [Editor]
8 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 62
Vatican Council I (Continued)
DoN Bosco finally decided to go to Rome and bring
"The Voice of Heaven to the Shepherd of Shepherds." At the last
moment, however, when he found himself without suitable cloth-
ing, there was a scurrying about the house in search of what he
needed. Benefactors often gave him clothes and linens, but since
he was loath to keep them for himself, he always sent them to the
house wardrobe. Father Berto [his secretary] would have liked to
store some essential articles in Don Bosco's room, but the latter
never allowed him to do so.
"Don't you realize," he objected, "that if I kept these things for
myself, the Lord would send me no more? When I give things
away, Provi4ence immediately resupplies me. Then there is
enough for me and everyone else."
On January 20 [1870], Don Bosco walked to the station alone
and from there penciled a quick note to Father Rua about some
items to be sent to him. 1
En route to Bologna, two newlyweds, accompanied by an
elderly man and a few other people, boarded Don Bosco's com-
partment. On spotting a priest, they reacted as against an evil
omen and stood stock-still. Their appearance, however, showed
that they were not the swaggering anticlerical type.
"Be at ease," Don Bosco told them. "I see that you have just
been married. Don't mind that I am a priest. A priest represents
the sacrament you have just received. I wish you all the blessings
that you yourselves desire. Just hours ago you stood before God's
minister, and now you are in the company of another."
The newcomers exchanged troubled glances but no longer
seemed reluctant to join their fellow passenger.
1 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
379

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"You were married in church, weren't you?" Don Bosco con-
tinued.
Neither answered.
"Speak up; you tell him," the newlyweds whispered to each
other. The old man came to the rescue.
"Father, is it really necessary to be married in church? Can't
one declare one's intention before the mayor?"
"Isn't marriage a sacrament?" countered Don Bosco. "Who if
not the Church should ;;idminister sacraments?"
"I suppose you are right. . . . Funny that it never occurred to
me. I thought that the civil ceremony was enough."
"Well, now you know better."
"What should we do now?"
"Go to your pastor and straighten things out."
"But we have no trust in our pastor."
"Then go to your bishop or to the vicar general, and everything
will be taken care of."
For a few moments the newlyweds exchanged views in
whispers as to what they should do. Fortunately, they were
sensible people.
"What if we were to call on the bishop of Bologna when we get
there?" they asked.
"That will do, but go as soon as you arrive and do what he
says."
"We'll take your advice," they agreed. With amiable frankness
Don Bosco always managed to help people who met him, no mat-
ter how briefly.
He stayed in Florence a few days, and from there he sent
another short note to Father Rua on January 24 just before leav-
ing for Rome, where he arrived that evening. 2
We shall describe his activities there in his own words, drawing
from his letters to the Oratory, from his conference to the
Salesians on March 9, and from reliable, sworn depositions:
The first thing I did on getting to Rome was to call on Cardinal Quaglia
and give him the report on the state of our Society, a thing which is to be
2 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
381
done every three years. This report deals with the growth or decline of
the Society, its material gains or losses, its undertakings, its new
foundations, and the moral and intellectual condition of its members.
The cardinal showed extreme surprise at the extraordinary growth and
smooth running of our Society. "If this keeps up for the next fifty years,"
he remarked, "its membership will be over 2,000."
"Your Eminence," I replied in jest, "if fifty years from now you will
want a report on that, I will give it to you."
"Neither of us will be around then," he countered. He then heartily
praised our Society and drafted a detailed report for the Holy Father.
After dutifully calling on Archbishop Riccardi, who received
him courteously though somewhat coldly, Don Bosco took stock of
how the Council was going. He learned that the Belgian bishops
and a hundred others were in favor of the proposal of the arch-
bishop of Malines-namely that papal infallibility be defined as a
dogma. Such was also the desire of most of the Council Fathers.
Two groups were shaping up in the Council: a majority group
favoring the definition and a minority opposing it as inoppor-
tune. 3 A member of the latter, Cardinal Rauscher, drafted a
petition to the Holy Father against such a definition and had it
signed by German, Austrian, and Hungarian bishops. A similar
petition was presented by French bishops, a third by North
American bishops, a fourth by Orientals, and a fifth by several
bishops of northern Italy. Together, the signatures amounted to
136. All these petitions cited the difficulties and reasons why, in
the signers' opinion, such a definition was inopportune. Cardinal
Schwarzenberg submitted all five petitions with a covering letter
to the proper commission.
This commission studied them, and on February 9 it voted
unanimously, except for Cardinal Rauscher, to recommend that
the Pope accept the petitions favoring the dogmatic definition.
These carried a total of over 400 signatures. Two prelates par-
ticularly-Monsignor Manning and Monsignor Senestrey-had
worked tirelessly for the success of the definition.
Don Bosco was fired by the selfsame zeal, but he chose to keep
out of sight as much as possible so as to obviate any demon-
3·We are omitting details about the membership of the minority group. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
stration of affection or reverence on the part of his friends. He de-
clined invitations to visit religious communities or to preach, and
he excused himself, as far as he could, from visiting -and blessing
the sick, declaring that the circumstances made such things inop-
portune. He followed this course because, in his love for the
Church, he sought to dedicate all his efforts to the triumph of a
dogma which the Lord wanted proclaimed.
At his arrival in Rome, he had learned from Monsignor
Manacorda that the Pope had voiced regret over Bishop
Gastaldi's support of Bishop Dupanloup of Orleans, especially re-
garding the inadvisability of the definition. Easily impressed by
Dupanloup's fear of grave religious and political repercussions
which he felt were inevitable, Bishop Gastaldi had thrown his lot
with him, and rumors had it that he was also drafting a memoran-
dum on the inappropriateness of the definition.
Without delay Don Bosco called on Bishop Gastaldi to dissuade
him from such a step. He argued with him at great length that he
should not hinder God's designs, pointing out that his fears were
exaggerated and that the time for retreating and keeping silent
was long since past, for at stake now was a fundamental truth
denied and blasphemed by heretics. ·Eventual consequences of
the definition, he argued, should be left in God's hands. The
zealous and deeply pious Bishop Gastaldi, who highly revered
and loved Don Bosco, was thoroughly convinced by his argu-
ments.
"I accept your point of view," he declared. "I'll start drafting a
memorandum in favor of the Pope's personal infallibility and of
the advisability of its dogmatic definition."
"Why not prepare a thorough dissertation for delivery to the
full Council assembly?" Don Bosco suggested. "I assure you that
it would delight the Pope and would do you great honor in the
whole Church."
This unforeseen turnabout in Bishop Gastaldi' s stand struck his
friends like a bolt from the blue. No one had any inkling of his
conversation with Don Bosco.
After this discussion Bishop Gastaldi repeatedly called on Don
Bosco, who, at his request, referred him to theological works
treating the matter in depth a~d even underscored more impor-

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
383
tant passages for him. Canon John Baptist Anfossi and Father
John Turchi testified to this. Furthermore, he personally made
sure that Rome would know of the fine spirit of his old friend, the
bishop, as we gather from this letter to Father Rua:
Dear Father Rua:
Rome, January 27, 1870
I received the letter you forwarded to Florence. Hearten Father Sala4
while I pray for him.
Send to Bishop Gastaldi's Vatican address a hundred copies of each of
his booklets The Cure of Ars and The Roman Pontiffs Authority. 5
Talk to Father Savio 6 and then let me know whether I should bring
back what little money I have collected for the Oratory or take out an
annuity which might come in handy for the house we hope to open next
October. 7
That's all for today. I will write again soon at greater length. God
bless us all. I hope that all of you will pray [for my intentions]. So far,
things are going well for us.
I am eagerly waiting for those books for the Pope and the music for
Cardinal Antonelli and Cardinal Berardi. Keep well in the Lord.
Good-bye.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. Regards from Monsignor Emilian Manacorda.
Don Bosco's intervention with Bishop Gastaldi was his first
contribution to the Council's success, toward which he ardently
sought to cooperate. Though he had nothing at all to do with its
work directly, he carried significant weight against the erroneous
ideas of several [Council Fathers] through his many connections
with bishops and theologians. Throughout his stay in Rome he
also strove to sway members of the opposition into supporting the
4·Father Sala was in charge of the house administration at the Oratory. [Editor]
5. By spreading these booklets in Rome, Don Bosco hoped to publicize the author's fine
spirit. [Editor]
6·0n December 10, 1869 Father Savio had been elected economer general of the Society.
[Editor]
1 J?on Bosco still hoped to obtain the Church of ·the Holy Shroud and its adjacent
building. [Editor]

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384
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
dogmatic definition of papal infallibility. On this score we have
several depo~itions. Bishop John Baptist Anfossi testified:
"Bishop [John] Losana of Biella told me how Don Bosco toiled
tirelessly in those days to achieve this triumph for the papacy."
Father Rua declared: "He had the satisfaction of clearing up the
doubts of several bishops on this matter and of being able to dis-
suade them from the active opposition they were planning. I can
mention Bishop [Eugene] Galletti of Alba and Bishop [Lawrence]
Gastaldi of Saluzzo, who from then on became staunch champions
of papal infallibility." Father Francis Dalmazzo also testified to
this under oath, adding: "What I have just said, I repeatedly
heard from [Bartholomew] Cardinal D' Avanzo with whom I often
spoke during my stay in Rome."
Trying to change the mind of some Piedmontese bishops who
belonged to the opposition proved a hard task. They looked
askance at Don Bosco's undertakings and firmly held to their
ideas.
"Don't be discouraged," Pius IX told Don Bosco that same
year. "Your adversaries are mine also! I see this as a further proof
that your work is God's."
Bishop [John] Sola of Nice was one who refused to change his
mind. When the definition of the dogma of papal infallibility was
proposed, he attacked it openly, despite the assembly's painful
reaction. He even caused an uproar when, to give more weight to
his opinions, he exclaimed: "I earned my theology degree in the
famous University of Turin."
"And that is a black mark against you," retorted [Hannibal]
Cardinal Capalti, implying that the university's teaching was
dubious.
Dori Bosco put himself wherever he might speak in favor of the
burning question of the day, conferring with prelates to show
them, simply and convincingly, that papal infallibility and the ad-
visability of its solemn definition were not matters for debate,
such a question seeming ridiculous to him. Since the Pope had
proposed it and the Council had accepted it, the definition was
certainly opportune, for, after all, it was the Pope's prerogative to
decide such a question.
"As to papal infallibility itself," Don Bosco remarked to some

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
385
who, in the light of their studies on this subject, harbored reser-
vations, "refusing to accept it is a blatant contradiction of facts.
All your priests teach it in the churches, seminaries, and schools,
and the faithful believe in it as already an article of faith. It does
not even dawn on them that there may be any question about it.
Our Lord bestowed infallibility on His Church; it only remains to
see in whom this infallibility resides. Since every bishop is cer-
tainly fallible, this gift cannot be found in them individually or
collectively. What makes them infallible then and gives them
something they do not possess? It is their being linked to the
Pope! Therefore infallibility has its source in the Pope. A body
can survive the loss of some limbs, but cannot live without a head.
"Granted," interjected one bishop, "but there are difficulties.
For instance, several popes seem to have made mistakes."
"The historians were mistaken!" retorted Don Bosco, and he
went on refuting all the instances cited, naming certain
theologians and prelates quite qualified to clarify the matter.
Monsignor [William] Audisio, canon of St. Peter's and former
president of the Ecclesiastical Academy at Superga, 11 headed a
group which opposed the Pope's personal infallibility or at least
wanted it curtailed. When he got wind that some of his followers,
even bishops-including some from abroad-were consulting
Don Bosco and, as a result, had become firm defenders not only of
papal infallibility but also of the advisability of its dogmatic defi-
nition, he took offense and called on him one day at Via della
Pedacchia [where he lodged with Monsignor Manacorda].
Twice Don Bosco was unable to see him because of other visi-
tors. The monsignor returned a third time, resolved to talk with
him at all costs. After a long wait, he was finally admitted and en-
gaged him in serious dispute. He knew of Don Bosco's knowledge
of history and feared him in argument. While they were thus de-
bating, others called for the same purpose and were invited to join
the discussion. In their presence, Monsignor Audisio attacked
papal infallibility and brought up [as an example of fallibility]
Pope Honorius I. 9 Had he. not erred in the matter of Mono-
8_See Vol. II, p. 299. [Editor]
•9 Honorius I, Pope from 625 tq. 638, was condemned as a heretic by the Sixth Genei:al
Council in 680. This condemnation was based on a letter of Honorius I to Sergius, patriarch

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
thelism? 10 Had not his two letters to Patriarch Sergius of Con-
stantinople shown hesitancy to condemn this new heresy? Were
they not couched in terms which failed to show him as the teacher
of truth? Would Don Bosco be persuaded by this case to switch
sides?
Don Bosco could have retorted by reminding him of what could
hardly be called good faith on his part. On his desk Don Bosco had
a copy of Storia Religiosa e Civile dei Papi [Civil and Religious
History of the Popes] by William Audisio, Canon of St. Peter's
and law professor at the Sapienza University, published in Rome
in 1865.
On pages 292 and 494 of Volume II, Monsignor Audisio had de-
fended Pope Honorius I against the lies of sectarians by proving
that this Pope had not been guilty of either silence or abeyance of
judgment, and that he had been above reproach in matters of
doctrine. The author had concluded by saying that, at his death,
Honorius "enjoyed the reputation of a great and irreproachable
shepherd, most munificent toward the splendor of the liturgy and
churches, whose much slandered prudence toward the Mono-
thelites had, for the time being, ended the schism of Grado and
Istria."
Don Bosco could have answered the monsignor by simply
handing him the book the monsignor himself had written, but he
did not want to offend him by so blunt a confutation. Pleading that
he was no match for such a scholarly author, he declined to
answer.
However, the monsignor repeated his question and insisted on
an answer. Present were Father [John] Perrone [S.J.], Bishop
Galletti of Alba, and another bishop. Don Bosco replied that he
should not be the one to speak in the presence of such learned
historians. Monsignor Audisio then began to wax eloquent
of Constantinople, who sought advice qn an expression relating to the Incarnate Word
which was then being used to refute the Monophysite heresy and which he considered
dissonant with Catholic doctrine. The papal answer, which was undogmatical, glassed
over the error and gave no decision, but since Honorius neither defined nor condemned
anything and did not speak_ ex cathedra, papal infallibility was not involved. However,
the id~a prevails that Honorius may ha".e been wrong in fact, but not in intention. [Editor]
10A heresy which arose in the 7th century under the leadership of Sergius. It grew out of
an attempt to reconcile Monophysites to the Catholic Church. According to this heresy
Christ had only one nature-divine. [Editor]

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
387
against the Pope's personal infallibility. He dealt so masterfully
with history, raising questions and giving answers, that it was a
delight to listen to him.
Don Bosco let him talk on for an hour without interrupting.
Monsignor Audisio had flung himself wholeheartedly into the
matter: and it was obvious that his words were inspired by a
strong partisan spirit.
· When he was done, Bon Bosco praised his learning but sought
his indulgence for being unable to follow all his arguments. He
again admitted not having made intensive studies on the subject
and added: "Since the matter under discussion is most important,
I cannot be content with giving my own reasons and proofs. I have
with me an authority that you too will readily accept, I am sure. It
is the work of a learned, pious, and conscientious author. If you
allow me, I shall read you a page which clarifies the problem. I
fully agree with this distinguished author who has done an excel-
lent job and is well known to you."
"What is that? What author do you mean? I do not share opin-
ions in conflict with my own."
"Once you know whom I mean, you will surely agree with him."
"Impossible! Anyway, let's hear who he is and what evidence
he offers."
With engaging slowness, Don Bosco picked up the book, con-
cealing its title and author. "Here are concise and very solid argu-
ments upholding papal infallibility," he stated. "The writer is
such an authority that we could not desire better." He then began
to read. 11 After listening attentively for a few moments, Mon-
signor Audisio suddenly realized that he had been trapped, and
he tried to take the book from Don Bosco's hands.
"See for yourself if I have read correctly," Don Bosco said,
handing him the Civil and Religious History of the Popes written
by the monsignor himself.
"Enough," laughed Monsignor Audisio. "Let's drop the
subject."
"Why? Isn't this a highly esteemed and authoritative author?"
11 What passage Don Bosco read is not known. The author of these memoirs reports an
excerpt about Pope Leo the Great, prefacing it with: "Perhaps Don Bosco read also this
passage about St. Leo the Great." We are omitting it in this edition. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"You tricked me, and your aguments cannot be rebutted. But I
would like to say that I no longer hold some of the opinions ex-
pressed there. I now think differently about infallibility."
"That does not matter," Don Bosco answered. "The reasons
you gave then are sound."
"But how," Monsignor Audisio went on, "in the midst of all
your work, could you dig up these pages of mine?"
"I always consult your books. As you see, your writings express
sentiments very different from those you have just now
expounded."
"It is one thing to write for public consumption," Audisio said,
"and quite another to think for oneself." Thus ended their dis-
pute, but not without some badly concealed irritation on the mon-
signor's part and delight among the others.
Monsignor Scalabrini too went to Don Bosco and showed him a
paper he had written on papal infallibility. Don Bosco read it and
advised him to publish it. When the time came for the appoint-
ment of new bishops, he recommended Monsignor Scalabrini for
the see of Piacenza.
This flow of visitors to Via della Pedacchia stopped on the feast
of the Purification of Our Lady when all the Council Fathers
flocked to St. Peter's for the blessing of candles and the papal
Mass. Don Bosco went too. As the Pope was being borne in on his
portable throne, Don Bosco overheard a British Protestant stand-
ing nearby mutter indignantly: "What a shame! This is sheer
idolatry! Catholics really worship the Pope!"
"Excuse me," Don Bosco broke in courteously. "If the Pope
were not carried in this way, neither you nor I nor anyone else in
this crowd could see him!"
This kindly remark calmed the Englishman. "You are right," he
commented after a minute's reflection. "That's a good reason!"

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CHAPTER 63
Vatican Council I (Continued)
IN his efforts to contribute effectively to the good of the
universal Church, Don Bosco did not neglect his pupils. Though
he was far from them, he could still see their behavior, and on de-
tecting anything reprehensible, he would inform the directors of
it. A letter he wrote at the beginning of February to Father Rua
proves this. Only part of it concerned the Oratory boys, but
Fat.her Rua read the whole letter one evening to the entire
community, omitting the postscript:
Dear Father Rua,
[No date]
Although other matters besides the interests of our Society keep me
busy here in Rome, my thoughts continually turn to my treasure in Jesus
Christ-my beloved Oratory boys. I visit the Oratory several times a day
and see Father Cagliero in the confessional, boys going to Communion
or praying fervently, and others thinking of Don Bosco or playing. I see a
goodly number who visit the Blessed Sacrament during the day. I find
this a most heartening sight.
But to my bitter sorrow I have also seen things to horrify everyone
were I to put them in writing. I shall only say that scattered among the
many good boys were some I saw resembling pigs with inscriptions of
this sort on their foreheads: Quorum deus venter est [whose god is their
belly-Phil. 3, 19] or Iumentis insipientibus comparatus est [He is
compared to senseless beasts-Ps. 48, 13]. And each acted in the way
marked by these inscriptions.
What particularly struck me was the sight of many lads whose tongues
seemed to bloom with fragrant roses or lilies. One day, however, I noted
quite a number of youngsters, students and artisans alike, whose
mouths held hideous snakes spewing poisonous drivel. I called to them
389

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390
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
but they ran away and would not hearken. Shall I name them? I'll just
tell Father Rua who some of them are, and it may suffice for him to
admonish them. On their foreheads they bore the words: Corrumpunt
bonos mores colloquia ma/a [Foul conversations corrupt morals-1 Cor.
15, 33].
But let us go on to something else. Last Friday night I was called to
assist the Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany in his last moments. He
recognized me, and among other things he said: "I heartily forgive my
enemies and invoke God's mercy on them." I stayed with him from 10 till
12:30 in the morning [of January 29] when he passed away at the age of
73 in the presence of his wife, the duke of Parma, the king of Naples, and
several other prominent people. Worldly honors and dignities could not
prolong his life a single moment. With him he took only the little good or
bad that he had done during his lifetime, as St. Paul says. Dear boys, let
us remember that at death we reap what we have sown.
Now to other things. When will I be back with you? God willing, I shall
leave the evening of the 21st; by the evening of the 25th I should be with
you, to be all yours. But please do not try to give me a reception. What I
like best is to see all of you in good health and to be told that your
conduct has been good. I'll try to add to your happy spirits. I hope we
can have a grand celebration in honor of St. Francis de Sales on the
Sunday after my arrival. What I would most appreciate is a general
Communion on that day. That is the most important thing; the rest is
secondary.
May God bless you all and grant you a long, happy life along with the
precious grace of perseverance in virtue.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
P. S. M ... , M ... , B ... , P ... , M ... , and a few other are among
those who have venenum aspidis super linguas eorum [the venom of
asps under their lips-cf. Ps. 139, 4]. 1
So far Don Bosco had not been able to talk to the Pope, but
shortly afterward he was granted two audiences which he later
described in a conference to his Salesians at the Oratory as
follows:
These days it has been very difficult to obtain an audience with the
1We are omitting other parts of the postscript dealing with details unrelated to the
contents of the letter. [Editor]

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
391
Holy Father, since over two-thirds of the bishops have not yet been able
to see him privately. The Holy Father, however, managed to read-cer-
tainly with some inconvenience-my report on the state of our Society,
and he was pleased with it. While waiting, I made no effort at all to
obtain an audience. Then one day the Holy Father sent word that he
wished to see me on the morning of February 8 at 9:30. I was ushered in
at 9:45 and immediately offered him a one thousand lire bill toward
Peter's Pence which he accepted, exclaiming: "This is a wonder! To
think that you,·who are always penniless, should bring me money. Well,
my safe is always empty too. Your name is John, and so is mine, but we
should both change it to Francis. We would both make a fine pair of
[poor] Franciscans."
I had had someone bring along a full set of Letture Cattoliche and a
copy of the few volumes of Italian Classics for the Young in print. I
presented them to him, saying: "Here, Holy Father, are the endeavors
of the members of the Society of St. Francis de Sales."
"What books are these?" he asked.
"This is a set ofLetture Cattoliche whose publication began seventeen
years ago with the aim of spreading good books and banishing bad
ones."
"Praised be the Lord for having inspired you to undertake such a holy
task," he exclaimed, looking at the books and admiring their exquisite
binding. Then, picking up a few, he read scattered passages with
evident interest. He seemed to enjoy looking at them. He also examined
several volumes of Italian Classics for the Young and was very glad to
see that they had been expurgated. "Good," he exclaimed. "This shows
that your Congregation is truly what its name implies." He also browsed
through many pages of The Divine Comedy, and after praising the
commentator, he asked who he was. I replied that it was Father
Francesia, the priest who had accompanied me to Rome three years
before. He verified it by checking the title page. Then, turning to me, he
said: "I know that last year you had to contend with enemies and that
you beat them. I admire and commend you because those who opposed
you last year are fighting me this year. By this I recognize your under-
taking as holy, and theirs to be diabolical."
Dropping this subject, he passed on to other things of which I may not
speak. He acquainted me with some of the main objections which certain
writers believe they can dig up from church history against papal infalli-
bility and asked my opinion. I answered as best as I could, but briefly.
Leaving the matter there, he abruptly remarked: "You have a lot to do,
haven't you?"

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Thank God, yes, Your Holiness."
"Could you not," he went on "initiate a course in church history,
imbued with the spirit you just displayed as you rebutted those hateful
objections? Please bear in mind that this is not an order, for I have
neither the right nor the wish to make it a command, but if a suggestion
will do, I heartily urge this task."
.
"If Your Holiness wishes," I replied, "I shall with the help of my
co-workers touch up 1.and update some material before it goes to press to
make it conform as far as possible with your suggestion."
He then turned to the subject of our Society and, having many other
things to tell me, invited me to return that evening. I knelt for his
blessing and left. He purposely kept Letture Cattoliche and the Italian
Classics for the Young on his desk throughout that day, showing them to
all his callers, reading scattered passages to them, praising the under-
taking and its collaborators, and highly recommending their purchase.
Afterward he told his valet: "Take these books and place them neatly on
the shelves." The valet set about this task, but since the books were
many, the Pope himself placed a few in the lap of his cassock and
climbed on a footstool, over the objections of his valet who had never
before seen the Pope do anything like that. "I am master in my own
house!" the Pope responded to his objections. After carefully putting
them on the shelves one by one, the Pope stepped down, took a good
look at them, and then climbed up once more to make them more notice-
able, so pleased was he with them. This I learned from the valet himself.
In the evening Don Bosco returned to the Vatican. He described
his second audience as follows:
Pius IX talked to me at great length about our Society. He told me that
at one Council session a bishop gave a long, well-applauded talk on the
pressing need of a religious society whose members should be bound to
the Church while remaining free citizens before the State, and that
another bishop (the bishop of Parma) had stood up and said: "I am glad
to inform you that such a society already exists and is doing very well. It
is called the Salesian Society." He too was applauded. As a result-the
Pope went on-a third bishop (the bishop of Mondovi) was called upon
to give a precise, ~detailed report on it.
I then asked for and obtained spiritual favors. Our boys and benefac-
tors will now gain a plenary indulgence each time they receive Holy
Communion, and our priests will gain one whenever they celebrate Holy
Mass. To me, as superior of the Society, he granted the faculty of im-

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
393
parting the papal blessing to the sick, of blessing rosaries and medals,
and of giving our members permission to read forbidden books. The first
two faculties I hereby grant to all our priests; as regards the reading of
forbidden books, I shall grant permission according to each case and
need.
I asked him for a message to give to our boys, and he said: "Tell them
to practice all that their bishops recommend in their pastoral letters."
"But," I insisted, "tell me something special which I can pass on to
them in your name."
"Tell your boys," he said, "that their only need is to persevere in fol-
lowing the good path they are now on and to be convinced that this is
God's will."
"Thank you, Holy Father," I said. "I am glad because, in telling us to
persevere, you imply approval of what we have done. We shall make
every possible effort to persevere and to labor always for God's greater
glory."
"If you want your Congregation to grow and keep prospering, be very
slow to admit postulants and very quick to let them go. Your members
will be fewer but good, and that is much better than a crowd of
malcontents."
Then, dropping the subject, he said: "The plans we made last year for
a house in Rome fell through, but I am still of the same mind and I shall
find a place for you. Have you seen the Church of San Giovanni della
Pigna?"
"No, Your Holiness."
"Go look at it and let me know how you like it."
After coming home from the audience, Don Bosco spent a good
part of the night writing letters. Since he had obtained an indul-
gence for the entire population of Mornese, he sent the joyful
news to Father Pestarino. He also wrote to Father Rua, to Father
Bonetti, director of the Mirabella junior seminary, and to Father
Francesia, direetor of the new school at Cherasco, mainly to ac-
quaint them witl:1 the spiritual favors granted by the Holy Father. 2
To Father Bonetti he also expressed his grief at the death of
Father Provera's father:
I was deeply sorry to learn that our beloved Father Provera's dad is
dead. God wished to take him to Himself when we least expected it. May
'This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
His holy will be done. Try to console the family. Call on Mrs. Provera
and tell her that I am praying for her and for the deceased.
I recommend that you keep all your boys happy. Give them a special
treat at table so that they may have a reason to cheer Don Bosco. But tell
them that I want them all to stay healthy, strong, and happy so that the
infirmary may be closed shut and the doors of the dining room flung
wide open.
For Father Francesia he had some personal news:
I was with the Holy Father yesterday [he wrote] and you came in for
some praise. He welcomed me most cordially and was especially pleased
with my gift of a full set of Letture Cattoliche and of Italian Classics for
the Young. He read a passage from Dante and recalled (these are his
exact words) the "good Father Francesia" who had annotated it, of
whom he had already heard so much.
We also discussed many important matters connected with our Con-
gregation's welfare which I do not think should be entrusted to a letter.
Come to the Oratory for the feast of St. Francis de Sales with those
priests you can s.pare from duty, and we shall then be free to talk . . . .
Tell Father Provera that I have prayed much and have had others pray
for his dear deceased father and that, while I grieve for his loss, I am
consoled to think that he may already possess the heavenly glory whence
he protects and awaits us. The time that must pass before we join him in
the land of the blessed, I hope, will be but a film of smoke.
I want all your boys to be happy. Therefore, the day after you get this
letter, give them some special treat at table which may set their
tongues wagging and make them shout lusty vivas to Don Bosco.
At this point we would like to point out Don Bosco's fatherly
cordiality and his insistent endeavors to put ifto good use. There
are expressions and remarks in these letters which, even now as
we read them, increase our love for him. How effective they must
have been with those to whom they were addressed!
We must further note that in telling his Salesians about his first
audience with the Pope, he said: "[Pius IX] passed on to other
things of which I may not speak." He also told them of the Pope's
wish to have another talk with him because "he had many other
things to tell [me]." Of these he made no mention because they
were important Council matters. What delicate mission could the

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
395
Vicar of Christ have entrusted to him that we have no knowledge
of? Whatever it was, the fact is that.he kept trying to convince
members of the opposition that the definition of papal infallibility
was a necessity. He also kept attending the sessions of particular
commissions and reported to the Pope whatever he considered
suitable or necessary. Thus he worked indefatigably for a cause to
which he had devoted his entire life: the glory of the papacy and
of the Church. The Pope was deeply gratified.
Hopes for a Salesian house in Rome again ran high.-Don Bosco
informed [Angelo] Cardinal Quaglia of Pius IX's -proposal con-
cerning the Church of San Giovanni. and the cardinal reacted
favorably. Later he went to inspect the church with an official in
charge of Vatican property. It was small but beautiful, with five
marble altars and a brand new organ. He also looked at a large
house adjacent to and owned by the church, estimating that it
could comfortably lodge fifteen people. He was also shown
another building some distance away which was much larger. It
too was owned by the same church, and its lease yielded six thou-
sand francs a year.
After his tour of inspection, Don Bosco was again received by
the Holy Father on February 12. "Your Holiness," he said, "I saw
both the house and the church."
"Good," the Holy Father answered. "If you like them, they are
yours."
"I am most grateful to Your Holiness, and I accept."
Afterward Pius IX opened his heart to him and disclosed con~
fidential plans and deliberations concerning the Council.
"What about the obligation of secrecy?" Don Bosco remarked
smilingly.
"I am not bound by it!" the Pope replied, returning the smile.
Then, in a serious vein, he went on: "I hear that unfortunately a
few not only attack the advisability of the definition, but even
doubt or deny infallibility itself."
"Their strong point is Honorius I," Don Bosco observed.
"And how do you rebut them? What do you say to them?"
"I think and say what the most respected scholars have thought
and said in defending Pope Honorius with very sound arguments
which have also salvaged papal infallibility. In his two letters to

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Patriarch Sergius, Pope Honorius neither defined anything as
head of the Church nor erred even as a private theologian, be-
cause what he wrote is orthodox in its context. St. Maximus testi-
fied to his holiness and orthodoxy, and St. John,Damascene never
once mentioned Pope Honorius in his writings against the Mono-
thelites. Honorius hesitated to fight this new heresy because he
may not have been fully aware of its perniciousness. A respected
scholar called him a 'hesitator,' guilty at most of negligence, but
I feel that if he did hesitate and play for time, he did so out of pru-
dence. Since one may well stall for time without fault, I feel that
Pope Honorius was free even of a venial sin."
"Quite right!" agreed Pius IX. Then, after a moment's silence,
he scanned Don Bosco's face searchingly. "Have you anything
specific to tell me regarding the Church and her present circum-
stances?"
Don Bosco decided that the moment had come for informing the
Pope of his dream or vision of January 5, of which he had written
a summary.
"Your Holiness," he replied, "I think that, should the Lord care
to reveal anything about the present or the future of the Church,
He would reveal it to His Vicar on earth sooner than to any ordi-
nary priest. Still, here is a message addressed to you. The person
who gave it to me does not lie."
That paper contained only the passages which concerned the
Pope and the Council under this heading: "The Voice of Heaven
to the Shepherd of Shepherds." We are acquainted with its con-
tents. The message was a peremptory, absolute command that
difficulties should not be debated but done away with, that fears
should be cast aside, that the task at hand should be pursued and
swiftly brought to a conclusion, and that the Blessed Virgin's help
was guaranteed. The Lord wanted the dogmatic definition of
papal infallibility.
The Pope read and reread the message, stood pensively, asked
questions, and-as we believe-then and there decided to hesi-
tate no longer. Before dismissing Don Bosco, he asked: "Could
you leave Turin and come to stay at Rome with me? Would your
Congregation suffer by it?"
"Holy Father, it would be its ruin!"

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
397
The Pope did not insist, but it was obvious that he wished to
have him at his side in Rome as a cardinal.
"I love my boys too much to leave them," explained Don Bosco.
Father Rua was right when he described him as "a man in whom
God raised spiritual fatherhood to its highest degree." 3
Meanwhile, convinced that the Lord would not abandon him,
Pius IX went serenely ahead with Council decisions. ·The very de-
fections were a further incentive to speed matters up. The obsti-
nacy of the Chaldean Patriarch Audu, the Armenian revolt at Con-
stantinople, the defiance and flight to Rome of the Armenian
monks of St. Anthony with the encouragement of several French
bishops, the unauthorized return of many prelates of the opposi-
tion to their dioceses, the shameful agitations in Switzerland
against the dogma of infallibility under the leadership of Herzog,
who was later sacrilegiously consecrated bishop of the Old
Catholics-all these things were predicted in the message
handed to the Pope: "He [the enemy of good] will sow discord
among- your helpers and will rear enemies among My sons. "4
However, the message also said "The great Queen shall always
assist you," and so She did. Several European powers tried to
disrupt the Council by persuading France to recall its troops from
Rome, but all their maneuvers came to naught..:
~ We are omitting another letter to Father Rua about this audience with Pius IX and
other matters. [Editqr]
4.See p. 374. [Editor]
).fhis sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 64
Vatican Council I (Continued)
DoN Bosco had gone to Rome with the firm intention of
avoiding publicity and busying himself only with Council matters
and those of his Society, but his frequent meetings with prelates
soon made his presence known. Affectionate, insistent requests
of friends and admirers and demands of charity drew him into
public view.
On February 16, 1870 Father Michael Picati, a pastor of the
Turin archdiocese, wrote from Rome to a friend of his: "The
esteem and devotion in which the whole city-Pope, cardinals,
prelates, senators, princes, and people from all walks of
life-holds Don Bosco would be unbelievable, had I not witnessed
it myself. His name is known in town and suburb. The day before
yesterday he had to rush to the bedside of a person fifteen miles
away from Rome. Once his presence is known, he is besieged by
overwhelming crowds. Most of the time he cannot get to his
breviary till late at night. To be sure of a brief interview, one must
catch him as soon as he rises. That's what I have had to do several
times."
Don Bosco, however, was not accorded the welcome of earlier
visits because he could no longer assure the Romans that their
city would stay unharmed. Rather, in carefully phrased words, on
various occasions he hinted at its possible seizure by Piedmont.
Several prelates who belonged to noble Roman families, relying
on a hoped-for veto of European powers, believed this to be im-
possible. Some even fooled themselves into expecting direct in-
tervention from on high, trustingly maintaining that the revolu-
tion would never reach Rome, and that if it did, it could not gain a
foothold, for within months order would be re-established. They
naturally resented Don Bosco' s view.
398

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
399
True, in 1867 he had assured them that Rome would see no
political upheaval, but his words referred to that year, 1 while his
listeners had given them a much wider interpretation and had
blindly refused to give up that comforting hope.
They therefore began to mistrust him. Realizing the danger of
being hailed as a prophet of doom, Don Bosco from then on gave
only evasive answers about Rome's future, but these people,
eager to have him bolster their deadly self-deception, interpreted
his answers as they wished. There were some who even began to
doubt and question Don Bosco's prophetic gift, thus forcing
him-who previously had momentarily flashed the sad truth upon
them-into a most rigorous silence. He knew that it would be both
useless and unwise to talk to people who did not want to hear the
truth; furthermore he did not want to jeopardize his own
interests.
Still, his concern for others prompted him to recommend,
directly or through friends, that the clergy and religious superiors
especially should hurry to salvage what they could of movable and
immovable goods. Generally his advice was received with indif-
ference and skepticism.
Only the Father General of the Carthusians, foreseeing the ex-
propriation of religious property, accepted his advice and decided
to hand over to him with restrictions the Church of St. Mary of the
Angels and its monumental cloister at the Diocletian Baths. How-
ever, the Order's procurator general considered his superior's
fears unfounded and opposed the decision, stating that since all
religious orders kept a house in Rome, they should do likewise.
Others too supported his views, and the plan fell through. Things
took their course, and the Carthusians, like all other religious, lost
their property.
Several other skeptics learned how right Don Bosco had been
when, through their inactivity, both real estate holdings and cash
reserves were confiscated.
Clearly foreseeing what would happen this very year, Don
Bosco wrote to Father Rua on February 14 instructing him not to
prepare any festivities for his return the following week. He also
told him that a Salesian house woufd probably be opened in Rome
1.See Vol. VIII, p. 249. [Editor]

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400
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
in the fall. He wrote to Father Bonetti and to Father Lemoyne on
the 17th, giving them just about the same news. 2
He paid his last call on the Holy Father on the evening of Feb-
ruary 21. He thanked him for his many favors and, expressing the
hope of again being received by him in the near future, he once
more assured him that he would celebrate his jubilee as Pope in
1871, surpassing the years of St. Peter's pontificate in Rome.
The Pope kept him at length to discuss conciliar matters. For
years Don Bosco had fervently wished for a concise catechism
containing in clear, simple language the fundamentals of Chris-
tian doctrine to be introduced into the universal Church and to
replace all others. Nearly every diocese then had a catechism of
its own, occasionally quite different from that of an adjacent dio-
cese. All taught the same truths, but their presentations differed
considerably. At a time when people were beginning to travel
around their own countries-a prelude to a forthcoming massive
emigration-the lack of a standard catechism was bound to create
serious difficulties, especially among those who were poorly edu-
cated. It was reasonable therefore to see to it that the faithful,
children especially, should find the same catechism everywhere
they went-a universal, mandatory catechism, compiled and
promulgated by the Holy See.
The confidence that the Pontiff had in him heartened Don
Bosco. He knew that the vast majority of bishops decidedly
favored the idea and that relatively few of them, for admittedly
sound reasons, had declared themselves against it. It was
practically certain that the Council would approve this project. 3
Toward the end of that audience, Don Bosco appeared some-
what troubled. He had with him the complete prophecy of
January 5 concerning the disasters threatening France and Italy
and the Papacy's ultimate triumph, but he could not bring himself
to hand it to Pius IX. Still, the Church's interests were at stake,
and he overcame his reluctance.
2This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
~ At the 49th general congregation, after lengtny debate and extensive discussion, 535
bishops declared themselves in favor of such a catechism and 56 were opposed. If the
Council had not been interrupted before the final balloting took place, the resolution on a
single catechism would have been adopted. [Author's note]

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Vatican Council I (Continued)
401
"Would you like me to disclose something to you, Holy
Father?" he asked.
"Speak."
"May I tell it as it is?"
"I order you to."
Thus he spoke of the outcome of the war between France and
Prussia which everyone now believed to be inevitable, Napoleon
Ill's abandonment of Rome, the collapse of the Napoleonic
empire, and the terrible calamities which would befall France,
especially Paris.
At this point, uneasy and moved, Don Bosco wondered whether
he should continue. Pius IX fortunately relieved him of his em-
barrassment. "Enough!" he cut him short. "If you tell me more, I
won't be able to sleep tonight."
He then changed the subject. When Don Bosco left, he realized
that his audience had lasted an hour and a half.
The next morning, wishing to hear the rest, P.ius IX sent for
Don Bosco, but he had already left for Florence. His written
prophecy, however, came into the Pope's hands that year, as is
proven by the following letter in Don Bosco's own handwriting to
a cardinal-possibly [Louis] Cardinal Bilio. The letter, found
among Pius IX' s papers, is unsigned. Whether this was delib-
erate or not we cannot say, but we do know that the cardinal could
recognize Don Bosco's handwriting as well as we:
Your Eminence:
October 29, 1870
The enclosed document comes from someone who has on other occa-
sions proved that he is endowed with supernatural gifts. I had it with me
in Rome this winter.
I did mention a few things to the Holy Father but did not dare leave
him the manuscript. Now that he has kindly sent me word to speak
clearly and explicitly, leaving nothing out, I have decided to forward it to
you. There are other things which cannot be entrusted to paper but may
be said in person with all the secrecy that the subject demands. Should
anything herein seem obscure, I will try to offer clarification. You may
freely make use of the document. All I ask is that you do not mention my
name in any way, for reasons that you will readily appreciate.

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
If I knew a reliable messenger for the king of Prussia, I would certain-
ly have things to say which might please him. Grant us your holy
blessing.
We have a photographic copy of this letter. Furthermore,
Father Joachim Berto testified that in corroboration of these pre-
dictions Don Bosco declared: "A revolution will break out. There
shall be apostacies among both the learned and the ignorant.
Prussia will be converted. Then shall follow a great victory for the
Church, a great triumph for the Pope."
Many years later we too heard Don Bosco reaffirm these pre-
dictions. We state this for the sake of exactness.

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CHAPTER 65
Annual Conference of
St. Francis de Sales, 1870
DoN Bosco left Rome on February 22, and after a
two-day stopover in Florence, he arrived in Turin on Friday, the
25th. As he had requested, there was no welcoming demonstra-
tion. The first news he received was of the death of two Oratory
residents quite dear to him: Felix Valsania, 41, and Bernard
Mellica, 24, who had died on the 14th and 20th of February
respectively. 1
On Saturday, Sunday, and the next two days he spent long
hours hearing the confessions of his pupils who gladly again
opened their hearts to him. The spirit that animated him was
always the same. While hearing the confession of a youth,
Anselm Vecchio, he ~rged him to be very good. "A grave
II_1isfortune will befall you this year," he cautioned. The boy asked
what would happen, but Don Bosco replied that he could not say.
Some months later the lad's father died in spite of excellent past
health.
The feast of St. Francis de Sales was celebrated on March 6, the
first Sunday of Lent. On that day Don Bosco suffered a grave loss
in the death of Father Anthony Cinzano, 66, to whom he was
deeply indebted. 2 An exemplary pastor of Castelnuovo for thirty-
eight years, the priest was greatly mourned by all who had known
him. In his last years, he had talked only of preparing for death.
He had put his parish records in order and made arrangements
for resigning from his parish and retiring to the Oratory "to get
ready for my last moments under the mantle of Mary, Help of
Christians." This he again stated just a few days before his death.
1 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
2See the Indexes of Volumes I and II. [Editor]
403

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404
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
However, Don Bosco's sorrow was followed by great joy. The
Ecumenical Council agreed to discuss the topic of papal infallibil-
ity. On March 7, a decisive step :was taken in attaching a rider to
the schema De Ecclesia stating that "the Roman Pontiff cannot
err in defining matters of faith and morals." Then, on April 23,
in answer to a petition signed by 150 bishops, the Pope allowed
the matter to be submitted to the general congregation. The
discussion of this subject at large lasted through fourteen general
congregations between May 14 and June 3; its specifics occupied
18 general congregations between June 6 and July 4. Opponents
of the definition had ample opoortunity to voice their opinions,
reservations and doubts, and many did, striving their utmost to
prevent the dogmatic definition, first by dilatory tactics, then by
seeking an adjournment because of the summer heat. The major-
ity, however, stood firm. 3
Among those who spoke in favor of papal infallibility were the
bishops of Mondovi and Casal~. Bishop Gastaldi spoke twice with
with such eloquence and forceful logic that he emerged as one of
the staunchest supporters, effectively contributing to the success
of the dogmatic definition. His vigorous argument so enthused
the Council Fathers that he was hailed by tremendous applause.
Don Bosco too had some merit in this triumph, as we have already
remarked and as Bartholomew Cardinal d' Avanzo told Father
Francis Dalmazzo. This was Don Bosco's most significant
contribution to the Church and to the Pope during his stay in
Rome.
On March 7, while these developments were beginning to
unfold, Don Bosco held the annual conference [of St. Francis de
Sales] 4 at the Oratory. All the directors participated, as did
Father Pestarino of Mornese. Don Bosco opened his address as
follows:
I really had no serious motive to go to Rome again this year. Still, I
saw that, as a response to the mvitation of several important people, my
trip might prove beneficial to our interests and in other ways, too, I did
J This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
4 For similar previous conferences, see Vol. VIII, pp. 16, 154f, 313; Vol. XI, pp. 11-19.
[Editor]

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Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1870
405
my best to get as much out of this journey as I could. So, while I seemed
to be in Rome for leisure, I imitated the birds which fly everywhere but,
on spotting a cricket, swoop upon it.
After this preamble, he described his visit to Angelo Cardinal
Quaglia and his first two audiences with the Pope, which we have
already detailed. 5 He told them of Peter's Pence and of the set of
Letture Cattoliche he had given to the Pope, of the spiritual favors
received, and of the Holy Father's advice for the boys. He also
announced that the Salesian Congregation had been favorably
mentioned at a Council congregation. At this time, though, he
said nothing of what he had learned-and that was a great
deal-from Pius IX and from other sources or of what he had done
to lessen opposition to the desired dogmatic definition of papal
infallibility. Rather, he spoke of the proposal he had received and
accepted to open a Salesian house in Rome at San Giovanni della
Pigna. He spoke about its lovely church and adjacent building and
the advantages. of having a house in the city of the Popes.6 He
then went on to mention other matters, as described in this sum-
mary:
Therefore, barring adverse circumstances, we shall send a few of you
to Rome in August or October of this year. Likewise, some will be
assigned to the school we are opening at Alassio, between Oreglia and
Albenga. Such is the understanding I had with the Holy Father.
Last year I built up a small fund for the house we expected to open in
Rome. Drawing from this fund and other sums, I have taken out a
monthly annuity of 100 francs on the public debt to provide for those who
will be leaving for Rome this year.
I had a few requests for the Pope about dimissorials, and I believe that
he would have granted them, but then considering that the Council had
discussed these matters quite favorably, I decided to let it settle them
rather than introduce new items into their program. If adjustments are
needed, I shall request them of the Holy Father after the Council closes.
He has full powers and will gladly grant anything which redounds to
God's greater glory.
,··See pp. 390-93. [Editor]
6This church with its adjacent dwelling was put at the disposal of the Salesian Society by
Pius X in 1905. It immediately became the residence of our procurator general to the Holy
See. [Author's note]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
I also spoke to several bishops. Having heard of our Society at the
Council congregations, they earnestly begged me to help their dioceses
by opening a house there. I made no promises, not because of lack of
means but because of insufficient personnel.
I was able to bring back a tidy sum for several building projects: a
portico from here to the church, a square facing the church, a sizable
wing at Lanzo, another at Mirabello, and a church at Porta Nuova. As
you see, our projects always seem presumptuous, but as long as I see
that the Lord is with us, I shall forge ahead intrepidly. Should He with-
draw his assistance, I would immediately stop, lest I cut a sorry figure.
Toward the end of his talk he touched on various items:
membership growth, houses and pupils, the generous assistance
of benefactors, his fervent hopes for the future, the Oratory's
extraordinary reputation, the Pope's love of our Society, and the
high esteem in which thousands of people held our undertakings.
Finally he concluded:
Let us earnestly strive to do good. Let each of us do his utmost to find
new members, drawing them to us by work, words, and example. I may
well urge and call, but without your help I am a solitary drummer
marching alone. Let each director inquire if there are boys in his own
house who might suit u-s~ If they have to take examinations, let us know
so that we can make arrangements. Each of us must truly strive to be
realistic about the spiritual well-being of the boys entrusted to his care.
Taking a sharp look at ourselves forgetting the praise, flattery, and
wonder which others lavish upon us, we have good reason to rejoice at
the Lord's guidance, but we must also earnestly endeavor to observe our
rules more perfectly and give them the importance they deserve.
It was at this conference that the opening of a house at Alassio
was first announced. Don Bosco's evaluation of himself and his
undertakings was always marked by deep humility and
confidence in God. In a conversation some time earlier, Father
Berto had touched on the subject of Don Bosco' s death and the
widespread mourning it would cause.
"At my death," Don Bosco very calmly remarked, "people will
say: 'Poor man! He too is gone!' and there the matter will end.
But the devil will be glad and snicker with glee: 'The one who

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Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1870
407
fought me so hard and so often foiled my attempts has finally
disappeared.'"
Thfs he could say nightly in reference to all his efforts-not that
he was capable of such results by himself, but thanks to Our
Lady's powerful assistance, as he admitted and re-emphasized
time and time again. It was the powerful Queen of Heaven who
fought and defeated the infernal enemy!
One Saturday night, Father [Louis] Lasagna7 waited for Don
Bosco to- finish hearing confessions and kept him company at
supper. It was 11 :30. Sitting by him, he remarked that as long ·as
Don Bosco lived, the Salesian Society would have no trouble,
thanks to his support and guidance, But that once he was gone it
might fall apart for lack of means and cohesion, so that its
members would be forced to return to their own homes.
"You rely too heavily on human factors," Don Bosco replied.
"We must rather put our trust in the supernatural. Look, either
Don Bosco is powerless or he can do something. In the latter case,
he will undoubtedly help you even after his death, but if he is
powerless, then so much the better. God will take over, and He
can do everything l"
At the end of the conference, Don Bosco went to Mirabella.
Upon his return to Turin, he found a decree 8 from Pius IX
confirming in perpetuity the indulgences granted the previous
year to the Confraternity of Mary, Help of Christians.
After March 14 Don Bosco went to Lanzo, and after March 20
he went to Cherasco. In between he gave several "Good Nights"
to the Oratory boys. The first evening he told them of the Pope's
counsel for them. Another night he warmly exhorted them to
repeat often the invocation "Mary, Help of Christians, pray for
us," reminding them that they could gain a 300-day indulgence
7Louis Lasagna (1850-1895) first met Don Bosco in the summer of 1862 during one of the
latter's country outings with the Oratory boys. In October, Louis entered the Oratory. (See
Vol. VII, pp. 164, 166, 179f) He received the clerical garb in 1866, made his first vows in
1868, was ordained a priest in 1873, and joined the second missionary expedition to South
America in 1876. As director and provincial, he achieved marked success in the fields of
education, social action, agriculture, priestly vocations, and church construction or
renovation. In 1893 he was consecrated a bishop and entrusted with the evangelization of
the Indians of Mato Grosso (Brazil). He died in a train collision on November 6, 1895.
[Editor]
8 ,Omitted in this edition. [Editor]

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408
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
every time it was recited and a plenary indulgence once a month if
said daily. In another "Good Night" he narrated, omitting the
name, how the first-born son of Count Callari, after attending a
ball at court that he had keenly looked forward to, caught
pneumonia while going home and died within a few days.
"Earthly pleasures vanish as swiftly as lightning," he com-
mented.
He urged them, as was his custom, to think of their guardian
angel, who, he said, accompanied them everywhere, protecting,
counseling, and comforting them. He also emphasized recourse to
one's angel when tempted and vividly described how hundreds of
angels of their companions kept watching them. Finally, he urged
respect for one's angel through constant modest behavior.
When hearing confessions, he often assigned as penance some
prayer to the guardian angel. Hence, he had inserted such
prayers in The Companion of Youth. 9 He himself was most
fervently devoted to his own guardian angel, as we have already
said. 10
On March 27, he again gathered all his Salesians and
postulants for a conference. The summary of his address follows:
Adam, created innocent by God, lived happily in his earthly paradise,
but as St. Augustine tells us, this happiness was short-lived because,
moved by envy, the devil tempted him, caused him to fall into disobedi-
ence, and through him ruined all of mankind. We can apply this to
ourselves.
Our Society began well as far as our members are concerned, but we
can see that, though we are still at the beginning, the dev'il has already
started to work his way through jealousy and discontent, and he strives
to make headway. Knowing how evil he is, we must not be content to
watch his doings; rather, we must be on guard and fight back. For some
time now I have seen things which should not be, and they must stop. I
see us heading toward division and factions. At all costs this must be
avoided in a religious congregation.
In my visits ·to our houses in Lanzo, Mirabello, and Cherasco I took
care to ask the directors and individual confreres if they had any
A 9 1 prayerbook for boys compiled by Don Bosco and first published in 1847 under the
title II Giovane Provvf!!duto. See Vol. III, pp. 7-18. [Editor]
~°.IS'ee Vol, II, pp. 204-10; Vol. III, p. 105. [Editor]

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Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1870
409
thoughts on the state of our Society. As though by common agreement,
all felt that in their opinion the confreres of the motherhouse lack the
enthusiasm that is visible in their confreres in other houses. There it is
the same confreres who teach and supevise in the study hall, dormito-
ries, and playground. After teaching, they get into the midst of things,
organizing games and supervising. They .. really work hard. In my
concern for them, I offer~d to send help but, content to remain as they
are, they declined my offer, preferring to share heaps of work with a few
and be at peace with each other, rather than have more help at the cost
of harmony. I was really very glad of this, and I thank the Lord for it. But
when 1 asked again if they knew of anything else to be corrected, one
bright young.man told me that when he came here on business on one
occasion, he saw one of us petting a boy in a way which he felt should be
avoided in a religious Society like ours.
"Was there anything evil in it?"
"No," he replied, "but still I couldn't stand it."
I said nothing, but meanwhile I have come to realize that this too must
be corrected. On the whole, they were of the opinion that there were
defects to be done away with, especially here at the Oratory. Therefore,
let us search ourselves for things to be avoided and, on finding them,
shun them.
For example, I have sometimes noticed how some of you at table make
faces at the food being served and then scornfully push it away. Apples
may be served, and the complaint will be that they are too small, too
few, or worm-eaten. Then there are complaints about the wine, or the
soup, or the main course. Such things cause harm and unpleasantness
and bring discontent into a religious community. Let each one briefly
reflect on this: If we were to try to satisfy everyone's taste, there would
never be an end to work in the kitchen. As far as possible, we shall strive
to provide what is needed in food, drink, and all the necessities of life.
"But must I eat what makes me ill?" you may ask. My answer is that, in
some fifty years of community life in the diocesan seminary, at the
Convitto Ecclesiastico, and here at the Oratory, I never came upon food
which I knew would make me ill. What I learned was that if one did not
care for a particular dish, he should take less of it and eat more from
some other dish.
Please bear in mind that what I say applies to those who are in good
health and have no special needs. If one is not well, this rule ceases.
Another thing I heard during my visits is that there is too much going
out of the house with insufficient reason.
But let us come to the more important matter of over-affection in

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410
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
petting some boys. On this point I yield not one inch. Most earnestly I
wish that no one lay a hand on anyone or exchange confidences with any
of the boys, whoever they may be. Only a few days ago, one of you
seriously risked ruining a boy and himself and casting infamy on the
whole house. As of now, I absolutely forbid anyone to take a boy into his
room for any pretext at all. I know that sometimes a boy is called into
one's bedroom to sweep or make the bed or fetch water or carry books. I
do not want this to happen again. Neither do I want boys of one dormi-
tory to be allowed into another. Nor do I want boys in your dormitory to
enter your curtained cell.
Another thing too I must point out-namely that each of you has
obligations fo carry out, either of justice or of charity. Obligations of
justice are those pertaining to one's duty. Teachers, assistants and
monitors are entrusted with enforcing house rules, but only using
legitimate means. They must not strike at;1yone or send anyone out of the
room or inflict intolerable punishment. I know that some of you may
sometimes be hot-tempered and fight back. Then we have a tussle which
shocks all and seriously jeopardizes our authority. Let me give you an
example. A teacher is bound in justice to teach his pupils. He can do
what he pleases, but he must bear in mind that charity demands that he
be very tolerant. Likewise, he must not think that his authority as a
teacher extends over his pupils also outside the classroom. There, all the
boys must be equal in his eyes, regardless of grade, because then his
duties call for charity, and all the boys are equally entitled to that. I say
this because I have seen duties conflict, the duties of a teacher versus
those of an assistant. This fosters jealousies, so that duties are no longer
carried out as they should be. A boy may offend one superior while
under the supervision of another, and the former waits for the boy to
come under his authority in order to take revenge. This is wrong. If, for
instance, a boy is insolent in the playground, his teacher has no right to
punish him for it in the classroom, though he may admonish him in a
friendly, brotherly way. Similarly, one may not prohibit his pupils from
going with this or that companion for whimsical reasons.
In conclusion, let us take heart and keep working. Our efforts are
abundantly blessed by God, and He will bless them even more if they
are made solely to please Him.
During these days Don Bosco was also ministering to two
beloved sons, both critically ill. They died in early April at the
Oratory. Their obituaries read as follows:

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Annual Conference of St. Francis de Sales, 1870
411
Father August Croserio of Condove died April 1, 1870, at the age of
26. Highlights of his life can be found in the funeral oration delivered by
Father Francis Cerruti. The day before Father Croserio's death, Don
Bosco saw him in a dream: he was going to the altar for Benediction of
the Blessed Sacrament, wearing a richly embroidered cope studded with
jewels and shining stars. He looked most handsome. How can Croserio
be here? Don Bosco wondered. Isn't he sick? Oh, ./ see. This is the sign
that he is about to go to heaven! In fact, Father Croserio died the
following day.
John Baltera of Masserano died April 12, 1870 at the age of 15. A
cheerful and lively boy, he was an excellent student. He obeyed readily
and cheerfully in all circumstances. He suffered headaches and endured
them very patiently, never complaining about a few companions who
uncharitably mocked him for his ailment. Despite his youth, he was very
pious and frequently received the sacraments. He was deeply missed by
superiors and classmates.

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CHAPTER 66
Manifold Activities
a T the annual conference of St. Francis de Sales on
March 7, Don Bosco had mentioned his intention to add on to the
motherhouse, to the St. Aloysius Festiv.e Oratory at Porta Nuova,
and to our two schools at Lanzo and Mirabello. Money had to be
found. He did seek it, but without worry or loss to his principles.
"Toward the end of March 1870," Professor John Turchi wrote,
"two gentlemen called to give Don Bosco the sum of 500 lire
allotted to the Oratory ·as a charitable donation by the carnival
committee. Don Bosco thanked them for their kind thought, but
he refused the money, explaining that he had not the least inten-
tion of benefiting from the receipts of plays, dances, and what
were often vulgar, unbecoming carnival games."
Even while awaiting charitable contributions, he began
construction. We shall mention his projects in this chapter, letting
the facts speak for his multiple endeavors.
Most urgently needed at Lanzo was an imposing three-story
wing some two hundred feet long, with wide porticoes and a large
playground, extending from the existing building to the parish
church square.
For various reasons, however, this plan was set aside in favor of
another which added another floor at the total cost of 200,000 lire.
For three years, a crew of over thirty men was punctually paid
every other week. We must note that a shortage of construction
workers-due to a building boom in the Lanzo area-forced Don
Bosco to raise wages. We must also mention that Father Albert
cooperated very effectively in this project. On completion, the
building was all paid for, notwithstanding the extra expense
involved in blasting the crest of the hill and carting water from the
valley.
412

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Manifold Activities
413
Don Bosco's second undertaking was the opening of an ele-
mentary and secondary school at Alassio in response to a
long-standing invitation from the bishop of Albenga and Canon
Francis Della Valle, pastor of Alassio. Aware of the need, Don
Bosco had accepted. Back in 1869 the pastor had expressed his
wishes in this regard to the municipal authorities and they
agreed, offering buildings for both a day and resident school. Don
Bosco, however, having learned that the state owned an'ancient
monastery within the township, declared his wish to buy it, plan-
ning to turn it into a resident trade school for poor boys. He wrote
to the pastor who in turn talked to the town authorities. All were,
in favor, and steps were immediately taken to buy the monastery
from the state. The latter, however, informed them that the law
required the monastery to be auctioned. 1 [This eventually took
place on September 12, 1870.]
Don Bosco had set May 4 aside to visit the Mirabello junior
seminary where an addition was needed to house the increasing
number of pupils. No work had as yet been started, pending a
decision-highly favored by the staff-to relocate the seminary in
Borgo San Martino because the extremely hot summers had
injured the health of the boys, many of whom had in fact been
sent home to recover. Don Bosco wanted to see things for himself
before coming to a decision.
Shortly before leaving, he wrote to Countess Callori, clearly
alluding to the recent loss of her son.2 We do not know what Don
Bosco may have written or said to the noble lady immediately
after her son's death:
Dear Countess:
Turin, April 28, 1870
Your letter traveled by much the same route as that which I had
addressed to Mary Louise, your daughter.
God willing, I shall leave the Porta Susa station at 12:30 P.M. on
Tuesday [May 3] and will be in Casale shortly after 5. The following day
I shall pay a flying visit to Mirabello and then return to Turin. That you
should ask me to forgive you for postponing your donation both shames
· 1 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
2.See p. 408. [Editor]

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414
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
me and makes me chuckle to think that you intend to add the interest to
make up for the delay. Well, let us do all for God's greater glory.
Since I have loads of things to tell you, would you please let me know
whether you will have guests at about the time mentioned? If so, I shall
postpone my trip a little.
Be brave, dear Countess; draw courage from Our Lord. Nascimur in
lacrymis, lacrymosos ducimus annos,· terminat·in lacrymis ultima nostra
dies [In tears we are born; in tears we live; in tears we shall die], but
after this semper cum Domino erimus [we shall ever be with the Lord]. 3
Such is our hope. In any event, clear skies follow every storm.
May God grant you, your husband and your family holy resignation
and a long and happy life. Pray for me.
Gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
Before leaving he purchased an orchard adjoining the Oratory
I and another piece of land. At the same time he submitted plans to
the city authorities for the square which he intended to build on
his own land facing the Church of Mary, Help of Christians.
Besides these and other heavy expenses which we shall mention,
he foresaw other substantial outlays for the school at Cherasco. 4
In the midst of all these material cares he did not forget his
benefactors. Toward the end of April, he sent them a letter as a
souvenir of his trip to Rome. We found a copy among the papers
of Father [John Baptist] Appendini:
Turin, April 29, 1870
I am very glad to tell you that, in the audience granted me last
February 8, His Holiness Pope Pius IX, in token of his paternal benevo-
lence toward the benefactors of our boys and of the Church of Mary,
Help of Christians, granted the following spiritual favors to Rev. John
Baptist Appendini:
1. Apostolic benediction and a plenary indulgence in articulo mortis.
2. A plenary indulgence each time you celebrate Holy Mass and pray
for the Holy Father's intention.
3. All these indulgences are applicable to the souls in purgatory.
3 1 Thess. 4, 16. [Editor]
4 We are omitting a pertinent letter to the mayor of Cherasco outlining the needs of that
school. [Editor]

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Manifold Activities
415
I am glad that I can inform you of the above favors, and I wish you
heavenly blessings.
Yours gratefully,
Fr. John Bosco
He also wrote on this topic to Mother Eudocia, superioress of
the Institute of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, enclosing
several of the above-mentioned form letters for her community:
Dear Reverend Mother,
Turin, April 12, 1870
Though I wanted to present you and your daughters personally with
the authentic certificate of the favors granted by the Holy Father to your
institute, I thought it best not to delay your gaining these favors and
thus I have mailed the certificate. Please fill out the name and surname
of each of the sisters on this printed form so that everyone may keep it as
a souvenir.
Please send one in my name to Mother General and to all the nuns
who in some way or other, no matter how small, have helped our church
and house.
All heavenly blessings upon you and your entire institute. Pray for me
too and for my poor boys.
Yours gratefully,
Fr. John Bosco

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CHAPTER 67
Manifold Activities (Continued)
Q THER important matters kept Don Bosco busy
throughout April. Frequently the police recommended abandoned
or needy youngsters to him who might go astray. In such cases
Don Bosco obliged easily and accepted the boys gratis or nearly
so. In return the police department would issue railroad passes to
Oratory boys who had to go home for some reason or other. This
went on till the spring of 1870 when a decree from the Minister of
the Interior put an end to the practice. A lengthy exchange of
letters between Don Bosco, the police department, and the
Minister of the Interior toward reinstating the privilege proved
unsuccessful. 1 As a last resort, Don Bosco wrote to Count
Radicati, prefect of the province of Turin, as follows:
Dear Sir:
June 20, 1870
I received your letter informing me that the Department of Interior
has decided to discontinue free railroad transportation to poor boys of
this institute. Since you know our sorry financial straits, I beg you to
point out to the Minister of the Interior the plight of the boys whom we
have been asked to take.
Of some eight hundred residents, over one hundred were recom-
mended by the government and accepted free of charge. If I must now
lose the privilege of sending them home gratis, I shall find myself in a
very difficult situation because the railroads no longer give us free
passes, and the Department of the Interior has long ceased contributing
the annual subsidy of years ago. Thus, after keeping a boy without
charge, I must even send him home at my own expense. A few days ago,
I We are omitting all this official correspondence. [Editor]
416

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
417
for instance, I had to send a boy to Ancona and another to Tortorigi,
Sicily, at a cost truly heavy for us in view of our very limited means. Let
me also mention that we are still being taxed 10,000 lire for our ground
flour.
You realize that, despite my good will, I shall have to restrict the
number of residents at a time when applications for admission are at an
all-time high. I leave the whole matter in your hands, assuring you that
these poor boys will invoke God's blessings upon you, as they do daily
for all their benefactors.
Gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
Certainly Count Radicati, Don Bosco's great friend, did all he
could in this matter, all the more so since Don Bosco was
accepting into the Oratory two boys recommended by the count
himself. He also took in at the same time sixteen boys sent by the
Regio Ospizio Generale di Carita in Turin which undertook to pay
for their board and tuition until their eighteenth year.
In May the regional school authorities gave Don Bosco a token
of their esteem by this invitation to the Oratory Press:
Prefecture ofthe Province of Turin
The Superintendent ofSchools
Turin, May 1, 1870
The many educational, didactic, and popular works published by fear-
less publishing houses, among which yours holds such a distinct
position, is an accomplishment which has made our province superior to
all others in the country, especially in the field of popular education.
In the school exhibit to be held in Naples in September on the occasion
of the Pedagogical Convention, I intend to present statistics of popular
works published in this province over the last ten years, and I cannot
overlook Your Reverence, for you rightly belong among those who honor
this noblest of mpdem arts.
Kindly fill out the enclosed form and give pertinent information on the
titles I have checked. I shall be very grateful to receive the form by the
end of the month.
Your devotedly,
V. Garelli, Superintendent ofSchools

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418
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
We have no record of what Don Bosco did in this matter, but
the superintendent of schools always remained his sincere friend.
Some days later he wrote again to recommend an orphan.
The goal of Don Bosco's activities never varied-God's greater
glory and the welfare of souls-so that even material tasks and
financial burdens became pleasant and never dampened his
priestly zeal. From his heart flowed a spring of living water,
welling up into life everlasting. To Father Caesar Thornasset of
Aosta, a former Oratory pupil who had sought his counsel on a
truly priestly way of life, he wrote:
Dear Father,
[No date]
Try this: devout preparation for and thanksgiving after Holy Mass;
earnest meditation every morning; visit to the Blessed Sacrament during
the day; spiritual reading.
I shall pray to Mary, Help of Christians and our good Jesus for you.
Fratres, sobrii estote. Pray for
Yours affectionately,
Fr. John Bosco
To a seminarian tormented by scruples he replied:
Turin, April 16, 1870
My dear ...
I do not want your letter to go unanswered. I shall pray for you. On
your part, make your meditation properly, go often to Holy Communion,
and you will be free of all danger.
Come to the Oratory for a few days during your next vacation and we
can talk this over.
Get subscribers to Letture Cattoliche wherever you go, and you will
receive the Holy Father's blessing and Our Lord's blessing as well.
God bless you and your efforts. Please pray for me.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
He also had the habit of jotting words of counsel, short invoca-
tions, and blessings in his own hand on the back of holy pictures
of Mary, Help of Christians. We offer a few samples dating from
different times:

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
419
To Joseph Zanetti of Verona, for his clerical investiture: Mary, bless
Your beloved son, and guide him always along the road to heaven.
To my dear Quaranta: Avoid sloth; love virtue and work. Obedience is
the key to all other virtues. God bless you.
To Mr. Michael d'Agliano: God bless you and your whole family. May
Mary guide you all along the road to heaven.
To Mr. Joseph Grisi Rodali: God bless you and your whole family and
generously reward your charity. May Mary, Help of Christians guide
you all to heaven.
To Mrs. Caroline Denina: Mary, pray for us and free us from physical
and spiritual danger.
To a boy: May Mary bless you.
To Countess Antonia Cays of Giletta: Have a filial love for Her. She
will help you and yours in life, comfort you in death, and make you
happy in heaven. May 7, 1870.

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CHAPTER 68
Feast of Mary, Help of Christians, 1870
~HE Blessed Virgin, whom Don Bosco ceaselessly
invoked with affection, was the Oratory's defense against
mishaps, and many a time She wondrously safeguarded its
residents from grave accidents, as all have repeatedly affirmed.
For instance, several times the steam pressure of the boiler
activating the printing press shot far beyond safety limits and
should have blown the entire building-dormitories and
all-sky-high, but the mishap never occurred. Often, when the
steam gauge showed a pressure twice the safety limit, the custo-
dian trembled as he opened the valves but was amazed that his
fears were never realized. Grateful for Mary's protection, the
pressmen calmly kept wholesome publications running off the
presses, particularly Letture Cattoliche. . . . The May issue,
Novena to Mary, Help of Christians, prepared by Don Bosco
·himself, contained in the Appendix the papal brief of April 5,
1870 1 canonically raising the Association of Devotees of Mary,
Help of Christians to the rank of archconfraternity.
At about this time, too, final negotiations were scheduled in
Rome concerning the much desired house to be opened there.
With this enterprise very much at heart, Don Bosco wrote to
Father Lemoyne at Lanzo, and perhaps also to the other Salesian
houses, as follows: "On Friday [May 13] our plans for the Church
of San Giovanni della Pigna will be discussed in Rome. On that
day I would like you to suggest that all Salesians who are well
should fast; suggest likewise that priests include this special
intention at Mass, and that the others receive Communion. Let us
1 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
420

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Feast ofMary, Help ofChristians, 1870
421
pray that all things may turn out to God's greater glory. I believe
that Father Pestarino is expecting Father Bodrato on Sunday. He
will pass through Turin: t3lease remind him that I have something
to give him. I shall be there on Monday"
Don Bosco arrived in Mornese on the morning of May 9 with
Father James Costamagna 2 to take part in the ordination and first
Mass of Father Pestarino's nephew. 3 According to Father
Costamagna, toward the end of dinner-some twenty priests
were present-such a delicious dessert was served that someone
jokingly asked whether such luscious fruit would be found in
heaven. Taking the cue, Don Bosco remarked that in heaven our
glorified senses would receive an ineffable reward that would suit
the body's new condition, for there at the most sumptuous of
banquets Our Lord Himself would serve heavenly dishes to His
elect. Quoting Holy Scripture, he brought forth truths so profound
and enthralling that, forgetting their food, the guests sat in awe
and rapture, hands clasped, as though hearing an angel.
A letter of Don Bosco to Countess Callori mentions his trip to
Mornese and the results of the meeting concerning the house to
be opened in Rome. It also reveals Don Bosco's gratitude,
esteem, and almost filial confidence in the countess:
Dear Countess:
Turin, May 15, 1870
Your letter reached me in Momese, Acqui' s earthly paradise. You
are most kind and charitable and I thank you. I had a pleasant trip. Away
from my usual duties, with rest and good meals, I feel much better phy-
sically. Thank you wholeheartedly for all you have done and keep doing
for us. I'll try to make it all bear fruit a hundredfold before God and
man ....
If I can get to Mirabello, I'll let you know and will certainly stop off at
your house.
The day before yesterday there was a meeting in Rome concerning the
Church of San Giovanni della Pigna. The outcome was favorable to us. I
may have to take a trip there, and I wrote today in the hope that I may
skip or at least postpone it.
2See Chapter 53, footnote 7. [Editor]
3 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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422
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
I won't be in Turin on Tuesday, but I will be there from Wednesday
until the 24th. Won't you pay us a visit? We will give you a first-class
reception. Today the novena starts. Every day we shall say a Mass at the
altar of Mary, Help of Christians for your intentions, and particularly for
our dear Victoria's lasting recovery.
God bless you, the count, and your whole family.
Very gratefully yours,
Fr. John Bosco
The novena of Mary, Help of Christians set the whole Oratory
in motion. Eight hundred copies of the schedule of services had
been spread about. Festivities included the blessing and
installing of three new church bells which, in unison with the
other five, were to form a concert in E flat. On Sunday, May 22,
Father Cagliero conducted a general rehearsal of the Mass,
Vespers, and his new composition Saepe dum Christi in the
presence of invited guests and benefactors.
Then came the great day of May 24, the feast of Mary, Help of
Christians. Unita Cattolica thus described the celebration:
With genuine pleasure we attended the services in the Church of
Mary, Help of Christians which was thronged with citizens and pilgrims.
~twas a veritable triumph of religion. From four in the morning to one in
the afternoon, Holy Communion was distributed with hardly an inter-
ruption by two priests. The entire musical program was most beautiful,
but the Saepe dum Christi set to music by Father John Cagliero, in com-
memoration of the famous battle of Lepanto, surpassed all expectations.
Word got about, and many storekeepers had closed their shops to be
free to attend. At six in the evening the immense church was crowded
with no less than ten thousand listeners, while an enormous crowd
stood outside. Both accompaniment and voices-basso, tenor, soprano,
contralto, and solo-were so interwoven that while the overall effect was
that of a martial drama, the music most vivdly reproduced Mary's glory
at Lepanto's renowned victory, so vividly portrayed in this majestic
hymn. Every note, especially the beautiful quartet for contraltos-Vir-
gines castae puerique puri-was a pleasure. The hymn lasted some forty
minutes, but it seemed only a moment. From everywhere requests keep
pouring in for an encore. There was also a devout, sublime Tantum
Ergo sung by tenors, bassos, and three hundred sopranos, the latter
positioned in the dome. Festivities closed with an enchanting ~isplay of

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Feast ofMary, Help ofChristians, 1870
423
fireworks simulating a battle in the sky. Chairmen of the festivities were
Count and Countess Giriodi of Monasterolo.
The feast of the Ascension was also solemnly observed on the
26th. That morning provided a fresh proof of the efficacy of Don
Bosco's blessing.
Peter Marchino, a second-year Oratory student, had been in
the throes of a violent fever from the beginning of May. He was so
weak that on the Sunday before the feast of the Ascension he
could scarely stay in church until the end of Mass. He then went
straight to bed, took some medicine, and seemed a bit improved.
In no time, however, his fever returned. On Ascension Thursday,
realizing that he was getting no better, he got out of bed, dressed,
and headed for the sacristy where Do~ Bosco was about to vest for
Mass. Approaching him, he said: "Father, I have a fever. Please
bless me." "I am going for Mass now," Don Bosco replied gently.
"When I'm finished, I'll give you my blessing." Marchino picked
up the missal, ready to serve Mass. Don Bosco put on his amice
and then took it off, saying: "Dear Marchino, I'll give you my
blessing now. kneel down." The boy did so and Don Bosco
blessed him. He served Mass and was no longer troubled by
fever. He testified to this after his priestly ordination.
Following a long-standing custom, 4 the night after the feast of
Mary, Help of Christians, Father Rua summoned all who had
helped to organize the festivities. Each one reported whatever
deficiencies or disorders he had noticed and offered suggestions
for improving the celebration. Minutes were recorded to be read
by those concerned shortly before the next year's feast of Mary,
Help of Christians. After any occasion that altered Oratory
routine, similar meetings were held, with the minutes recorded in
a "Handbook of Experience." This was the secret of trouble-free
celebrations.
4•See Vol. V, pp. 42f; Vol. VII, p. 316. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 69
Manifold Activities (Continued)
DoN Bosco was warmly devoted to St. Joseph and had
deep faith in his protection. When a petition signed by 14,000
people, including many bishops and all religious superiors
general, had been presented to the Council Fathers that St.
Joseph be proclaimed the principal patron of the universal
Church, Don Bosco, in his desire to second this move, asked
Father Innocent Gobio, a Barnabite, to write a pamphlet on the
holy patriarch. The result was the June issue of Letture Catto-
liche, entitled History of St. Joseph's Cult ....
During the last few days of May, Don Bosco went to Alassio
with Father Rua to sign the contract for the school he was about to
open there. Plans for a hospice had been set aside, although Don
Bosco still had in mind to bring a few apprentices-cabinetmak-
ers, tailors and shoemakers-to take care of the boarders' needs.
The trip was rather uncomfortable because they had to change
from the train to a coach at Savona, but Don Bosco was too
anxious to please Bishop Raphael Biale, who for months had
begged the Salesians to come to his diocese, to pay any heed to
the inconvenience.
The contract1 was signed at the town's council meeting, and a
certified copy is preserved in our archives. Afterward Don Bosco
left for Albenga. There he called on the bishop who received him
with warmth and gratitude.
On returning to Turin, he gave fresh proof of his humility in a
reply to the archbishop of Urbino who had forwarded some critical
comments made by the diocesan seminary's professor of church
1 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
424

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
425
history concerning Don Bosco's Storia Ecclesiastica [Church
History]: 2
Your Excellency:
June 3, 1870
I am not sure that I answered your most courteous letter of a few
months ago. It seems not to have been acknowledged, so I do so now
again.
Your letter offered observations on my recently published Storia
Ecclesiastica. I much appreciate them and will take them under advise-
ment in a subsequent edition.
If this same professor or anyone else finds something which he feels
should be corrected or improved in this or any other work of mine, I shall
always appreciate his comments. He will only be rendering v~luable
service to historical truth.
Should Your Excellency pass through this city, you would greatly
honor me by accepting my humble hospitality.
Please thank the professor on my behalf and kindly give me your
blessing.
Yours devotedly,
Fr. John Bosco
A few days later he wrote to the director of the Mirabella junior
seminary praising his prudent zeal and asking for the teaching
certificate of Father Cerruti whom he had decided to send to the
new Salesian school at Alassio.
Dear Fr. Bonetti,
June 6, 1870
I fully agree with you. The best is what we aim at but, as things are
now, we must regretfully settle for less. Times are bad. Nevertheless,
let us be satisfied with what we have achieved. Let us humble ourselves
before God, acknowledging that we are entirely dependent on Him,
and let us pray. Recommend yourself, your efforts, and your spiritual
sons to Him, especially at Mass, at the Elevation. In due time we shall
take opportune steps for an increase of [priestly] vocations. Meanwhile
let us get busy, have faith and pray ....
Tell Father Cerruti to send me at his convenience his teacher's
certificate. Tell him also to keep very cheerful and in top shape
spiritually ....
2:This was a revised edition. For the original edition, see Vol. II, pp. 257ff; Vol. III, pp.
215-20. _[Editor)

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426
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
May God bless you all. Pray for me.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ
Fr. John Bosco
P.S. As of today we have forty attractive requests to open schools,
seminaries, etc. What an abundant harvest!
Since the Mirabello junior seminary was about to be transferred
to Bargo San Martino, Don Bosco tactfully informed Countess
Callori of the move.
Dear Countess:
Turin June 16, 1870
I owe you several letters. I received the thousand lire which you kindly
sent for the printing of my church history; it needs but the imprimatur to
go to press. I also received the money you sent for the lottery tickets and
the extra tickets you had received. God will surely reward you. Amen.
Now I have surprising news for you. W~ must move our junior semi-
nary to Marquis Scarampi's mansion at Borgo San Martino for these
reasons: it has a large playground and vegetable garden: furthermore,
the building is spacious and near the railroad. On the contrary,
Mirabello has hardly a place in which to play-a rather unhealthy
situation; moreover, the school is far from the railroad, and townsfolk
are icily indifferent to us. To enlarge the present premises, including a
chapel, would take more than 120,000 lire, whereas the new premises,
including woodland valued over 20,000 lire, would cost us only 114,000
lire. Since we began Mirabello under your auspices, I do not want to
reach a decision without first requesting your opinion.
Please note that I am not asking you for money. I am ever so grateful
for all you have already done and shall try not to bother you now; many
times and in many ways have I enjoyed your charity in the past, and I
stilI do.
May the Lord bless you and your entire family. May He grant all of
you lasting good health and a long, happy life, with the precious gift of
final perseverance. Please remember me in your prayers.
Yours devotedly,
Fr. John Bosco
He also sent the long awaited news to Father Bonetti:

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
427
Dear Father Bonetti:
Turin, June 16, 1870
The price has been definitively set at 114,000 lire including flower and
vegetable gardens, woodland, and ordinary furniture. The contract will
be signed at the latest by the beginning of August ....
Tell your boys that Don Bosco loves them all dearly in the Lord and
will remember them all in a special way at Mass on the feast of St. John
the Baptist. Since I cannot be with them on that day, I promise them a
treat on my next visit. Of them I ask an act of charity: that they offer
their Communions for my intention that I will save my soul. Another
favor I ask is a very special resolve on their part to flee, avoid, and
prevent foul talk.
May God bless you all and keep you on the road to heaven. Amen.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
Besides assuming this additional financial burden, Don Bosco
also had to find funds for the organ of the Church of Mary, Help of
Christians. He organized a music festival whose highlights were a
fantasia by Maestro John De Vecchi and the Saepe dum Christi of
Father John Cagliero, as already described. The festival, held on
June 17, was a huge success. Among the guests were the mayor
of Turin and Count Masino of Valperga. 3
Notwithstanding so many undertakings already afoot and the
burden of financing them, Don Bosco's zeal prompted him to
make a start toward constructing a large church at the St.
Aloysius Festive Oratory at Porta Nuova.
A new housing development had sprung up in this southern
area with no church of the city within two miles to provide for the
spiritual needs of the people. Don Bosco intended to meet this
need and, above all, to stem the flood of Protestant proselytizing
that had deluged that area, especially through the Waldensians
who did their utmost to entice Catholic adults to their church
and children to their heretical schools.
Don Bosco decided to dedicate the new church to St. John the
Evangelist, whose purity he often praised in talks and sermons.
3 This paragraph is a condensation. We are omitting a notice from Don Bosco asking the
sellers of lottery tickets to send in their returns. [Editor]

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428
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
How often he described John's vision of the virgins following the
Lamb! As we have already said, 4 he also intended to erect a
lasting monument to the angelic Pius IX whose baptismal name
was John.
Absorbed in thoughts of the Pope and the Council, he felt that
he had to speak about them to his boys and contribute, with his
priests, to an appeal of Unita Cattolica to help Pius IX, as the pa-
per announced in an article dated June 21, as follows:
In tribute to the Supreme ;pontiff, Father John Bosco and his brother
priests of the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in Turin offer 24 lire, the
stipends of two Masses each. Father John Bonetti and his brother
priests of St. Philip Neri at Lanzo offer 8 lire, the stipends of two Masses
each. Father John Francesia and his brother priests of Our Lady of the
People in Cherasco offer 8 lire, the stipends of two Masses each.
On June 2, Unita Cattolica had also reported a contribution of
some Oratory boys to Peter's Pence as follows: "Turin. Several
poor boys from the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales offer 6 lire."
And now, June 24, the feast of St. John the Baptist [and Don
Bosco's name day], was again at hand.
This year the feast was enhanced by a new demonstration of
gratitude by former Oratory pupils which became a yearly event.
A few who had frequented the Oratory in its early years proposed
to observe Don Bosco's name day by attending and offering a few
gifts. As expected, this noble proposal met with everybody's en-
thusiastic approval, and soon very many former pupils, including
priests, asked to join this pioneer group. In a few years it became
a vast association with an executive committee at its head..,
On his part, as Canon [Anthony] Berrone declared, Don Bosco
warmly welcomed his former pupils who each year came to tender
their homage, gratitude, and good wishes. He urged them to
come in ever greater numbers, despite his considerable expense
in inviting them all to dinner. On these occasions he kept urging
them to keep the Oratory spirit alive in their association. Many
availed themselves of this opportunity to seek his counsel.
4,See p. 365. [Editor]
>This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
429
This yearly celebration was always a great benefit to both past
and present pupils; for that reason Don Bosco allowed them to
give full vent to their enthusiasm and gratitude. Father [John]
Giacomelli told us: "Once, when I pointed out to him that the boys
went overboard on his name day, he replied: 'I like it very much
because these things do a lot of good by arousing love and respect
toward superiors.' "
Something noteworthy occurred right after this feast. The cleric
Louis Pesce was critically ill at Cherasco. One night, as his condi-
tion worsened, he was given Holy Viaticum and a telegram was
sent to Don Bosco: "Doctors say Pesce hopeless." To this Don
Bosco immediately replied: "Do not fear. His hour has not come
yet." Pesce recovered completely and lived till 1910. 6
6 'This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 70
Manifold Activities (Continued)
a T times Divine Providence further lit up the horizons
of the vast field of action entrusted to Don Bosco. We have al-
ready mentioned that back in 1858 his name was known and es-
teemed in Constantinople. Now his thoughts turned to future sons
of his in the Turkish empire. At this time a disastrous fire had
razed part of that city and Uniia Cattolica had launched a relief
drive in an article entitled "From the People of Turin to the
Homeless of Constantinople." The first list of contributors was
published on July 24, and with it a brief note: "Well-deserving
Don Bosco has offered to accept two boys gratis for life in his Ora-
tory, regardless of their faith."
This new burst of charity was quite pleasing to God. Years later
the Salesians opened hospices, schools, and festive oratories in
Constantinople, Smyrna [now Izmir], Nazareth, Beithgemal,
Bethlehem, Cremisan, Jaffa, and Jerusalem. But in July of this
year a missionary again wrote asking him to go to Africa:
My dear Don Bosco,
Rome, July 3, 1870
Knowing quite well your good heart and holy ideals, I make this
straightforward request of you which calls for an answer as promptly as
possible.
May I have two or three young priests and four or five of your most
dependable shopmasters and catechists for my boys' school in Cairo,
where we have a church and suitable residence? They would join my
staff and be under my care. In return I will pay all expenses and give
them enough leeway .that soon, recruiting native vocations, they could
open a mission in central Nigeria which would be fully in the care of your
430

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
431
institute. As you see, I wish to help you gradually transplant your Con-
gregation into central Africa with some of the means God has given me.
Since you would find it difficult to do this by yourself because the large
Order that now has jurisdiction in Egypt might raise obstacles, you will
find it necessary to gain a footing as part of my own institute which is
already established and will soon receive a large mission in central
Africa.
If you can let me have these two or three priests by next September
a 1d, better still, also the above-mentioned lay religious, please reply at
once. I shall discuss the matter with the bishop of Verona (who is truly
an angel for us) and together we shall take necessary steps here in Rome
and see to everything. All you need to do is to prepare your personnel. I
shall come to Turin and take them to Egypt, not far from where the Holy
Family lived for seven years in exile in the land of the Pharaohs.
I await your reply, which I hope will be favorable. Then with authori-
zation of the bishop of Verona we shall draw up the necessary papers
and launch this new venture in God's name.
My three institutions in Egypt are doing well. We now number SS.
Many indeed are the souls rescued from paganism and brought into
Christ's fold.
Yours affectionately,
Father Daniel Conboni
P.S. I hope you have received the petition I sent to the Vatican Council
on behalf of the negroes of central Africa.
Father Comboni had already been at the Oratory where he had
sparked the boys' enthusiasm by his vivid talks. 1 Don Bosco
answered that for the time being he could not spare anybody but
would generously accept any young negro he might recommend
to him. He had done this also with Archbishop Lavigerie. Then,
over the years, Our Lady's promises became realized, and the
Salesians opened hospices and resident and day schools at Alex-
andria, Tunis, the Cape of Good Hope, the Congo, and
Mozambique. However, in July 1870 these were only dreams.
Meanwhile one of Don Bosco' s earnest wishes was being
realized. On July 18 the Pope presided over the Fourth Session of
the Ecumenical Council at which 533 of the 535 bishops present
~See Vol. VII, p. 488. [Editor]

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432
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
voted in favor of the dogmatic definition of papal infallibility; only
two [Louis Riccio, of Caiazzo, Italy, and Edward Fitzgerald, of
Little Rock, Arkansas] voted against it. Pius IX ratified the Coun-
cil's decision. At this the Council Fathers and the multitude filling
St. Peter's instantly broke into thunderous applause. The session
closed with the singing of the Te Deum.
Thus after working in peace through nearly a hundred plenary
congregations the Council Fathers were able to draft such
wonderful documents as the doctrinal constitutions De Fide and
De Ecclesia Christi, the latter containing the much contested
·chapter on papal infallibility. The Council had not met in vain.
Now it could afford to adjourn in perfect serenity and await more
propitious times.
Other details of Don Bosco's vision were now being fulfilled, or
so it seems to us: "Worldly powers shall vomit fire, wishing to
smother My words in the throats of the guardians of My law, but
they will not succeed. They shall do much harm, but only to
themselves. "2 In fact, soon after the dogma's proclamation
Austria rescinded its concordat with the Holy See; Bavaria gave
aid and comfort to Dollinger3 by embracing the Old Catholic
movement; Italy ordered her magistrates to put bishops and pas-
tors under surveillance and to imprison and fine anyone who, by
publishing the dogmatic constitution on papal infallibility, should
violate national institutions; France withdrew its troops from
Civitavecchia; and Prussia authorized Victor Emmanuel II to
march upon Rome.
These repercussions seemed to justify the apprehension of
those who had opposed the definition as inopportune, fearing that
European powers would resent any such declaration, but it was
not an adequate reason to silence truth. At the dawn of a new age,
when freedom of thought would ensnare even the minds of
priests, God had wanted this definition. On the other hand, sub-
sequent events showed that in any case the bitter war being
waged against the Church, as a divine institution, would not have
abated.
2 See p. 375. [Editor]
3 Johann von Db11inger (1799~1890), theologian and leader of the Old Catholic
movement, was excommunicated in 1871. [Editor]

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
433
A singular fact must not be overlooked. The dogma was
solemnly proclaimed on July 18, and the next day Napoleon III
declared war on Prussia. Until that moment God had stayed the
fearful storm, but now, upon the completion of what He had de-
creed, He allowed the storm to vent its wrath.
All the bishops, including those who had opposed the definition
and those who had left Rome, responded with Credo [I believe] to
the Pope's proclamation. As they returned to their sees, some
stopped off at the Oratory. "Among others," Father Francis Dal-
mazzo testified, "were two Franciscan prelates from China who
purposely came to see Don Bosco because of his renown for holi-
ness and to look for missionaries." They were Bishop Louis
Moccagatta, titular bishop and apostolic vicar, and Monsignor
Eligio Cosi, who later became a bishop and apostolic vicar. 4 It
was already routine to see venerable bishops and archbishops,
not only from Piedmont but also from distant regions, stop off at
the Oratory in Turin, after calling on the Pope, for the sole pur-
pose of discussing ways and means of combating current evils
with Don Bosco. Many bishops were seen to kneel for his bless-
ing.'
After his annual retreat at St. Ignatius' Shrine, Don Bosco
spent the rest of July looking after his schools. 6 To Countess Cal-
lari, who had contributed thousands of lire toward constructing
the Mirabello junior seminary and had her misgivings about mov-
ing to Borgo San Martino, he again explained his reasons for the
move. 7 A few days later he wrote to Father Bonetti:
Dear Father:
Turin, July 24, 1870
The contract for our school in Bargo San Martino will be signed this
Saturday, July 30. Prepare 10,000 lire or more and bring the sum to me
on Thursday or Friday. If possible, stay with us until after the legal
formalities; if not, I'll let you go back. It's best not publicize this until
after the signing.
4This sentence is a condensation. (Editor]
swe are omitting a letter of Don Bosco to Father Pestarino inviting him to Turin to
discuss some matters of common interest. (Editor]
6This sentence is a condensation. (Editor]
7See p. 426. [Editor]

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434
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Cheer up! Remember me to Father Certuti and to the rest. May
heavenly blessings pour down on you abundantly. Amen.
Yours affectionately,
Fr. John Bosco
Meanwhile Countess Callori had again written to Don Bosco,
and he tried most delicately to dispel her depression:
Dear Countess,
Turin, July 27, 1870
... During your brief stay in Turin I noticed in you a mixture of
resignation, failing health, and longing for heaven. I wish that you will
stay healthy in this world for your own family's good and-see my
selfishness-that you may help me complete a series of projects which
will gain souls for Our Lord. Among many requests to open new houses I
have one from Algeria, another from Cairo, Egypt, and a third from Cali-
fornia. The last may be given preference.
Meanwhile join us daily with a Pater, Ave, Gloria, and Salve Regina
until the feast of Our Lady's nativity. I'll see to it that six Holy
Communions and a Mass will be offered daily until that feast to obtain
perfect health for you from the Lord; This Saturday we shall reach a
decision about Borgo San Martino. Prayers are being offered in our
house. May God arrange things as is best for His glory ....
Yours devotedly,
Fr. John Bosco
The countess wrote once more, telling him that she was then
feeling weak, ailing, and depressed. Don Bosco hastened to con-
sole her, banishing her fears with a declared promise:
My dear Countess,
Turin, August 3, 1870
Do not worry. Father Cagliero is not planning your Requiem.
Years ago you wrote and told me the very same things. My reply then
was that Our Lady wanted your help for the construction of the Church of
Mary, Help of Christians. That church has been built and you have
attended services there. Now I will tell you something else: God wants
you to help build a church, school, and hospice at Porta Nuova. The

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
435
church will be built, you will see it go up, you will attend its consecra-
tion, and you will walk through it. Is that clear? Therefore, do not think
of anything but living cheerfully in the Lord ....
Last Saturday we signed the contract for Borgo San Martino after
several revisions were made in our favor. Father Bonetti tipped the
scales against Mirabello by telling us that enrollment had dropped from
180 to 115 because of illness. . . . We shall open Borgo San Martino in
October, God willing. May our merciful and generous God grant you and
your whole family health and final perseverance! Pray also for me.
Yours devotedly,
Fr. John Bosco
The good countess was greatly consoled by this letter and
placed her whole trust in it. In fact, she died in 1911 at the age of
85, 41 years after Don Bosco's promise and 29 years after the·
consecration of the Church of St. John the Evangelist.8
8 We are omitting correspondence with school authorities and with the Holy See in con·
nection with the opening of the new Salesian School at Alassio and a petition to the
government for a reduction of the state tax on flour.

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CHAPTER 71
Manifold Activities (Continued)
({[E have already seen the fatherly welcome Don Bosco
extended to sixteen orphan boys sent to him by the Regio Ospizio
Generale di Carita of Turin in April 1870.' Four months later an
orphanage closed down in Piacenza and turned to him for help.
Don Bosco again opened his arms and, in return for a lump sum of
5,000 lire, promised to educate ten orphans until they reached the
age of eighteen.
They arrived at the Oratory on August 30, the day that the
organ of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians was inaugurated
in the presence of many invited guests. The guest organist was
Chevalier Petrali of Crema. Unita Cattolica reported the event in
two articles on August 27 and September 15, respectively. 2
While the solemn tones of the organ and the sound of
Gregorian Chant, music, and joyous shouts from hundreds of
boys resounded through the Oratory in anticipation of their sum-
mer vacation, the war between France and Prussia was reaching
its peak. From August 4 to 16 the French suffered serious defeats.
Finally, on September 2, surrounded on all sides at Sedan and
faced with extermination, they were forced to surrender. This
crushing defeat left Napoleon a prisoner in a castle near Kassel,
Germany. Deposed [on March 1, 1871], he went into exile [in
England where he died on January 9, 1873].3
Don Bosco's vision4 had had this message for France: "The
Creator . . . will visit her three times with the scourge of His
wrath. The first time He will destroy her pride by defeat, pillage,
!...See p. 417. [Editor]
_2_This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
3 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
4See p. 374. [Editor]
436

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
437
and the destruction of crops, cattle, and men. On His second visit
. . . she shall lose her leader and fall prey to chaos." We shall
speak later of the third visit. Nearly 800,000 enemy troops were
now occupying French soil.
Although eager to take advantage of the Franco-Prussian war
to seize Rome, the Italian government, unsure of its former ally's
ruin, at first pursued a hands-off policy, but soon after witnessing
France's crushing defeats and Napoleon's imprisonment, it de-
cided to annex Rome.
Considerable forces were mobilized along the borders, and an
attempt was made to incite the Romans to revolt. Then, on
September 8, Count Ponza of San Martino delivered a letter from
Victor Emmanuel II to Pius IX, informing him that, for the secur-
ity of Italy and the Holy See, it had become absolutely necessary
for Italian troops guarding the borders of papal territory to occupy
key locations to protect His Holiness and to maintain order. Pius
IX replied by stating that he could not accept such demands and
that he was entrusting his cause to God.
In those very days Don Bosco gave a yet further sign of his in-
sights into the future, as we gather from a letter of Countess
Felicity Cravosio of Caramagna to Father Rua:
In 1870 when our government was preparing to seize Rome, I had
three sons in the army and feared that one or all of them might be sent to
combat the Holy Father. I rushed to confide my fears to Don Bosco and,
finding him in the midst of his boys in the playground, I begged him to
tell me what I should do to avert such a misfortune. He stood pensively
for a few moments and then smiled as usual, saying: "You must pray,
but do not worry. None of your sons will have to do anything against the
Pope or enter Rome in this instance."
As things developed, the units to which Vincent and Caesar belonged
were not given marching orders. Shortly afterward, though, we read in
the papers that the regiment of my youngest son, Theophilus, a lieuten-
ant had arrived in Frosinone en route to Rome. As I fretted with worry,
my young officer arrived home that same evening on a two-month
furlough he had not even requested. We were even more surprised
when, immediately after the seizure of Rome, he was recalled to the
same regiment. Don Bosco's words were prophetic. 5
, We are omitting two letters of Don Bosco, respectively to Countess Callori and to
Marchioness Fassati, on behalf of two of his clerics who had been drafted but could be
exempted through payment of a certain sum. [Editor]

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438
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
Due to the increased number of Salesians, the house at Tro-
farello became inadequate. To obviate the need of holding three
separate spiritual retreats, Don Bosco decided to gather all his
Salesians at Lanzo from the 12th to the 17th of September. Father
Dominic Pestarino also came in from Mornese. Father Rua
preached the meditations and Don Bosco handled the in-
structions.
On September 12, in snatches between sermons, confessions,
and conferences, Don Bosco drafted a petition to the Holy Father
requesting an extension of the privilege of issuing dimissorial let-
ters to ordinands who had entered the Oratory after their four-
teenth year. His request was granted for the seven ordinands he
had chosen. 6 From Lanzo he also wrote to a perpetually professed
cleric who was wavering in his vocation:
My dear G ... ,
Turin, September 13, 1870
You will always feel restless and, I might say, unhappy too until you
practice the obedience you promised and put yourself fully under your
superiors' guidance. So far the devil has cruelly harassed you, urging
you to do the opposite. Your letter and our conversations do not suggest
any reason for dispensing you from your vows. Should such reasons
exist, I would have to write to the Holy See, which has reserved this
faculty to itself. But coram Domino [before God] I would advise you to
consider the abneget semetipsum [let him deny himself-Luke 9, 23]
and to remember that vir obediens loquetur victoriam [the obedient man
shall speak of victory-Prov. 21, 28].
Trust my experience. The devil is trying to deceive both you and me.
He has partially succeeded with you, but he has totally failed with me.
Put full trust in me as I have always done with you, not in words but in
deeds, with a firm will and humble, prompt, and limitless obedience.
These are the things to make you happy here and in eternity; they will
truly comfort me.
May God bless you and grant you the precious gift of persevering in
doing good. Pray for me who loves you as his own son.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
6This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Manifold Activities (Continued)
439
These few lines had their effect. How many similar notes he
had to write! Rescuing faltering vocations was not the least of his
many toils.
Around this time he also wrote to the vicar capitular of Pinerolo
to inform him that the diocesan priest who had been entrusted to
him for rehabilitation seemed quite ready, and that his conduct
during the spiritual retreat at Lanzo had been exemplary. In
reply, the vicar capitular granted him permission to resume say-
ing Mass at the Oratory or wherever Don Bosco should send
him.·1 On September 13, Don Bosco wrote to the Department of
Transportation pleading for reduced rates for his pupils on the
railroads of northern Italy. 8 Meanwhile the papers had
announced that an ancient Franciscan monastery at Alassio would
go on the auction block [on September 12]. When Don Bosco read
the news, he immediately wrote to Canon [Francis] Ampugnani
and asked him to bid for it on behalf of a third party whose name
he would reveal in due course. The canon replied on September 2
as follows: "I shall attend the auction on the 12th and do my best
to purchase it for the use you have in mind. I believe, though, that
you should come here within the next few days to plan with me
and, hopefully, discourage potential bidders. This is also the
opinion of the mayor and pastor who anxiously await you."
Unable to go to Alassio himself, Don Bosco decided to send
Father Angelo Savio to represent him. Canon Ampugnani, a
missionary in America, was both an exemplary priest and a busi-
nessman. Some of the townsfolk-among them a certain Joseph
Morchio, who had planned to buy the monastery and convert it
into a warehouse-withdrew when they learned of Don Bosco's
intention.
The auction was held on September 12, 1870, with the starting
price at 15,000 lire. Only two bidders showed up: Canon
Ampugnani and Father Savio, each bidding on his own. After two
or three bids shot the price far too high, Father Savio withdrew.
The monastery went to Canon Francis Ampugnani for the sum
of 25,000 lire. Since nothing had been said about a third party
whose name would be revealed in due course, Don Bosco seemed
7 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
8 We are omitting this letter. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
excluded. Believing that their hopes for a [Salesian] boarding
school had been dashed, the townsfolk became enraged. Mean-
while, Don Bosco, not knowing the auction's outcome and relying
on the canon's promise of generous assistance, wrote to Father
Savio as follows:
Dear Father Savio:
Lanzo, September 13, 1870
I am enclosing the power of attorney you requested. Do whatever is
necessary. Tell Canon Ampugnani that I appreciate the fine gesture he
is making. God will reward him in His own good time, and we shall
remember him gratefully. As long as our Congregation exists, he will
have friends on earth to pray for him. Please note that it is my wish that
his gesture be made public, so that his example may contribute to God's
glory in the sight of men. Later we shall discuss the course of action
which will best help souls.
There are eighty of us here at Lanzo for our spiritual retreat. At the
next, the number will be slightly less, and that means it will be
impossible to hold it at Trofarello.
We have prayed for the pastor and trust that God will soon restore him
to health. He will receive the prospectus [of the new school]. Have any
applications come in?
Please thank the agent of the demesne for me and tell him that I am
looking forward to a visit from him in Turin. God be with you, and stay
well. Vale in Domino, et valedic.
Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. John Bosco
A week had passed since the purchase of the monastery, and
many townsfolk were still grumbling. Father Savio therefore
sought an explanation from the canon. The latter's reply follows:
Dear Father Savio:
Alassio, September 19, 1870
You requested an immediate answer in writing. . . . Upset by the
public's insinuations that I deceitfully deprived Don Bosco of these
premises, I find it necessary to give them the lie. I am therefore ready to

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441
transfer the property to you at the price I paid, abstaining for the time
being from any further contribution. ·
Yours devotedly,
Canon Francis Ampugnani
Father Savio wasted no time in borrowing 20,000 lire for that
purpose from Mr. Joseph Marchio of Alassio. 9 With great delight
the entire population now saw the monastery being readied for its
opening in October and welcomed the first Salesians who arrived.
From that day on this school has been the pride of the town.
There, too, the Lord was preparing another friend for Don Bosco
in the person of Canon [Edward] Martini who used his vast wealth
to become a most generous benefactor of Don Bosco's [South]
American missions.
9 This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 72
Manifold Activities (Continued)
ON September 16 [1870] at Lanzo, eight retreatants
pronounced triennial vows and three took perpetual vows; among
the latter was Father Joseph Fagnano. 1 One of the two official
witnesses was Father Joseph Lazzero who had made his perpetual
profession in Turin on January 16. The following day a solemn Te
Deum and the usual renewal of vows closed the retreat.
Some time previously, in liis writing room on· a Saturday eve-
ning after confessions and supper, Don Bosco had repeatedly re-
marked to several confreres-Father Joachim Berto among them:
"If all the people of Rome would now daily visit Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament, their city would remain in the Pope's hands."
Don Bosco knew exactly what was going to happen, but, man of
God that he was, he neglected no means to further convince his
Salesians how effective is prayer to Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament.
On September 15 King Victor Emmanuel II ordered five divi-
sions to invade papal territory against 8,000 papal troops. 2 On the
19th Don Bosco returned to Lanzo for the second spiritual retreat.
Mail and telegraph service with Rome had meanwhile been sus-
I Fagnano came to the Oratory at the age of fifteen as a seminarian for the Asti diocese.
(See Vol. VI, pp. 433f.) Shortly afterward he returned home, joined the army, and served
as an orderly in the Asti military hospital. After his discharge he returned to the Oratory,
pronounced his first vows in 1864, and was ordained in 1868. In 1875 he took part in the
first missionary expedition to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego (see Vol. XI, p. 349); years
later, the Holy See appointed him Prefect Apostolic of that area. He died in Santiago,
Chile, on September 18, 1916. [Editor]
2 This sentence is a condensation. We are omitting an article in a Catholic periodical
describing a miracle that happened on that same day in Soriano (Calabria). [Editor]
442

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443
pended, but Don Bosco's thoughts dwelt on the vision he had had
on January 5: 3 On September 20 he wrote to Commendatore John
Baptist Dupraz: "Courage and hope, Commendatore. Remember
this: a storm, a tempest, a whirlwind, and a hurricane cloud our
horizon, but they will be short-lived. There shall follow a bright
sun the like of which has not shone from St. Peter's day to ours."
On September 20 Rome was taken. The first news reached
Piedmont on the 21st. The following day Unita Cattolica
announced: "Troops led by Nino Bixio and Raphael Cadorna en-
tered the Eternal City on September 20, 1870 at 10 in the morn-
ing."
Don Bo~o heard the news while he was having breakfast. He
listened with the calm of one who had long known what would
happen. He said not a word. His icy tranquillity astonished
everybody. 4
Meanwhile the spiritual retreat was coming to a close at Lanzo.
On September 23, seven retreatants pronounced triennial vows,
and two-Father James Costamagna and the cleric Dominic
Tomatis-made perpetual vows. The [Superior] Chapter also ad-
mitted aspirants to the novitiate. 5 Father Rua recorded the names
of all the retreatants, and this became a practice from then on.
The retreat ended on the 24th. Among the very important ad-
monitions Don Bosco gave on this occasion were the following re-
garding the manner of dealing with boys:
1. Never write overly affectionate letters to them.
2. Never hold them by the hand.
3. Never embrace or kiss them.
4. Never be alone with them [in secluded spots], still less in one's
own room, regardless of the reason.
5. Never look too fondly upon them.
Youth is a very dangerous weapon of the devil against persons con-
secrated to God.
The director of Lanzo asked him privately how he should notify
a boy's parents of his expulsion from school.
~ See pp. 373-76. [Editor]
4We are omitting a letter dated September 20 to Count Viancino for financial help
toward the planned Church of St. John the Evangelist. [Editor]
, At this time the year of novitiate was spent at the Oratory in a separate wing. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
"Never put down in writing the boy's fault," Don Bosco replied.
"Scripta manent."
"What should I say?"
Taking a piece of paper, he wrote: "Please, come immediately.
Your son cannot remain here any longer. You will be told the rea-
son in person."
On Sunday, September 25, he received the vows of a confrere at
the Oratory. He also dropped a short note to Countess Callori to
tell her that he would arrive at Vignale on Tuesday evening and
stay there till Wednesday night.
In Rome, meanwhile, when the initial shock wore off, several
members of the papal household advised Pius IX to seek a safer
refuge. Pius hesitated. Nevertheless, out of prudence, he gave
the necessary instructions. He then had someone ask Don Bosco's
advice, with the assurance that it would be followed. When prel-
ates pressed him to flee, he would respond: "Let us wait for Don
Bosco's reply."
After much prayer, Don Bosco sent this message through a
trusted envoy: "Let the sentry, the angel of Israel, remain at his
post and guard God's stronghold and His holy ark."
On reading it, Pius IX called off preparations for departure and
stayed on, disregarding contrary opinions. Father John Cagliero,
who was kept well informed on this matter since he himself had
copied the letter to be sent to the Holy Father, told us this several
times.
What a great service to the Church in general and to Italy in
particular Don Bosco rendered by his advice! Perhaps he hinted
at his message to Pius IX in a letter to Father Rua dated Septem-
ber 29 from Casale, telling him among other things: "If possible,
go personally to the chancery to bring the news to the vicar
general and the archbishop according to the enclosed memoran-
dum."
From Casale he returned to Turin and then went to Becchi for
the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, whose novena was being
preached by Father Paul Albera. This year he did not bring along
the band and the choir, but only a few choirboys. He confi-
dentially gave his reason to Father Albera: "How can we make
merry while the Father of the faithful is a prisoner in the Vati-
can?"

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445
On October 2 he wrote to Father Rua from Bricherasio, entrust-
ing him with some business. On October 7 he was back in Turin,
resolved to concentrate his attention on constructing the Church
of St. John the Evangelist. The land he needed was owned by dif-
ferent people and had to be bought piecemeal from each between
1870 and 1875 at the cost of some 70,000 lire. This did not keep
him from proceeding with the project. Count Arborio Mella was
his architect, the Buzzetti brothers were his building contractors,
and Count Reviglio was his lawyer. Through October 1870 and
afterward he appealed for public help for this new undertaking
which was to cost over 400,000 lire. Since the archbishop had ap-
proved the construction, Don Bosco was able to add the prelate's
recommendation to a circular he sent out. 6
Archbishop Alexander Riccardi passed away on October 16,
sadly missed for the good ·he had accomplished in the arch-
diocese. A solemn requiem Mass was offered for him at the Ora-
tory. In due time a splendid monument by the eminent sculptor
Della Vedova was erected over the archbishop's tomb showing
him kneeling in prayer. The epigraph reads: "Alexander Octavi-
anus Riccardi, bishop of Savona for 25 years, archbishop of Turin
for 3 years and 7 months, admirable model of meekness, pru-
dence, charity and zeal, was loved in life and mourned in death."
6 This paragraph is a condensation. We are also omitting the circular. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 73
Christian Education
{qHILE seeing to the printing of separate prospectuses
for each of hts schools, Don Bosco directed that material concern-
ing boarders should be the same for all. Meanwhile, all household
goods had been moved from Mirabella to Borgo San Martino,
where the boys were thrilled to see, not far from the railroad
station, a magnificent mansion, vast playgrounds, and shady
groves and footpaths. Bishop Ferre of Casale, who had taken the
school under his patronage, and to whom parents could also apply
for the admission of their sons, was likewise very pleased on his
first visit and continued to regard it as his junior seminary.
In the meantime Father Francis Cerruti had gone to open the
new house at Alassio. At the time of his departure he had felt so
weak that he feared he would not live through the journey. "Go!"
Don Bosco had told him after listening to his reasonable ob-
jections. Father Cerruti obeyed. During the first few hours he felt
that he might drop at any moment, but at the end of an uncom-
fortable seven or eight hours' trip by train and coach he arrived at
Alassio feeling much better. Later, Don Bosco told him: "When
you will want to explain vir obediens loquetur victoriam [the
obedient man shall triumph], you will not have to hunt through
books for an example." He also gave Father Cerruti valuable ad-
vice, described by the latter as follows:
Don Bosco was particularly anxious that we Salesians should help the
local pastor, as was the practice at the Oratory. On this score I remem-
ber him telling me: "Give promptly and constantly all the help you can,
as long as your school does not suffer." I once asked him what policy to
follow in regard to the requests of vacationers or wealthy families for the
celebration of Masses. "Give priority to Masses with lower stipends," he
4~6

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Christian Education
447
replied, "and follow this order: parish church, confraternities, public
churches, and then wealthy families or vacationers." He likewise wanted
his Salesians to make themselves available for preaching, hearing
confessions, and teaching catechism-never, however, to the detriment
of their school duties.
The cleric John Garino was to join Father C~rruti as a cate-
chist, 1 but a lingering sore throat was keeping him at the Oratory.
"One day," he told us, "before leaving for my new destination, I
was strolling with Don Bosco, telling him how sorry I was that I
could no longer teach. 'Well,' he replied, 'when you can no longer
teach, you will write!' At the moment I did not pay much attention
to those last words, but they did come true. I took up teaching
again for a while when I felt better, but I soon found myself forced
to write, and so I published several little works, just as Don Bosco
had seemed to indicate when he told me I would write."
While Don Bosco strove to open genuine Christian schools, re-
ligious instruction in [public] schools was being abolished. In
1870, a decree of the Minister of Education ordered school boards
and municipalities to restrict religious instruction just to those
pupils whose parents had explicitly requested it. In point of fact,
parents nearly everywhere asked for the continuation of religious
instruction; indeed, many protested when certain municipalities
arbitrarily abolished it. Education of youth without the Ten Com-
mandments and the holy fear of God, the sole restraints over hu-
man passions, is impossible.
Through catechetical instruction in his schools and churches
Don Bosco sought to counteract as far as possible the evils he had
foreseen. As a result, piety, a benefit in all ways, flourished at the
Oratory. It was not enforced, but was constantly nourished by
communal prayer, daily Mass, frequent confession and Commun-
ion, and the timely "Good Nights" for which Don Bosco was
singularly gifted. "I listened to him at the Oratory," Bishop
[Thomas] Reggio of Ventimiglia said many years later, "and I was
amazed to see the crowd of boys who seemed to be hanging on his
every word. Pleasant and profound at one and the same time, he
had a way of instilling wisdom, which he defined as the ability to
~ A staff member in charge of all religious activities and health. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
control one's will. He truly possessed this gift which he consid-
ered essential in training young people. Artless and modest, he
proved himself an expert pedagogue and a master of popular
polemics." He then concluded: "Don Bosco is a saint!"
·Don Bosco saw to it that brief passages carefully culled from
good books were read aloud frequently during the day: after Mass
as food for meditation, at dinner and supper for some ten to fif-
teen minutes, at the end of the study period for five or six min-
utes, and again in the dormitory for five or ten minutes while
everyone was getting ready for bed. Gutta cavat lapidem. [A drop
hollows a rock.] Wholesome thoughts dripping three, four, and
five times a day over a period of four, five, and six years into a
boy's soul could not help but leave an imprint and influence him
to lead a virtuous life. With religious instruction Don Bosco was
able to win a youngster's heart; with a kindly smile, he taught
each boy to show respect, love, and humility toward all.
The pupils saw him as a model of the virtues he taught them in
their catechism. What made Don Bosco so lovable was his con-
stant availability to all in the house, great or small. Like Our Lord
he could repeat: "I did not come to be served, but to serve."
[Matt. 20, 28] A hundred different incidents testify to this. We
will recall one here.
"I was vesting for Mass one morning in the sacristy of Mary,
Help of Christians," a brother priest told us, "and was waiting for
an altar boy, but since it was late, no one showed up. Don Bosco
had already said Mass and was making his thanksgiving nearby.
He arose and came over to me.
"' Are you waiting for someone?' he asked.
"'An altar boy.'
"'Let's go! I'll serve your Mass.'
"I hesitated, not wanting him to inconvenience him, but he
would not hear of it and took up the missal. We went to St. Peter's
altar, where he served my Mass until a cleric came to replace him
during the Offertory."
His example and method of education closely endeared supe-
riors to boys. When any superior, even a young cleric, walked
into the playground, he would be quickly surrounded by a cluster
of small friends. Many boys unabashedly told their faults to their

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Christian Education
449
superiors and often confided their innermost secrets to them
while strolling along the porticoes during recreation.
Father T ... narrated that once, during his third year of high
school, he said to Father Cagliero while walking with him and
several boys: "Tomorrow is Sunday, but this evening, what with
music class and sacred ceremonies, I could not go to confession."
"Very well, you can make your confession now," Father Ca-
gliero replied.
And as they continued their walk, he made his confession,
while his companions, totally unconcerned because they had done
the same thing at other times, kept up their cheerful banter. Nor
did such familiarity jeopardize respect, because their catechism
had taught them to obey their superiors.
The young artisans too, who were brought up on the same prin-
ciples, showed by their conduct the efficacy of their religious
training. Many a former pupil brought credit to the Oratory by his
loyalty and honesty. Being an Oratory pupil was itself the best
recommendation for finding employment. In fact, employers per-
sonally called on Don Bosco to offer jobs to his young artisans ....
One day a large sum of money was stolen from a safe at a mili-
tary base. Circumstantial evidence implicated a former Oratory
pupil who protested his innocence. His conduct had always been
so blameless that the colonel and his staff were convinced of his
innocence. Because of their warm affection for him, they made a
careful search and eventually discovered the real culprit.
We will cite still another instance. Once, during parade drill, a
strapping artilleryman was called out by the general.
"Were you a pupil of Don Bosco?" the officer asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Would you care to be my orderly?"
"Gladly."
Three months later the general retired and the serviceman was
made a corporal. Later he was promoted to sergeant, a rank he
held for sixteen years, and ultimately he rose to command a
frontier garrison. He remained always faithful to his religious
practices. From there he wrote: "Blessings on Don Bosco's house,
where I learned to obey. How many of my buddies, intolerant of
military discipline and moral restraint, have I seen shut behind

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
bars, some even sentenced to death. Thanks to my religious
training, I always carried out my duties faithfully, and I patiently
put up with things I did not like. I never received the slightest
punishment. That's how I rose in the ranks." Numberless other
former pupils had very successful careers for the same reason.
The holy fear of God is not without temporal advantages too.
What shall we say about the catechetical instructions imparted
by Don Bosco's co-workers in the festive oratories to thousands of
youngsters over so many years? One story may well be that of
countless others who were mostly very ignorant, but who
gradually became excellent Christians and a credit to society.
This is the story of one of them:
I was a lost sheep.. Reared in a family where even the simplest
religious practices were looked upon with cold indifference if not open
hatred, I grew up in almost total ignorance of the lofty teachings of the
Gospel. I never completely turned against our holy religion, but I looked
at it as a heap of tiresome, boring practices, and I feared it, much as a
schoolboy fears Latin and Greek ....
One day-I can't remember how-some friends took me to a Salesian
festive oratory, telling me that we could have a good time there and free·
candy. True, one had to put up with church services, but then there
would be a stage play which was always very exciting. Charmed by the
vision of this little promised land, I went jubilantly, with great
expectations.
I returned every Sunday and stayed all day, playing all sorts of games
with my friends and the young clerics, who proved to be kind, friendly
companions. Naturally I also attended church with little attention and
very little devotion. After Mass we had a down-to-earth sermon which I
found somewhat interesting, and in the afternoon there was a catecheti-
cal instruction.
I had been assigned to one of the lower classes where more
elementary truths were being taught. . . . Advancing from grade to
grade I finally got to the top. Meanwhile, without realizing it, I was
developing a religious awareness. I continued to have fun but I was also
beginning to reflect on my catechism lessons. Church services no longer
bored me; I rather liked them and eagerly looked forward to them. In
church my mind no longer wandered. I was now able to concentrate in
thoughtful, humble, and sincere prayer. I was being born to the spiritual
life.

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I was totally absorbed and won over by the environment. I was
touched by the thoughtful goodness of those Salesians-by their
solicitous attention, their kind interest in me, and their words alive with
faith and charity. l was drawn to them as an insect is drawn to light.
While with them, I felt that I was breathing a purer air, and I seemed to
feel better. The concerns of daily life magically seemed to vanish, and I
was happy to be with them, feeling as though I belonged to a large
family where I could find counsel, love and protection.
When I finally attended adult catechism classes, the subject matter
became more serious, profound, and complex. I listened attentively and
strove to grasp and assimilate those truths. Faith in the supreme truths
revealed by Christ was beginning to take hold of my soul. The longer I
meditated on them, the stronger my faith grew. I was beginning to
experience that sublime happiness which the awareness of faith brings
to us.
I attended that festive oratory for five or six years. Then life's respon-
sibilities took me from my cherished Sunday routine. However, I did not
forget. The remembrance of those lovely days of my youth, when in
admirable simplicity and under the sturdy influence of good example I
was taught goodness and honesty and to love God and my fellow man,
remains vividly in my heart more than in my mind.
D.B.
The same principles were being taught to other youngsters and
to people at large through Letture Cattoliche, whose subscribers
received with the November-December issue a complimentary
copy of the new edition of Don Bosco's Storia Ecclesiastica
[Church History]. In his Preface Don Bosco declared: "This little
work has already gone through several editions, but since the
more recent were made without the author's consent or super-
vision, variations and even errors have crept in. I -therefore ac-
knowledge as my own only this last edition, which may be truly
called a new edition."
While looking after Letture Cattoliche and Italian Classics for
the Young, he was also selecting personnel for the motherhouse,
the four schools, and the festive oratories, presiding at the clerical
investiture of postulants, and giving blessing and counsel to those
who had decided to enter the diocesan seminary. One of the lat-
ter, Lo_uis Spandre of Caselle, today bishop of Asti, jotted down

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452
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
what Don Bosco said to him on that occasion:
I shall never forget Don Bosco's keepsake on the morning I left the
Oratory to enter the diocesan seminary. After hearing my confession, he
said: "Serve my Mass. It may be the last time."
"I feel deeply honored," I replied, "but I hope it will not be the last
time." Nor was it, because I served many other Masses for him, both as
a seminarian and as a priest.
After Mass he took off the sacred vestments and then said: "Kneel
down, because I still want to give you my blessing." He blessed me, and
then, placing his holy hand on my head and pressing lightly, he added:
"Louis, if one day, with God's help, you will be a priest, work for souls,
not money." These words and his penetrating look went straight to my
heart, and I never forgot them. They became my program of action, a
sublime salvific ideal. It was the program followed by this man of God to
whom all the rest was as nothing, since the only thing he had at heart
was the salvation of souls: Da mihi animas, caetera tolle.
What veneration, gratitude, and love keep burning in my heart for
Don Bosco!
No different were the sentiments of most of his pupils who
chose to enter the seminary. As ordination drew near, many
would come to the Oratory to open their hearts to their former
spiritual father and seek his advice. For instance, Monsignor
[Dominic] Muriana, the pastor of St. Teresa's in Turin, told us
that in 1867 he and ten other seminarians went to the Oratory to
make their confession to Don Bosco.
In October [1870] the Oratory swarmed with pupils, including
some from the Near East and northern Africa. On October 5,
Joseph Smain Siam, 30, an artisan, and John Maria Smain, 12, a
student, arrived at the Oratory on the recommendation of the pa-
triarch of Jerusalem, whence both of them came. They did not
stay long, but by their presence they too showed that Don Bosco's
fame had reached their land. They were followed on October 31
by four Algerians of the Kabili tribe who had been orphaned
during the great famine. They were sent by Archbishop Lavigerie
of Algiers who had recommended them to Father Vincent
Persoglio, the rector of St. Torpete' s in Genoa. They had already
been baptized, and three had also been confirmed. Their names

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Christian Education
453
were Anthony Allel, Augustus Seid, Adel Kader, and Agapitus
Siamma. Warmly welcomed by the Algerians who were already
there, two were enrolled as students, since they wished to return
to their native land to teach the Gospel to their countrymen. 2
Meanwhile Don Bosco's predictions made in J anuary.3 were
coming true. As soon as news of the disaster at Sedan reached
Paris, the leaders of the Republican Party stirred the people to
revolt, proclaimed a republic, and on September 4 formed a
"Government for National Defense." At the first uprisings,
Empress Eugenie, the regent, fled from Paris and sought refuge
with her only son at Chislehurst, England, where Napoleon joined
her after seven months' imprisonment. The new government set
about pursuing the war with great vigor. It mustered 300,000
soldiers in the capital, built new fortifications, and, to eliminate
likely shelters for the enemy and obstacles to its own artillery,
razed many mansions, mostly havens of vice and corruption in the
outskirts. Elsewhere in the city the Communards set fire to build-
ings. Don Bosco had warned: "Paris! Paris! Instead of fortifying
yourself with the Lord's name, you surround yourself with houses
of ill repute. You yourself shall destroy them." 4
After a two-day lull following the capture of Sedan, the Prus-
sians rushed to lay siege to Paris with 250,000 soldiers and 904
cannons. Shortly afterward, on September 20 and October 29 re-
spectively, after a long, bloody resistance, Strasbourg and Metz
fell to other Prussian armies 200,000 strong.
2 We are omitting biographical details of Charles Delloro, 61, and John Bertola, 19, who
died at the Oratory on October 23 and November 27, 1870 respectively, and of Joseph
Vill~, who had attended the Valdocco festive oratory since 1855. [Editor]
'.See pp. 373-76. [Editor]
4:See p. 374. [Editor]

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CHAPTER 74
Year's End, 1870
~HROUGH 1869 and 1870 Don Bosco underwent a
strange experience. The frontal bone of his skull gradually
pushed upward, raising a lump on his head. 1 However, at the
same time the severe headaches that had bothered him on and off
for some six months suddenly ceased. Much later, in 1884, during
an illness, his doctors noticed that a rib on his left side was out of
place. Long before this discovery Don Bosco had complained of a
pain that he thought was caused by the heart. As God is wont to
do with His saints, He sent him still other tribulations. An ailment
which he uncomplainingly endured and hardly ever mentioned for
over thirty years was the swelling of his legs.
Yet he never stopped working. An endless cause of worry was
providing for the bodily needs of his boys and the extraordinary
building expenses which we have already mentioned. Fortunately
some laymen generously came to his aid. Wanting to express his
gratitude, he sought decorations for them from the Order of Sts.
Maurice and Lazarus. He also wrote to the Department of Educa-
tion for help to his schools and to the Department of Defense for
army blankets. 2
Meanwhile work on the Church of St. John the Evangelist had
been suspended because of the winter season, but, thanks to an
article in Unita Cattolica, contributions kept pouring in. Count
Francis Viancino donated 1,000 lire, but an even more generous
contribution came under unusual circumstances. One day a
gentleman told Don Bosco: "I would like to do something for your
projects, but I cannot just now. Someone owes me 20,000 lire, and
1This sentence is a condensation. [Editor]
2This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]
454

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Year'sEnd, 1870
455
I have just learned that I can count the sum as good as lost."
"The person who told you might be wrong," Don Bosco pointed
out.
"Impossible! My agent is quite experienced, and he made tt
clear to me that we cannot count on it any longer."
"What would you do if you were able to collect?"
"I'd give you half of it! However, now it's a total loss."
"Who knows?" Don Bosco went on. "What you have promised
is for my boys, so I am going to ask them to pray."
That gentleman again contacted his debtor. A few days later
the creditor's agent forwarded him 5,000 lire with a note that the
money had been paid unexpectedly; another 5,000 lire followed,
and finally the balance. Keeping his word, the creditor sent
someone to thank Don Bosco for the prayers, and to his thanks he
added 10,000 lire.
Father Felix Reviglio, who heard this story from some
Salesians, narrated it one day to ~hevalier Michael d'Agliano,
only to be told by the latter: "I can tell you more about it. The
creditor was my own son Charles!" Father Reviglio has left us a
written account.
Toward the end of this year Don Bosco had an embarrassing
experience. Smallpox had broken out in Turin, and every
precaution had been taken at the Oratory to prevent contagion,
including a check of the pupils' vaccination certificates or of their
immunity through previous infection. The premises were care-
fully kept clean. At the beginning of November, however, the
disease showed up in a few boys. Soon fifty were stricken with it.
The victims were immediately isolated in a large dormitory, amid
much fear and prayer. Thanks to Our Lady's protection, no one
died. When the health authorities came for an inspection, they
found no fault with Don Bosco but censured the physicians for de-
laying to report the outbreak of the disease. Grateful for the
doctors' services, Don Bosco repeatedly took up their defense,
pointing out that the censures were partially based on misin-
formation. 3
At this time too Don Bosco was considering opening houses in
Liguria. In Genoa he had become acquainted with several noble
families, with members of the middle class, and with
distinguished clergymen. He was sure that all would come to his
3This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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456
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
assistance. On December 28, Marchioness Julie Centurione in-
formed him through her secretary that he could count on her hos-
pitality whenever he should travel to Genoa. Two days later,
Canon Paul Bonora, the pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Varazze,
wrote to ask him in the mayor's name to take over the local
municipal school. 4
Thus ended the year 1870. The banner of Savoy waved over
Castel Sant' Angelo in Rome, the Prussians were laying siege to
Paris, and Prince Amadeus, the duke of Aosta, was setting foot in
Spain. whose crown he had accepted on December 4.
We have no record of Don Bosco's usual predictions for the new
year. We have, however, Father Matthew Torazza's word con-
cerning a prediction of Don Bosco in 1870, when the former was
an Oratory pupil. There lived at the Oratory at that time an elderly
layman, a fine speaker who was doing some confidential work. He
was ailing, but not confined to bed. One day Don Bosco stated
that by the next Exercise for a Happy Death one of the Oratory's
residents would pass into eternity. This made a deep impression
on young Torazza who, falling sick a few days later with angina,
feared that he would be the one to die. Others too in the infirmary
shared his view. Torazza himself overheard another boy, Joseph
Beauvoir, who was there momentarily, whisper the rumor to
someone else. Torazza, however, recovered quickly, whereas the
elderly man fell ill and died shortly before the monthly Exercise
for a Happy Death.
With this deposition we end the narration of what we were able
to gather about the year 1870. We are very sorry that we have no
record at all of what Don Bosco said in ushering in the new year.
We will try to compensate by reporting the advice Don Bosco
offered to subscribers of Letture Cattoliche in the Preface of II
Galantuomo, his almanac:
Let me leave you a keepsake, the same left by a good father to his son.
"If you want to lead a happy life," he told him, "blessed by God and re-
spected and loved by your fellow men, you must make yourself worthy
by being good-hearted with all. Love your friends, be patient and forgiv-
ing to enemies, weep with those who weep, do not be envious of the
success of others, do good to all, and harm no one."
4This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Year'sEnd, 1870
457
May you all have a long, happy life. May God grant that you and I will
lead a truly Christian life and will be together one day in the land of the
blessed for ever and ever.

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CHAPTER 75
Apostolic Zeal
l l [E shall end this volume by describing one of Don
Bosco's many apostolic endeavors which, though important, re-
mained almost unknown because it developed slowly-in the
shadow, as it were, of other more glamorous undertakings-and
because it had to be kept secret. The apostolic endeavor we refer
to was that of preserving the faith in a Swiss valley from which,
had it not been for Don Bosco's zeal, the Catholic faith might well
have vanished. The problem extended over many years, and we
shall reveal here all that we know of this endeavor.
From 1855 through 1872 Swiss radicals spitefully lorded it over
the Ticino Canton, especially because of its Catholic faith. Life
was made unbearable for parish priests, particularly in the
Onsernone Valley. Banishment, death, and a dearth of vocations
caused a growing lack of priests. Knowing the spiritual needs of
this territory, Don Bosco indefatigably took the matter to heart
from the very start of the crisis despite his many other occupa-
tions. He came to learn of this deplorable situation through stu-
dents at the University of Turin who came to him for confession.
To remedy the evil, a few priests and zealous laymen would
often ascend to the famous shrine of Madonna del Sasso [Our
Lady of the Rock] above Locarno for secret meetings with the
Capuchin rector, Father Louis Arnaboldi. Don Bosco had sug-
gested that the latter make up for the lack of local vocations with
priests from Italy, convinced that, being uninvolved in local poli-
tics, these priests would be more acceptable to civil authorities. It
was a wise counsel, as we shall see. We may get an idea of the
spiritual needs of some parishes of the Ticino Canton from the
following excerpt of a letter sent on March 9, 1869 by Fr. Angelo
458

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Apostolic Zeal
459
Modini, the pastor of Losone, to the vicar capitular of Como,
Monsignor Octavius Calcaterra, on Father Arnaboldi's behalf:
[Father Arnaboldi] asks how he is to deal with penitents he may
encounter at Easter time who have:
1. Cooperated in confiscating church property in the name of the
municipality.
2. Bought church property put up for auction.
3. Participated in burning confessionals and in demolishing wayside
stations of the cross and public churches.
Father Arnaboldi took Don Bosco's advice and, with the per-
mission of the Como chancery, appealed to the vicar general in
Turin for some priests. Due to Turin's own lack of priests, the re-
ply was regretfully turned down.
Don Bosco resolved therefore to meet this urgent need himself.
For several years Father Arnaboldi had pointed out to him what
parishes were vacant, and Don Bosco managed to provide for
them, not through his own Salesians, who were then too few, but
through other priests. He also sent a few good monks who had
been expelled from their own monasteries under the law of sup-
pression. We know this through Father Paul Albera who com-
municated with Father Arnaboldi in Don Bosco's name during
these years.
Don Bosco regularly selected priests whom he personally knew
to be blameless, zealous, and learned. In turn, they sought
authorization from the Como chancery on the strength of his rec-
ommendation.
However, this charity on Don Bosco's part was not appreciated
by all. One day he chanced upon Monsignor [Joseph] Zappata
[vicar general capitular of Turin] who asked him why he was
sending priests to Switzlerland.
"For years they have been begging for priests," Don Bosco re-
plied, "and the Turin chancery always told them that no priests
were available. Those people were badly in need, and so I decided
to help out."
The monsignor contested the point, almost turning it into an is-
sue of rights, but Don Bosco observed: "I send no one. I simply

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460
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
suggest. It is the chancery which issues testimonials to the priests
requesting them. Others have blamed me for this. We have dis-
cussed the matter, but I've unfortunately had to conclude that we
don't see eye to eye. Ubi non est auditus, nee effundas sermonem
[It's no use talking to people who do not want to hear]."
Monsignor Zappata, a very upright man and an admirer of Don
Bosco, called on him the following day to apologize.
"It is I who should apologize," Don Bosco countered, "but
heresy was at the gates and something had to be done!"
Monsignor Zappata approved Don Bosco's action, and so he
fulfilled this holy mission with the full consent of his ecclesiastical
superiors. We sadly regret that his correspondence with Father
Arnaboldi never came into our possession, but Father Angelo
Modini, the pastor at Moghegno (Val Maggia) in the Ticino
Canton, did somewhat make up for our loss with two letters dated
respectively January 22, 1900 and November 26, 1902, and with
several other documents which are now in our archives. From the
first letter we gather that Don Bosco had twice planned to go to
Father Modini's parish in the Onsernone Valley, once to preach
on the feast of St. Gothard, the principal patron, and again on the
feast of the Holy Name of Mary; unfortunately he was unable to
do so because of the critical condition of Father Victor Alasonatti.
Father Cagliero replaced him the first time and stayed on for a
few days to arrange for the admission of some boys to the Ora-
tory. As regards Don Bosco's interest in the spiritual welfare of
those people, Father Modini stated: "Though his many extra-
ordinary occupations prevented him from visiting us as he had
planned, he still did all he possibly could to promote the welfare
of our people. How many times I appealed to him to take boys into
his Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in Turin! Such instances were
many, and each time I was promptly satisfied, and everything was
done to expedite matters."
But Don Bosco's greatest service to the Ticino Canton was, as
we have said, supplying good priests to vacant parishes, as Fa-
ther Modini testifies in his first letter: "His apostolic action in the
Ticino Canton was more evident and fruitful in the Onsernone
Valley, where the need was greatest. How deplorable was the
moral and religious condition of that unfortunate valley and how

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Apostolic Zeal
461
intensely Freemasons kept striving to strangle the faith of our
fathers! I shall try to explain this in the report which I shall send
to you as soon as it is completed."
Father Modini did not send a formal report, but in addition to
the information already given he did send us other interesting
documents. 1
In 1900 he wrote: "Had I foreseen that one day I would be called
upon to furnish evidence of the zeal of this apostle raised by
Divine Providence to meet the needs of our times, I would cer-
tainly have kept records of all he did, but I had no inkling of it.
Sixteen or so years ago, when I left Losone and the office and re-
sponsibilities of vicar forane at Onsernone, I could indeed have
submitted a more exact and detailed report of the events marking
my seventeen-year stay there."
In 1902, in order to give us "an idea of those calamitous times,
of the scarcity of priests, and consequently of Don Bosco's help-
fulness," Father Modini sent us a copy of his petition to the Holy
Father, dated February 20, 1873, for permission to celebrate two
Masses on Sundays:
At the present time only three priests attend to the spiritual needs of
the entire valley . . . and their efforts are further hampered by heavy
snowfalls which usually last five to six months, and by the dis-
tance-some six to ten miles-which they must travel between their own
and the vacant parishes.
Since all attempts to fill vacant parishes have proved useless, the un-
dersigned . . . implores Your Holiness to allow such priest or priests, as
you may decide, to celebrate two Masses on Sunday, one in his own
parish and the other in one of the vacant parishes. . . . This same faculty
is sought also for Father Louis Amaboldi, an apostolic missionary, who
with tireless patience and apostolic zeal has won the trust of the faithful
by his manifold activities and sacrifices.
On November 26, 1902, Father Modini again wrote:" At my re-
quest, in full agreement with the bishop of Como, Don Bosco sev-
eral times sent me good priests to minister to the spiritual needs
1These documents and other details fill Chapter 76 of this volume in the original Italian.
In this edition we are fusing together Chapters 75 and 76. [Editor]

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
of the faithful in the Onsernone Valley. I am enclosing the list of
those names I still remember."
The list2 carried nineteen names. To each priest Don Bosco
usually gave a letter of recommendation for the chancery of Como
or for Father Modini. 3 The latter also sent us two other ~u-
ments which show Don Bosco' s care in choosing priests for the
Ticino Canton. The first is a letter of Father William Buetti, the
pastor at Locarno, to Father Augustine Anzini, the rector at Sol-
duno, dated February 23, 1900:
Father Edward Bernardi, the pastor at Magadino, who died in 1892 at
the age of 70, once told me this incident. In 1866 or 1867, the Italian
government suppressed the Franciscan monastery in Turin. Having
nowhere to go, Father Bernardi called o.n Don Bosco for advice. After
reflecting for a few moments, Don Bosco asked: "How about going to the
Ticino Canton in Switzerland?"
Though totally unacquainted with that region, Father Bernardi
replied: "I shall do whatever you say."
"All right, then," Don Bosco said. "I'll write immediately to Father
Rossi, a close friend of mine in Locarno, and he will find you a parish
where you will do much good. "
Quite happy with this solution, Father Bernardi left for Locarno and
was warmly received by Father Rossi, who later took him to the parish at
Magadino. "Stay here," he told him, "as long as the good Lord gives you
life."
Father Bernardi obeyed. Don Bosco's prediction that he would do
"much good" was fully realized. The parish, once a haven of vice, soon
became a garden of virtues. Its zealous pastor restored the church and
established sodalities .... The church, once empty, became crowded, as
I myself saw when I was invited there to preach. Services were
conducted with solemnity and the sacraments were frequented. Father
Bernardi died in his rectory, deeply missed by all. The whole parish
considered him a saintly priest. I am ready to confirm the above under
oath.
The second document is a letter which Father Vincent Minella,
a missionary in the Ticino Canton, wrote to Don Bosco in 1869:
2 Omitted in this edition. [Editor]
3 This paragraph is a condensation. [Editor]

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Apostolic Zeal
463
Father Louis Amaboldi told me that he has written to you for a priest
to be sent to Onsemone; he asks for a good priest-if not a scholar, at
least.one gifted with real prudence. . . . His salary would be 600 francs,
plus sufficient firewood, butter, etc. What we are looking for is a priest
interested in the welfare of souls rather than in his own profit. Anyone
dreaming of making a fortune in these very poor villages would be
fooling himself. As for me, I am more than happy with my set-up. Both
Father Edward and I are loved and esteemed here, all because of our
dear Don Bosco.
The spiritual needs of thjs poor canton were always vast, and
the priests to be sent there had to be chosen with care and
prudence. This was made clear to Father Modini by the vicar
capitular of Como, Father Octavius Calcaterra, in a letter of
November 22, 1869. The vicar wrote: "I must remind you that
good, dependable priests are rare, especially among those
without an assignment and willing to leave their diocese. In this
most delicate matter it pays to go slowly and cautiously, never
omitting a careful investigation."
A letter of Father Paul Albera to Father Modini in Don Bosco's
name testifies to Don Bosco's constant solicitude and to the high
regard in which his confidential information was held:
Dear Father:
Turin, February 15, 1870
I am very glad to tell you that two zealous priests are willing to join
you in your apostolic labors. They are Father Cbiantore, who was
previously recommended to you, and an equally zealous priest, Father
Bartholomew Pavesio, whom I recommend in Don Bosco's name. He
believes that these good Christians will gladly thank the Lord for having
sent them two such fine shepherds. He likewise hopes that all will tum
out for the good of souls and God's greater glory.
Yours devotedly,
Father Paul Albera
for Don Bosco
The last sentence of this letter must have encouraged Father
Modini to trust in Divine Providence. Indeed, a most beneficial
reaction set in a little later in several areas of the canton, and

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464
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
eventually the majority of the Ticino population put an end to
their weary oppression. They won a temporary respite in 1875 and
again in 1877, but they achieved permanent religious freedom
only in 1886 when a massive campaign, mounted by radicals and
Freemasons to discredit the Church, was totally defeated, thanks
also the prayers of Don Bosco and of his boys.
Nor did Don Bosco's prayers cease after his death. In 1889,
Bishop Vincent Molo of Basel opened a boarding school in Men-
drisio and gave it to the Salesians; in 1894 he again called on them
to run St. Charles School in Ascona. This marked the beginning of
a sizable number of priestly vocations in the Ticino Canton. How
true, delightful, and consoling are the words of the Psalmist:
Clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur, et de necessitatibus
eorum liberavit eos [They cried to the Lord in their tribulations,
and He delivered them out of their distress-Ps. 106, 6].

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APPENDICES

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Appendix 1
NOSEGAYS
(See Chapter 1, footnote 12)
[1] Say a Salve, Regina for the Society for the Propagation of the
Faith.
[2] Hear a Mass for the conversion of sinners.
[3] Recite the Miserere for the conversion of scandal-giv~rs.
[4] Say five mysteries of the rosary and the Litany [of the Blessed
Virgin] for the conversion of heathens, heretics, and schismatics.
[5] Do bodily penance or fast for intemperate sinners.
[6] Recite the Act of Hope and a Salve, Regina for people in despair
or grave distress.
[7] Offer your heart to Jesus and Mary.
[8] Recite the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity for the Church's
needs.
[9] Hear a Mass for the conversion of England.
[10] Pay a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for the
sins committed against Him in this sacrament.
[11] Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin and a Salve, Regina at
Our Lady's altar for all your companions.
[12] Contribute to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
[13] Say five Paters, Aves, and Glorias in honor of Our Lord's
Passion.
[14] Recite The Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin and the accompa-
nying_ litanies for all God's ministers.
[15] Recite the Veni, Creator to obtain from the Holy Spirit enlighten-
ment and favors for yourself and all sinners.
[16] Say seven Hail Mary's in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows to obtain
Her protection in life and especially at the point of death for yourself:
your parents, and your relatives.
[17] When tempted, promptly say: "My Jesus, have mercy. Mary,
help me."
[18] Receive Communion in honor of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and
Mary for all your confreres, living and dead.
[19] Say five mysteries of the rosary for your spiritual and temporal
benefactors.
467

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THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
[20] Say three Hail Mary's to obtain final perseverance for yourself
and your parents and relatives.
[21] Say the Veni, Creator to obtain the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
[22] Recite the Ave, Maris Stella for those who are not in the state of
grace.
[23] Ask the Blessed Virgin to enlighten you on your vocation.
[24] Say three Hail Mary's and three Glory Be's asking Jesus and
Mary for humility, purity, and charity.
Appendix 2
CHURCH OF MARY, HELP OF
CHRISTIANS-INSCRIPTIONS
(See Chapter 19, footnote 3)
I
Maria Augusta-cuius adumbratam imaginem-illustriores quaedam
feminae apud Hebraeos retulerunt-Mater ·Christianorum indulgentis-
sima divinae benignitatis thesaurum-in liberos Suos effudit.
The August Virgin Mary, most generous Mother of Christians,
prefigured by several most illustrious Hebrew women, bestowed on Her
children the treasures of divine bounty.
II
Mariae patrocinio-saepe hastes Christiani nominis sunt profligati-
sed praesens Eius auxilium-in navali certamine ad Naupactum maxime
eluxit-quum per Hispanos Allobroges Venetos-Turcarum copiis
disiectis-Pius V Pont. Max. victoriae auspex-Mariam Auxilium
Christianorum-iussit appellari.
With Mary's assistance, Christianity's enemies were often routed, but
Her visible aid was most evident in the naval battle of Lepanto, when
combined forces of Spain, Savoy, and Venice routed the Turkish fleet,
and Pius V, victorious leader, decreed that Mary be invoked as the Help
of Christians.

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Appendices
469
III
Ad delendam maculam-navali pugna susceptam-infesto exercitu
Vindobonam Turcae obsident_._anno MDCLXXXIII. Christiani prin-
cipes-auctore Innocentio XI Pont. Max.-socia arma iungunt. Ceteris
potior insperato adest Joannes Sobieskus-Polonorum rex. Commisso
proelio barbari fugantur fanduntur-magna pars vulneribus confecti
procumbunt-ferociam in vultu adhuc retinentes.
To erase the shame of their naval defeat, the Turks laid siege to
Vienna with a mighty army in the year 1683. At Pope Innocent Xi's call,
Christian princes joined forces, chief among them John Sobieski, king of
Poland. Engaged in battle, the barbarians were repelled and routed and
a large number perished, covered with wounds, yet still breathing
defiance.
IV
Eius victoriae ergo-et Augustae Taurinorum et Monachi in
Vindelicis-sodales creati M ariae Adiutricis-inter quos viri ex omni
ordine spectatissimi-certatim student referri.
To commemorate this victory, sodalities of Mary, Help of Christians
were founded in Turin and Munich, and most distinguished laymen
eagerly sought to be enrolled.
v
Pius VII Pont. Max-ad propagandam memoriam diei VIII calendas
iunias-quo Virginis M atris auxilio-ex Savonensi captivitate est
liberatus-diem festum instituit nomini recolendo-Mariae Sanctae
Adiutricis Christianorum.
To commemorate the 24th of May when with Mary's help he was
released from prison at Savona, Pope Pius VII instituted the feast of
Mary, Help of Christians.
VI
In sacrario apud Spoletinos-iam inde ab anno MDLXX-imago
Mariae opiferae fuerat depicta. Post diutumam oblivionem-puer
quinquennis visu admonitus-XIV calendas apriles anno MDCCCLXII
aediculam rimis fatiscentem-in hominum memoriam revocat. Exinde
innumera prodigia-vim M ariae numenque declarant-maximum

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470
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
temp/um ab inchoato excitatum-ad quod magnus undique adorantium
numerus quotidie confluit.
By 1570 a painting of Mary was being venerated in a chapel near
Spoleto. It had been long forgotten, but on March 19, 1862 a five-year-
old boy was told in a vision to remind people that this little shrine was
going to ruin. From then on, countless favors revealed Mary's great
power, and a magnificent shrine was built, to which swelling crowds of
the faithful daily flock from all over the world.
VII
Heic ubi martyrium fecerunt-seculo Ill Christiano-Octavius et
Adventor milites legionis Thebaeorum-Taurinenses divino tantum
numine et auxilio confisi-tempium dif.ficillimis temporibus extruendum
curavimus-in honorem Mariae Adiutricis Christianorum-quod facto
lapide auspicali-inchoatum V calendas maias anno MDCCCLXV-so-
lemnibus caeremoniis rite consecratum est-VII idus iunias anno
MDCCCLXV/II-XX/I sacri principatus Pii IX Pont. Max.
Here where Octavius and Adventor, soldiers of the Theban legion,
suffered martyrdom in the third century after Christ, we Turinese,
confiding solely in God's power and help in these extremely trying
times, have set out to build a church in honor of Mary, Help of Chris-
tians. The cornerstone was laid on April 27, 1865, and the church was
solemnly consecrated on June 9, 1868, the twenty-second year of Pius
IX' s pontificate.
Appendix 3
CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH
OF MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
(See Chapter 20, footnote 1)
Program
Tuesday, June 9
5:30 A.M.-ConseGration of the church by Archbishop Riccardi of
Turin.
6:00 P.M.-Solemn Pontifical Vespers, homily, Benediction.

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Appendices
471
During Vespers three choirs, totaling over three hundred voices, from
the Oratory, the two Salesian schools at Lanzo and Mirabello, and other
volunteers from town, will sing the antiphon Sancta Maria, succu"e
miseris. A Tantum erg~ will be sung by more than two hundred voices
with orchestra accompaniment. Both compositions are by Father John
Cagliero.
VVednesday,JunelO
7 A.M.-Mass, homily, general Communion, and prayers for contrib-
utors to the church building fund.
10 A. M.-Solemn High Mass, accompaniment with orchestra, sung
by a choir of tenors and bassos, especially composed for the occasion by
Maestro John De Vecchi.
6 P.M.-Solemn Vespers, sermon, Benediction.
Thursday, June 11
There will be no Solemn High Mass because of the Corpus Christi
procession which will originate at the cathedral.
6 P.M.-Solemn Vespers, sermon, Benediction.
Friday and Saturday, June 12-13
Same program as on Wednesday.
Sunday, June 14
10 A.M.-Solemn High Mass, homily.
4 P.M.-Solemn Vespers, sermon, Benediction. The antiphon Sancta
Maria, succu"e miseris and the Tantum ergo will be sung again at
Vespers and Benediction.
Monday and Tuesday, June 15-16
Morning program as on the previous days.
6 P.M.-Solemn Vespers, sermon, Te Deum, and Benediction.
VVednesday,June17
7 A.M.-Requiem Mass for deceased benefactors of the church and of
the Oratory.
Throughout the eight days low Masses will be celebrated, and ample
opportunities will be given to receive the sacraments.
As customary at the Oratory, religious celebrations will also allow for
legitimate diversions, as follows:
Thursday, June 11, 3 P.M.-Musical and literary entertainment in

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472
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
honor of Mary, Help of Christians and awarding of prizes to Oratory
pupils.
Saturday, June 13, 3 P.M.-Amusements.
Sunday, June 14, 7 P.M.-Gymnastics display.
Monday, June 15, 3 P.M.-Latin comedy.
Tuesday, June 16, 3 P.M.-Amusements and band concert.
Appendix 4
NOSEGAYS FOR ST. JOSEPH'S NOVENA
(See Chapter 44, footnote 5)
1. Suffer and even die rather than commit sin.
2. What will riches, honors, and pleasures avail me at the moment of
death?
3. Sooner or later I will have to appear before God's tribunal.
4. It is folly to seek happiness away from God.
5. Oh, how long eternity will be!
6. As one lives, so shall one die.
7. God does not abandon a virtuous youth.
8. How delightful it is to be at peace with God.
9. 0 Paradise, how beautiful you must be! I want to deserve you.
10. In honor of St. Joseph, I shall never defile my tongue by indecent
words.
Appendix 5
STATE OF THE SOCIETY OF
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES IN 1870
(See Chapter 61, footnote 7)
As of January 1870 this Society directs four schools:
1. St. Francis de Sales in Valdocco, Turin.

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Appendices
473
2. St. Charles junior seminary at Mirabello.
3. St. Philip Neri at Lanzo.
4. Our Lady of the People at Cherasco.
We have also a convalescent home at Trofarello.
St. Francis de Sales School
This is the motherhouse. Its origins are as follows:
1841. Start of catechism classes for a group of destitute boys on the
feast of the Immaculate Conception.
1843. The number of pupils increases astonishingly.
1844. The first chapel for the exclusive purpose of imparting religious
instruction to the young is blessed on the feast of the Immaculate
Conception with the authorization of Archbishop Louis Fransoni of
Turin.
1846. Start of night and Sunday school for older boys with excellent
results. Toward the end of this year several of the poorer and more
imperiled boys are given food and shelter. This marks the beginning of
the hospice at the motherhouse.
1847. Due to an ever-increasing number of boys, the St. Aloysius
Festive Oratory, with a chapel, classrooms, and playground, is blessed
and inaugurated at Porta Nuova on the feast of the Immaculate Concep-
tion with the archbishop's permission.
1849. The Guardian Angel Festive Oratory is likewise opened in the
vicinity of the Po River.
1851. Construction of the Church of St. Francis de Sales.
1852. To date the archbishop had granted several faculties, but on
March 31 of this year he issued a decree approving the festive oratories
and naming Father John Bosco as their director, with all necessary or
opportune faculties for such office.
1853-57. During these years the number of day and resident boys
increased beyond all expectations. Secondary schools were opened and
several boys were directed to the priesthood.
1858. After repeatedly suggesting the formation of a congregation,
the archbishop of Turin sends Father John Bosco to Rome with a letfer of
recommendation from him to ask Pius IX' s advice concerning the estab-
lishment of a congregation to enwre the existen~e and the spirit of the
oratories. The Holy Father gives the outlines of a congregation whose
members are genuine religious in the eyes of the Church but free citi-
zens in the eyes of the State.
1863. The constitutions of this religious Society are submitted to the
Holy Father with· many episcopal letters of commendation. He in turn

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474
THE BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO
graciously hands them over to the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and
Regulars. This same year this Society takes on the direction of St.
Joseph's Festive Oratory in the Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul.
1864. On July l, the above-mentioned Sacred Congregation
announces that the Holy Father graciously praises the Salesian
Congregation and appoints Father John Bosco as its superior for life.
His successor's term of office, however, is limited to twelve years.
1868. The bishop of Casale approves the Society of St. Francis de
Sales as a diocesan congregation and grants its superior many spiritual
faculties.
1869. Accompanied by letters of commendation from twenty-four
bishops, the revised constitutions are again submitted to the
Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars. In a decree of March 1,
the Salesian Society is definitively approved with the limited faculty of
issuing dimissorial letters for ordinands. Approximately eight hundred
boys now reside at the motherhouse, more than half of them being
trained for the priesthood. The festive oratory boys number some three
thousand. The premises are owned by the Salesian Society represented
by the Rector Major.
General Statistics
The members of the Salesian Society total 124, of whom 60 are
professed members, 42 are novices, and 22 are postulants.
Boarders in the four houses of the congregation: 1,210.
Day boys in schools or festive oratories: approximately 3,500.
Total number of boys entrusted to the members of the Salesian
Congregation by Divine Providence: 4, 710.

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INDEX

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B.S.
D.B.
E.H.D.
G.N.
LC.
L.C.
Ms.c.H. . of C.
ABBREVIATIONS
Blessed Sacrament
Don Bosco
Exercise for a Happy Death
Good Night
Immaculate Conception
Letture Cattoliche
Mary, Help of Christians
Salesian Congregation
A
Adversaries: D.B.'s reaction to, 175;
of both Pius IX and D.B., 391
Ailments: that afflicted D.B., 454
Albera, Paul: ordination, 48; perpet-
ual profession, 161; unpleasant
encounter with the archbishop of
Turin, 297f
Alumni: D.B.'s solicitude for, 301; at-
tachment to D.B., 326ff;, a past
pupil's reminiscenses of D.B., 351f;
start of the Salesian Alumni Asso-
ciation, 428
Amiability: of D.B., 220, 223, 388,
394, 448
Angels: a challenge to the, 19f
Anst.ocn.e,ll2i,3C1fard. James: support of the
Arabs: request to D.B. to accept A.
orphans at the Oratory, 216; their
arrival at the Oratory, 348f, 452;
their baptism, 369
Authorities, Civil: D.B.'s respect for,
192
Authorities, Ecclesiastical: D.B. 's
respect for, 192 357, 359
B
Baptismal Innocence see Innocence,
Baptismal
Benefactors: D.B.'s gratitude for 130,
190, 339, 414f, 454; D.B.'s solici-
tude for, 190, 414f; esteem for D.B.,
190f; reminiscenses of, 252f, 371;
prosperity of D.B. 's b., 345
Biblioteca della Gioventu Italiana see
Italian Classics for the Young
Bishops: D.B.'s efforts to obtain
letters of recommendation from,
35-38, 73f, 201; favorable to D.B.,
35, 37f, 47f, 53, 73f, 123f; unfavor-
ableto D.B., 73f, 121f, 297f, 354-64;
respect for b. fostered by D.B., 146;
D.B. 's influence in the appointment
of, 223f; visit of b. to the Oratory,
433. 'See also Riccardi, Alexander
Blessed Sacrament: value D.B. at-
tached to visits to the, 17, 167, 271,
389, 442; a booklet by D.B., on the
B.S. and a prediction, 151f; adora-
tion of the B.S. to obtain the appro-
val of the S.C. 247f
Blessing (D.B.'s): efficacy of, 148ff,
229, 258, 302-08, 423; advice sought
by D.B. on whether or not he should
continue giving his b., 153f. See
also Charisms, Cures, Predictions
Bologna, Joseph: triennial profes-
sion, 161
Bonetti, John: copy editor for
D.B., 1; writings, 2; deep piety, 2ff;
letters from D.B. to, 4, 21, 208f,
393f, 425f, 427, 433f; unusual letter
to D.B., 19f; love of the Church,
103-06
Bongiovanni, Joseph: illness and
death, 138f
Books: Oratory pupils required to
hand in list of, 184
Borel, John: heroic dedication to
D.B., 256
Boys: love for D.B., 28; i~portance
477

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478
of gaining their affection, 40; trust
in D.B., 71; ti_ps to, 15'[; tjps on
dealing with, 168, 409f '443. See
also Pupils
c
Cagliero, John: unpleasant encoun-
ters with Archbishop-Riccardi, 46f,
355ff
California: request for a Salesian
foundation in, 434
Cardinals: scandalous rebellion of a,
101-07; D.B. 's cure of the nephew of
a cardinal, 229; Pius IX's wish to
make D.B. a c., 397
Carnival: D.B. 's participation in the
Turin c. of 1869, 244ff; D.B.'s rejec-
tion of a donation from the proceeds
of the c. season, 412
Catechisms: D.B.'s desire for a
standard c. for the whole Church,
400
Catholic Press: D.B.'s promotion of
the, 17; D.B.'·s Selection from Latin
Classics, 194f; D.B.'s Italian Clas-
sics for the Young, 195ff. See also
Letture Cattoliche
Cattolico Provveduto: complimentary
copies to benefactors, 72; publica-
tion of, 117
Cerruti, Francis: literary works, 195;
director at Alassio, 446
Charisms: of Salesian pupils, 212f
Charisms (D.B. 's): reading of
hearts 153, 155f, 352; vision of
things from afar, 316f; 389; biloca-
tion, 316f. See also Cures, Predic-
tions (D.B.'s)
Charity: D.B.'s exh~rtations to, 17,
168; 262, 268f; of D.B. toward the
poor, 29, 148, 295f
Chastity: testimonials about c. of
D.B., l 79ff; safeguards for, 188f,
199, 282f, 332, 443
Cheerfulness: D.B.'s efforts to foster
c., 3, 296, 394
Christian Formation: constantly im-
parted by D.B., 168, 447f
Church (Catholic): scandalous re-
bellion of a cardinal, 101-07; D.B. 's
love for the, 103, 322f
Church History: partial work by D.B.
and Fr. Bonetti on a universal c.h.,
2; new edition of D.B.'s c.h., 295,
451; suggestions of Pius IX to D.B.
about a, 392; criticism of D.B.'s
c.h., 424f
Church of M.H. of C.: description of
interior, 109tJ:; amazement at its
INDEX
completion, 11 lf; blessing of the
bells, 113f; appurtenances, 118f;
gift of Pius IX to the, 119; Latin in-
scriptions, 120, 468ff; consecration
festivities, 125-29, 130-33, 134-38;
sacred music, 128f; sp~ritual favors
obtained during the consecration
festivities, 132f; commemorative
medal, 135; closing of the consecra-
tion festivities, 137f; L.C. booklet on
the consecration festivities, 190; the
bell towers, 276; inauguration of the
organ, 436
Church of St. John the Evangelist:
preliminary plans, 365, 427, 445,
454
Cinzano, Vincent: death, 403f
Circulars (D.B. 's): confidence in the
superior, 324ff
Clerjcs: letters to D.B., 28; attempts
to alienate D.B. 's c., 48; false accu-
sations about their intellectual
formation, 49; D.B. 's advice to, 166,
188f, 207, 210f, 451f; attachment to
D.B., 452
Comboni, Daniel; invitation to D.B.
to send Salesians to Egypt, 430f
Companions: D.B. 's admonitions
about avoiding had c., 23, 68f, 90,
179, 208, 211, 300
Conferences (D.B.'s): annual c. of St.
Francis de Sales: 1868, 38ff; 1869,
282ff; 1870, 404ff; on avoiding
certain disorders, 207, 408ff; about
the approval of the S.C., 260-63; on
unity, 268-71; on the religious life,
282ff; about the election of the
members of the Superior Chapter,
366ff; about his audiences with Pius
IX, 390-93. See also Circulars
(D.B.'s), Sermons (D.B.'s)
Confession, Seal of see Seal of
Confession
Confessions: fruits and frequency of,
167, 281; causes of bad c., 279ff;
D.B. 's zeal in hearing c., 258, 327
Confessors: qualifications for, 242
Confraternity of Mary, Help of
Christians: origin, 219; steps to-
ward canonical erection, 244;
decree of erection, 277; diocesan
approval, 285; L.C. issue on the,
285; promotion to archconfraternity,
420
Constantinople: orphans from C.
accepted at the Oratory, 430
Conversation: D.B.'s insistent ad-
monitions on avoiding evil c., 68f,
200, 208, 210, 300f, 389f, 427

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INDEX
Conversions: of a skeptical doctor,
j06f; of a fallen-away priest, 366
Costamagna, James: ordination and
rebuff from the archbishop of Turin,
161
Cures (D.B.'s): miscellaneous c.,
42, 129, 149, 154, 229, 231f, 239f,
258, 302-09, 423; reasons why
occasionally c. are not granted, 155.
See also Blessings (D.B.'s), Cha-
risms, Predictions
D
Damnation: main causes of, 86f, 90,
98, 280
Daughters of Mary, Help of Chris-
tians: .beginnings, 288-94; reticence
of D.B. to disclose his plans about
the, 294
Daughters of Mary Immaculate:
D.B.'s first knowledge of the, 289;
activities, 290ff; exhortation by
D.B., 292, start of community life,
293f
Death: a frequent topic of D.B., 31,
40, 472
Debts: ~.B.'s promptness in clearing
d., 344f
Devil: in D.B.'s dreams, 68f, 87;
D.B.'s incessant war against the,
406f
Dimissorials: D:B.'s efforts to obtain
authorization to issue d., 170, 226f;
authorization to issue d. granted to
D.B., 237f, 257, 261, 438; first d.
issued by D.B., 267
Dioceses: D.B. 's help to the arch-
diocese of Turin, 298; D.B.'s efforts
on behalf of Italian vacant dioceses,
223f
Directors (Salesian): tips to, 179, 208,
446f; annual school report, 181
Directory (Salesian): first issue, 368,
370
Disobedience: dire· effects of, 97f
Dominic Savio, St.: favors received
through the intercession of, 277
Dreams (D.B. 's): comments on, Sf,
214; Predictions for 1868, 6-11;
mysterious personages, 8, 78, 80f,
84; A Raging Torrent and Wild
Beasts, 68ff; A Mysterious Vine,
75-84; To Hell and Back, 85-99;
about people's future, 155f; Two
Pallbearers and a Coffin, 184f;
about boys' lifespan, 275; Deadly
Nooses, 279ff; The Voice ofHeaven,
373-76
479
Dreams (D.B.'s): Symbolic Animals-
lions, tigers, wolves, bears, 69;
toads, 75; worms, 94; pigs, 389
Durando, Celestine: Latin-Italian dic-
tionary, 194
E
Egypt: invitation to D.B. to send
Salesians to, 430f
Esteem: for D.B., 139, 180, 226, 234,
256, 334f, 352, 364, 398, 417, 433,
447f
Exercise for a Happy Death: exhorta-
tions to make it well, 59, 189. See
also Predictions (D.B.'s)
Expedients (D.B.'s): invitation to best
boys to dine with D.B., 352f
Experience, Handbook of: 423
F
Fathers of the Church: D.B. 's
intention to publish all their works,
195
Fear of God: Importance D.B. gave to
the, 189, 199
Festive Oratory of St. Aloysius: plans
for expansion, 315, 365
Festive Oratory of St. Francis de
Sales: causes of attendance decline,
349f
Festive Oratories: a pupil's reminis-
censes, 450f
Fiction: D.B.'s criticism of I Promessi
Sposi, 184
Florence (City): D.B.'s second trip to,
219, 221-24, 255
Fortitude: of D.B. in trying circum-
stances, 175ff, 226f, 297f, 34lff,
354-64
Francesia, John Baptist: letters to F.
Oreglia, 57f, 61; literary works, 194;
letters from D.B. to, 394
G
Ga/antuomo, II: excerpt from Preface,
1869, 197; 1871, 456f. See also
Letture Cattoliche
Garino, John: prediction of D.B., 447
Gastaldi, Lawrence: letter to the Holy
See in support of D.B., 219f;
defense of papal infallibility, 404
Generosity: of D.B. with needy boys,
148, 182; with the ungrateful, 34lff
Good Nights (Salesian): Dates-Sep-
tember 1868, 158f; November 1868,
186-89; December 1868, 199f;
January 1869, ·218f; March· 1869,

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480
265-71; March! 1870~ 407f
Good Nights (Salesian): Topics-de-
votion to Our Lady, 72, 112, 159,
199; novenas fatal to bad boys, 158;
sincerity in confession, 159; death-
bed repentance, 159; tips for safe-
guarding purity, 179f, 188f 199; All
Souls' Day, 186; laziness and luke-
warmness, 186; constancy in over-
coming difficulties, 187; mutual
charity, 187; real presence of Jesus
in the Eucharist, 188; good example
by priests and clerics, 188f; church
hierarchy, 190; liturgical appurte-
nances, 190; humility, 199; open-
ness with superiors, 199f; amazing
conversion, 218; journey to Rome,
265f; Guardian Angels, 408. See
also Dreams (D. B.'s)
Greed: Punishment of, 143, 272ff
Guardian Angels: D.B. 's devotion to
the, 408
H
Hail Mary: instant cures through the
recitation of a, 129
Heaven: delights of h. as described by
D.B., 421
Hell: a dream on, 85-99
Holy Water: its power against the
devil, 76, 279f
Humility: of D.B., 127, 139f, 153f,
205f, 406f, 424f, 448
Idleness: avoidance of, 98, 208, 263,
282
Immaculate Conception, Feast of the:
a challenge to the angels, 19-28;
G.N. in preparation for the, 199f
Impurity: gluttony, pride and i., 79,
199; prudence in talking about i.,
179f; symbols of i. in D.B.'s
dreams, 389 See also Purity
Infaltibility of the Pope see Popes-
Infallibility
Innocence, Baptismal: belief in D.B.'s
b. i., 181
Inscriptions: on the leaves of a vine
(dream), 78, 82; on boys' foreheads
(dream), 79; on hailstones (dream),
83; on the gates and various sec-
tions of hell (dream), 89, 91f, 94ff;
on the bells of j:he Church of M.H.
of C., 113f; inside the Church of
M.H. of C., 120, 468ff
Italian Classics for the Young: expur-
gated edition, l95f
INDEX
J
Jesuits: Pius IX's exhortation to D.B.
to imitate the J. in their spirit of
solidarity, 262
John the Evangelist, St.-Church of
see Church of St. John the
Evangelist
Joseph, St.: altar and paintin~ in the
·Church of M.H. of C., 110; issue of
L.C. on, 424
Journeys (D.B. 's): incidents 42ff,
285ff, 326ff, 379f; to Casale (1868),
42; to Fenestrelle (1868), 148f; to
Florence (1869), 219, 221-24, 255; to
Rome (1869), 225-54; to Rome
(1870), 379-402
L
Lanzo: visit by D.B. and dream about
the L. pupils, 67-70; participation in
the Oratory festivities, 125, 138;
D.B.'s prediction about a boy's
death, 198; visit by D.B. and narra-
tion of a dream, 278-81
4sagna, Louis: triennial profession,
161
Last Things: see Death, Heaven, Hell
Latin: D.B.'s promotion of, 137
Legacies: drawbacks of, 314, 341ff
Lemoyne, J.B.: letters from D.B.,17,
178f, 209f, 350f, 354, 420f
Letters (D.B.'s): to Salesians, 4, 17,
21. 30, 33, 41, 64, 208, 250, 315f,
340f, 349ff, 389f, 393f, 418, 425,
427, 433f, 438; to benefactors and
their families, 14, 426, 434f; to prel-
ates, 193, 205f, 425; to a mother
superior, 339; to a seminarian, 418.
See also. Circulars (D.B.'s)
Letture Cattoiiche: issues, 16, 34, 57,
141, 147, 169, 190, 206, 217, 278,
285, 309, 322, 350, 365, 370, 420,
424, 451; biography of E. Saccardi,
147; D.B. 's quest for collaborators,
190; presentation of .set of L.C. to
Pius IX, 391. .See also Catholic
Press, Galantuomo
M
Mary, Blessed Virgin: messages for
the Mirabello boys, 21-28; D.B.'s
efforts to instill devotion to, 72,
112f, 159, 179, 209, 215; protection
in dangers, 178, 420; prelates cured
through the intercession of, 231f,
239f. See also Mary, Help of
Christians
Mary, Help of Christians: medals of,
32, 58, 120; L.C. issue on, 57;

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INDEX
481
efficacy of invocation to 136; in-
scription on a banner seen by D.B.
in a dream, 378; feast of (1870:), 422f
Mass: D.B.'s respect for sacred cere-
monies, 189, policy concerning M.
stipends, 446f
Maxims (D.B. 's): "Gutta cavat lapi-
dem," 187: "Idling, wining and
dining are the ruin of chastity," 282;
"Nascimur in lacrymis, lacrymosos
ducimus annos, terminat in lacry-
mis ultima nostra dies," 414; "Work
for souls, not money," 452
Mazzarello, Mary, St:: biographical
notes, 289f; enrollment among the
Daughters of Mary Immaculate,
290; zeal for souls, 290ff; high
opinion of D.B.'s sanctity, 293
Mirabello: an amazing challenge, 19f;
Our Lady's messages to the boys of,
21-28; visits by D.B., 42; participa-
tion in the consecration festivities of
the Church of M.H. of C., 125f, 138;
visit of Bishop Rota, 145; plans to
move to Borgo San Martino, 413,
426
Modesty: of D.B., 179f
Mornese: visit by D.B. in 1869, 285,
288
Mortification: D.B.'s insistence on,
164ff, 282ff
N
Name Day .(D.B.'s): celebration of
D.B 's n.d., i868, 141; 1869, 312·
1s·10. 428f
'
Nigena: remote plans for sending
Salesian missionaries to, 430f
Nosegays (D.B. 's): for Fr. Bonetti, 3,
467f; in preparation to the feast of
the Nativity of Mary, 158f; during
the I.C. novena, 199
Novels ·see Fiction
Novenas: tips for the n. in honor of
M.H. of C., 112f, 139; efficacy of the
novena to M.H. ofC., 131, 136, 240;
fatal to bad boys, 158; ineffective
because of greed, 272ff
0
Obedience: and eternal salvation, 91,
98; things that undermine o., 142;
remarks by D.B. on, 241, 268ff, 419
Obituary Letters: D.B.'s first mention
of, 368
Oratory (Valdocco): deaths-1868, 32,
60f, 115, 182; 1869, 299f, 368; 1870,
403, 411, 453; new policy as regards
holidays and vacations, 65; unique
goal, 1411; general admission polie:y,
148; installment of an additional
printing press, 147; opening of a
bakery, 181; statistics of 1868-69,
217; reception for D.B. at his return
from Rome (1869), 255f, 258ff;
family spirit, 265, 324, 352f, 448f;
piety, 447f, 455; character forma-
tion, 449f; epidemic, 455 .
Ordinations: difficulties encounterd by
Salesians for their o., 46ff
Oreglia, Frederick: letters from D.B.,
30, 33, 41, 64; rumors about his
leaving the S.C., 52, 57; withdrawal
from the S.C., 335-38
p
Papal Infallibility: see Popes-Infal-
libility
Past Pupils see Alumni
Pastors: relations between Salesian
schools and p., 446f
Patience: of D.B. in trying circum-
stances, 176f, 193, 226f, 354-64; in
his ailments, 454
Pestarino, Dominic: first meeting
with D.B., 289: gift of a house to the
Daughters of Mary Immaculate,
293f
Piety: things detrimental to piety, 142;
means to strengthen p., 447
Pius IX; convocation of Vatican I Ecu-
menical Council, 144; goodwill
toward the S.C., 169, 234, 236f, 139,
248, 393; audiences granted to
D.B., 1869, 234-37, 243f, 248; 1870,
390-93, 400; predictions about the
length of his pontificate, 243, 400;
invitation to D.B. to open a house of
studies in Rome, 243f, 393; advice
to D.B., 248f, 262f, 393; message
for the Oratory boys, 266, 393; gift
from the Oratory boys to, 281, 284;
golden jubilee of ordination, 281,
284; letter to D.B., 313f; desire to
have the Salesians in Rome, 243f,
393, 395; copy of D.B.'s prophetic
dream given to, 396; Pius IX's
desire to have D.B. move to Rome,
397; D.B.'s message to Pius IX
about fleeing from Rome, 444
Politics: D.B.'s p., 192
Poor: D.B. 's generosity toward the,
29, 148, 295f
Popes: L.C. issues on the popes, 16,
217; D.B.'s love and veneration for

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482
INDEX
the, 119, 144, 284, 322; D.B.'s me-
diation between the Italian Govern-
ment and the Holy See, 221f
Popes-Infallibility: D.B.'s contribu-
tion to the proclamation of the
dogma of papal i., 322f, 372, 381-88,
39Sf; hostility toward the, 372f, 381;
formal discussion at the council,
404; proclamati_on _of dog~a of ~apal
i., 431f. See also Vatican Councll I
Poverty: D.B.'s practice of, 225, ~79
Practices of piety: D.B.'s moderation
in setting p. of p. for boys, 145; ser-
mon by D.B. on the p. of p. for
Salesians, 166ff
Prayer: necessity of, 98; D.B. 's reli-
ance on, 211, 219, 265, 442
Predictions (D.B.'s): observations on,
Sf, 12f, 214; about deaths, 6ff, 12f,
59f, 185, 198, 210, 456; about war~,
9; about epidemics, 10; about fami-
lies, 10; fulfillment of, 12f, 32, 59f,
115, 127, 163f, 181, 214ff, 246, 299,
328f, 368f, 429, 434f, 437f, 453, 456;
about boy's future, 127, 156, 203,
275, 403; about Pius IX's pontifi-
cate, 243, 248; about the seizure of
Rome, 243, 398f; miscellaneous p.,
437f; about clerics & PI'!t;sts, 447.
See also Charisms (D.B. s), Cures.
Preventive System (Salesian): applica-
tion of the, 38, 168, 195f, 271, 332,
410, 443; expurgation of text books,
194ff
Pride: sad effects of, 83, 199
Pnests: weak faith of some p., 162
D.B. 's charitable concern for fallen-
away p., 366, 439; D.B.'s exhorta-
tions to a newly-ordained p., 418;
D.B.'s zeal in providing p. for the
Ticino Canton, 459-62
Providence, Divine: interventions in
D.B.'s behalf, 29, 118ff, 249; and
D.B. 's benefactors, 34Sf
Prudence: of D.B. in seeking the Holy
See's approval of the S.C., 233
Punishments: tips on, 168, 410
Pupils: tips for the Christian formation
of, 167f; causes for dismissal of,
200; D.B.'s policy of makin~ p. feel
to be members of his famdy, 265;
tips to directors on how to inform
parents of their boy's dismissal,
443f
Purgatory: L.C. issues on the souls in,
169, 329; special prayers at the
Oratory for the souls in, 246
Purity: tips for preserving p., 166,
179ff, 188f, 199, 410, 443; exagger-
ations to be avoided, 332
R
Religious Education see Christian
Formation
Retreats (Salesians): 1868, 160f,
164-69; 1869. 330-35; 1870, 438,
442f
Riccardi, Alexander: controversy with
D.B. about ordinands, 46ff; reser-
vations about the S.C., 53ff; fre-
quent visits to the Oratory, 63; con-
secration of the Church of M.H. of
C., 126f; hostility toward D.B., 161,
297f, 354-64; letter from D.B. to,
20Sf; receipt of decree of approyal of
the S.C., 256f; approval of the
confraternity of M.H. of C., 285;
death, 445
Riches: dan~er of attachment to, 142f
Rome: D.B. s trip to, 22Sf; audiences
with Pius IX, 234ff; D.B.'s predic-
tions about fall of, 243; invitation to
D.B. to open houses in Rome, 243f,
249L 301, 319ff, 368, 393, 395;
D.B. 's advice to religious superiors
in anticipation of the seizure of, 399;
seizure of, 422ff; prediction of D.B.
about future of, 443. See also Jour-
neys, Pius IX, Vatican Council I
Ronchail, Joseph: first meeting with
D.B., 148f
Rosary: daily recitation of the, 167,
219 .
Rosary, Feast of Our Lady of the: at
Becchi in 1868, 178; 1869, 347;
1870, 444
.
Rua, Michael: excerpts from the
chronicle of, 29, 31, 51, 148, 162,
181, 198, 205, 217, 25Sf, 258f;
critical illness, lSOff; pretliction of
D.B., 152; letters from D.B., 241,
250, 383, 389f
s
St. Peter's Centenary: third revised
edition, 250f
Salesian Congregation: membership:
1868, 4; 1869, 217; 1870, 370; D.B. 's
efforts toward obtaining the Holy
See's approval of the, 35ff, 226ff,
231f, 247f; brief history of the S.C.,
3Sff; approval by the bishop of
Casale, 37f; religious professions,
161, 168f, 282, 331, 341, 442f;

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INDEX
483
obstacles to the approval of the,
170-77, 226f; 238f; individual epis-
copal commendations, 192; D.B.'s
unsuccessful efforts for a collective
episcopal commendation, 192f, op-
ponents of approval won over by
D.B., 229-32, 239f; definitive ap-
proval of the S.C., 248, 257f, 261;
delivery of decree of approval to the
archbishop of Turin, 256f; confer-
ences by D.B. on the approval of the
S.C., 260-64, 265-71; Pius IX's ad-
vice about admission of members,
262; decree of approval demanded
by the king's attorney general, 310f;
opposition from civil authorities,
311; election of members of the
Superior Chapter, 366ff; decision to
publish a Salesian directory, 368;
annual report on the state of the
S.C., -378; mention of the S.C. at a
session of Vatican Council I, 392.
See also Dimissorials, Pius IX,
Salesian Congregation-Houses,
Salesian Congregation-Rules
Salesian Congregation-Houses: pre-
liminaries about foundations in
Rome, 30f, 62, 192, 223, 243f, 249f,
301, 319ff, 3(18; Florence, 220;
Cherasco, 315; California, 434;
Alassio, 406, 413, 439, 446; Borgo
San Martino, 446; Varazze, 456;
D.B.'s view about accepting the di-
rection of houses partially controlled
by outside agencies 31; requests for
other foundations, 39, 426, 430;
Pius IX's exhortation about working
for the poor, 263; relationship be-
tween Salesian houses and par-
ishes, 446f
Salesian Congregation-Rules: public
weekly reading, 39; observations of
the archbishop of Turin to the Holy
See, 53ff; Holy See's refusal of ap-
proval, 176, 230; D.B.'s trips to
Rome, 219, 225-54, 379-402; D.B.'s
physical exhaustion, 247f; encour-
agement from Pius IX, 248f
Salesian Schools: solemn reading of
the regulations, 183; relationship
with local parishes, 446f
Salvation of Souls: the purpose of all
D.B. 's undertakings, 113, 141, 148,
318, 418; the noblest mission, 334
Savio, Dominic, St. see Dominic Savio,
St.
Scandal: frequent topic of D.B.'s talks
and sermons, 69, 200, 205, 300f; a
church s., 101-07
Seal of Confession: scrupulously main-
tained by D.B., 71
Selections from Latin Classics: D.B. 's
purpose in planning the publication
of, 194
Serenity: of D.B. under all circum-
stances, 193, 319ff
Sermons (D.B. 's): tips by D.B. on
topics and presentation, 14ff;
popularity and efficacy of, 161; on
mortification, 164ff; on the practices
of piety, 166ff; exhortation on
mutual charity, 168; on scandal, 205
Sin: symbols of the state of, 68f;
horror of s. instilled by D. B., 79, 82,
389; D.B.'s charism in detecting the
state of, 389f; D.B.'s efforts to pre-
vent s., 195f
Spiritual Life: D.B.'.s solicitude for his
boy's s.1., 447f
Spiritual Reading: symbolized in a
dream, 88
Stipends (Mass) see Mass
Strenna: 1868, 6, 11; 1869, 208ff;
1870. 369
Superiors: tips to, 178f, 333, 340, 443f;
respect due to, 270
Switzerland: D.B.'s contribution to the
preservation of the faith in the
Ticino Canton, 458-64
T
Tact: of D.B., 315-18
Temperance: D.B. 's exhortations,
282f
Temptations: tips on how to overcome
t., 167, 332
Theater: stage plays at the Oratory,
137
u
Unity: D.B.'s exhortations to, 268-71,
408f
v
Vacations: new Oratory policy as
regards v., 65; tips for, 157
Vatican Council I: convocation, 144f;
D.B.'s inferest in, 347; solemn
opening of, 365f; donation of the
Oratory boys to, 369; prophetic
dreams of D.B., 373-76; mention of
the S.C. at a session of, 392; formal
discussion of papal infallibility, 404;
proclamation of the dogma of papal
infallibility, 431£. See also l>opes-
Infallibility
Victor-Emmanuel II: invitation to D.B.
to see him m Florence, 217, 223

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484
Vincentians: help to D.B. in his efforts
to obtain approval of the rules, 233
Vocation (Salesian): ways of attracting
candidates, 40, 265, 406; signs of a,
331; D.B.'s lofty esteem of the, 338
Vocation (Priestly): D.B.'s ways of fos-
tering v., 40, 189f, 265, 406
INDEX
w
Work: to be inspired by faith, hope
and charity, 332f
Writings (D.B.'s): D.B.'s insistence
on submitting his w. to his co-work-
ers, 147. See also Catholic Press,
Galantuomo, Letture Cattoliche