To the Rector of Carmen in Patagonia, Fr Giuseppe Fagnano

E VI, 3277

Upon receiving his first letter from Patagonia, he encourages him in the Patagonian mission entrusted to him — he is preparing an expedition of missionaries and missionary sisters with Fr Cagliero.

Turin, 21 October 1880

My dear Fr Fagnano,

I finally received your letter dated 6 September, and it is the first I have received from you since you left for Patagonia. I was really worried because I had not received any letters from you despite the three letters I sent you, in which I gave you some detailed instructions to follow. Patience. I will see if this letter of mine is more successful.

From this you can already have an answer to your first question: I wrote to you and the letters did not reach you, nor did I receive any letters of any kind.

As for your second question, I will tell you that your trip to Patagonia was entirely my idea. You were supposed to go to Paraguay according to the Holy Father's wishes, but since it was urgent to send someone who was completely trustworthy, capable of handling business matters, and of sound moral character, the Superior Chapter had no choice but to send your reverend, but always dear, person. There was no doubt, mistrust, or anything else involved.

You will say: But what about Fr Costamagna? Fr Costamagna, for reasons that are pointless mentioning, could not be sent.

At present, I am very busy with Fr Cagliero preparing an expedition of sisters and Salesians to help you. But what can you do? We have a very turbulent horizon, even though our society is progressing like a giant. I was really pleased to receive your letter, the one from Sister Vallese.

If you receive this letter, let me know and I will write to you again immediately.

Give my regards to all the sisters and our confreres; tell the pupils that I bless them all and love them all in J. C.

Will we see each pother again on this earth? Yes. Obliviscere domum et parentes tuos, iacta super eos curas Domini.

May God bless you my ever dear FrFagnano, pray and get others to pray for me who am always in J.C.

Your most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco

P. S. Say hello to our sisters, los niños and las niñas, and tell everyone that I will bless them and pray for them all in a special way.

P. S. The Superior Chapter has finally chosen Fr Costamagna as American Provincial. The time is therefore not far off when the province of Patagonia will be established as an Apostolic Vicariate according to the wishes of the Holy Father, or as a Salesian Province.