To Fr Angelo Rocca

E V, 2434

Says he has received his letter and corrected some linguistic errors - spiritual admonitions

Turin, 21 November 1876

My dear son,

I received and read your letter with great pleasure and bless the Lord for having comforted you in so many ways in Rome with His Eminence Cardinal Bilio. In everything, may his infinite and divine kindness always be blessed.

Since you are a teacher, I would like to point out some linguistic errors that you would do well to avoid.

You say: entramo nel tempio; but we say entrammo

Assieme a Mons. Vitali, but you should say insieme. That is not the Italian way of saying it but the French way.

So always, insieme con, and never insieme a.

Condurci sulla via Appia, you mean to say per la via Appia.

Elogi che non mi ricordo più: remove the mi, or say di cui.

Now you will laugh at these trifles, and I am glad that you laugh, provided that they serve as a rule for you, and at the same time make you aware of the great affection and confidence I have in you.

Take courage, my dear friend, let your code be our rules, especially the practices of piety. Take care of your health and write to me again. May God bless you.

Pray for me who am always in J. C.

your most affectionate friend

Fr J. Bosco