Deacon Michael Rua

E I, 457

“Know therefore and keep in mind what I am telling you. Many tribulations await you, but in them the Lord Our God will give you much consolation.”

St Ignatius, Lanzo Torinese, 27 July 1860

Beloved son Michael, greetings in the Lord,

You wrote to me in French and did it well. Be French only in language and speech; but in spirit, heart and action, be intrepid and generous, like a Roman.

Know therefore and keep in mind what I am telling you. Many tribulations await you, but in them the Lord our God will give you much consolation.

Offer yourself as a model of good works; be careful to give good advice, and constantly do what is good in the eyes of the Lord.

Wage war against the devil; hope in God; and if I can do anything, I will be entirely yours.

May the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with us always.

Take care,

Fr John Bosco

S. Ignati apud Lanceum taurinensem, 27 juli 1860

Dilecto filio Rua Michaèli salutem in Domino

Litteris gallicis conscriptam epistolam ad me misisti; et bene fecisti. Esto Gallus tantum lingua et sermone; sed animo, corde, et opere Romanus intrepidus et generosus. Scito ergo et animadverte sermonem. Multae tribulationes te expectant; sed in his magnas consolationes dabit tibi Dominus Deus Noster. Praebe teipsum exemplum bonorum operum; vigila in petendis consilis; quod bonum est in oculis Domini constanter facito. Pugna contra diabolum; spera in Deo; et, si quid valeo, totus tuus ero. Gratia Domini N. J. Ch. sit semper nobiscum.

Vale

Fr Bosco J.