To Fr Erminio Borio and pupils

E VII, 3797

Thanks him for the letter received from him and his pupils for Christmas — he offers a prize to whoever can interpret the five S's — best wishes to all.

Turin, 16 January 1883

My dear Fr Borio,

Your letter and those of several of your pupils brought me great consolation.

I know that their sentiments are shared by all their classmates, and you will thank all your dear pupils on my behalf.

Tell them that I love them all in J. C., that I remember them every morning at Holy Mass, but that they should also pray for me, especially with some fervent communions. However, I want to propose a riddle, promising a prize and even prizes to those who get it right.

Here is the riddle: S. S. S. S. S. Whoever has the key to these five S's and practises them has a well-founded hope of having paradise on earth in this world and paradise in heaven in the next.

Please give my warmest regards to your students, recommending to all of them to be very cheerful, but cheerful in the Lord.

You, in particular, take care of your health; give my regards to the Rector, give an effective blessing to Fr Mellano's cough, and always remember me in J. C.

Your most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco