To twenty-seven-year-old Prince August Czartoryski

E IX 4284

Regarding any possible marriage I think it right that you should follow the advice from your father and aunt — for further and more confidential advice, a personal meeting is necessary.

Turin, 15 December 1885

My dear Prince August Czartoryski,

We were all very anxious to hear from you, and now we are all very happy with the good news you have given us about yourselves and your family.

It seems to me that the question of marriage boils down to finding the right person, which is why I think you would do well to follow the advice of your father and aunt that you mentioned. However, I will not fail to pray and offer prayers and communions through our orphans in church and at the altar of Mary Help of Christians.

There are many things we could say to each other personally, but which cannot be adequately explained in a letter. However, the Blessed Virgin, who has guided us thus far, will not fail us with her maternal protection. I am confident that over the course of this coming year we will see you with the greatest consolation of all Salesians who love you as a father and benefactor.

May God bless you, my dearest Augustus, and may the desire for your eternal happiness guide your words and actions.

I've become a bit blind, so please be patient when reading my terrible handwriting.

In your great charity, please also pray for me and for the entire Salesian family, for which I will be forever grateful in J. C.

Your humble and obliged servant

Fr J. Bosco