To Countess Virginia Cambray Digny, Florence

E III,1346

Asks whether to forward or not to her husband, the Minister of Finance, a request for a remission of the property tax and whether given his position he might do something to ensure that the Italian government attends Vatican Council I.

Turin, 6 August 1869

Distinguished Countess,

Thank you for your repeated concern on our behalf. You tell me that the grant is small, but given the seriousness of the needs around us, every little bit helps a lot of people. Please thank the Count for me too.

In recent years, I have sometimes been exempted from paying tax on the building where our poor young people are housed. If you think it appropriate, ask someone whether it would be advisable to submit an application.

The local bishop [Lorenzo Gastaldi?], a holy and zealous man who is also in need, sent me the letter that I am enclosing. He does not know that I am addressing you, so if for reasons of prudence you decide not to take up the matter, it will remain between us. I would like to inform you that this bishop is doing very well in his diocese [Saluzzo] and that his need is genuine.

I received the photographs of Our Lady of Sorrows commemorating the death of your late son. I entrusted them to pious people who assured me of special prayers for the soul of the deceased.

Countess, you take such good care of us; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and rest assured that, especially in the sacrifice of Holy Mass, I will not fail to make a special memento every morning.

God bless you and your entire family, especially your husband, so that amid his difficult tasks he may walk the path of salvation.

Something just occurred to me. Could you not somehow speak about the Council and ensure that our government is represented, if not directly then at least indirectly? If the government insists on remaining completely uninvolved, it will be embarking on a very dangerous path. The reasons were known to past sovereigns, and also to present ones who, even if heterodox, seek to be favoured by the serious measures that are usually taken in ecumenical councils.

Please accept the compliments of Cavalier Oreglia, forgive the familiarity with which I write to you, and believe that I am, with the deepest gratitude,

Your Distinguished Countess’s

most obliged servant

Fr John Bosco