To the Mayor of Turin, Ernesto Balbo Bertone di Sambuy
E IX 4095
He announces that he is willing to accept all young people who have been abandoned or orphaned during the cholera epidemic, on the sole condition that they are first examined by a doctor — he hopes that the mayor and authorities will be spared from the epidemic.
Turin, 24 September 1884
Dear Mr Mayor,
According to various reports, it appears that the cholera morbus, which has already reached some towns in the province, is approaching and closing in on the city of Turin every day; therefore, despite the commendable and useful precautions taken by the authorities, there is reason to fear that it will also afflict our fellow citizens.
We trust that this will not happen, but should our common hopes be dashed, I believe it would be pleasing to Your Excellency if I offered to take into the Oratory of St Francis de Sales all those young people aged between 12 and 16 who, as a result of the epidemic, have been orphaned and abandoned, and are in the physical condition required by the Institute’s regulations.
During the cholera epidemic of 1854 and 1855, a similar offer was made to the mayor at the time, and I am happy to repeat it to you, glad to be able to contribute in some way to alleviating human suffering.
The only condition I impose is that young people admitted to the centre must first be examined by a doctor, who must certify that they do not show any symptoms of the disease, so as not to put the health of their peers at risk.
We trust that God, in his mercy, will keep all misfortune away from Turin. In any case, I pray to Heaven that it will keep you as mayor of this great and illustrious city for a long time, protect you and all the members of the City Council from the dreaded scourge, and grant us strength and courage to do good to all.
Confident that Your Excellency will continue to extend your valuable kindness to the young people of this house, I have the honour of expressing my highest esteem,
Your Excellency’s
most obliged servant,
Fr John Bosco
