To Canon Melchiorre Fantini, Chieri

E VIII, 3579

He is very pleased that his health is improving and continues to recommend him in his prayers, begging him to make a substantial donation to the hospice in Sampierdarena, Genoa.

Turin, 8 January 1882

Very dear and Reverend Canon Fantini,

I received your kind letter in due course and am very glad to hear that your health is improving. I have always commended you to the prayers of our young people, and I added and continue to this day to add a daily memento in Holy Mass. I hope that God will hear our humble prayers and that you will regain your former health.

However, it would be quite a feat to snatch this accomplished grace from the Lord’s hands. Listen. The residents of the Hospice of S. Pierd'arena are in dire need. There, our young people know about hunger. I have already sent and am sending as much as I can, but it is not enough. Liabilities amount to 100,000 lire. Therefore, solely for the love of the Lord and to ensure the health of your body and the salvation of your soul, take fifty thousand lire in banknotes or bearer bonds and take them to that hospice. There you will find the poor rector who is in a state of agitation because of his debts. You will comfort him, lift up the poor and hungry.

You will say that this is a huge sum. That is true, but the reward is much greater.

After all, our life runs to its end like a swift steed, and what we do not do, we do not know if others will do.

I have not delayed in praying and asking others to pray for the family you recommended to me; I hope that God will prepare extraordinary consolations for them.

I pray for you with all my heart, dear Canon, and I pray for the good Nicoletta and your nephew, the cleric.

May God bless us all and keep us all in his holy grace; and please pray for me too, for I will always be in J. C.

Your most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco