E IV, 2709

Advice regarding his new mission as Bishop of Susa — (premature) announcement of the Pope’s death

Rome, 7 February 1878

My dear and Reverend Bishop,

In time, I received news from Turin and then from your dear letter about how the great Pope Pius IX had bestowed his paternal blessing upon you and proclaimed you bishop of Susa. I was quite surprised, because I know how low you feel about yourself and how you will have to adopt a new attitude verbo et opere. But I quickly blessed the Lord, because I was and still am convinced that the Church had gained a bishop after God’s own heart and that he would do great good for the diocese of Susa.

I rejoice very much and with all the affection of my heart, I offer you all the houses of our Congregation for whatever service they may render to your respectable person or to the diocese that Divine Providence has entrusted to you.

I do not claim to act as a teacher, but I believe that you will soon have everyone’s hearts in your hands:

1. If you will take special care of the sick, the elderly and poor children.

2. Proceed very slowly in making changes to the staff already established by your predecessor.

3. Do what you can to earn the esteem and affection of certain individuals who held or hold high positions in the diocese; they feel that they have been neglected and that Your Excellency has been favoured.

4. In taking severe measures against anyone of the clergy, be cautious and listen to the accused as much as possible. Anyway, I hope we can talk in person in March.

Today, at around half past three, the supreme and incomparable star of the Church, Pius IX, passed away. The newspapers will give you the details. Rome is in shock, and I believe the same is true throughout the world. He will certainly be on the altars very soon.

I trust that Your Lordship will allow me to continue writing with the same confidence as in the past. Praying to God to enlighten and preserve you in good health, I commend myself to the charity of your holy prayers and profess with the utmost veneration that I am

Your Reverend and Dear Excellency’s

most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco