To the Prefect Apostolic Bishop Giuseppe Fagnano

E IX, 4232

Before you set off on your great undertaking in the Patagonian Prefecture, where God has prepared a bountiful harvest for you, I too would like to say a few words to you, which may be the last from this friend of your soul.

Mathi, 10 August 1885

My dear Fr Fagnano,

Before you set off on your great undertaking in the Patagonian Prefecture, where God has prepared a bountiful harvest for you, I too would like to say a few words to you, which may be the last from this friend of your soul.

In this new sacred ministry of yours, you will be freer than before because you will be further away from your confreres who are there to watch over you and help you in times of danger, especially spiritual danger. Therefore, you must meditate incessantly and keep in your mind and heart the great thought: God sees me. God sees you; he will judge me, you, all our confreres, and all those souls for whom we labour.

On your excursions, whether short or long, never pay attention to any temporal advantage, but only to the glory of God. Remember well that your efforts should always be directed towards providing for the growing needs of your Mother. Sed Mater tua est Ecclesia Dei, says St Jerome.

Wherever you go, try to establish schools and minor seminaries in order to cultivate or at least seek vocations for the Sisters and Salesians. In these difficult undertakings, however, try to be on good terms with Bishop Cagliero. Your daily reading should be: our rules, especially the chapter on piety, the preface written by myself, and the decisions taken in the various Chapters held over time. Love greatly and strive to support those who work for the faith

To facilitate the handling of affairs, I intend to establish a Salesian Vicar in America, as I wish to do for the Salesians in Europe. But you will receive letters and instructions about this, if the merciful God grants me a little more time in my declining age.

I formally entrust you with the task of greeting our Sisters, my Salesian sons and their pupils on my behalf, and informing them of matters that may be of spiritual or temporal benefit to them.

One more thing. Keep strictly secret whatever is confided to you by your confreres and sisters, and give them complete freedom and secrecy in their letters, as prescribed by our rules.

May God bless you, my dear Fr Fagnano, and with you may he also bless all the civil superiors and others with whom you have occasion to deal, bless your works, and pray for me, whom I hope to see you all on earth, if it pleases God, but with greater certainty of seeing you with Jesus and Mary in blessed eternity. Amen.

Your most affectionate friend in J. C.

Fr John Bosco