To Abbot Antonio Rosmini in Stresa
E I 177
Opening of negotiations for the establishment of a printing press at the Oratory — difficulties with this, especially of a financial nature.
Turin, 29 December 1853
Distinguished and Reverend Sir,
Before responding to your honourable letter, I wanted to calculate my current financial situation and the difficulties that could be encountered in setting up a printing press in the sense that we intend.
I will begin by telling you that this idea has been a major focus of my thoughts for several years, and only a lack of resources and premises has prevented me from putting it into practice. For we lack a printing press that is reliable, economical and efficient.
There would be no difficulty on the part of the proto [senior typesetter, press foreman], and I do not think there would be any on the part of a good and active director either; what I am opposed to are the expenses I would have to incur to convert part of the premises under construction for this use, and the initial set-up costs.
However, since you would be willing to provide a substantial amount of capital, I would be willing to get to work; but I need you to let me know how much capital you are able and willing to provide, and under what conditions it would be made available to me.
If these last two clauses are compatible with my current situation, I believe that the matter can be settled, and that there will be no shortage of work and that I will be able to find work for a good number of my boys; it goes without saying that your moral support is perhaps even more indispensable to me than material assistance.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and for remembering me and my poor boys. As I cannot show you my gratitude in any other way, I pray to the Lord God to shower you and the entire worthy Institute of Charity with his heavenly blessings.
Kissing your hands respectfully, I am with the utmost veneration
Your Distinguished and Reverend Sir’s
most obliged and affectionate servant
Fr John Bosco
