To Fr Francesco Valinotti

E I, 565

He expresses his disappointment at learning that Letture Cattoliche [Catholic Readings] are not considered his property.

Turin, 10 May 1862

Dear Father,

You cannot imagine, Father, how painful your letter to me regarding the Catholic Readings was, both because of the subject matter and because of the person to whom it referred.

I tried to respond several times yesterday, but my agitation prevented me from doing so. This morning, only after celebrating Holy Mass and commending everything to the Lord, I respond simply by recounting the facts as they really are.

I have never thought that the Catholic Readings belonged to anyone else. I drew up the programme, began printing, assisted it throughout, made corrections with the utmost diligence; each issue was composed or edited by me in an appropriate style and wording. I have always been responsible for what was printed. I travelled, wrote and had letters written for the propagation of the same. Public opinion, and the Holy Father himself in three letters addressed to me, consider me to be the author of the Catholic Readings.

Always the master of what I was doing, I always left to others — under my supervision, though that was overlooked — the material responsibility for shipping and accounting. Seeing the constant delays in printing lately, I started having some issues printed at the Ferrando printing house; however, as I was unable to obtain regular printing, I decided to set up a printing house here.

I had fonts, paper, formats and machine width adapted to Paravia’s prints. Printing has begun, and I have all the material ready for this year’s issues. I therefore intend to continue printing in this house and thus provide work for our poor young people.

Your yourself, Father, said to me several times in these words: ‘Hurry up, Don Bosco, and set up a printing press, so that we can get out of the mess with the press.’

I believe that Lawyer Pinoli’s letter did not reflect the Bishop’s opinion, for he told me several times in Ivrea and also in Turin in these formal words: ‘We must not seek any material gain from these Readings ; if any advantage comes of them, it will be good for the Oratory, which certainly needs it.’

I would certainly have a great advantage if, after working hard for 10 years on these Readings without a penny in return, I could now at least offer them as work to my young people!

But no one ever contested my ownership of something I had begun and continued with such effort and expense. You may say: There are debts to pay. Let them be paid.

I have been working for 10 years and have never sought a penny; I do not want any now either, because sordid interests will never guide me in matters relating to the glory of God.

I greatly fear that the devil will interfere in this matter and that, under the guise of material interests, he will succeed in sowing discord among individuals and doing what many of us lament, namely damaging the little good that, once commitment and interest are removed, could be promoted for the benefit of souls.

I have written with my mind greatly agitated by that blessed letter from the [canon] lawyer, Canon Pinoli, so if any expression seems harsh, it was not intended; indeed, I can assure you that I have written nothing other than what I believe to be for the greater glory of God and the good of souls.

Please be so kind, Father, as to communicate this letter to the aforementioned Canon Pinoli, and if you think it appropriate, to Bishop Moreno as well, both of whom I believe will understand, I hope, the reasonableness of my decisions. May you always count me among those who love you in the Lord, while with esteem and veneration I profess that I am

Your Reverend and Dear Father’s

Most devoted servant

Fr John Bosco