To Pope Pius IX

E II, 886

News about the oratories – opening of a new one – vocations for the Salesian Society – fear of serious calamity – negative judgement on the new ‘civil status’ – clergy loyalty to the Pope – progress in the construction of the church of Mary Help of Christians, which ‘is not the richest church in this city, but everyone says it is the most majestic and perhaps also the most suitable for nourishing the piety of the faithful’ – awaiting approval of the Salesian constitutions

Turin , 25 January 1866

Most Holy Father,

The Marchioness Amat of Villarios, our distinguished benefactor, is travelling to Rome, and I have taken the liberty of taking advantage of this fervent Catholic’s visit to express to Your Holiness some thoughts on my behalf, on behalf of my young people and on behalf of many colleagues in the Sacred Ministry.

The work of the oratories continues uninterrupted; over the past year we have opened a new one, and, God willing, another will open next summer. There are 1,200 young people housed in three separate residences, of whom about 100 each year don the cassock and go mainly to seminaries in their respective dioceses. Those who share this spirit join the Society of St Francis de Sales, which currently has 110 members. Morning and evening we continue to offer special prayers for the present needs of the Holy Church and especially for the preservation of the precious days of Your Holiness.

There is widespread fear of a great trial this year. Will it be a plague? A war? A drought? Let it be as God wills, provided that the gospel vineyard is not taken away from us and entrusted to other, better cultivators.

A real disaster among us was the civil state which began on the first day of this year. In addition to the immoral consequences that will follow, it produces serious discontent among the faithful and sows seeds of discord between civil and ecclesiastical authority.

What greatly consoles us in the midst of evil is the great harmony that exists between the faithful and the clergy, between the clergy and the bishop, and between the bishops and the voice of the supreme hierarch of the Church. After all, among us we write, preach and teach catechism with great success. There are frequent confessions and many people receive communion. The object of our faith and devotional practices can be said to be Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary Immaculate.

With regard to devotion to the great Mother of God, I note that the church of Mary Help of Christians, recommended and promoted by Your Holiness’ charity, has already reached a good stage. The walls are finished, the roof is complete; now we wait for divine providence to help, as we hope, to complete the work. It is not the richest church in this city, but everyone says that it is the most majestic and perhaps even the most conducive to fostering the piety of the faithful.

The Letture cattoliche continue and the number of subscribers exceeds twelve thousand, and it seems that they are eager to read it. This is the fourteenth year since it was first published and continues to be published. We ask for your holy blessing so that it may continue.

The Society of St Francis de Sales is progressing satisfactorily. Discipline and zeal are observed, leaving nothing to be desired. All of its members look to the Holy See, eagerly awaiting the final approval of the constitutions when and in the manner that Your Holiness deems most glorious for God and most beneficial for souls.

All my fellow parish priests and simple priests, the members of the Society of St Francis de Sales, all our resident young people or those who attend the oratories on Sundays prostrate themselves at your feet and, offering themselves ready to give their health, their possessions and their lives for the religion of which you are the head, they invoke your holy and apostolic blessing.

I, luckiest of all, have the great honour of being able to express, on behalf of all those mentioned above, my heartfelt gratitude and deepest veneration of Your Holiness.

Your most obliged humble and affectionate son,

Father John Bosco