To the pupils at Mirabello who are leaving for their holidays

E II, 954

‘Let me tell you furthermore that you will find people elsewhere who are more learned and far more virtuous than I, but it would be difficult for you to find anyone who seeks your good more than I do.’

Turin, 26 July 1866

To my dear boys at Mirabello,

I had decided to visit you next Sunday, but an urgent matter has forced me to change my plans. I am very sorry, and I had already decided what I wanted to say to you. Patience, God wants to save this consolation for us after the holidays, and then I hope we will spend not just one day, but a whole week together.

In the meantime, I think it is appropriate to wish you happy holidays with some fatherly advice that I believe is necessary for your souls.

1. I thank your rector, prefect, teachers, assistants and everyone else at the minor seminary for all their kindness, patience and prayers for my poor soul. Continue, dear boys; I assure you that I will recommend all of you every day in Holy Mass.

2. Before leaving, everyone should clear their conscience with a firm resolution to keep it that way until their return from holidays, for that week and for the day that will be set for your return; but do not allow yourselves to be tempted by some trivial matters to stay at home beyond the set time, unless your state of health does not allow it.

3. When you arrive home, go immediately on my behalf and on behalf of your other superiors to greet your relatives, your parish priest, teachers and other people to whom you have some obligation. This is a strict duty of gratitude that will please others and will also be beneficial to yourselves.

4. Do your usual meditation, Mass, and daily reading at home as you did at the college. The same frequency in confession and communion.

5. By your behaviour at home, show that your school year has not been wasted; therefore, be models to your relatives and friends in the virtue of obedience; bear with charity the annoyances of others, be undemanding in food, rest, clothing and the like.

6. Let it never be said of you that you speak ill of others or even listen to others speaking ill of them. If you happen to hear someone do this, imitate our patron saint, Saint Aloysius: either rebuke those who do it or flee immediately from dangerous company.

7. Try to recount some facts, some examples you have read, heard or studied to those who want to listen; or read some good books, but beware of bad reading as if it were a deadly poison for your souls.

Of course, my dear boys, I would tell you many other things if the brevity of a letter allowed it. Let me tell you furthermore that you will find people elsewhere who are more learned and far more virtuous than I, but it would be difficult for you to find anyone who seeks your good more than I do.

Therefore, remember me every morning as you listen to Holy Mass; for my part, I will not fail to remember you all every day as I celebrate it.

What a great consolation for me, what great fortune for you if you went home and returned without losing the grace of the Lord! Rest, be cheerful, laugh, sing, walk, and do whatever else you like, as long as you do not commit sin.

Happy holidays, my dear boys, and welcome back when you return. May the Lord’s blessing be with you every step of the way.

The Prefect of Studies may allow anyone who desires to read and copy this letter.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us always, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary assist us and help us to persevere on the path to heaven. Amen.

Believe that I am always with paternal affection, yours in the Lord

Your most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco