To Sister Marie Desvernay, Lyon

E VIII, 3929

He tells her that the donations received have been sent to the missionaries in Patagonia — better to be generous today than to keep money to be generous later — he assures her of his prayers for the whole community — he is unwell and cannot travel to Lyon for the time being.

Turin, 19 November 1883

Dear Sister,

In my last letter, I answered some questions about our business. Now I have many more things to tell you.

With your help our missionaries have left for Patagonia; they will work to win souls, to win souls saved by your charity. Blessed be God.

In your letter you add: the five thousand francs are here in reserve. O Sister, do not speak to Don Bosco about money in reserve, because if you advance this sum, you will earn the interest yourself, but for my part, I will tell you that the thousand francs will be immediately invested for the good of the earth and for paradise. This is how our orphans are preparing to receive Holy Communion for you.

I can assure you of my prayers; but I can only promise otherwise in regard to going to Lyon. My health is not very good at the moment; all the travelling tires me out terribly. We will see what God’s will will be.

You say, Sister, that you desire my assistance at the moment of death. Do not bother doing that. You will have your works that will follow you more and more; if divine mercy welcomes me into paradise, I will ask God to give me permission to visit you at that time.

To put it better: the Blessed Virgin herself will come to take care of you, of your soul; she herself will protect it and lead it with her to paradise. This is my prayer every day.

May God bless and protect you, your Superior, your entire religious community, and please pray also for this poor priest who with gratitude will be always, in J. Ch.

your humble servant

Fr J. Bosco