To Fr Casimiro Vázquez, Vigo (Spain)

E X, 4435

He cannot accept the proposal to open a house in Vigo due to a lack of personnel – Regarding the request to get to know the congregation well, he is advised to stay for a few months in Salesian houses or, better still, in Valdocco.

Turin, 14 January 1887

Fr Casimiro Vázquez,

Dear Sir, with all my esteem.

Having received your thoughtful and appreciative letter of 23 December, I cannot fail to express my deep gratitude for your great zeal and for the interest you show in our Congregation.

I fully understand how beneficial a house in that city would be, and how suitable the conditions are for us, but I regret to inform you that, at present, we are unable to accept it due to a severe shortage of personnel. Furthermore, we are unable to provide even an approximate time frame in which we would be able to secure the necessary personnel to open it.

I am very sorry to inform you of this news, but given the circumstances, I have no choice but to take this course of action.

I hope, however, that the Lord will help us by sending us many workers to cultivate the vast field that he himself has entrusted to us, and then we will be able to respond to the many requests that continually come to us from all sides, without forgetting this one or the others that make us part of that illustrious and noble Spanish nation.

As for the instructions you mentioned regarding entering the Congregation, I think it would be best if you could spend a few months in one of our houses, and if you could come to the one in Turin, that would be even better.

Pray fervently to God for our Congregation, that as it grows day by day, it may fulfil the holy purpose for which it was established by the Lord.

In the meantime, please do not forget me, who professes that he is

always your servant who kisses your hand

Father John Bosco