To former novice (future priest ?) Giovanni Turco

E II, 1104

“It can be said that the calamitous age has passed; the more you progress through the years, the more the illusions that man has about the world will fade away.”

Turin, 23 October 1867

My dear Turco,

Your letter gave me great pleasure and was all the more welcome because you speak to me with our old familiarity, which is the dearest thing in the world to Don Bosco.

Looking at your letter from a single point of view, I thank the Lord that in the most difficult years of your life He helped you to preserve the sound principles of religion.

It can be said that the calamitous age has passed; the more you progress in years, the more the illusions that man has about the world will fade, and what you told me will be confirmed, that only religion is stable and can, at all times and in all ages, make man happy in time and in eternity.

Having said this, I advise you to continue in your profession as a surveyor, to practise your religion, especially through frequent confession, which is a true balm for you, but to do everything possible to assist and console your good father in his old age, which, thank God, can be said to be very prosperous.

In the past, I have always recommended you to the Lord in Holy Mass, and I will do so even more willingly in the future because you ask me to.

You will pray for me too, won't you? I have some entertaining booklets to translate from French. Would you translate some of them for me? They would be printed in the Letture cattoliche.

I will always find comfort whenever you write to me. May God bless you and your father, and keep you ambidue ad m ultos annos with a happy life.

Fr Francesia, Frs Lazzero, Chiapale and many other friends of yours greet you and I will always be, in the Lord,

Your most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco