Circular

E VII, 3363

Marseilles, mid-February 1881

Rules for the Collectors of the Church and Hospice of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome

In order to facilitate the work of the Collectors, certain rules are deemed appropriate and are submitted to their discretion.

1. Diocesan Ordinaries, parish priests and rectors of parishes are all requested and invited to act as collectors for this pious undertaking. All Salesian Cooperators are warmly invited to send any sums they have at their disposal to the given address.

2. There are also collectors proper, who are charged with collecting offerings in the towns and cities where they live or where they may happen to be. They are provided with a certificate bearing the stamp Pia Societas Salesiana and signed by Fr John Bosco.

3. It is advisable that the donations, with the name and surname of the donors, be recorded on the forms provided for this purpose, unless anonymity is desired. Once these forms have been completed with the money collected, they will be sent to their destination, and others bearing the same stamp will be sent. These forms will be bound together to form a glorious volume to be kept in the Sanctuary Archives as a perpetual memorial to those who contributed to its construction and for whom daily prayers will be said in perpetuity, as described in the Circular specifically issued for this purpose.

4. The forms mentioned above will bear the stamp of His Eminence Cardinal Monaco, Vicar of His Holiness Leo XIII. At the bottom of each column, the amounts will be added up, and in the last column, the total will be calculated and signed by the Collector.

5. Since in these times it is not so easy to find people who are able and willing to offer large sums, all small offerings, even of a few pence, will be gratefully accepted.

The form may be presented to educational institutions, colleges, and seminaries, inviting them to contribute, but always with the explicit permission of their respective superiors. The form may also be entrusted to a relative, a family friend, or someone outside the family, leaving it in their hands for a few days so that they may collect donations from people they know well.

6. When inviting someone to make offerings, one may point out that through their charity they are promoting a commendable work, blessed by the Supreme Pontiff; a work that aims to help the Church sustain religion; for in Rome, on the Esquiline Hill, next to our sacred building, Protestants have unfortunately already established themselves and are threatening the customs and beliefs of adults and unwary youth in a thousand fraudulent ways. It should also be noted that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an inexhaustible source of graces and blessings and that every small offering will be richly rewarded by him. The Hospice, the Festive Oratory, the Evening Classes and the Day Classes, being in favour of young people from all over the world, it follows that every donor, through his charity, helps to improve the most vulnerable and dangerous class of civil society, and many young people could thus be removed from the threshold of prisons, educated in science and religion, trained in some art or craft, to then be returned to civil society as good Christians, upright citizens, capable of earning an honourable livelihood through their own efforts. One could also point out the strict obligation that everyone has to give alms, especially in these times, when needs have multiplied in so many ways; but it is better to limit ourselves to mentioning the great favours we obtain for ourselves and our families while we live on earth, and even more so when we are called by God to eternal life. Many years after our death, perhaps no one will remember us, but in the Church of the Sacred Heart and in the adjoining hospice there will be faithful Christians, there will be hundreds of children who will raise prayers of gratitude to heaven for us.

7. This collection, being recommended to the civil and ecclesiastical authorities and made in the name of the supreme Hierarch of the Church, will hopefully have the support and favour of all good people; however, if any of the aforementioned authorities should show opposition, the collector shall desist from collecting alms in that place until he has obtained their approval.

8. The work is progressing rapidly, but we fear that we will lack the means if the charity of the faithful does not come to our aid effectively.

Fifteen thousand francs must be paid to the workers alone every month; therefore, whenever the Collector has been able to gather some money, at least every three months, he must send it to His Eminence the Cardinal Vicar of His Holiness or to Father Francesco Dalmazzo, Via Porta S. Lorenzo, 42, Rome, or to Father John Bosco in Turin.

9. Let everyone remember the beautiful promises that, through Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, the divine Saviour made to all those who promote the worship of His Most Sacred Heart.

Here are the promises: I will give all the graces necessary for their state. I will bring peace to their families. I will console them in all their afflictions. I will be their safe refuge in life and especially in death. I will pour abundant blessings upon their undertakings. Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy. Lukewarm souls will become fervent. Fervent souls will quickly attain great perfection. I will bless the homes where the image of my Divine Heart is displayed and honoured. I will give priests the gift of moving the most hardened hearts. Those who propagate this devotion will have their names written in my Heart, and they will never be erased.

[Fr John Bosco]

N.B. Unless you have other, more secure means, it is advisable to send money by postal order or registered letter.