To a widow in distress

E III, 1429

Words full of hope in the sad circumstances of widowhood

Turin, 28 May 1870

My dear Madam,

I received your honourable letter and was very pleased to receive it.

From this I can see that your heart is deeply troubled by the loss of your late husband, but you have calmed down somewhat and resigned yourself to the divine will, which, whether you like it or not, you must submit to.

Do not fear that your husband’s love for you will diminish in the next life; on the contrary, it will be far more perfect. Have faith; you will see him in a much better position than when he was with us. The most pleasing thing you can do for him is to offer every worry to God for the repose of his soul.

Now give me some freedom to speak. It is a matter of faith that life in heaven is infinitely better than life on earth. So why grieve if your husband has gone to possess this? It is a matter of faith that death for us Christians is not separation, but a delay in seeing each other again. So be patient when someone goes ahead of us; he is only going to prepare the place.

It is also a matter of faith that you can do good for the soul of the deceased at any time through acts of piety and charity: therefore, should you not rejoice in your heart that God has granted you to survive? Then there is caring for children, comforting the bon père, practising religion, spreading good books, giving good advice to those who need it – are these not all things that should make us bless the Lord at every moment for the years he grants us?

There are also other reasons that I do not feel ready to disclose at this time.

In short, let us adore God in everything, in consolations and afflictions, and let us be certain that he is a good Father and that he does not allow afflictions beyond our strength, and that he is almighty and therefore can lift us up whenever he wants.

In the meantime, I have always recommended you and your family to the Lord in Holy Mass, and I will continue to do so both individually and in the communal prayers offered at Mary’s altar.

God bless you and your efforts; pray for me, as I gratefully profess that I am

Your Distinguished Madam’s

most obliged servant

Fr J. Bosco