To Fr Raffaele Cianetti, Lucca

E II, 948

He encourages him: for souls, an ounce of mercy is worth as much as a hundred myriagrams of knowledge

Turin, 20 July 1866

Dear Fr Cianetti,

I received the items from Catturegli and forwarded them for his use (i.e. for his son)..

Don’t worry about the fear of making a confession. It is unlikely that a penitent knows this more than you do. On the other hand, we must judge our suitability based on our exams and the will of our superiors. More so, in working for souls, an ounce of mercy is worth as much as a hundred myriagrams of knowledge.

So take courage and confess readily, as far as your health allows.

I have done and had done in common as you requested, indeed we will continue to recommend it to the Lord in our humble prayers.

When the train service is back to normal, I hope to take a trip to Lucca and we can talk about it then.

Please give my humble regards to the Bishop, to Fr Bertini, to the Marchioness Burlamacchi and her family, and try to increase the number of members of the Catholic Readings by ten thousand.

The the grace of J. C. be always with us. Amen. Pray for us and in the name of all I am

Yours affectionately in J. C.

Fr John Bosco