To Duke Tommaso Gallarati Scotti of Milan

E IV, 1845

He expresses his gratitude for the charity and assures him that the medal of Mary Help of Christians will protect him in every danger, as it has done for him many times.

Turin, 9 September 1873

Your Excellency and dear Duke,

I received the sum of fr. 500, which you sent in your great charity for our various needs. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. In this year of exceptional hardship and scarcity of charity, this sum is for us a help that is three times greater than in other times.

We have a fledgling congregation, with new members joining every day, and the harvest is plentiful every day. But we always have to stop due to lack of funds. By helping us in these moments, you are helping a congregation that will pray throughout its existence for the person who helped establish and sustain it.

Moving on to the subject you mention, I will tell you in confidence that I found myself in the same predicament. My protection was a medal of Mary Help of Christians. Three times lightning struck near me, even moving my bed from one side of the room to the other, but I was never hurt. Now I fear nothing, whatever happens: threats of storms, gales, thunder.

I believe I can assure you in the name of the Lord that nothing bad will ever happen to you while you wear the medal and have faith in Mary. In your letter, you mention the possibility of travelling to Cerano in the Novara area after the middle of this month.

If this happens, with your permission, I would gladly visit you and spend a day with you.

I will not fail to make a special mention of you every day in Holy Mass, and praying to God to keep your whole family in good health and in His grace, I also commend my poor soul to the charity of your holy prayers, as I profess that I am

Your Dear Excellency’s

humble and most obliged servant

Fr John Bosco