To the Carthusian deacon and former novice, “Son of Mary”, Giovanni Battista Martini

E IX, 4046

“I can only urge you and strongly recommend that you persevere in doing good with invincible courage. And this courage, which is always weak in us, can become invincible if we enter into the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

Turin, 17 June 1884

My dear Martino,

Your letter was a great consolation to me. You know how much I love my beloved children and how much I desire their spiritual and temporal well-being. I therefore rejoice with you and in the inner and outer peace you enjoy and in the affection your superiors, your confreres and those under you have for you; in short, in all the good things with which the Lord gratifies you through his mercy.

I can only urge you to persevere in doing good with invincible courage. And this courage, which is always weak in us, can become invincible if we enter into the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Oh! How many delights we can find hidden there in our trials and sorrows. There, thorns are changed into pure lilies, our tears into precious pearls, wormwood into milk and honey.

Oh! Heart of our Jesus, why can we not make everyone love you? And why do we ourselves love you so little?

Keep yourself under the mantle of Mary Help of Christians, this dear mother of mercy, this queen of Virgins, and you will always be invincible in the battles that hell may prepare for you and will certainly prepare for you.

Courage, then, and perseverance. I bless you and I bless all my beloved children, whom the Lord gave me to lead with me to Paradise.

May God grant us all the grace that none of us may be missing when the call comes.

Be always joyful in the Lord, pray for me, as I never cease to pray for you, and believe I am always yours most affectionately in J. and M,

Fr John Bosco

P.S. I bless my beloved “Sons of Mary” in a very special way. Tell them that I love them very much, that I have high hopes for them, and that they should pray for me, as I pray for them all.