To the Prefect and Vicar, Fr Michael Rua

E I 876

News from Pisa – description of the Piazza dei Miracoli – various communications – nostalgia for the young people of the Oratory

Pisa, 13 December 1865

My dear Fr Rua,

I am in Pisa with Cardinal Corsi, where I truly live like a lord; carriages, coaches, horses, coachmen, waiters, good lunches, lavish dinners are at my beck and call. The only thing I miss is the young people from the Oratory, and then I would be happy. I saw the Arno River dividing Pisa in half, the cathedral, which is a famous basilica; the leaning tower, whose top is seven metres away from its base; the tower of hunger, where Count Ugolino died of starvation with his sons; the ruins of a house belonging to the said count, which the people of Pisa demolished to avenge the evils they had suffered at the hands of its owner; a baptistery, which is a marvel of workmanship and marble sculpture; a cemetery of such magnificence that it satisfies and preserves in peace all those who have their dwelling there. All things I like, but I haven’t seen my young people. I will talk about Florence when I return to Turin.

Now let’s come to ourselves. I wrote to the Cavaliere and in his letter there was a sealed note, but I fear I closed it without writing the address. This was to be addressed to Fr Francesia so that he could recommend its contents to Cav. Vallauri for l'Unità Catt. See what was done.

Tell Fr Cagliero that the plan for Avigliana is to leave in the morning and return in the evening, as Fr Valfré seems to prefer, even though there is a place prepared for eating and sleeping. In the meantime, send a list of the young people, noting at the beginning of the list those who need special attention, and then send them to more suitable houses. The sum of 70 francs was agreed for the function at Saint Augustine’s. This is standard practice.

I won’t be in Turin on Sunday; I will let you know in another letter when I will be arriving. I have already collected some money, but not the amount you want. Pray and get others to pray.

Give me lots of news about my dear children; and tell them that in all the churches I visit I always say a prayer for them and that they should also pray for their D. Bosco.

May God bless us and keep us all, always, in the holy fear of God. Amen.

Yours affectionately in J. C.

Fr John Bosco

P.S. I give my blessing and that of Cardinal Corsi, which is far more precious, to all the inhabitants of our house, including Michael... with his college?...

The Cardinal of Pisa gave me some beautiful little holy pictures to give to all the models of virtue we have in our house. You will tell me how many there are when you write to me. He then asked for news of the poet Fr Francesia, and I told him all about his virtues and miracles.