E IV, 2168

He asks for detailed information and numerous clarifications on what the Salesian missionaries will need to carry out their work in San Nicolás de los Arroyos – he is determined to make a good impression at the start of this new venture

Turin, 12 August 1875

My dear Dr [Father] Ceccarelli,

Upon receiving your letter of agreement with Mr Gazzolo, we immediately replied on behalf of yourself and the municipality of San Nicolás.

We will leave no later than 15 November, but we hope it will be sooner. While we prepare our personnel, I must ask you many specific questions:

1. Regarding sacred furnishings, sacred vessels, and church furnishings, will these be provided there, or should we provide them ourselves and bring them with us?

2. The same question applies to household furnishings, kitchen items, bedroom items, shirts, sheets, handkerchiefs, tablecloths, towels, etc.

3. With regard to books, e.g. missals, antiphonaries, benediction cards, funeral cards, breviaries, catechisms, school books such as grammars, dictionaries and the like.

4. Once in San Nicolás, will our people go to the college or to the parish house? Do we need to consider domestic staff, or has anything already been arranged in this regard?

5. Whether the classes at the college also include those of the city, or whether these are separate from them, whether or not they are entrusted to others.

6. Whether we need to provide a piano or if there is already one in the college. Music sheets, methods for teaching the organ, piano, and Gregorian chant.

7. I am sending you the regulations, or rather the timetable, for some of our evening classes in Varazze and Turin. But the real rules lie in the attitude of those who teach.

8. Whether our priests are to take part in preaching, catechism, and the confessions of the faithful, as we do in our churches.

9. Whether it will be necessary for me to write in advance to the Archbishop of Buenos Ayres, and if so, in what sense.

10. Since I am printing a devotional book for young people in Spanish, as I have already written to you, and wishing to conform as closely as possible to the customs of this archdiocese, I would need you to send me as soon as possible a small catechism for children, from which I can extract daily prayers, namely: I adore you, Hail Mary, I believe [creed], Hail Mary, Angel of God, the Ten Commandments, acts of faith and the like. Thus our religious will quickly conform to what is already customary in the diocese.

At this time, you must arm yourself with patience, instruct me and help me.

I want you to help us make a good impression, and I do not want anyone to say, ‘That's petty.’ For since the honour of a fledgling Congregation is at stake, I intend to spare no personal effort or expense that may contribute to the success of our undertaking.

Finally, please give me any advice you deem appropriate and convey my humble and respectful regards to the members of the founding Committee, who were kind enough to write to me.

May God shower you with blessings; pray for me, who with true gratitude have the honour of professing that I am

Your dear Lordship’s

humble servant

Fr John Bosco